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 Oh stuff it Reid! Your mother is a grown woman. And Griff is one of the nicest
men I know.
 Well, it s not your mother going out with him, Reid huffed but with less vigor.
 I should hope not! My dad has this thing about mom dating other men, Gabby
managed to bite out.
Lily laughed as she patted Reid s arm.  She s right, son. I can take care of
myself. And I do like Griff. Now, I ll leave you two to sort out your dinner
arrangements while I go and get ready for mine. With this parting shot, Lily strolled
from the room humming to herself.
Gabby stopped her before she left the room.  If you can t come tonight, you and
Griff could come tomorrow, she offered.  I know my parents will want to meet you.
 I ll talk to Griff tonight. Have fun you two, Lily laughed heading for her
bedroom.
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Reid looked at the empty doorway then back to Gabby with a bemused expression
on his face.
 It will be fine, Reid. You can come to dinner tonight and tell me more about
England. If you want to, that is? Dinner s at six. Was she over-stepping the line in
assuming that he wanted to be with her? He was obviously shocked& no concerned about
his mother dating Griff. He really was a big softie and this endeared him to her even
more.
 I ll be there. Maybe we can take a walk after dinner and be alone for a while?
he added hopefully. He had the horrible feeling that in the next few days it was going to
be difficult to get her all to himself. Just how true that was to be he discovered early the
next day.
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CHAPTER 14
Reid and Jake rode back into the corral at twelve thirty that next afternoon. They
were late for lunch and both were hungry. They d moved the six new horses he d bought
to a new pasture and then gone to check on a couple of the new calves. Mother and
children were doing fine.
Now, as Reid looked across the drive, there was another strange car in front of the
bunkhouse. Did someone put up a sign on the main road to draw people in here? If
Marla is back, I'll strangle her with my bare hands, he thought glaring at the car.
In the corral, Jake took charge of Dorado.  If you don t get rid of that scowl boss
you re gonna scare the horses.
 Sorry, Jake, Reid said absently as he turned to go see about his new company,
whoever they may be.  I ll be ready to ride out to the west range after lunch. I didn t
like the looks of that new calf. We might have to bring her in and get Dr. Black out here
to see what s wrong.
 Just yell when you re ready, Jake drawled leading the two horses into the
stable.
As Reid neared the bunkhouse he noted that the car had rental plates, so whoever
was here wasn't a local. He had a great deal to do on the ranch besides over seeing the
construction of the new house before he left for New York in a few weeks. He wouldn t
mind visitors at all under different circumstances. But now was not a good time.
Entering the living room he found Stan ensconced in his recliner reading the local
paper.  Company! Stan grinned lying the paper aside, extending his arms out to his
sides. The look on Reid s face was priceless. He and Anna were only going to stay a
couple of days. They couldn t wait any longer to meet this Gabby of Reid s. He got out
of the chair to greet his friend.
 Stan? What brings you out of the big city? No problems I hope? Reid said
wrapping the shorter man in a bear hug.  Is Anna with you?
 Yes she is, the object of his question announced coming from the kitchen
wearing jeans, a silk shirt and hiking boots.
 I m dirty, or I d give you a hug, Reid said smiling.  You look great!
 Oh what s a little dirt among friends. Come here, Anna ordered reaching up to
wrap her arms around his shoulders as she kissed his cheek.  I haven t seen you in ages.
 You didn t mind hugging me and getting me dirty, Stan protested.
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Autumn McCullah
 You re a man. We don t mind a little dirt, Reid shrugged.
 Speak for yourself. I m a very sanitary person.
 Oh hush up or I ll tell him about time you& 
 I m quiet woman. Keep your tales to yourself, Stan warned, but his eyes
twinkled with laughter.
 Why didn t you tell me you were coming? Reid asked combing his hand
through his hair.  And is my mom here?
 Your mother was picked up about ten minutes ago by a very handsome man.
Griff Palmer is certainly taken with Lily, Anna told him smiling.  And we didn t know
until very early this morning that we were coming. It was a spur of the moment
decision.
 We talked about it and decided we couldn t wait any longer to see your
Wyoming ranch, its new house and Gabby. Not necessarily in that order. So we
grabbed a flight, rented a car and here we are, Stan declared. Reid looked a bit ruffled
and Stan wasn t sure why.
 So when do we get to meet Gabby? Anna interjected.
 Mom went out with Griff& again? Reid ran a hand through his hair.  She just
had dinner with him last night. And we had dinner with him the night before that. He
was having a difficult time reconciling himself to the fact that his mother was an
attractive desirable woman. She was his mother after all, not some& some.
 Yo, Reid! Earth to Reid! Anna laughed.  Reid, your mother is entitled to some
happiness. I only met your father a few times, but he wasn t the warmest person I ve
ever encountered. Excuse me for being blunt.
 No offense taken, Anna. I m well aware of what type of person my father was
and how he treated mom. I just don t want her to get hurt. But if you don t take risks,
how can you know if something is important to you? Or someone? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]