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"We’re out" He didn’t sound angry

"I know, I bought some more, but where do you like it kept? Every time I have been over, it’s been on the counter"

He lowered the paper and frowned at her "It doesn’t s where they will be most convenient for you"

Of course From now on the kitchen was her territory – just as he thought it was Katie’s territory Why hadn’t she noticed that before? Yet she was the one who had established the gender para hi twisted her stomach He wanted her to stay home and be the traditional wife Would she be happy with that? Certainly she would like to be a stay-at-horoceries all put up, she started supper When it started to sood, Alex abandoned his chair and caainst the counter and watched her work

"Hungry?" she asked

He nodded "Yes I couldn’t find anything in here to snack on I’lad you went to the store"

So that hy he was upset Well, that was understandable Still, he could have called She stiffened Was her phone on? She spoke without looking at him

"Did you try to call me?"

When he didn’t respond, she looked up at his face He atching her, a sardonic smile on his lips

"You don’t know?"

Blood raced up her neck painfully "I had it inI checked to see if it was on before I left"

"But you’re not sure if it rang or not?"

Focusing her attention on the pan of potatoes, she clamped the lid back on and kept her tone even

"Did you call?"

"I called"

"I don’t knohat happened," she said in a monotone

"That’s a first"

He pushed away fro is it going to be?"

He was tired and hungry Once again he had been unable to reach her on the cell phone – for whatever reason How could she bla irritable?

"About fifteen minutes Would you like a snack?"

"No I’ll wait"

"I’m sorry" She said in a measured tone

"You always are, Care indicated he was upset

"I wish you would make an effort to be available on your cell phone e’re apart I know it’s a nuisance for you to carry it, but it’s ied to keep her voice conversational as well

"I’ll make it a priority from now on"

With the air cleared, he dropped the subject and e reiven her tiiven it ht or effort To her, a telephone was a necessity, not a convenience A cell phone was an advantage for others, and one one to the trouble and expense of getting the phone The least she could do was , a search through her purse failed to produce her telephone Without alerting hie and searched her car There it was, in the seat Apparently it had fallen out of her purse at some point The display indicated ait into her pocket, she went to feed the chickens

It was the first tiether In fact, she did all the chores without telling hi the buffalo When she cas, he juht you were in the other rooht Ia paper towel, she began wiping the eggs off and putting theiven her

Alex walked around the counter and came into the kitchen, his attention focused on her

"Did I hurt your feelings?"

Her gaze lifted to his face innocently

"When?"

She lifted the egg to the light and took her ti it It was unfair to punish hi Besides, he never asked her if she wanted a phone

His brows lifted quickly and his eyes rolled to the side

"I’ll go feed the horses"

"I already did that – and the buffalo"

He had already turned toward the door, but hearing the last part, he swung around

"I told you not to feed the in the carton

"You said not to feed thes They are"

His jaorked "I’ll decide when it’s safe for you to feed theht over this now?"

For a hed heavily and ran a hand through his hair

"Apparently"

He looked co tocare of business and her happiness The latter was impossible There was a choice to be ot heated It wasn’t as though he was being unreasonable In fact, he was doing exactly what she had indicated she wanted hiave hiht about it If you want to feed those nasty things, have at it"

She wrinkled her nose and darted past him playfully

His expression went froed his hand as it darted out to catch her, and raced around the counter, giggling all the while He caught up with her at the door as she started to open it Shutting it with one hand, he grabbed her with the other

She half-heartedly tried to twist around hi with mock fear as his arms captured her He chuckled softly as he pulled her into an eentle

"No," she said, looping her arht you"

He drew her close, his expression a?"

His e She kissed his lips quickly and leaned back to watch his face

For a azed down at her Maybe he wanted to be the one who initiated loveto happen Finally he released her So that he was annoyed again

She stood quietly gazing up at his face Surely he wasn’t going to walk away

Slowly he cradled her face in his hands and proceeded to kiss it lightly - first her forehead, then her cheeks and finally the corners of her ripped his wrists, aze with all the invitation she couldpause, he finally lowered his head and kissed her full on the lips It was a long lingering kiss that brought her to full passion She started to groan with pleasure, but it caer whimper that sent a rush of heat to her face

He pulled her into an e her in his strong arnize as a precursor to lovehtened her arms around his neck and kissed him softly All ell in their world now