The phone rang just then, and Sherry let Mrs. Colson answer it. The receptionist came back for Sherry.

“It’s a nice-sounding man asking for you.”

This surprised Sherry. The only “nice-sounding man” who interested her was Cody Bailman, but Mrs. Colson would have recognized his voice.

She walked into her office and picked up the receiver. “This is Sherry Waterman.”

“Sherry, it’s Rowdy Cassidy. I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering if you could fly to Houston for dinner tonight?”

“Fly to Houston? Tonight?”

“It’s Norah’s birthday, and I’d love to surprise her.”

“But there isn’t a plane for me to catch, and it’d take you hours to fly to Pepper to get me.”

“I’m here now, at the airstrip outside town.”

“Here?”

“Yeah, I flew into Abilene this morning and I got to thinking on my way home that I should bring you back with me. I know it’s a lot to ask, but it’d give Norah such a boost. She loves Texas, but after your visit, she got real homesick. It’d mean a lot to her if you’d come and help celebrate her birthday.”

Sherry hesitated and looked at Heather, not wanting to disappoint Cody’s daughter, either. “I need to be back by nine tomorrow morning.”

“No problem. I can have one of my staff fly you back first thing. What do you say?”

“Uh…” Sherry wished she had more time to think this over. “Sure,” she said finally. “Why not?” Norah was her best friend, and she missed her, too.

They made the arrangements to meet, and Sherry hung up. “You heard?” she asked Heather.

Heather lowered her head dejectedly.

“It’s for a surprise birthday dinner. Norah’s the reason I moved to Texas, and she’d do it for me. Besides, you said Slim can take you back to the ranch.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“How about if you stop by after school tomorrow?” Sherry asked, hating to disappoint Heather. “It’d be even better, wouldn’t it, because Carrie might be able to come.”

Heather nodded, but not with a lot of enthusiasm. “You’re right. It’s just that I was really looking forward to having you out at the ranch again. I think Dad was, too.”

“There’ll be plenty of other times, I promise. You’ll explain to your father, won’t you?”

Heather nodded. Sherry dropped her off at the feed store, where Slim’s pickup was parked. She stayed long enough to be sure the older man was available to drive Heather to the ranch.

From there she drove to the landing strip. Rowdy was waiting for her, and after greetings and hugs, Sherry boarded his company jet and settled back in the cushioned seat.

“So how’s Pepper been treating you?” Rowdy asked.

“Very well. I love Texas.”

“Any progress with that cattleman?”

She smiled. “Some.”

“Norah’s going to be glad to hear that.” He grinned with satisfaction. “She’s going to be very surprised to see you, but even more surprised to see her father. He arrived earlier this afternoon. My driver picked him up at the airport and is giving him a quick tour of Houston and Galveston Island. If everything goes according to schedule, we should get to the house at about the same time.”