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In the entryway Cat grabbed a jacket that wasn’t even hers It wouldn’t do to stand outside and shiver By the time she had slipped it on, Wade had donned his coat as well As if by ain Wade opened it and stepped back to allow Cat to precede him Cat had always considered herself as liberated as any modern woentle to be savored

The crisp winter air of late afternoon seemed to sharpen all her senses when she walked outside She paused while Wade closed the door behind the a hand under her elbow to escort her to the steps

“I could probably find my car, you know But I really appreciate the company,” he told her and added with a twinkle, “so walk slow”

Sharing the senti the moment when he had to leave

“You won’t forget about our date, will you?” he said in a light teasing tone as they negotiated the steps

S, Cat replied, “I made a mental note to add it to my social calendar the moment I’m back inside”

“Anyone else on that calendar besidesby his car, he opened the driver’s door

“I don’t think so But I’ll have to check,” she said impishly

He chuckled “You do that I’ll be seeing you” The warmth in his look promised that it would be as soon as he could make it

She waved good-bye and stayed in the yard until his car reached the h she knew he most likely couldn’t see her

Cat raced up the front stairs and peeled off the borrowed jacket the instant she was inside She was filled with such a heady sense of anticipation, she had to resist the urge to hug it tightly to herself Instead she crossed to the mirror in the front hall and examined her reflection, unaware that Chase had coirl,” he said in a low voice “You’re still a beautiful woman”

Startled, she half turned to look at him “You’re prejudiced,” she countered, but was still pleased by his compliment

“And you’re all starry-eyed,” he observed thoughtfully

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?” The question was a lighthearted one but Chase recognized that it was her silent way of asking whether he knew so about Wade that she didn’t

“None at all”