She was halfway to the door when it burst open and Donna Jo rushed in. “I’m so glad I caught you!” she said excitedly. “You poor, poor girl, you must be near crazy with worry.”

“Worry?”

“About losing Cody. Now, you listen here, I’ve got some advice for you.” She paused, inhaled deeply and pressed her hand to her generous bosom. “Sherry Waterman, fight for your man. You love him—folks in town have known that for weeks—and we’re willing to forgive you for leaving in that fancy jet with that handsome cowboy. By the way, who was that?”

“Rowdy Cassidy, and before you say another word, I didn’t leave with him like you’re implying.”

“We know that, dear.”

“Rowdy Cassidy?” Martha Colson whispered. “Not the Rowdy Cassidy?”

“That’s who she said,” Donna Jo muttered irritably. “Now let her talk.”

“There’s nothing more to say.” Sherry didn’t want to spend what free time she had talking about her excursion of the night before, although both women were eager for details. “I’m going to do as you suggest and take a long drive this morning.”

“Now you be sure to stop in at the café and let me know what happens once you’re through talking to Cody,” Donna Jo instructed.

“Who said I was going to talk to Cody?”

“You are going to him, aren’t you?” Donna Jo said. “You have to. That poor boy’s all thumbs when it comes to love and romance. Personally, I thought you did a smart thing, asking for a little romance first, but everyone agrees that it’s time for you to put Cody out of his misery.”

“He’s suffered enough,” Mrs. Colson added.

“Who would’ve believed Cody Bailman would be like this with a woman. I will say it took a mighty special one,” Donna Jo concluded, winking at Sherry.

With half the town awaiting the outcome of her trip to Cody’s ranch, Sherry hopped in her car and drove to the Lucky Horseshoe. Odds were he’d be out on the range somewhere, so she didn’t know what good her visit would do. Nevertheless, she had to try.

She saw Cody almost immediately. He was working with a gelding in the corral when she arrived, leading him around the enclosed area. Several other men stood nearby, watching and talking among themselves.

Climbing out of her car, Sherry walked over to the fence and stood there for a few minutes, waiting for Cody to notice her. He seemed preoccupied with his task, putting the gelding through his paces. Sherry was sure he knew she was there, and she was willing to be ignored for only so long.

Five of the slowest minutes of her life passed before she stepped onto the bottom rung of the fence and braced her arms on the top one.

“Cody!”

He turned to face her, his eyes blank.

This was much harder than Sherry had expected. On the drive out to his ranch, she’d envisioned Cody’s eyes lighting up with pleasure at the sight of her. She’d imagined him hugging her, lifting her from the ground and swinging her around, his eyes filled with love and promises.