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“Put a quick end to the nagging, wouldn’t it?” Chase countered, eyes twinkling, then pulled in a deep breath and released it in a satisfied sigh “It’s been a full ht stretch out and close ainst the arm of his chair, and dipped his head toward the kitchen “If she wonders where I am, let her know I’ll be in my room”

Jake stared at hi to take a nap, Greypa?”

“Yes, Jake, I really a, the end of his cane thu the floor with each stride

Worried, Jake risked a sideways glance at his , do I? ’Cause Luke—he’s ’specting ht after lunch”

“If you finish your milk, you can skip the nap”

Jake didn’t give her a chance to reconsider, grabbing the ulps “All done,” he announced, pushing the glass on the table and sliding off his chair in one continuous o”

With an alance at Jessy “I guess I didn’t really want that second cup of coffee”

“Good thing” Jessy smiled back at her The small smile stayed in place while she listened to the run of conversation between Sloan and Jake when she joined hi ahen they went out the front door The silence was instant “It’s a how quiet the house seems after Jake leaves,” she remarked to Laredo

His only response was an agreeing sound as he continued to contemplate the dark surface of his coffee Jessythe expression of deep thought

Curious, she asked, “What’s those wheels of yours turning?”

It was a uy” He raised his cup to hissip from it

“What about him?”

His shoulders shifted in an idle shrug “Out of the blue, this guy calls Chase and invites himself here Claims he wanted to see the ranch”

“What’s so unusual about that?”

“Nothing,” Laredo agreed, then h, the whole tied from the house”