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ZANE HAD SPENT THE NIGHT IN HIS HORSE TRAILER HIS BED ROLL SPREAD OUT WITH HIS HEAD ON THE EDGE OF THE FLOOR AT THE OPENNING. HE AWAOKE TO SOUNDS COMMING FROM THE BARN. HE SAT UP AND RUBBED HIS FACE AND run his finger through his hair.he got up and rolled his bed roll back into the rolled up shape for transporting it. as he started to step out of his trailer he found a steaming cup of coffee sitting on the floor. he picked it up and stepped down out of the traailer. cassie was standing there her house coat openexposing her night gowen. zane gulped the sip of the hot coffee. " good morning" zane cassie said sweetly. before zane could answer leo stepped up out of the dark" cassie go help your mom with breakfast, i want to tak to zane a minute." cassie made a face and turned to go" and put some clothes on!" leo called as she walked back to the house. zane had burned his lip on the hot coffee but he gulped again to get it down.while leo didnt scare him he did respect him and didnt want to make a enimy of him. " i dont know your mom, but ive heard of her. she knows how to pop the brush. i also mheard she may need help over there soon. when you get home and evaluate the ranch and find you need some help you call on me. as for cassie i approve of your comming to see her. just dont hurt her. i know she is a grown woman and i treat her like a little girl, my little girl. ill try to not be a pain in the butt."leo was grinning at zane his teeth shinning in the erly morning air. zane nodded and took another sip of the coffee" thank you. and if we do need help you would be the first i would call. and cassie will be safe with me. i never had a girl friend so i wouldnt know how to hurt one. if i do it will be a accident. " " lets go have breakfast, you cant be going home on a empty belly." leo put his arm around the youngmans shoulder. after breakfast zane was loading his horses and getting ready to start home. as he closed the trailer gate and latched it cassie stepped up close" when are you comming back?" she asked. shakeing his head zane slowley said" i dont know yet. it depends on what i find at home. but ill be back sooner than later i promise. cassie steped closer and put her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. when she stepped back she said " that ought to hold you till you get back" " well i dont know i might run short sooner than we all think" zane stepped to her and kissed her. " we could do this all day, ill be back" he said as he pulled away from cassie. as he drove down the drive way leo came out of the barn " i like that young man, take care of him" cassie sniffed" ime doing my best."

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when the dishes were done and the kitchen cleaned cassie turned to margarita" i think i better get home if zane is ready to drive me. its been a pure pleasure meeting you" margarita stood there without much to say then she extended her hand" its been a pleasure for me as well. i hope we see some of you." cassie nodded then turned to the door. zane was standing just out side twisting his hat in his hands. when cassie suggested they head back to her home zane didnt eve speak , but turned and trotted to his truck and fired it up. cassie went to emily" its been fun you need to come to our out fit for a day or so" the two girls hugged and cassie smilled back at margarita" that goes for you too!" zane rolled his truck up to the front gate and sat there idyling. cassie bounced down the steps and jumped in the passenger side she stayed sitting next to the door. zane pulled away from the house and started to the hiway. when the house was behind them cassie slid over next to zane. " i was afraid mom killed our deal the way you stayed over there" zane said without looking at cassie. "your mom is rough and tough but i think we will get along. she s waitting for some one to take her boy off away from the ranch. i assured her that wasnt the case. its plain to see she is trying to hang on to what little she has and she needs you to help. i told her if i stayed in the deal she would have a extra hand. that seemed to placate he. but ill be careful around her." cassie explained what had transpired in the kitchen. zane visibly relaxed. " mom scares a lot of people. poor em i dont know if she will ever have a chance at a boy friend. she s home schooled and mom dont let her out of her sight." " yeah that can be bad for emily. maybe if i keep comming around i can help her a little. i am going to keep comming around arnt i?" ' for the time being, until i find some one better." zane grinned. " mr. you wont find anyone better , not in this life time." cassie was firm. both started laughing