Page 77 of Ranger's Wildflower

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But I see it.

The tension in her shoulders.

The slight shake in her hands.

The way her eyes keep flicking toward the door.

Waiting.

Bracing.

“Tessa.”

She doesn’t look up. “I’m fine.”

“I didn’t ask that.”

That makes her pause.

Just for a second.

Then she exhales slowly and sets the flowers down.

“I’m sorry. What did you ask?” she says.

“How you want to handle this.”

Her hands still.

Finally, she looks at me.

“I don’t know yet.”

Honest.

That’s new.

I nod once. “Alright.”

I don’t push.

Don’t rush her.

But my mind is already working.

Because whatever Daniel does next—

It won’t be obvious.

The bell above the door chimes.

We both look up.

A man walks in.

Mid-forties. Suit. Briefcase.

Out of place.

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