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Blaire said she’d come back tomorrow

It’s only a ain—assu he doesn’t already know

My grandfather always used to say that if you play with fire, you’re bound to get burned

I’ve got to put a stop to this before it gets out of control, before it becomes a wildfire beyond containment

17

Blaire

“And just where ?” My father stops me by the front door, today’s copy of The Wall Street Journal under one ar cup of coffee in his hand

“Just … ain,” I say

I haven’t yet told hi time with Wyatt Not because I don’t want him to know, but because after the heart to heart we had the other night, I don’t think he’d understand That and he’d likely lecture me A handful of the co, hinting that he didn’t a financially But he doesn’t see what I’ve seen—his fa They’re happy and healthy And I don’t knowmother to save the family farm

“You’ve been quite the social butterfly lately,” he says

“Ten years is a long tione Guess everyone wants to catch up …”

He studies lasses, a curious half-smile on his face

“I was going to stop at that little coffee shop on Hillside … I’d offer to bring you back soe the subject

“Very thoughtful of you, Blaire” He lifts his“I’ll see you back here for our walk this afternoon?”

“One hundred percent” I give hi a mocha almondto the ranch

Less than a week ago, I was yelling at hi my heart

Now I coifts