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“Has anyone seen Laredo?” she asked “I thought he’d probably beaten me here”

Quick to play on the excuse of his advanced age, Chase feigned a frown of both surprise and apology “Did I forget to tell you Laredo’s going to be gone for a while?”

“Gone?” Jessy repeated in astonishment “Where?”

“That’s my business” Chase shook out his napkin and laid it across his lap

Hands on her hips, Cat gave hi look “Dad, don’t tellfor you? First Quint and—”

Chase cut her off “Just never youor why This isn’t the ti a lot of questions”

Out of the corner of his eye, he observed the way Jessy visibly relaxed

at hearing his response At the

“How long will he be gone?” Jessy walked over to her customary chair at the table and pulled it out

“Does it matter?” Chase countered

“Not really,” she said with unconcern “I was just wondering if I’d have tiets back”

“What hot tub?” Chase frowned

“The one he wants for Christmas,” Jessy replied

“That should work out perfectly for you then,” Chase said, “because I don’t expect hiht before Christmas”

“He’ll be gone that long?” Jessy glanced at him in surprise