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But Whitney was s up

"We have per to protect you, you know," Whitney said

Ashley s to protect her "But you knohat? I ela, and I row up here, and I do kno to use a shotgun Guess I’ll go drag ela Jackson and Jake are alet the horses saddled--and I’reat--we can head out as soon as they drop off Frazier and Beth"

"Are they staying?"

"No--they have another stop toto have a talk with Toby Keaton," Whitney explained

Whitney headed back to the house, her dark curls bouncing as she walked Ashley was about to knock on Cliff’s door and find out if he’dher saddle up the horses, when he walked out

"We’re expecting a load of hay," he told her "I ih Seeh I haven’t seen any reporters around for a while"

"Maybe they’ve decided that peering in fro," Ashley said "Apparently, they’ve got so with the police I think that a police spokesperson has been handling news on the investigation Well, actually, what do I know? We’re all at the house having the same experience"

"Cops are supposed to coo over my apartment," Cliff said

"And you don’t mind?" Ashley asked him

"I want to be cleared," he said

She smiled "You’re clear in my book"

"Well, and that’s what counts to me But I don’t want to spend the rest ofat me if they don’t catch the bastard"

"They’ll catch him," Ashley said

"How do you know that?"

"Jake said so," Ashley told him

Cliff nodded "Well, God knows--I hope so I pray so, Ashley, I really do"

They looked at one another as they heard tires on the gravel near the front Walking around, they saw that a white ed, followed by a tall, sli the to Will, who nodded and grinned He went for the bags at the back of the car while she walked over to thereen eyes shone out over her easy s her hand

"Jenna, lovely toyou, of course," Ashley said "Welcoal Plantation"

"It’s brilliant," she said There was a lilt to her voice, very soft, and yet it spoke of an Irish background

Jenna looked at Cliff and seemed to assess him quickly "You’re--"

"Cliff Cliff Boudreaux Suspect," he said dryly

"Ah, well, we’re all suspect at one time or another, aren’t we, then?" she asked

"If you say so, Jenna," Cliff said He was grinning; the tere looking at one another with a like an instant rapport Ashley found herself a you into the house, Jenna, and show you to a rooan

"I can--and have--slept on many a floor Put me wherever you would like, and I’ll be just fine," Jenna assured her

"Oh, Cliff, would you saddle Varina, Nellie and Tigger forto co?" Jenna’s eyes lit up

"Cliff, add Jeff to the horse list, will you?"

"Oh, I think she’d do well on Bobby You’re a rider, aren’t you, Jenna?" Cliff asked

"I like to think so," Jenna said

"Bobby, then Bobby it is!" Cliff said

"Are you joining us?"

"Can’t," Cliff said "We’re expecting a delivery But hopefully we’ll get a chance soether"

"It’s a date," Jenna said