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“It’s a good thing it’s payday,” Buzz declared and fingered the nearly empty packet of Caarettes et me into town”

“What are you going to spend your money on, Jessy?” Bill reached over and pulled the brionna let loose of some of that money you been hoardin’ all summer and buy yourself a decent hat?”

“Don’t be insultin’ ot character,” she insisted with a s saddle Barnes is makin’ for me”

“A saddle” Suht you’d be buy in’ a party dress for your birthday”

“I’d rather have a good saddle than a party dress,” Jessy retorted She already had two good Sunday dresses, so she didn’t see the need for spending her money to buy another, especially one that she’d probably only have occasion to wear once a year A saddle was so practical, and it would last for years with proper care It was an invest she could take pride in “Just wait till you boys see it”

“Barnes is a daood saddlemaker I’ve seen soettin’ himself quite a reputation Some cowboys from as far away as Colorado have had him make saddles for them”

Ty carried the cigarette to his lips and studied the lanky girl, squinting through the curling s, but he also noticed the s deliberately and easily into the next There was a kind of natural grace in the relaxed posture of her body, long and slilance idled an instant on the flatness of her chest, her young breastslittle more than small bumps under the blouse material

“When’s your birthday, Jessy?” Ty asked when he lifted his gaze and found her looking directly at hihtly uncomfortable about the notice he’d taken of her immaturity

“Next week,” she answered

“We’re going to throw a bang-up party for you, too,” Buzz winked “We’re going to invite Sheriff Potter so he’ll quit stoppin’ you for driving without a license”

“How old will you be?” Ty atte years, but she answered him before he had finished his subtraction

“Sixteen”

A teasing light entered his eye “Sweet sixteen and never been kissed?”

“Jessy?” Buzz Taylor hooted with laughter at the idea of the to kissed “I’ll bet the only one what ever kissed her was her horse!”

Her eyes went brilliant with anger She swept off her hat and slapped his shoulder with it “Buzz Taylor, you shut up!” she raged in a temper, the likes of which Ty had not seen None of the three had seen her so outraged and defensive, and it struck the at her, it justmy horse!”