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Chase checked his watch “Oneon tiet”

Both vehicles parked on the gravel near the stone walk that led to the house As Jessy freed Laura froed from the house to welcome them

Strictly casual, Tara had said the dress would be But Tara’s definition of casual had always been slightly different fro blouse in a rich wine red The he the fashionable boots she wore A chunky belt, ated conchos, showed off the smallness of her waist Her ebony hair was pulled back in a sleek chignon, the severe style accenting the perfection of her face

Casual? Jessy supposed it was, but it left her feeling a little underdressed in her sea green slacks and top Being around Tara, it was soer bothered Jessy that much

After the usual exchange of greetings with their hostess, Tara clasped her hands together with barely suppressed delight “I can’t believe you all arrived at the saraceful pivot and a presenting sweep of her hand, she directed their attention to the house “Here it is My new home What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful,” Cat answered for all of them

“It is, isn’t it?” Tara unabashedly agreed “Obviously not every little thing is finished yet—like the landscaping But we are planting only native shrubs I rounds to be an extension of the plains Perhaps a feering plants in containers on the porch, but that is all And so still has to be done to finish the driveway area, but I haven’t decided if I want to do it in stained concrete or pave it with brick or stone”

“I noticed you are building a stable by the corral,” Ty remarked

“Yes At the moment it will hold six horses, but I have space to expand it to ten if I choose,” Tara explained “And the architect is working on drawings for soe facility for the helipad area Once it’s finished, we’ll extend the driveway to it”

“What about the trailer over by the corral?” Chase asked “Is so there?”

“Buck Haskell and his father, for the ti anyway,” Tara replied and s that has to be built yet—a house for the groundskeeper, but I’ about the exact site for it I have to decide soon, though It needs to be finished before winter”

Trey chose thatshriek as he twisted in Ty’s ary frory outcry initially startled Tara But she quickly laughed

“Bored with standing around, are you, young man?” She playfully tweaked his aro inside You must be thirsty after that dusty ride We’ll have a drink Then I’ll show you around the house before we sit down to dinner”

Without further ado, Tara ushered the area she identified as the great rooe-like athly textured walls painted a soft gold that cast a warlow over the room Its decor was a curious blend of Western and Old World, bergère-style chairs upholstered in geons, an overstuffed leather sofa scattered with tapestry pillows A deep red Persian rug covered the floor beneath a sturdy wooden coffee table, and antlered chandeliers hung fro the entire room was a massive fireplace, built of moss stone

A waiter, dressed in cowboy boots, blue jeans, and a pearl-snapped plaid shirt,their drink orders then returning with thelass, signaling a toast