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.Then there was the matter of getting the rest of her things from her father’s house.Baby steps, Callie.She’d deal with her father some other time.As she pulled up to the house, she noted Tagg walking out of the stable, leading one of his prized mares by the reins, his black Stetson tossed over the saddle horn.She walked toward him as he readied the horse, adjusting the saddle cinches.“Hi,” she said.“How was your day?”“Busy.Not too bad, though.I usually break up the day with a ride.”“Oh?” Callie would love to join him.She knew his horses needed exercise daily.She waited for an invitation that never came.“Did you spend time with your friend?” he asked, straightening the bridle.It was obviously a chore for him to make conversation with her, but she wouldn’t let that deter her.“Yes.We had lunch at the main house.It was good of her to come to the wedding.I don’t know how I would—”Tagg shot her a look, his silvery eyes piercing.Never mind, she thought.She shrugged it off.“Sammie’s on her way to the airport.So I thought I’d come back and unpack my things.”“Sounds like a good idea.” Tagg grabbed his hat from the saddle and plunked it on his head.She’d always loved how his hair fanned out from underneath his hat.It brushed the collar of his shirt.“I don’t know all the names of your horses,” she said.Tagg put his boot in the stirrup and swung his leg wide, mounting the mare.“This is Starlight.”The mare’s black coat was marred by one star-shaped white marking on her forehead.“Hi, Starlight,” she said, stroking her mane.“You’re going to have a good ride, I just know it.”The mare turned to give her a look then faced the pasture ahead.“We always do.” Sitting atop the mare now, Tagg put his sunglasses on.A cowboy in Ray-Bans.She nodded.“After I get settled, I might go over to Penny’s Song for an hour or two.See if I can lend a hand, but I’ll be back for dinner.”Tagg smiled.“I’ll look forward to it.See you later, Callie.”“Okay.” She watched him ride off until he disappeared from her view.And she felt more alone now than at any other time in her life.That afternoon, Callie finished unpacking, filling just half of the dual walk-in closet with her clothes and shoes.She set her toiletries in the bathroom on the large marble countertop that, since it had been cleared off, seemed designated as her side.Perfumes, body lotion and hair mousse filled the space now.Tagg liked to keep things orderly.Everything in the house was clean and free of clutter.He’d been alone in this house for four years and now Callie was here, tilting his perfect world and setting it on edge.She arranged everything as neatly as she could, so as not to infringe on his goodwill too heavily.The last item she set out was her toothbrush.She plopped it into the holder right next to his.She liked seeing those toothbrushes together.It gave her a certain sense of belonging, as if to say, I’m here.I’m your wife now.Deal with it.Callie smiled and walked into the bedroom.The comfortable bed beckoned and the temptation was too great to ignore.Newly pregnant women had a right to nap in the middle of the day, didn’t they? She pulled the covers back, took off her jeans and climbed in, changing her mind about work at Penny’s Song today.It wasn’t too long before sleep claimed her.Half an hour later as she mildly dozed, she heard the back door open and then shut.Tagg’s footsteps resounded louder and louder as he made his way down the hallway.When she heard him stop, she opened her eyes partway to find him standing in the doorway with a tentative look on his face.His shirt and boots were off.He probably left them in the mudroom at the back of the house.“I’m not sleeping,” she said.“Looks like you were.Did I wake you?”“No.I’m just taking a rest.This bed is too comfortable.” She noticed his muddy jeans.“What happened to you?”“Starlight decided she wanted to swim.There’s a stream about two miles out she likes to tap-dance in.Guess we both got carried away.She got her bath.Now I need mine.”Callie smiled.“Have at it.Don’t let me disturb you
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