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“I asked you to have lunch with me” But his tone was more of a command than a request

Dallas took a cha

nce just the saht mine”

He never blinked “Save it for tomorrow”

Even as she searched for a plausible excuse to refuse, Dallas didn’t fool herself into thinking his interest was personal—or, at least, not the man-woman kind

“Now, you aren’t still holding a grudge because your grandfather lost his ranch, are you?” Boone chided lightly

“Of course not,” she replied, unable to classify the strong distrust she felt as a grudge

“Then quit your he I can handle the store while you’re gone”

Seeing no way out, Dallas gave in to the inevitable “It will take hten my desk,” she told Boone “Why don’t I meet you there?”

He hesitated, then nodded “I’ll be waiting”

His words see that if she didn’t show up, he’d be back Dallas had already figured that out for herself

By the time Dallas parked her pickup in front of the Corner Café, she had reached the conclusion she had been wrong to think the warning from Sykes on Monday was the only one she would receive Obviously Max Rutledge felt another one should be given to underscore the first, and he had sent Boone to deliver it Although why Boone hadn’t issued it at the feed store she didn’t know

“And the condemned ate a hearty meal,” Dallas murmured under her breath as she walked into the café

She faltered ever so slightly when she saw Boone seated at the table Quint always occupied Had he known that? she wondered, then re happened in this town that the Rutledges didn’t know about

Her chin lifted a fraction of an inch as Dallaswithout saying or doing soret