But the memory of a tall, quiet man’s dark eyes and solemn face had been powerful persuasion. The attraction present between them at their first meeting was as fresh as if it had only been yesterday. A neighborhood cookout to introduce Lily’s family to Oklahoma had turned into a contest between Debbie and Cole as to who could ignore whom the most effectively.

But it hadn’t worked. It was hard to ignore a need to be held. It was impossible to ignore each other. Cole Brownfield had been a man to remember. And she had…for months. Now she was here. It was time for action.

A quick shower and a fresh change of clothing sent her in search of her hosts. She entered the kitchen to find Morgan hobbling from cabinet to table and back again, obviously trying to assemble a breakfast for himself. Debbie’s mouth formed a silent O as she took a good look at the mess in the kitchen. Chaos reigned.

“Need a little help?” she asked, and returned the smile of welcome that Morgan Brownfield sent her way.

“Debbie! You’ll never know how glad I am to see you,” Morgan said, “and how much I appreciate you giving up your time to come out and help.”

“Oh, I think I can,” she answered, as she gave him a quick hug of welcome. “The question is, where do I start first?”

“With breakfast,” Morgan commanded. “There may not be order in the house, but there’s food. I have Cole to thank for that.”

Debbie flushed at the sound of his name. “And I have him to thank for helping ground me yesterday. I’ve never been so sick…or embarrassed.”

“You’re young yet,” Morgan teased. “There’ll be other times and other days.”

Laughter was shared along with a quick but filling breakfast as Debbie was brought up to date on Morgan’s progress and on the whereabouts of his offspring, as well.

“You won’t have to worry about J.D. and Dusty,” he said. “They’re off on location, playacting again. Bit parts in some low-budget movie,” he grinned. “But they’re happy and that’s what counts.”

He pointed toward a closed doorway just off the kitchen. “Buddy’s in there. At least I think he is. That’s where I saw him last. And, as you probably have guessed, Cole is on duty. His hours are unpredictable, but he’s not. He’s my responsible son. Sometimes too much so. But my wife’s death left all of us with burdens. Cole took it upon himself to become the father figure to Lily and the boys while I was at work.”

Morgan sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know what I would have done without him. For that matter, I still don’t.”