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8a554ab
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He was a man on the sexual edge, and she couldn't wait to push him over.
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Susan Mallery |
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44d3cc5
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A heartbeat later, the flashlight clicked off. Phoebe blinked in the darkness. "Zane?" "We're gonna have to do this by feel. Otherwise we'll be putting on a show." She thought about how flashlights in the tents created detailed shadows and blushed at the thought of entertaining the others."
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Susan Mallery |
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49785b9
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A heartbeat later, the flashlight clicked off. Phoebe blinked in the darkness. "Zane?" "We're gonna have to do this by feel. Otherwise we'll be putting on a show." She thought about how flashlights in the tents created detailed shadows and blushed at the thought of entertaining the others. Before she could figure out some kind of response, she both felt and heard movement. Instinctively, she pulled the sleeping bag up over her chest. "What ..
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Susan Mallery |
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960d3c3
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This can't be legal," she whispered. He raised his head. "Why not?" "It feels too good." He chuckled. She heard the sound, felt the soft exhalation of cool air on her bare, damp breasts, but she couldn't see anything. Not him, not herself. It was strange, but in a good way. The darkness gave her courage. "Take your clothes off," she said, knowing that she would never have managed the words in the light. "Yes, ma'am."
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Susan Mallery |
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82e248d
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Take your clothes off," she said, knowing that she would never have managed the words in the light. "Yes, ma'am."
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Susan Mallery |
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dc2910d
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I'm sorry," he whispered, pressing his cheek against her hair. "I'm such a jackass." She rubbed her hands up and down his back. He was warm and alive and next to her. Nothing else really mattered. "Jackass seems strong," she murmured. "How about a first-class screwup?" "If you're going to do a job, then do it the best you can." He chuckled low in his throat. "Gee, thanks." "You're welcome."
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Susan Mallery |
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c0ed712
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Naked," she whispered against his mouth. She wasn't sure if she meant him or herself. Nor did it matter. He pulled back enough to allow her to drag off her T-shirt. While his gaze devoured her bare chest, he worked the buttons of his shirt, then jerked off the garment. She had already unfastened her jeans and quickly pushed them and her panties off. Even as he reached for his belt, he scrambled off the bed and headed for the bathroom. Secon..
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Susan Mallery |
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b4fc1f8
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Seconds later he was back, naked and clutching a handful of condoms. "Don't ask," he said when she glanced at them and raised her eyebrows."
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Susan Mallery |
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1646edd
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I want you to come for me," he whispered. "Now. I want to feel your muscles contract around my fingers. I want to hear your breathing catch, and I want you to scream." The erotic image of his words made her shiver, then tense. She opened her eyes and realized that, unlike the previous night in the tent, this time she could see him. All of him. And that he could see her. And that he was looking. Their gazes locked as he continued to touch he..
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Susan Mallery |
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e72e1f0
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I'll go," Thad said. Zane looked at him in surprise. "I appreciate the offer, but this isn't part of your vacation. This is hard, dangerous work. Cold and wet, too." Thad shrugged. "I want to help. I can ride and point the steers in the right direction. Will that be enough?" "I'll go, too," Martin said. "Me, too." The last voice came from behind him. Zane turned to see Phoebe leaning against the wall. Maya groaned. "Dammit, Phoebe, if you g..
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Susan Mallery |
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3a70f16
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I'll go, too," Martin said. "Me, too." The last voice came from behind him. Zane turned to see Phoebe leaning against the wall. Maya groaned. "Dammit, Phoebe, if you go, I'll have to, as well. Do you know what this weather is going to do to my hair?" Phoebe smiled. "Wear a hat." "Oh, yeah, that'll help in this rain."
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Susan Mallery |
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a7d5c03
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They're going to help," she said. He frowned. "I know." "They like you. We all like you." "Oh. My. God." He turned and saw Maya staring at him. "I just got it," she said. "You had sex with Phoebe." She looked at Phoebe. "You had sex with Zane. I can't decide if this is great or too gross for words." Phoebe laughed. Zane walked toward his room. "Just get dressed."
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Susan Mallery |
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30392b9
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Is it safe for me to go exploring?" she asked. "You're not likely to be attacked by raccoons, but you'll probably get lost, fall down a ravine, break your leg and starve to death. But if the watch is that important to you, have at it."
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Susan Mallery |
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57eb15c
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You think the raccoons could ever learn to tell time?" she asked. He glanced at her. "You're kidding, right?" "Maybe I have a dry sense of humor, too." "City girl." He was probably insulting her, but the way he said the word made her feel almost tall and, if not blonde, then certainly highlighted."
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Susan Mallery |
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af7c451
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His horse went sideways two feet for every foot it moved forward, but finally it could reach ground, and it surged out the other side. He took off his hat and waved it. "Piece of cake," he yelled. "Talk about a liar," Maya muttered."
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Susan Mallery |
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c8068f7
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Phoebe waited for Chase to lead the way. When he hit the water, he started swearing. His combinations were so colorful that she started to laugh...right up until the icy river reached her feet and instantly soaked her boots. It was even colder than the last time.
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Susan Mallery |
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0d1173f
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Zane helped Maya down from her horse, then reached for Phoebe. He was stunned when he felt her cold, soaked clothes. "Run a bath," he yelled to the housekeeper. He turned back to Phoebe. "Can you feel your toes?" "No, and I don't want to. They're going to hurt." Maya came over and wrapped an arm around her. "Don't sweat it, Zane. I'll make sure she gets warmed up. See what happens when you cross a river. When I get back to the city, I'm not..
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Susan Mallery |
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fc0e2d4
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She was well into her course of self-recrimination when he returned. The flap parted, and a very wet Zane crawled in beside her. "You okay?" he asked, as he set down the flashlight and touched her cheek. "Getting warm?" She nodded, then sniffed. "I'm sorry." His dark eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled. "It was worth it." "What?" "I get to say I told you so." She sniffed again. "You're not mad?" "Because I had to go out in the rain, in the ..
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Susan Mallery |
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0f04776
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Condom," she gasped. A movement stopped. "What?" Phoebe felt the earth open up in preparation of swallowing her. How could she have not mentioned this before? "I'm not on anything right now," she whispered. "Birth control. I'm not on the Pill." She gestured helplessly. "Shit, fuck, damn." Disappointment tied her in knots. "I was really only interested in that middle part," she joked." --
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Susan Mallery |
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5072d4a
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Shit, fuck, damn." Disappointment tied her in knots. "I was really only interested in that middle part," she joked."
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Susan Mallery |
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545c30a
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It's not all about hitting. There's an art to it. A talent. You need power but also smarts. When to hit and where. You have to outthink your opponent. It's not all about size. Determination and experience play a part." "Like in business," she said. "The skill set translates." She wrinkled her nose. "Doesn't it hurt when you get hit?" "Some. But boxing is what I knew. Without it, I would have just been some kid on the streets." "You're ..
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Susan Mallery |
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ef13ed5
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He reached for her and she went willingly into his arms. He kissed her deeply, feeling the waves of shivers washing through her. Even as his mouth claimed hers, his hands were everywhere. Tracing the length of her spine, squeezing the curve of her butt, sliding up her hips to her waist. There was a confidence to Duncan, a sureness that allowed her to relax. His strength made her want to surrender, because being around him was inherently sa..
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Susan Mallery |
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d9f2668
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All the novices looked as if they could be blown off their mounts by a stiff wind. He didn't usually allow for second-guessing, but he was about to make an exception. Deciding to go forward with the cattle drive had been about the stupidest idea he'd ever had. "Ready to go, boss?" Frank asked as he rode up. Zane let his gaze settle on the two kids, then he shook his head. "No, but we're leaving anyway." Frank grinned. "Me and the boys are t..
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Susan Mallery |
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d61f74f
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I'm going to kill him. I'm a lawyer. I can keep myself out of jail.
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Susan Mallery |
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5d5f9dd
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All righty, then. They both liked the kissing and touching. An interesting fact that should have absolutely no bearing on their lives. Really.
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Susan Mallery |
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94866b2
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Zane Nicholson might not be big on conversation, but the man obviously knew his way around the bedroom...not to mention her body.
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Susan Mallery |
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475b51c
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Talking to the animals? Is that really how you want to start your day?" "Manny was helping me get my life back on track. We're discussing life goals and career choices." Maya held up her hands. "Not before coffee, I beg you."
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Susan Mallery |
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6cc09a2
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Think I could get a job rustling cattle?" "Rustling? That's stealing." "Oh. I mean taking care of them." "You'd better learn your terms before you apply."
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Susan Mallery |
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87d18bc
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Zane turned his attention to the bus. Phoebe got a bad feeling when she caught sight of the worn sandals, tie-dyed T-shirts and woven hats on the next couple to disembark. "Hey," the man said. "I'm Martin Lagarde and this is my wife, Andrea." The woman, a thirtysomething brunette with freckles and glasses, shook hands with Zane. "We're so excited to be here. Martin and I just love being in the outdoors. We've hiked all over, and last year w..
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Susan Mallery |
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2e34d56
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Two starving kids and tree-hugging vegetarians. I'm going to kill Chase." Phoebe didn't blame him. Despite her lack of experience in the cattle-drive department, even she could see the potential for trouble. Then a familiar figure standing beside the driver caught her attention, and she waved. Maya grinned and waved back. "It's Maya," Phoebe said. Zane turned and followed her gaze. "Just perfect," he muttered as his ex-stepsister walked tow..
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Susan Mallery |
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70d132a
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It's Maya," Phoebe said. Zane turned and followed her gaze. "Just perfect," he muttered as his ex-stepsister walked toward them. "You're looking grim, Zane," Maya said cheerfully when she joined them. "Who died?" She smiled. "Oh, I forgot. You're just being your usual charming self." She squeezed his arm. "You've missed me, I know." Zane's eyes narrowed. "Like foot fungus."
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Susan Mallery |
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a95ed15
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Welcome to Fool's Gold," Elaine said with a smile. Instead of her usual suit and high heels, Maya wore jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and boots. Her blond hair was pulled back in a braid. "You look like a local," Phoebe said. "Speaking of locals," Maya began, a note of warning in her voice. "Oh, shit," Zane said before she could continue. Phoebe looked toward the bus and immediately saw why Zane's face had gone a little ashen. The two crazy ol..
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Susan Mallery |
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3212c00
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Besides her Zane muttered under his breath. She caught a handful of words. Something about being old, broken bones and a reference to hanging Chase from the lightning rod in the middle of a storm.
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Susan Mallery |
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f7732b5
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But you were married. Didn't the former Mrs. Patrick tame you?
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Susan Mallery |
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638561d
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valuable. We have to take care of them.
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Susan Mallery |
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7d95a91
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Which left one of two possibilities for her visitor. Chase or Zane. In her mind, it wasn't even a close vote. She crossed her fingers and walked to the door. When she pulled it open, she fully expected to see Chase standing in the hallway, because that was how her luck was running these days. Yet the man in front of her was tall, good-looking and had a mouth, she knew from personal experience, that could reduce grown women who should know b..
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Susan Mallery |
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21a7413
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Evening," Zane said. It was a pretty wordy opening for him."
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Susan Mallery |
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d7eb2b8
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Evening," Zane said. It was a pretty wordy opening for him. Phoebe debated inviting him in, then decided it would be too much like an offer to sleep with him. Instead of stepping back and pointing to the bed, which was really what she wanted to do, she moved down the hallway, shutting the door behind her, and did her best to look unimpressed. "Hi, Zane. How are the preparations coming?" He gave her one of his grunts, then shrugged. She took..
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Susan Mallery |
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9707ec7
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Hi, Zane. How are the preparations coming?" He gave her one of his grunts, then shrugged. She took that to mean, "Great. And thanks so much for asking."
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Susan Mallery |
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392af4a
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Evening," Zane said. It was a pretty wordy opening for him. Phoebe debated inviting him in, then decided it would be too much like an offer to sleep with him. Instead of stepping back and pointing to the bed, which was really what she wanted to do, she moved down the hallway, shutting the door behind her, and did her best to look unimpressed. "Hi, Zane. How are the preparations coming?" He gave her one of his grunts, then shrugged. She took..
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Susan Mallery |
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72a5ef2
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The thick ropes of his control began to unravel. When she curled both arms around his neck, it seemed natural to place his around her waist and pick her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips, bringing herself in direct contact with his hard-on. It was paradise. It was pure torture. He swore. She broke the kiss and smiled at him. "So you find me annoying, but you still want me," she whispered. "I don't find you annoying." He pushed agains..
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Susan Mallery |
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e066e00
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Ladies," he said as he stepped forward. "I'm afraid we don't have enough tents or saddles to add you to the group." "I already tried to stop them," Elaine said, "but they insisted." She turned to Phoebe. "Eddie and Gladys are known for being a little hardheaded." "Among other things," Maya added wryly. "That one's Eddie, and that one's Gladys," she said, pointing. "We're not additions," Eddie said, "we're replacements." Gladys dug through ..
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Susan Mallery |
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e6db198
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Vegetarians." Cookie muttered something under his breath. "I ain't cooking no tofu. I'll quit first." "Fine by me. You cook what you like. I just wanted you to know." "Vegetarians." Cookie washed his hands, then attacked the lettuce. Frank walked into the kitchen. "Everything's all set, boss. Tents, saddles, supplies. Cookie's wagon is loaded, except for the fresh stuff. We have a schedule set up. You'll get a delivery every afternoon." Za..
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Susan Mallery |
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7a7a5ba
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Billy, you got that there barbecue ready yet, boy?" "Yes, sir. Coals are hot and gray. You wanted them gray, didn't you, Cookie?" "What color gray?" There was a pause. "Sort of medium." "Huh." Cookie closed the back door and grinned at Zane. "I screw with him because he makes it so easy."
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Susan Mallery |