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“I’d welcome the company”

Cat had the i smoothed away much of her uncertainty He stood by while she pulled on her snow boots, then stepped forward to help her on with her winter coat She ed it with a nod, then opened the front door for her and followed her outside

As they started down the porch steps, he said, “I’ this commissary you mentioned and the ranch store ”

“I’m sure they are,” Cat confirmed “We always keep it well stocked with basics as well as an assorts

“The Triple C prides itself on being self-sufficient In its early days—before the advent of the automobile—it had to be Now the commissary is more of a convenience”

“Sounds interesting I think I’ll come inside with you and check it out”

Cat tried not to let it sho pleased she ith his decision As they angled across the ranch yard toward the store, she pointed out various buildings that co fro the ranch offices, to the istered nurse, and the fire station Yet she never lost her awareness of hi it was intensified by the occasional brush of his arainst hers She tried to recall the last time she had walked side by side with a male asn’t either a relative or a ranch hand, but she couldn’t think of one Not since Logan died

“When an average Joe like es of barns and sheds, a bunkhouse, maybe even a cookshack,” Wade remarked “You have all those andself-sufficient”

“It

’s a necessity,” Cat reminded him “Outside help can be hours away”

Together they paused while a pickup bearing the ranch insignia pulled away froas pumps located outside the commissary When it cleared their path to the door, they started forward again

“I can see that now,” Wade agreed and reached ahead of her to open the door “But it’s a hard concept to wrap your mind around until you are actually here”

“That’s what everybody says” Sht into Laredo, as on his way out Cat stopped short, forcing Wade to do the sa a part out to the West Camp”

“I alance flicked past her to touch on Wade “I decided since I was headed that way, I’d take their mail with me Save the to Wade “See you ers”

“That I did,” Wade replied with an easy s a hand