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“Nothing that needs to concern you” He stopped when they reached the open door of the twin-engine aircraft, and kissed her cheek Straightening, he winked “I won’t tell you to behave yourself I’llby the car long enough, now scoot” He slapped her behind with fatherly affection to send her on her atched her for a thoughtful second, then cliht ultimately dovetail nicely

Stricklin was already in the plane, buckled in his seat Dyson nodded to him and took an opposite seat to strap himself in

“I believe she is going to catch that young lance out the smallat the couple “What do you think of the match?”

“It’s ideal,” his partner replied and meant it

14

The spring roundup ended a week later, and it was arranged for Ty’s duties to keep hi out of one of the far-flung cauest and sleeping late in the s, she seldom saw Ty until noon

Most of the afternoons she was left to her own devices Maggie Calder had given her a tour of the ranch facilities, taking her to visit the one-roo her the co, and , but she would have preferred that Ty had shown her these things She spent irritatingly little time alone with him Sometimes she wondered if he ever had a day off from ran

ch work

With slow steps, she descended the stairs, absently trailing her hand along the railing while she wondered how she was going to fill this Saturday afternoon The front door opened and shut with a bang and Cathleen cairl with sudden interest Maybe she could persuade Cathleen to guide her to wherever Ty orking this afternoon

“Hello, Cat” She used the fairl

“Tara! I was just looking for you” She changed direction to coht-eyed and out of breath, “Ty said forclothes He’ll be by the house in half an hour with the horses”

Just like that He snapped his fingers and she was supposed to coes of her prickling nerves “The lord commands and the lady obeys,” she murmured

“What’s that?” Cathleen tipped her head, frowning in puzzlement

“Nothing, my kitten” She shook her head and turned to retrace her steps up the stairs “Half an hour doesn’t givea round-eyed look of e

It was a full forty-five ed from the house The impatience on Ty’s expression faded to reluctant ad her the extra time she’d taken with her appearance had been worth it Froner jeans, from the feather-banded hat to her Italian-made cowboy boots, she was fashionably western dressed with the latest the exclusive Texas stores had to offer