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In fact, she liked to consider herself Jessup-proof She was a college-educated, for professional who’d et soe of scenery No men—Jessup or otherwise

She’d sworn off dating, just as she’d sworn off her old life in the city She had an ex-fiancé she didn’t miss and an old job she’d pushed fro both But why and for what?

She’d coure out the answers To determine what it was she wanted from life, what made her happy Because she’d learned the hard way that a ether in harmony

She reminded herself that she was self-assured Self-reliant Self-made She put her hands on her hips “I’m not your darlin’ ”

He gave her an assessing look “More’s the pity ”

She resisted the urge to adjust her clothes under the intensity of that stare “So don’t call me that ”

“Yes, er to an iinary hat Before she could demand that he nota fine, not-your-darlin’ city girl like you to a construction site? Because I can see on that pretty face of yours—you’ve got so to say ”

Fine…pretty She refused to register the comments Eddie probably spoke like that to every female within a ten-mile radius And what had she come to say? It was in her brain somewhere

It took a uments she’d rehearsed in the car to shoot to the forefront of herhere?”

He got an innocent look on his face “I’ a storm drain ”

“I can see that Iin the abandoned house and surrounding ranch property “Here ”

“Ah ” He met her eyes, and for once he looked serious “You heard the news ”

“Yeah, I heard about your Golden Slumbers Ranchlandia ”

He laughed “It’s Sleepy Hills Resort and Spa ”

“Whatever ” She waved an i as you’re about to bury the Bailey family business ”