Because of a flat tire fifty miles on the other side of nowhere, followed by a long delay at a service station, Sherry was much later than she’d hoped. In fact, she was going to miss part of the scheduled festivities, including the parade. But with any luck she’d be in town before the dance started.

She’d tried phoning Cody’s ranch several times on her cell, but there hadn’t been any answer. No doubt everyone was enjoying the community celebration. With nothing left to do, she drove on, not stopping for lunch, until she arrived in Pepper.

The town had put on its best dress for this community event. A banner reading “Pepper Days” was stretched across Main Street. The lampposts were decorated with a profusion of bluebonnets, and red, white and blue crepe paper was strung from post to post.

Several brightly painted cardboard signs directed her to the city park and the barbecue. As soon as she turned off Main and onto Spruce, Sherry smelled the enticing aroma of mesquite and roasting beef. Various signs sent participants and onlookers to the far end of the park, where a chili cook-off was in progress. Sherry was fortunate to find a parking space on a side street. Country music blared from loudspeakers, and colorful Chinese lanterns dotted the cottonwood trees.

People were milling around the park, and Sherry didn’t recognize anyone. She would’ve liked to freshen up before meeting Cody, but she was already late and didn’t want to take the time. Besides, her calf-length denim skirt, cowboy boots and Western shirt with a white fringe were perfect for the festivities. The skirt and shirt had been a welcome-to-Texas gift from Norah.

“Sherry!”

She whirled around to see Cody’s daughter waving and racing toward her. Not quite prepared for the impact as Heather flung herself at her, Sherry nearly toppled backward.

“I knew you’d come! I never doubted, not even for a second. Have you seen my dad yet?”

“No, I just got here.”

“He didn’t think you were going to come. Men are like that, you know. It’s all a way to keep from being disappointed, don’t you think?”

But Cody’s attitude disappointed Sherry. “I said I’d be here.”

“I know, but Dad didn’t have a lot of faith that you’d show up. I did, though. Do you like my hair?” Heather looked extremely pretty with her thick dark hair loose and curling down her back. She whipped back the curls and tossed her head as if she were doing a shampoo commercial. She gazed up at Sherry, her eyes wide and guileless; she’d probably practiced the look in front of the bathroom mirror—something Sherry had done herself as a teenager. “Come on, let’s go find my father,” Heather said urgently.

It didn’t take long for Sherry to spot Cody. He was talking to a group of men who were gathered in a circle. Their discussion seemed to be a heated one, and Sherry guessed the topic was politics. Not until she got closer did she realize they were contesting the pros and cons of adding jalapeño peppers to Billy Bob’s barbecue sauce.