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Cat paused in the doorway “It’s nearly four o’clock, Dad Time for us to join the party”
He gruaze slice to her “Why was Sloan in such a hurry?”
“She had to come back for Jake’s sandals,” Cat replied and took the first step toward the front entry “I’ll go start the car while you get your coat on”
She retrieved her own parka froloves and slipped them on As she dipped a hand back in the pocket for the car keys, Cat heard the clu her
Keys in hand, she stepped outside and turned back to close the door behind her, breathing in the invigorating crispness of the late afternoon, glad to find that the temperature wasn’t brutally cold As she crossed the columned veranda to the steps, she focused her attention on separating the ignition key fro It wasn’t until she reached the top of the steps that Cat noticed theat the bottom of them
“Wade—” She breathed his name in stunned surprise
She didn’t even realize she dropped the keys until she heard the jangle of the the steps Before she could recover, Wade was bending to pick them up for her
“Were you headed out to search forBut Cat had a hard tiaze moved over her face
“Actually, I had decided you weren’t going to be able toa little breathless
“I almost didn’t It was one weather delay after another” He offered the keys to her, co up a step as she ers closed around theuess that always happens when you’re eager to get somewhere”
He came up one more step, and their faces were level with each other Cat tipped her head fractionally in the age-old way that invited his kiss He seemed about to comply when the front door opened behind Cat and the end of a cane stomped on the veranda’s wooden floor Wade’s head lifted and Cat turned, frustrated by the sight of Chase
“Wade You’re here” The words were barely out of his lance “Why didn’t you tellfor him” He didn’t pause for a response Instead, he opened the door and gestured to Wade with his cane “Let’s go in the den and talk”
“I’ll be right there,” Wade pro, are you?”
“I was on my way to the barn Today’s the day for our employee Christmas party”
“Oh” A frown flickered across his face