* * *

Sherry had just finished with her first patient of the afternoon, a four-year-old with a bad ear infection, when Mrs. Colson handed her a phone message. Sherry should’ve suspected something when the receptionist smiled so broadly.

Sherry took the slip and stuck it in the pocket of her white uniform jacket, waiting until she was alone to read it. When she did, she sank into a chair and closed her eyes. The call was from Heather. She’d talked to her father, and apparently he had business in Abilene that same weekend and was making arrangements for the three of them to travel together. He’d call her soon, Heather said.

This was going to be difficult. Knowing Cody, he’d turn a simple shopping trip into a test of her patience and endurance. She’d have to set some ground rules.

* * *

Cody was supposed to pick her up at the clinic early Saturday morning. Sherry was standing on the porch waiting. It’d been a week since she’d last seen him, four days since their stilted conversation on the phone—and a lifetime since she’d dreaded any trip more.

Her heart sank when the white Cadillac pulled to a stop in front of the clinic.

Cody got out of the car and climbed the steps. Sherry saw Heather scramble over the front seat and into the back.

“Hello,” Sherry said, tightening her grip on her overnight case.

“Hello.” His voice was devoid of emotion as he reached for her bag.

“I thought we should talk before we leave,” she said when he was halfway down the steps.

“Fine.” He didn’t sound eager.

“Let’s call a truce. It shouldn’t be difficult to be civil to each other, should it? There’s no reason for us to discuss our differences now or ever again, for that matter.”

“No,” he agreed, “it shouldn’t be the least bit difficult to be civil.”

And surprisingly, it wasn’t. The radio filled in the silences during the long drive, and when the stations faded, Heather bubbled over with eager chatter. Cody seemed to go out of his way to be amiable, and Sherry found her reserve melting as the miles slipped past.

The hotel Cody chose in Abilene was situated close to a large shopping mall. Heather was ready to head for the shops the minute they checked in to their spacious two-bedroom suite.

“Hold your horses,” Cody said. He had his briefcase with him. “I probably won’t be back until later this evening.”

“What about dinner?” Heather wanted to know.

“I’ve got an appointment.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Sherry told him. “Either we’ll order something from room service or eat downstairs. If we’re feeling adventurous, we’ll go out, but I don’t imagine we’ll go far.”

“What time will you be back, Dad?”

Cody paused. “I can’t say. I could be late, so don’t wait up for me.”

“Can I watch a movie?” She stood in front of the television and read over the listings offered on the printed card.