“You could be right,” Sherry agreed.

With eyes only for each other, Ellie and Luke didn’t seem to notice they were leaving until Sherry was out the front door.

“Stick around, you two,” Luke protested. “You haven’t finished your coffee.”

“Another time,” Cody answered, leading Sherry down the steps.

“Night,” Sherry called to her friends.

“Night, and thanks again,” Ellie said, standing in the doorway, her arm around her husband’s waist, her head against his shoulder.

Cody escorted Sherry to her car, then hesitated before turning away. “I’ll see you soon,” he said, frowning.

She was puzzled by the frown. She watched as his gaze swung back to Luke in the doorway and then to her again. Then he sighed and stepped away.

Sherry would have given her first month’s wages to know what Cody was thinking.

* * *

“Dad was furious with me,” Heather said when she stopped in at the clinic the next afternoon. Doc was out doing house calls, like the old-fashioned country doctor he was.

“Hi, Heather,” Sherry greeted her. “Why was he mad?”

“He told me I had the worst sense of timing of anyone he’s ever known. First the night he brought you the candy and flowers, and then when you were watching Christina Lynn and Philip.”

“It’s all right,” Sherry assured her. “Your father and I’ll get everything straightened out sooner or later.” But Cody hadn’t said anything about marriage lately, and Sherry was beginning to wonder.

“I’m not supposed to butt into Dad’s business or yours, and I don’t mean to, but I hope you decide to marry us. I don’t even care about the babies so much anymore. I really like you, Sherry, and it’d be so much fun if you were always around.”

“I’d enjoy that, too.”

“You would?” Sherry instantly brightened. “Can I tell Dad you said that, ’cause I know he’d like it and—”

“That might not be a good idea.” Sherry removed her white jacket and tossed it in the laundry hamper. She was finished for the day and eager to see Cody.

“I thought your friend Carrie was going to come by with you,” she said.

“She couldn’t. That’s why I can’t show you the way I want my hair cut.”

“Oh, well. I’ll see the magazine another time.”

“Especially if you’re going to stay around.” Heather pressed her books against her as her eyes grew wistful. “I can hardly wait for you to move in with us.”

“I didn’t say I was moving in with you, Heather. Remember what Ellie told you at the picnic?”

Heather rolled her eyes in exasperation, as if reciting it for the hundredth time. “If I interfere with you and Dad, I could hurt more than help.”

“You got it.”

Before leaving the clinic, Sherry ran a brush through her hair and touched up her makeup. “You’re sure Janey and your father are expecting me tonight?”

“Of course. Dad specifically said I should stop by today and invite you, but if you can’t come, that’s fine, too, ’cause Slim’s in town and he can take me home.”