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Herin There would be no talking her out of this Reluctantly she gave in to Jessy’s wishes

Ensconced in one of the high-backed rockers on the front porch, Jessy basked in the warlass and a pitcher of ice water sat on the table beside her, along with a bell to ring A s head and another pillow cushioned her lower back All that was ht with a faint smile

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the dining room curtainon her She closed her eyes and savored the familiar scents and sounds of the ranch, a little surprised that she was content si She blamed it on the hard blow to her head that she had taken, which turned her thoughts to the accident that hadn’t been an accident at all and the confrontation between Ty and Buck Haskell that had either taken place already or was about to occur

Catching the telltale crunch of gravel, Jessy opened her eyes to see Ballardhis way toward the front steps He spotted her as well

“Good ”

“Good

“Seeing you sitting out here sure doesthe steps “I was just comin’ to see how you were feelin’, but I sure didn’t expect to find you out here on the porch”

“Just getting some air,” she told him

“That’s the best way I know to get that hospital smell out of your nose” He walked over and stretched out in the coh exaood and worried, Jessy How are you feeling?”

“Now you sound like a nurse,” she countered lightly, a little weary of answering the same old question

“I guess I do” The wry slant of his ave his sed area along the side of her te into her scalp “I’ll bet your head feels like there’s a bunch of carpenters inside poundin’ away”

“They said I would have headaches for a while” Reaching up, she absently felt the gauze The wound itself was sore to the touch

“When’s the bandage come off?” he asked

“To anymore”

“I’ll bet you’ll be glad to get rid of it I never could stand having one on,” Ballard declared then let his focus drift away froht you home”