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than rags.
Apparently, she and her husband had divorced after their son went to prison and the husband took off
with the family fortune. Missy told her that Cade sent money, but it didn t look like the woman ever tapped
into the bank account. Plus, she was embarrassed to show her face in town even though folks didn t seem
to hold any ill will toward her. But after what her middle child did& It must be hard with the yin and yang
of offspring. Rumor had it their eldest son, Bart, was off in Vegas or somewhere living it up, spending what
was left of his trust fund.
At least with Cade s return some of the focus on the new girl shifted to talk of why he d come to town
and if he and Missy would rekindle an old romance. Gillian should thank him for taking the heat off her.
She snorted. At the Fourth of July picnic, she didn t think it prudent to bring it up. Especially since she d
yet to lay eyes on the man in person.
Gillian, come here.
As if she d conjured up the invite to meet him, Missy called her into the middle of the group. The
woman s eyes lit up and a flush colored her cheeks. If the look on her face was any indication, Missy was
all for rekindling whatever spark might exist between the pair. She pushed past a couple of people and
grabbed Gillian s hand. Cade, this is Gillian.
The young Hollywood star removed his cowboy hat and nodded. Nice to meet you, ma am. His
blond hair was cut shorter than it had been in his last picture. It didn t detract from the heart-stopping
beauty, though. He was such a handsome man it almost hurt to look at him. But the genuine smile that lit
up his cerulean blue eyes made her comfortable, not the least bit uneasy, since he was a celebrity.
How long will you get to stay in town for? Gillian shifted the quilt on her arm.
Here, let me get that for you. He shoved his hat back on his head and took the quilt from her then
settled it on the back of a chair. I ll be here a week or two. My agent s working on a new contract, so right
now I m in between projects. He crossed his arms and leaned a hip against the table. How s your arm?
Missy mentioned you d gotten hurt during the last storm.
Gillian s cheeks warmed with a quick blush, but with the early afternoon heat it would be hard to
tell hopefully. It was surreal having this conversation. It itches like crazy.
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Wrong Turn, Right Cowboy
He beamed a million-watt smile again at her. I ll bet.
Mom, we re going to go up to the grocer s and grab a couple of things for Hank. Heidi held a slip of
paper and dragged Ryder behind her by the sleeve. She didn t so much as drool or swoon over Cade
Holstrom.
Gillian frowned. Her daughter was way further gone with her puppy love for Ryder. A scary prospect.
Maybe they should go now, before Heidi was too far gone if it wasn t already too late.
Cade, can you give me a hand? Missy s smile hadn t wavered.
Excuse me. The man tipped his hat at Gillian and hurried over to Missy s side.
Zan, Jacob and their daughters settled in around the other end of the table. They all waved.
It s nice being someplace where folks are always welcoming. Bonnie Carmichael pulled out the
chair next to Gillian and sat.
Mmm. A non-committal grunt was all she could manage. The tightness in her throat threatened to
asphyxiate her. Bonnie Carmichael had voiced her thoughts and, at the same time, her fears. Having people
around to watch out for you could also lend itself to someone getting too close and poking their nose into
business they had no right to intrude upon. Someone breaking down the wall she d spent a number of years
constructing after her sister s murder and her mother s death.
Gillian glanced over to Quint s table. How many times can someone bang into that wall before it
starts to crack and possibly crumble completely? And what might that person think about what they found
on the other side? Too much insecurity and damage? Too much past that couldn t be put behind?
Not that he d be the one knocking on walls. He was otherwise occupied with one protective female.
Gillian shook off her melancholy. It was hard to let her thoughts grow so sad with the wonderful
weather and all the folks around having a good time. She sat and just listened while the small group chatted
about everything from Jacob s plans for Skipping Rocks Ranch to their opinions on the next job Cade
Holstrom should take.
Half an hour later, Hank came over to the table. He shook hands with Cade and made small talk for a
few minutes. As he was leaving he asked Missy, You wouldn t happen to know where that your son of
yours has gotten himself off to? He was supposed to be back ages ago.
No, Daddy, sorry. Do you need me to go find him?
He shrugged. Naw. He s gotten himself somewhere. I ll find him eventually. He headed back to the
food table.
Gillian scanned the area for Ryder and Heidi. She d assumed they d come back already. Panic rose in
her chest. She excused herself from the conversation and headed toward the grocer s.
She cradled the cast in her other arm to keep from swinging into anyone as she wended her way
through the ever increasing crowd. By the time she turned the corner onto Main Street she was almost at a
run and she smashed into a firm, warm chest.
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Denise Belinda McDonald
Hey, where s the fire? Quint smiled down at her.
She took a step back to keep the man from invading her space. Something he was constantly doing.
I m, uh. Her voice cracked. Looking for Heidi.
Is everything okay?
It will be when I find my daughter.
Quint s smile broadened. He glanced over his shoulder and stepped farther into her path, blocking the
way. She s fine. Let s take a walk. He snagged her elbow and tried to lead her back the way she came.
What? Gillian pulled free. What s going on? A riot of thoughts crowded around her head.
Nothing.
Quint, if you don t move so I can find my daughter so help me& She shook with fear and rage.
His smile fled quickly. Gillian, darlin , calm down.
Move. She pushed past him and stopped hard in her tracks.
Standing next to the cottonwood tree in front of the grocer s, Heidi and Ryder were& kissing. Heat
flamed through Gillian s cheeks. Oh.
She retreated until her back came flush with Quint. He wrapped his arm around her middle and guided
her back behind the building, out of view of the necking teens.
Laughter rumbled in his chest and vibrated against her back.
You knew? she whispered, fighting her own laughter.
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