“I was just passing through on my way to Houston,” she explained patiently—and not for the first time. “Mayor Bowie assumed I was here to stay and so did Doc. Before I could stop him, he was out the door with his fishing pole in hand.”

“You should’ve said something.”

Sherry resisted the urge to scream. “I tried, but no one would listen.”

“Well, Doc told me to tell you he’ll be back in town sometime this afternoon. He says the fish don’t bite this early in the season, anyway.”

“I’ll need to call my friends and tell them I’m going to be late,” Sherry said. She hadn’t had a chance to phone Norah yesterday, thanks to the events of the afternoon and evening.

“Sure, go right ahead.”

Sherry decided to wait until she’d showered and changed clothes before she contacted Norah. It was mid-morning before she felt human again.

“I’m in Pepper,” Sherry explained once she had Norah on the line. “It’s a long story, but I won’t be able to leave until later this afternoon, which will put me in Houston late tomorrow.”

“That’s no problem,” Norah was quick to assure her. “I’m so glad you’re coming! I’ve missed you, Sherry.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

“How do you like Texas so far?” Norah wanted to know.

Given Sherry’s circumstances, it was an unfair question. “I haven’t been here long enough to really form an opinion. But the natives seem friendly, and with a little practice I think I’ll be able to pick up the language.”

Norah chuckled. “Oh, Sherry, I am so looking forward to seeing you! Don’t worry, I’m going to give you a crash course on the state and the people once you arrive. You’re going to love it—just the way I do.”

Sherry didn’t comment on that. “How’s Rowdy?” she said instead.

“Busy as ever. That man runs circles around me. So many people want his time and attention, but that’s all right. It’s me he comes home to every night, me he sits across the dinner table from and me he loves. He’s such a good father and an even better husband.”

“Val and Steffie send their love. Your dad, too.”

“Talking to you makes me miss them even more. Rowdy promised we’d fly to Orchard Valley this fall, but I doubt my dad’s going to wait that long. I half expect him to drop by for a visit before the end of the summer.”

Sherry chuckled. “Well, at least I’ll be there before he is.”

“It wouldn’t matter,” Norah said. “You’re welcome anytime.”

Sherry felt a lot better after talking to her friend. But Norah sounded so happy she couldn’t quite squelch a feeling of envy. Norah and Rowdy had two small children and were adopting two more. Norah had always been a natural with children. Sherry never did understand why her friend, with her affinity for kids, hadn’t chosen pediatrics.

In an effort to help pass the time until Doc’s arrival, Sherry read several medical journals in his office. When she looked up, it was well past noon.