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to fill the trough. “We got off to a bad start.”
    â€œI’m used to taking orders from Burnette.”
    â€œHe’s a fine man, and we’re indebted to him for the use of his ranch. How’s your mare?”
    â€œDoing okay. So’s the colt. Born about 1:30 this mornin’.”
    â€œCongratulations.” Ash shrugged. “I don’t know protocol about horses.”
    â€œI didn’t pass out any cigars, but the colt’s from good stock.”
    â€œI thought horses gave birth in the spring.”
    â€œThat’s usually the case. This mare was bred late in the year.” Ethan took the hose and continued to fill the water trough. “Who’s coming?”
    Ash had to trust this man. He had the power to blow the assignment and possibly get Lindsay killed. “I need your word that what I’m about to tell you stays between us. High security measures are in place.”
    â€œDo I need to fetch my boy?”
    â€œI’ll tell him myself.” Ash leaned on one leg. “Vice President Hall’s daughter, Lindsay.”
    â€œThe wild one? Humph. Saw her a few times on the news.”
    â€œMight want to keep your son from her.”
    Ethan narrowed his brow. “He’s old enough to make his own decisions.”
    â€œNo one’s ever too old for a warning.”
    Ethan lifted a brow. “Read about some of the things she’s done. Right down embarrassing for the vice president and his wife. Must be drugs.”
    â€œI understand you’re a churchgoing man.”
    â€œDon’t suppose you’d know anything about that.”
    Ash chose to keep his faith to himself. The man before him might not believe his convictions. “Enough to get by.”
    â€œIgnoring God gives man a one-way ticket to heat hotter than Texas. So don’t be tellin’ me I can’t be goin’. Last night was different.” A subtle challenge wove through Ethan’s words.
    â€œI’m not. But I will be sending an agent along. Possibly a new cousin.”
    Ethan nodded. “So which one of your men will be going with me to town?”
    â€œDo you have a preference?”
    â€œConnors is prettier than the rest.”
    Ash forced a laugh. So he’d noticed her too. Another reason to get Agent Connors off the assignment. “I can arrange that. But I need her expertise today. How about Wade Enders?”
    â€œThat’ll work. He’s a friendly guy.”
    Ash reached out to shake his hand. Ethan gripped it, his calluses rubbing against Ash’s grind of paperwork and computer keys. “I hear you have a garden.”
    â€œGot a hankerin’ for a fresh tomato?”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œBe glad to show you, and help yourself anytime. Cucumbers and bell peppers are good this year. So are the beans and corn. Wash ’em good. I use organic gardening techniques, but I believe in giving them a good bath. We got plenty. See those flower bushes over there?” Ethan pointed toward a pink flowering bush. “Since you’re a city boy, I’ll give you a bit of advice. Like you said, no one’s ever too old for a warning. Everything about the oleander bush is poison. Just stay away. If you want to pick flowers, choose another kind. The ones at the front end of the garden are good for impressing a lady.”
    â€œThanks. I’ll remember that.”
    â€œAnd watch for snakes.” Ethan laughed, but Ash didn’t find a single word of it amusing.

Chapter 5
    Once again Lindsay was at her parents’ home. She lay awake and listened to the gentle sound of country music flowing from her iPod. In her private moments, she often switched from hard rock to the tunes she loved—the sounds that stirred her heart and allowed her to live out her fantasies in a world where love was the most important part of a person’s life.
    Fortunately, the iPod had been in her purse when Daddy had his men pick