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“Thank you”

Keeping the telephone to her ear, Cat exited the kitchen and made her way to the den Chase was behind the desk, rocked back in his chair and idly staring out the

She paused in the doorway “You have a phone call, Dad A Mr Wade Rogers”

“Rogers?” he repeated with a slight frown

“Yes Wade Rogers He said it was personal”

“Rogers” This tinition “Of course” He rocked the chair forward and picked up the desk extension “This is Chase Calder”

“Mr Calder This is Wade Rogers I hope I’ at a bad time”

“Not at all,” Chase assured hilance at Cat, who remained in the doorway, the kitchen extension still held to her ear “You can hang up the extension now, Cat And close the doors when you leave”

Startled by that unexpected request, Cat was slow to react When Chase continued to look at her—without resuers, she belatedly punched the button, breaking the connection on her phone, and moved to close the den’s double doors

Chase nodded his thanks and said into the phone, “I just spoke to your father the other day I’lad to say he sounded well”

As she drew the doors together, the front door opened and the silence in the house was shattered by Jake’s voice shouting, “Mom! Mom, we’re back! Where are you?”

Suddenly Chase’s request no longer seeuessed that he had probably seen Jessy drive up out front and knew Jake would co the news of his arrival And lately Chase soround noise

With the doors closed, Cat crossed to the entry “Your mother’s in the kitchen,” she told Jake as Jessy and Laredo walked in “You’re back early I thought you’d be longer at Wolf Meadow”

“It didn’t take as long as I thought either,” Jessy admitted and started across the hall “Is Chase in the den?”

“Yes, but he’s on the phone right now,” Cat replied, then added, “So to you?”