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“Be careful, Jessy” He looked serious and worried “I don’t want anything to happen to you”

“Thanks” She was touched by the concern he showed for her safety She had yet to decide whether she felt it arranted

“Afternoon, Chase” Ballard nodded to him as they passed on the steps

Chase responded with an absent nod, his attention zeroing in on Jessy,better than I expected”

“I feel better, too”

He crossed to her chair, his glance leaving her to scan the ranchyard “Is Ty around?”

“No” Jessy told hian, the conclusions Ty had drawn, and the lack of evidence to support it “Ty went to Wolf Meadow to confront Buck”

Chase’s expression was as hard as chiseled granite, his eyes narrowing in a cold anger But he made no comment beyond a slow nod of satisfaction An atte unanswered

“What did Ballard want?” Chase asked, his glance only now traveling after the man

“He thinks Tara ht be involved in this,” Jessy replied with her usual candor

“I considered that possibility,” Chase stated, but he didn’t offer his opinion on it He turned toward the door “Are you co in?”

“Not for a while”

“I’ll be in the den if you needand crossed to the door, his attention turning inward

Chase regretted that he wasn’t with Ty It was a regret that wasn’t based on any doubt that Ty could handle it But he knew Haskell, and Ty didn’t

More importantly, Buck would know Chase never bluffed Chase did what he said he would do, and be damned with the law