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been…no, not going there.
    “Son, I need to know what your intentions are toward my future stepdaughter.”
    Trina dropped her hands to stare at Ronald. “What did you say?”
    “It’s obvious that my son has put you in a compromising position, Trina, and I want to know what he intends to do about it.”
    Ronald’s protective stance was cute and outdated, but that wasn’t the part of his statement she needed explained. “Future stepdaughter ? Are you saying that you and my mom are getting married?”
    “Ronald, you old dog!” Lucy turned to him. “That’s the most original proposal I’ve ever heard. I accept!”
    “Hold on a minute.” Hutch descended the stairs, his expression thunderous. “Dad, are you seriously telling me that you’re at the proposal stage with a woman and you’ve never said one damned word about it to your only son?”
    Ronald had the good grace to look chagrined. “I wasn’t sure how you’d take it. You were very close to your mother, and—”
    “I thought I was very close to you!”
    “Tell you what,” Lucy said. “We all need coffee. I’ll put on the pot, and fry up some bacon and eggs.”
    “Great idea, Lucy, my dear.” Ronald beamed at her. “I could go for some of your specialty eggs. I love the spices you add in.”
    Trina’s gaze swung to Hutch’s. If Ronald was used to eating Lucy’s specialty eggs in the morning, this wasn’t the first time they’d danced the bedroom tango together. Hutch’s frown indicated he’d come to the same conclusion.
    “Nothing for me, thanks,” Trina said. “I need to get going.”
    “Surely not,” her mother said. “You’re on vacation. Let’s all have breakfast together and talk this out.”
    “Actually I promised Josie I’d be out at the Last Chance bright and early for a ride. I’m already running late.”
    “I’ll drive you,” Hutch said. “Let’s meet at your mom’s house in twenty minutes.” He turned and took the stairs two at a time.
    “That’s okay,” she called after him. “I can drive myself.”
    He paused on the upstairs landing. “I’ll drive you. We need to talk.”
    Ominous-sounding words, but she knew they did have to talk. Their parents were old-fashioned enough to think that two people who had sex should also have an exclusive, committed relationship. She and Hutch weren’t planning on that. So unless they chose to willfully disregard their parents’ feelings, which certainly wasn’t an option for her, their fling was over.
    “Okay, Hutch,” she said. “I’ll be ready. See you later, Mom. Ronald.” With that she hurried through the kitchen and out the back door. She couldn’t escape fast enough.

5
    D ESPITE THE NECESSITY for a serious discussion, Hutch made small talk all the way out to the ranch. He knew what had to be said eventually, knew their brief affair was over, but he didn’t want to end it when he couldn’t at least give her his full attention. So they delved into the Chance family’s doings and all the changes that had taken place for Jack and his two brothers ever since their dad had been killed in a truck rollover several years ago.
    “And now Jack might have another change if his half brother comes back,” Hutch said as he drove down to the large, hip-roofed barn not far from the main house.
    “You’ll have to keep me posted on that. Oh, wait, maybe you’ll be heading out soon, yourself…” She trailed off, as if realizing she’d inched close to a conversation they might not be ready to have.
    “We’ll see.” Hutch had called ahead to alert Josie that he was with Trina and they were early. Way early. He said they needed a good hard ride. Two handsome Paints, one brown and white and one black and white, stood saddled and tied to the hitching post.
    Jack, dressed in his signature black shirt and jeans, came from the barn. “Got your instructions,” he said as he walked toward them. “Josie sends her apologies. She’d hoped to ride with you today, but