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The ti on the oven ht a week at the tavern--that’s a start We’ll convince your dad to up it to two, then three"

She molded aluood, but then who’ll do e? Get Laura to help"

"Yeah, right" She set over her resentotten past the fact that her sister’s attee, planning the festival--it was like Laura had so to prove That she had more experience, that she knew better That she was s serious," he said "You need to ask people for help You need to make people help" He popped a prosciutto-wrappedwith pleasure "Hell, I’ll help, if it gives you tih at that "It’s sweet how you encourageis a dreaet help froet why she’s here or for how long"

His gaze bored into her "So me"

"Uh-oh" She looked away How had her intended seduction turned into this?

He took her chin and tilted her face up to his "I need you around o on the defensive, and his bold statement had thrown her Stolen her breath

"I do Why do you think I’ve been hanging around that lodge? It was for gliht her sht split her face in two "Really?"

"Really But you’re so busy, and there was Daled "Daed playfully, barely concealing his s is, I want to take you on a real date You deserve the best But you’re always running circles around that da Repairs, budget, food, staff, and the cleaning? It’s tooservice?" It was the last thing she’d expected to hear She shook her head doubtfully "In Sierra Falls?"

"I’ll find one for you You won’t even have to think about it"

The prospect tickled her But she was a realist "Not possible," she said "My dad would have a conniption"

"Your dad can deal with it" The steel in Billy’s tone gave her pause "I’ives you any trouble, tell hiet that, I’ll tell hiet your point"

"It’s time to demand more help froht" She’d been accepting Damien’s sporadic favors for months, so as she afraid to ask for help frohtful as she asseht then What the hell?"

Her next thought, one that reet to that conclusion? Hoas it this new sheriff had co to turn it--and her--upside down in such a short ti saucy "If you help ratitude" For the first time, she felt in control, felt hoerful she was in her femininity She decided she’dShe wouldn’t spend the night Not tonight But she knew it’d be soon Her skin pulled tight at the thought, the blood pounding hot, just beneath the surface "I’ll try to make your efforts worth your while"

She looked up, expecting to see humor on his face, but Billy’s eyes were dark, pinned on her She sucked in a breath, his intensity staggering He was kind and thoughtful But he was also a , and that hat she read in his gaze now

Her pulse kicked as some essential part of her wakened to life Billy Preston was a lawman, but he kissed like an outlaw She was desperate to discover just hoent about other things, too

Twenty-seven

Marlene asse west, it was the brightest and war area with antique occasional tables that er sandwiches convenient

It was also her athered to discuss historical society business, it hat to do about Ma that weighedan off day, staring silently, and it worried Marlene Usually, her mother lookedan expression that was bland but pleasant But not today Today Ma just sat, blankly

Marlene had made her mother’s favorite French toast, played her old music, and shepherded her into the TV rooraed her

Sorrow came to stand beside her, and Marlene reuests who needed her attention "Make yourselves at ho us" Sorrow took off her hat and fluffed her hair, and it crackled with static