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“No” Her tone was ada as I’ht But if you want, you canin the door, knowing he’s gone, that’ll be when it all co in That’s when I’ll need you”

“I’ll be there Just tell me when”

“I’ll have to let you know I could be tied up for hours Dad’s lawyer is here in Lubbock I called, and he wants to e control with his ca the funeral” Sky could hear the strain in her voice Lauren alking the ragged edge, but she was holding on “I’ll call you when I’round “Got to go,” she said, and ended the call

Dazed by the news, Sky slipped his cell phone back into his pocket He should have known Lauren wouldn’t fall apart She was a strong woe to hold her in his arms, console and protect her, was still there He would respect her wish that he stay away, but right noanted nothing more than to be at her side

As for the ripple effect of Garn Prescott’s deathIt would be as if an earthquake had struck

On the heels of the drug o national, of course With luck, Prescott’s attempted suicide could be kept out of the press A heart attack was, at least, a respectable way to go

The election, already in a tailspin, would become even more frenetic Until the money scandal broke, Garn Prescott had been the front-runner Noas anybody’s race; and there’d also be a scraress

Other issues hit closer to home As far as Sky knew, Lauren was Prescott’s sole heir The congress in debt when he’d sold out to the syndicate But he owned—or had owned—the house and his father’s collection of vintage cars and had hopefully left behind soovernment life insurance

Lauren would do fine So why should she settle for a man with a hundred acres and a little money in the bank?

This was no time for questions, Sky told himself He loved Lauren, and whatever happened, he would be there for her But loving wasn’t the sah his head, the better

Looking toward the house, he saw Will’s red truck pull up to the porch Will would want to hear about Prescott’s death And knowing Will, his first thought would be for the canyon parcel he’d tried so one, et Lauren to sell it to him

Preparing to deliver the news, Sky locked the paddock gate and strode across the yard toward the house

Cli into the Cadillac, Lauren took a ainst the top of the stee

ring wheel She’d been running on adrenaline all afternoon Now that she was alone and finally about to head home, she was exhausted

Shouldn’t she be feeling so? This wasn’t her first loss She’d experienced her rief and tears that went on and on But now all she felt wasdrained