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"Hello, tenderfoot"

"Clay," she replied, trying not to succumb to his velvety voice His scrutiny forced her to look up "What brings you here?" she finally asked

"I'randparents Is it wrong to visit faan sneered "Why are you here at the ranch?"

"Curious about the old place and you" His emphasis on you and the fact that he stared at her acaused her knees to buckle She despised his scrutiny "Hoas college?"

"Like you care"

"Not really, but I am curious if it's worth the time and effort"

She stared at hi eyes Was this a gae being a waste of time and money "Actually, it is worth it More than you would ever understand In fact, last seined I'm excited for the fall semester"

Clay stood tall against the center post, his hands tucked in the front pockets of his tight-fitting jeans His black eyes seared deep into Megan's oval-shaped eyes but she looked away This time he would not draw her in

"It is your life," he finally said "Oh, and don't worry, Tenderfoot I'nizable tune and then left Megan followed, needing to see him leave

She watched the black 4 x 4 leave the drive, followed by a cloud of dust "Good riddance," she muttered and returned to the barn She returned the pitchfork to its hangar with force and then sto about Clay's unti," they pleaded

"Sure," she said, enthused to be doing so saddled their horses and then practiced different gaits Megan kept tabs on Christa and saw her watching, but ould it take to get her riding again? As she circled the arena, Megan offered pointers and praise

"This is stupid," Danny hollered out, pulling tighter on the reins to stop his horse "Let's go in circles like we're on a o-round Soh his short blond hair It now stood on end rean of Mr Snow Miser froh as to not further aggravate the young lad