The Lawman Lassoes a Family. Rachel Lee

they made short work of dishes, Krystal wanted to play a game. She asked Dan and he agreed. Soon they were all playing a very childish board game with Krys, whose brow knit with concentration. One of these days the girl would realize the whole game depended on luck, but right now she gave it the attention of a major tactician.

      Finally, Lena claimed an aunt’s prerogative. “Let me get Krys ready for bed and read her a story.”

      Krys jumped up. “Can I pick the story?”

      “Of course you can.” Lena looked at Vicki. “I don’t know about you, but I could use some coffee.”

      “I’ll make it.”

      “And I could use a walk,” Dan said. “Been sitting too much today.” He glanced at Vicki. “I can wait until you make the coffee if you want to take a turn around the block with me.”

      Summer evenings were long in Wyoming, and Vicki wondered when she had last taken a walk around a block. Part of her felt a little nervous, and part of her thought she was entirely too hypersensitive. A friend was going for a walk. It would have been rude of him not to ask her.