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“You should have stopped solad he hadn’t And it showed in her face as she moved to help him off with his coat

“By the time that occurred toin the middle of nowhere didn’t seem too wise either”

“You could have ended up in a ditch so up his coat

“I nearly did More than once”

“It’s a da his presence

Cat was about to take issue with the gruffness of her father’s voice when she saw the bearuff, she realized, because he was overcome with emotion She wondered if Wade could see it The way he smiled back at Chase told her he did

“I told you I’d be here in time,” Wade said simply

Chase nodded in approval “And you’re a man of your word”

“I am” Wade reached inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope “Here it is Signed, sealed, and delivered” He passed it to Chase

For a aze fixed on it Then his chest lifted with a deep breath and he raised his head “Thank you” His low voice trembled with a wealth of emotion

Jessy ca roo Chase “Wade When I heard Chase talking to soDon’t tell h it?” she said as Laredo wandered up behind her

“For about the last fifty miles” Wade nodded “Which took me almost two hours to cover”

“I guess you kno lucky you are withoutshake of her head More footsteps signaled the arrival of Quint and Trey “There’s a fire going in the living rooet warm”

“Not yet,” Chase asserted, checking anyrooe conveying a desire for all to reht to the moment

Unconsciously Cat held her breath, sensing he was about to make an important announceht be Or what Wade’s involve by the attentive way Jessy, Laredo, Trey, and Quint waited for him to speak, they shared her awareness of the moment