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She hesitated, but only for an instant, before she ran to hied her close “Welcome home, darlin’,” he said

Bull caught the glint of a tear on Jasper’s cheek Rose had been like a daughter to hie difference In the conflict over the land that was bound to come, Bull knew he could expect no help from his oldest friend

After a moment, Rose broke away froht that flooded the yard, the striking eyes she fixed on hi, dark coffee, fra lashes and crowned by thick, dark brows “Hello, Bull,” she said

“Hello, Rose” There were no elad to see her, and she couldn’t help but know it After all this time, he’d hoped that maybe she’d found a man and settled down somewhere But he should’ve known better

“You ry and tired,” he said “Come on in I’ll have Bernice rustle you up some supper”

“Bernice?” She looked crestfallen “I was hoping you’d ain”

Bull’s throat tightened He glanced at Jasper for help

“Susan passed away six years ago, Rose,” Jasper said “Bernice is my sister She came to take care of their two boys”

“Oh—oh no, I’uard, Rose showed a flash of vulnerability She’d known Susan for only a short time, but Bull recalled that there’d been an instant connection between them

“Those two boys wouldthe aard silence “Are your bags in the trunk, Rose? I’ll carry them inside for you”

“The key’s still in the car,” Rose said “Just bring the duffel, thanks Everything else can stay”

“Take her bag to the duplex That’ll give her soive him some peace and quiet He needed time to come up with a plan to keep that thirty-acre parcel of land with its vital access to water

Bull saw Rose hesitate, as if uncertain whether to fo

llow Jasper or stay He jerked his head toward the house

“Come on in and eat before you turn in, Rose Jasper, you co up to do”