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“It wasn’t all that brief” He deliberately avoided her eyes “I pitched in and helped hirain and catch up his horses I knew nobody else would be estures Lord knows I didn’t have any other deo stir-crazy”

But Dallas refused to be diverted by his atte were you there, Empty?”

“How should I know? I didn’t keep track of the tinant Not for anything would he ado “I don’t see what difference it s Froo slack these last fewfor one man to handle by himself That Quint Echohaill need a hired hand There’s no tays about it”

“We both know he hasn’t got a snowball’s chance in hell of finding one,” she stated flatly, yet inwardly struggled with the heavy feeling of regret that washed over her

“Watch your language, there, little gal Why, your grand like that” There was sharp reproach in the look he slanted in her direction “You were ra

ised better”

“I know”

Eotten hard, Dallas” It hurt hi tooshoulders of yours Guess that’s my fault”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said in annoyance “It’s nobody’s fault It’s just life”

“Maybe so,” he conceded “But that doesn’ttwo, sohts to better yourself, while I sit around, twiddlingfor my Social Security check to arrive Lord knohy, ’cause it’s hardly enough to pay the rent on that run-down old trailer”

Dallas kneas his pride talking “Anyone who has worked as hard and as long as you have is entitled to a life of leisure,” she reasoned “And I’e”

“I suppose you think I’ turned out to pasture Well, for your infors yet”

Dallas sensed soe in his statement that instantly made her wary “What do you h her “Wait athat job at the Cee Bar?” She checked the impulse to tell him he was too old “You can’t do it,” she protested instead “We don’t need any more trouble”

“Rutledge has you buffaloed, doesn’t he? I thought I raised you to have more backbone than that”

Stung by his words, Dallas reacted with heat “I only know that we have to live here while your Mr Echohawk can go back to Montana any time he chooses”