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A slightly bored sigh came from Jake “Okay, Grandma, where to next?”

“I think it ht be time we flew home What do you think?”

“Yes!” he cried with a fist pump for emphasis

In the Ho cranberries a testing stir Satisfied that they were thoroughly cooked, she picked up the sauce pan and started to pour the bowl With the first splash of the ruby-red fruit, the timer went off with a strident buzz

“The pies must be done,” she muttered, half in irritation

“I’ll take them out,” Sloan volunteered and retrieved a pair of oven mitts from the counter

“You are a jewel,” Cat declared in appreciation “Do you realize that once those pies are out of the oven, we’re finished? The sauce is done, and all three casseroles are in the refrigerator, ready to be baked tomorrow If you hadn’t pitched in to help, I would still be at it this afternoon”

“The thanks go to Jessy for taking Jake with her” Sloan checked the centers of both puht need another five minutes”

“That one pie tin was deeper than the other so I filled it fuller,” Cat recalled and set the empty saucepan in the sink Before she could carry the bowl of cranberries to the refrigerator, the telephone rang Aware that Sloan was in therack, Cat said, “My hands are free I’ll answer it” She picked up the kitchen’s cordless extension “Triple C ranch, the Calder residence”

“I’d like to speak to Chase Calder Is he in?” The voice on the other end was a war

And not one Cat recognized, which only piqued her curiosity about its owner “May I ask who’s calling?”

“Wade Rogers”

The naret he didn’t volunteer any further inforuessed, certain a voice like that could sell anybody anything

There was a definite hesitation before he answered “It’s personal,” he replied evenly, effectively blocking any further questions

“Just a moment, and I’ll see if he’s available”