Sherry smiled. “We’ll drive into Abilene and make a day of it.”

Heather’s eyes lit up like sparklers. “That’d be great!”

“So, I’ll leave you to partner your dad on the egg toss.”

The glimmer in her eyes didn’t fade. “I was thinking the same thing.” She looked mischievous. “This could be the year Dad loses his title as the egg champion.”

“Heather,” Sherry chastised, “be nice to your father.”

“Oh, I will,” she promised, “especially since you and I have reached an understanding.”

“Good. Then I’m heading over to the clinic now.”

“You’re sure you won’t stay? There’s a fireworks display tonight. It’s even better than the one we had on the Fourth.”

“I think Sherry’s seen all the fireworks she needs for one night,” Ellie put in.

“You’re right, I have. We’ll talk soon, Heather. Bye, Ellie.” She leaned over and kissed the top of Philip’s head. “Let’s make a point of getting together in the next little while.”

“I’d like that,” Ellie said.

Sherry was halfway back to her car when Cody caught up with her. He fell into step beside her. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said.

Sherry sighed and closed her eyes. “I know.”

“But you’re still mad?”

“No. Discouraged, perhaps, but not mad.” She arrived at her car and unlocked it. “I talked to Heather and she told me about her 4-H project. It explained a lot.”

“Like what?”

“Like why you’re interested in me. Why you chose to drive me to the ranch instead of town after Ellie’s baby was born.”

“That had nothing to do with it! We were both dog-tired, and my place was a lot closer than town.”

“You don’t need to worry,” Sherry said, unwilling to get involved in another debate with him. She was truly weary and not in the best of moods, fighting the heat, disappointment and the effects of an undernourished romantic heart. “I had a nice chat with Heather. You’ve done a wonderful job raising her, Cody. She’s a delightful girl. Unless you object, I’d like to be her friend. She and I have already made plans to go clothes-shopping in Abilene.”

“Of course I don’t object.”

“Thank you.” She slipped inside her car and started the engine. She would’ve driven away, but Cody prevented her from closing the door.

He frowned darkly. “I don’t mean to be obtuse, but what does all this mean?”

“Nothing, really. I’m just…cutting to the chase,” she said. “I’m explaining that it isn’t necessary for you to play out this charade any longer.”

“What charade?”

“Of being attracted to me.”

“I am attracted to you.”

“But you wish you weren’t.”

He opened and closed his mouth twice before he answered. “I should’ve known you’d throw that back in my face. You’re right. I don’t have time for courtin’ and buying flowers and the like. I’ve got a ranch to run, and this is one of the busiest months of the year.”

Sherry blinked, not sure what to make of Cody. He seemed sincere about not meaning to offend her, and yet he constantly said and did things that infuriated her.