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Nate wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think his own father had ever had one of these talks with his brothers-in-law or he would’ve heard about it But right there, right then, he decided that if he ever had a daughter, he was going to do that It was a good idea--take the young irl’s wonderful qualities, threaten his life a little It had merit

A few ar Then Brad, then Jim Nate leaned close to Beau’s ear "How’d you knoas done with oing to work out," Beau said with a shrug

"Just out of curiosity," Nate asked, "has he had many of these talks?"

"I think you’re the first"

"What about that loser, Ed?"

"Ah, Ed I don’t think Annie brought him around all that much From e heard, he was very busy I met him once, I think, and not on a holiday He did sell a couple of things to s Before he and Annie hooked up Dad? We didn’t like Ed much, did we?"

Hank just snorted and said so derisive under his breath

"Just out of curiosity, why didn’t you like him?" Nate asked

"He swindled me on a hay baler," Hank said "Said he had the best price in the county Took me about a month to find all kinds of better deals"

"So, it didn’t have anything to do with how he treated her?" Nate asked

"Son, you really think if a man will swindle you on a hay baler, you can trust hiht about it that way"

"I can’t iine another way to think about it," Hank said

"Wow," Nate said, feelingout -to

When the cigars were finished, thein the kitchen with coffee Nate paused in the doorway and signaled Annie "Got a second?" he asked her When she stood before hiet a head start Spend as o home andis dry"

"I can coet the puppy chores done and when you get there, I’ll have more time with you By the way, are we all set on their care while I’one? We talked about it a little…"

"Not to worry, Nate Virginia and I worked out the details We’re going to share the load and they’ll be looked after And if it’s okay with you, I’ll make sure the adopted ones are delivered on Christ to take one, which brings us down to three left to place I’ll make sure they’re okay"

"Tell anyone you take a pup to that if they bring ’eive thee"

"That’s nice, Nathaniel"

"Then I’ll see you in a little while," he said, giving her a platonic peck on the cheek "Thank you, Mrs McKenzie," he said to Rose "Nice reat trip, Nate," so you"

"Travel safe"