Page 73 (1/2)

The s his bruised lips, but he smoked it anyway Ty studied Jessy’s face while she leaned close to hi on her task Her face, her eyes, her nose, heron behind what she showed him The touch of her hand was s her there

“What are you thinking, Jessy?” Ty wanted to know, his eyes narroith curiosity “I never can tell what’s going on inside you” She had ait

Her eyes met his for a scant second; then she returned her attention to the long scratch on his cheek “I’ht now,” she partially lied

Ty reies he hadn’tto come by your place—with my hat in my hand—and tell you—”

But Jessy interrupted him as she finished and turned briskly to the table “You don’t have to tell ” She spoke with a s aren’t as good as they should be between you and your wife, with her going away soyou can keep from them But she’s in your blood” The saet lonely and want company—that’s fine If you want to come to my place for a cup of coffee and some talk—that’s fine I won’t shut the door on you if it’s me you come to see” She snapped the kit closed

Everything shtened Ty caught her hand and drew her slowly back around to his chair, studying the look in her amber-brown eyes that seemed to absorb him

“I’ll be co by for coffee—and your company,” he said

She s around his hand “One of us is a fool, Ty Calder,” she declared with a rueful hu”

The door opened Ty looked impatiently at the intruder Tara stared back at hi He felt Jessy withdraw her hand froh he’d done nothing wrong It irritated him

A rough-looking man in uniform followed Tara into the roo hier and a puffed-up look of importance The thickness of his facial hair cast a perpetual underlying shadow on his cheeks and jaw

“We haven’t hness of the e “I’ood citizens of this county”

Ty are that Potter’s picked replacement had lost the election, despite the support of the Triple C Ranch The new group of residents in the coal-ht this man, from their ranks, to office

“Sorry we had to meet under these circuret was an attempt to be polite The man’s attitude didn’t exactly warm Ty to him

“Maybe it’s best we did,” the new sheriff replied curtly “You and your people have pretty well run things your way up till now I’hshod over anyone anyht tonight was started by one of your men”

“Sally knows I’ll pay for whatever dae that’s been done And the fines will be taken care of, too” Ty didn’t atteation had been on his fa Cathleen’s name into it if he could avoid it