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Prologue
“Molly, give it up Kyle isn’t co”
Molly Walker crossed her arlared at her half brother “I want to try one more time to convince him”
Shane swept his Stetson off his head and wiped his dripping forehead with a bandana he had pulled from the back pocket of his orn jeans Even at the end of Septe hot in central Texas, and he had been working all day on the ranch he oith their father, Jared Walker Molly had caught hiear for the day She kneas eager to join his wife, Kelly, and their two young daughters for dinner, but he was patient, as always, with his younger sister
“You’ve sent two representatives to talk to him since we located him in late July He sent thee that he wants to be left alone I know taking hints isn’t one of your strong points, Molly, but even you can get that e”
“I’ to do for Moether for a surprise silver anniversary party would mean so much to theot nearly everyone Kyle’s presence would make the party almost perfect”
“Not if he doesn’t want to be here”
“Why wouldn’t he? I knoounded over seas, but all the reports are that he seems to be almost fully recovered now, so that shouldn’t be a problem He was close to Mom and Dad, especially Moraduation Mom sent cookies when he went to boot camp, for Pete’s sake He was a member of our family”
“No, honey He just lived with us for a couple of years when he was a kid Things change Kyle changed Maybe it was the war, or , answering letters,any attempt to stay in touch Moo Just as you have to do now”
She felt her lower lip start to protrude, and she made a deliberate effort to draw it back in
She would be twenty-four in just over afor a twenty-four-year-old woain I just want to ask him one more time”
“So write him a letter”
“I’m not sure a letter would work But he admired you, Shane Maybe if you—”
“I can’t go to East Tennessee to browbeat Kyle right now” He spoke gently, but firmly, his tanned face set into implacable lines that made him look veryFriday for that cruise, and they’ll be gone for three weeks I’ve got more than I can handle here”
She sighed and nodded reluctantly Shane would be extre It had been hard enough to talk Jared into taking his first long vacation with his wife Only the knowledge that Shane would be here to keep the ranch running had ree
“Send Kyle a letter, Molly” Shane squeezed her shoulder “Tell him how much it would mean to you— and to Mo to have to accept his decision Don’t let it ruin your pleasure in the party You’ve already done soto be so surprised, and so pleased to see everyone you’ve found all together”
Molly wished she could be content hat she had accoet past the feeling that sooing to have to handle personally—though she knew better than to express that sentiment to her overprotective and notoriously bossy older brother
Chapter One