“From what Ellie told me, she considers herself the lucky one.” Luke grinned hugely at Sherry’s words.

“Come on, Sherry, you’re beat,” Cody said. “Good night, Luke.”

“Night.” Luke walked them to the front door. “Ellie’s mother is on her way and should be here by morning. She’ll be a big help. But thanks again.”

By the time Sherry was inside Cody’s truck, she was dead on her feet. She dreaded the long, rough drive back to town, but there was no alternative.

* * *

“Sherry.” Her name seemed to come from far away. The bottom of a well, perhaps. It was then that she realized she’d been asleep.

She’d meant to stay awake, but she was obviously more tired than she’d realized, because she’d slept through that dreadful ten-mile stretch before they hit the main road. Cody must have driven with infinite care.

To compound her sense of disorientation, she noticed that her head was neatly tucked against his shoulder. She felt warm and comfortable there and wasn’t inclined to move.

“We’re in town already?” she asked, slowly opening her eyes.

“No. I couldn’t see taking you all the way into Pepper when you’re so tired.”

Sherry straightened and looked around. They were parked outside a barn beside an enormous brick house with arched windows on the main floor and four gables on the second. The place was illuminated by several outdoor lights.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“My place, the Lucky Horseshoe. I figured you could spend what’s left of the night here. I’ll drive you back into town first thing in the morning.”

Sherry was too tired to argue, not that she wanted to. She liked and trusted this man, and when he came around to help her from the cab, she found herself almost eager to feel his hands on her waist again.

Cody swung her down, and if he was feeling any of what Sherry was, he didn’t show it.

“I hope I didn’t make a pest of myself falling asleep on you that way,” she said.

He mumbled something she couldn’t quite make out. But apparently she hadn’t bothered him. He led the way into the big country kitchen, turning on lights as he went.

Without asking, he took two large glasses from a cupboard and filled them with milk from the refrigerator. “You didn’t have any dinner.”

Sherry had to think about it for a moment. He was right. She hadn’t had anything since the cheeseburger and pie at lunchtime. To her surprise, she wasn’t the least bit hungry.

“Here,” he said, handing her the glass of milk. “This’ll tide you over till breakfast.”

“Thanks.”

He pulled out a chair for her, then twisted the one across from it around and straddled it. They didn’t seem to have a lot to say to each other, yet the room was charged with electricity.

“So,” he ventured, “you’re planning to stay in Pepper?”

Sherry nodded. She liked the gruff quality of his voice. She liked his face, too, not that he was male-model handsome. His features were too strong and masculine for that, browned by the sun and creased with experience—some of it hard, she guessed.