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“Stay in touch, Wade”

The ers, she recalled the check Chase had written to him The telltale creak of the desk chair followed by the clu up Not wanting him to find her, she moved quickly and noiselessl

y back to the Christmas tree

By the ti the thin wire hook on a bauble and re-hanging it on a different tree branch

His sharp gaze traveled over her with a thoroughness that made her quail inside Then his attention shifted to the wrapped presents “Either her You must have added more”

“A few” She nodded, fighting an attack of nerves “I did”

“Aha I thought I heard you co Santa Claus, are you?”

“Always,” she said with a quick smile She was relieved that he didn’t suspect her of eavesdropping, but that didn’t et the He should be back any minute”

“I wondered where he was”

“I have nearly everything wrapped and one batch under the tree So far, I’ood shape”

“Indeed”

Sloan didn’t knohether to stay or leave Chase was looking at her as if he expected her to say more Overcome with curiosity, she decided to ask him about the call It wasn’t as if he’d had his door shut

“Did I hear right? Were you just on the phone with Wade Rogers?”

“I was Why do you ask?”

She atte if he told you when he would be back Iforward to having dinner with him”