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Soht of a slender woman with sable-dark hair It was Tara, chicly dressed in soh-fashion azine

Maybe it was the old fear that made Jessy dart a look at Ty She observed the flash of surprise on his face—and soer of old resentment and dislike knotted Jessy’s stomach

Chapter Two

Like a Texas ind, Tara Dyson Calder swept up Sally the instant she spied the older woman

“Sally Thank God, you’re here” Relief quivered through her voice In the next second, her dark gaze bored into Sally, a kind of frantic distress in her expression that was totally alien to her nature “Is it true?”

Startled and confused, Sally drew back, “Is what true?”

Tara dragged in a quick breath as if trying to gather her scattered wits “Ty I just heard I’ve been in Europe the past two months—in Tuscany, then the South of France” She shook her head, realizing none of that was i attempt, and Ty was shot Was he?”

“Yes—”

Tara never gave her a chance to say more “How badly was he hurt? I de to lose it, is he?”

“No He’s fine—”

“Are you certain? I heard—”

This tiine what you heard But Ty has almost completely recovered Don’t take ht over there” With a wave of her hand, she gestured in the general direction of their table

Turning, Tara wentin the sight of hi in pleasure and relief With a practiced grace that had becolided across the room to the table, clearly blind to anyone else

Manners, too deeply ingrained to be ignored, brought both Ty and Chase to their feet But Tara had eyes only for Ty She was still a stunning woman Time hadn’t dimmed at all the allure of her dark beauty Ty could feel the animal pull of it In some ways, it was all too familiar and, as a result, easier to resist

“Tara This is a surprise” Without thinking, Ty extended a hand in greeting, and felt the smallness and softness of the one she placed in it