“But Dad won’t get anything right without me!”

“He married your mother, didn’t he?” Ellie reminded her. “It seems to me he’ll do perfectly well all on his own.”

“I like Sherry, though. Better than anyone, and Dad does, too. His problem is he thinks love’s a big waste of time. He told me he wanted to cut to the chase and be done with it.”

“He said that?” Sherry glared over at him. Cody must have sensed it, because he looked at her and grimaced at the intensity of her expression. He said something to Luke, who turned their way, too. Luke’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. Then he slapped Cody’s back and the two of them headed in the direction of the cook-off area.

“He said he’s too busy with the ranch to date anyone or to bother with what he calls ‘hearts-and-flowers’ stuff.”

Sherry felt like a complete fool for having constructed this wild romantic fantasy in her mind. Cody had never been interested in her. From the very first, he’d been trying to mollify his daughter. Sherry had just appeared on the scene at a convenient moment. She felt sick to her stomach. This was what happened when she allowed herself to believe in romance, to believe in love. It seemed so easy for her friends, but it wasn’t for her.

“I’ve had a long day,” Sherry said, suddenly feeling weary. “I think I’ll go unpack my bags, soak in the tub and make an early night of it.”

“You can’t!” Heather protested. “I signed you and Dad up for the three-legged race, the egg toss and the water-balloon toss. They have the races in the evening because it’s too hot in the afternoon.”

“I doubt that your father wants me as a partner.”

“But he does,” Heather insisted. “He’s won the egg toss for years and years, and it’s really important to him. It’s one of those ego things.”

“Unfortunately, he’s already got egg on his face,” Sherry muttered to Ellie, who laughed outright.

“Please stay,” Heather begged. “Please, please, please. If you don’t, I can’t see myself ever forgiving Dad for ruining this opportunity.”

Sherry was beginning to understand Cody’s frustration with his daughter. “Heather, don’t play matchmaker. It’ll do more harm than good. If your father’s genuinely interested in dating me, he’ll do so without you goading him into it. Promise me you’ll stay out of this.”

Heather looked at the ground and her pretty blue eyes grew sad. “It’s just that I like you so much and we could have lots of fun together.”

“We certainly don’t need your father for that.”

“We don’t?”

“Trust me,” Ellie inserted, “a man would only get in the way.”

“Would you go shopping for school clothes with me? I mean, to a real town with a mall that’s got more than three stores, and spend the day with me?”

“I’d love it.”

Heather lowered her eyes again, then whispered, “I need help with bras and…and other stuff.”