Donna Jo did a poor job of hiding her amusement. “I wondered how long it’d take you to learn about that. Cody’s kid’s got a good head on her shoulders. Heather figured that suggesting she find him a wife would get her father’s attention and by golly she was right.” Donna Jo laughed at the memory. “Cody was stunned. He’s lived so long without a woman that I don’t think remarrying even entered his mind. You’re sweet on him, too, aren’t you?”

“He’s a good man.” Sherry tried to sound noncommittal.

“Cody’s one of the best. He can be cantankerous, but then he wouldn’t be a man if he wasn’t. Now, I don’t have any dog in this fight, but—”

Sherry stopped her. “You don’t have a dog? They fight dogs in Texas?” she asked in horror.

“Of course not! It’s an old Texan saying, meaning I don’t have a stake in what happens between you and Cody. I’ve been married a whole lot of years myself, and personally I’d like to see Cody find himself a decent wife.” Her smile widened. “Folks in the Yellow Rose been talking about you two, and everyone says Cody should marry you. Are we gonna have a fall wedding?”

“Uh…”

“Leave Doc’s helper alone,” the sheriff called out from his perch at the counter, “and bring that coffee over here.”

“Hold your horses, Billy Bob. This is the kind of information folks come into the Yellow Rose for. Trust me, it isn’t the liver-and-onion special they’re after. It’s gossip. And everyone wants to know what’s happening with Cody and Sherry.”

Every single person in the café seemed to be staring at Sherry, waiting for a response.

“I hear you and Heather traveled with him to Abilene,” the sheriff said, twisting around to face her. “That sounds promising. Right promising.”

“Sure does,” someone else agreed.

“Here’s how I see it,” a second man intoned. Sherry hadn’t formally met him, but she knew he was the local minister. “A man wasn’t meant to be alone. A woman neither. Now, I know there’re plenty of folks who’d argue with me, but it seems if you’re both wanting the same thing, then you should get on with it.”

With everyone looking at her so expectantly, Sherry felt obligated to say something, anything. “I… Thanks for the advice. I’ll take it into consideration.” She couldn’t get out of the café fast enough. Everyone appeared to have either a question or some tidbit of wisdom.

By the time Sherry reached the clinic, she regretted opening her mouth. She had no idea so many people would be interested in her relationship with Cody.

Mrs. Colson looked up from her desk when Sherry came through the front door. “Good morning,” the receptionist greeted her cheerfully, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Morning,” Sherry said, hurrying past. Her eagerness to escape didn’t go unnoticed.

“How was your weekend with Cody and Heather?” Mrs. Colson called after her.

“Great.” Sherry got her jacket from behind the exam-room door and was buttoning it up when the receptionist let herself in. “I heard that Cody popped the question. I don’t even think Donna Jo knows this yet. Is it true?”