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His question had Cat firing an exasperated glance at Chase Sloan saw it and ca son by the shoulders, his folded-up headdress tucked under her arm

“Enough questions, Jake” She turned hio put your costume away”

“And then what?” He wanted to know even as she steered him in the direction of the wide oak staircase that led to the hoo down to the barn and feed the horses?”

“We’ll see” Sloan’s murmured response drifted back to the den

Laredo gave a wry shake of his head “That boy can’t slon If he’s awake, he has to be ”

“Trey was just like hie,” Jessy recalled, then roused herself “I need to get s at the ranch office”

When she stood, Laredo pushed away fro with you I need to see if those parts for the generator were delivered Catch you later” He flipped a casual wave in Chase’s direction and followed Jessy out of the room

As the pair swung toward the front door, Cat hesitated, then re-entered the den and set about collecting the coffee cups and placing them on the tray Chase watched while she picked up the now heavier tray and balanced it on her forearm

At the moment when she appeared ready to turn away fro up that business again aboutdown before lunch?”

“And be accused of nagging again? Not likely,” she shot back

“You do nag sometimes, Cat,” Chase countered

“If I do, it’s only for your own good,” she insisted, holding herself a little stiffly

Pride His daughter had always had an abundance of that But it was his awareness of her lightning quick temper that prompted Chase to overlook that proud and combative tilt of her chin “I’nize that while I may be old, I’m not an invalid”

“I know that” But there was a touch of sharpness in her voice

“You have too much time on your hands and very little else to think about except me”