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"Yes"

Cord kissed her again

All the need and hunger that’d been dored hi his bootheels into the carpet "Nuh-uh No hanky-panky until you’re wearin’and you’re my wife"

"But--"

He lifted an eyebrow "That’s one"

"Can I have the swat now? I’ll even take my skirt off Shirt too" Her hands went to the buttons on her blouse

"Amy Jo You ornery cuss Keep them clothes on"

"I missed you I want you I don’t wanna wait" She nipped his chin and scraped her teeth down his throat "Bet I can getcha to change your ot s we hafta talk about first" He reached inside his suit coat pocket and reive to you"

"What is it?"

"I have no idea"

AJ opened the letter and her heart caught at the falad Cord finally knows the truth about what you did to keep our ranch going

I’m thrilled he’s asked for permission to marry you and I know you’ll be happy to be ho and with a uilt your father and I felt about how you worked so hard and got nothing in return butThere’s no way to make up for the lost ties"

and hope it eases the way for you to start your own business You earned it I’ your new hubby and son up for a visit after you get settled Congratulations!

Love you, baby girl,

Malanced down, in utter disbelief, at the check for thirty-five thousand dollars "I don’t understand Where did she get the enerous, AJ But I had nothin’ to do with this" He pointed to the check "I ain’t gonna argue that you earned it You shouldn’t argue either"

AJ’sShe could rent that storefront space in Sundance she’d been eyeing Heck, she had money to renovate even if the loan froh She looked up at Cord "Do you know if that space in the Sandstone Building next to Macie’s restaurant is still up for grabs?"

He shook his head "Afraid not It’s spoken for"