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Tess winced She should call hioing into the barn tonight But he wouldn't listen Wouldn't stop She felt a sick tensing in her stomach

He wasn't going to be amused by what she'd done Not

tonight

He disappeared into the barn Tess waited

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There were about twoyell "Get in here, Lissa Now!"

Tess thought briefly about running into the house, but kneould be pointless He'd find her "Lissa!"

Tess clutched the grain sack to her midsection like a protective shield, tilted her chin, and headed for the barn It was all part of the plan, she reood She had to get hiuard She had to make him react

And what she'd done in the barn would certainly do that

She sidled past the huge wooden door Jack was standing with his back to her He stood stiff as a fence post, staring at the enormous yelloer she'd painted on his workbench Beside hi tools "What the hell did you do?" Tess jumped He spun around "Talk!"

Tess bit her lower lip to stop it fro All at once she realized the error in her plan She didn't know this man, didn't knohat he was capable of The mouse had blithely baited the lion "Now!"

"I painted your workbench and rearranged your tools" "I see that" His voice was quiet Too quiet Another icicle of fear streamed down Tess's stiffened back "What is it you painted, a daffodil?"

"Tulip," she said in a srabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her to him She hit his chest hard and let out a tiny yelp of pain He glared down at her, breathing hard She looked up

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Pale lantern light highlighted the hard, unforgiving angles of his face "This is oddamn it Mine"