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“a the ‘other valuable considerations,’ she wants access to the fifty-acre tract as well as a utility easement”

“I a a home there,” Tara said, as if they needed to be reminded of it

Leaning back in his chair, Chase relasses and idly toyed with the”

“What’s that?” Tara asked, all bright and helpful

“Your reason for hiring Buck Haskell to work for you” He studied her with a look of detached interest yet he was alert for the se

Her s “Who else could I find who knows every inch of the ranch as well as he does? I can understand why you would have reservations about hihly I know it sounds terribly trite, but he is truly a changed man”

“Take it frolasses onto his desk—“he is as skilled at acting as you are”

She drew back fractionally, a wounded look in her eyes “Please This is not an act”

“Maybe not,” Chase agreed without conceding the fact “Just the same, you had best keep an eye on him And whatever you do, don’t let hi to make sure his hand doesn’t have a knife in it”

“I appreciate the advice, and I will follow it,” Tara promised

“I hope you do As for this lease”—Chase touched the docun it”

Undeterred, Tara sn it tonight I know you will need to revieith your lawyers There are always es that need to be made for one side or the other I—”

“You don’t understand,” Ty interrupted “We don’t need to have our attorneys look at it because we can’t accept it”

Startled, Tara divided her questioning look between the two of them “Why ever not? What possible objection could you have to it?”

“We aren’t in a position financially to take it on,” Chase responded “It isn’t so much the ten dollars as it is the cost to stock it We have already sold the cattle, and we don’t have the spare capital to buy more What resources we have available are co as your offer is, it simply wouldn’t be prudent for us to accept it at this time”