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"You pinin’ for our Brook Lynn, then?"

Yes No Da on inside hiht he’d wanted to kiss herabout her called to him Her delicacy, maybe All he wanted to do was protect her Or her stubbornness, perhaps She did what she thought was right, refusing to back down Or her wit, even She’d taken his list and turned it against him

He sil said with a nod He patted Jase on the shoulder "You ain’t the first, son, that’s for sure"

How many others were there? Yes, a nize Brook Lynn’s appeal, but Jase didn’t like the thought of other ed to--

Not me Never me

Maybe Brad

"Sir, I don’ter," Jase said He was barely handling a discussion with hiil waved his words away as uniirl, and she deserves a specialfor honesty "I’m not" The people of Strawberry Valley would be horrified to know just how un-special he really was

"Well, that’s too bad"

A feminine scream suddenly pierced the air--and it had come from inside the jewelry store

Jase didn’t hesitate He bounded forward, practically shattering glass as he pushed his way inside He took in the scene in an instant Brook Lynn was sprawled on the floor There was some kind of s beside her Blood leaked fro on the floor

Brad was crouched in front of her, begging to knohat he should do He was trying to help her, but Jase didn’t care She was sobbing He shoved the rabbed hold of his wrists, holding on to hi with tears

"What’s wrong, angel?" he asked