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“He’s refusing to sign a lien waiver He keeps insisting that e him for some equipment that was never delivered Matt sent hi on all the deliveries from his firm, but he claims the equipment was shipped and e hio over it with you so you can decide how you want to handle it”

Ty glanced at the sheaf of papers in Ballard’s hand, then back to the ht You should have waited untiland saved yourself the walk”

“You’re forgetting that I won’t be here in the ht so I can pick up that load of antiques Tara bought to add to the barn’s decor” He underscored the ith sardonic emphasis But there was little Ty could read into that Tara never had been exactly popular with the ranch hands “I won’t make it back until tomorrow afternoon By then, who knohere you’ll be”

“You’re right I had forgotten,” Ty admitted and turned toward the front door “Coo over it”

At no ti in Ballard’s manner to indicate that he had observed the embrace Ty was left to wonder whether he had or not It only increased his sense of unease

Chapter Eleven

Saturdays always brought a change in at crackle of excite in the step of those still on duty, and a hustle and bustle in the others, eager to get the odd tasks done so they could head into Blue Moon for a night on the town

Standing at the top of the veranda steps, Chase felt the familiar pull of it and reer as the next cowboy to whoop it up after a hard, long week in the saddle These last years since Maggie died, Saturdays hadn’t been different than any other days for hiht out

There was a tione to town a couple times a week to check on Sally Since she’d sold the restaurant and o anyed at a corner of his mouth as it occurred to him that he was the only one who felt the way

Chase swung away from the view of the ranch headquarters and went back inside “Sally!” he boomed her name “Sally!”

“I’ above the squeals and giggles of the twins

“She is always in the kitchen,” Chase muttered to himself and set out in its direction at a hobble, his arthritis acting up again

When he walked into the kitchen, young Trey was struggling to climb out of the playpen while little Laura sat contentedly in thewith one of their toys Jessy was busy sweeping the floor Sally turned from the countertop, a white-speckled roaster pan in her hands

“What did you need, Chase?” Sally questioned with mild interest

Ignoring the question, he frowned and asked, “What’s that in your hands?”