“You guys are wonderful,” Cait said. “The best friends anyone ever had, but men have the right to make their own choices. If he wants her, then he should have her.”

“That’s crazy talk,” Bobbi said.

Cait smiled but the others were serious. “I have to go. Thank you very much for this. You’ve made my day. Really.” She got into her Jeep. “On Saturday, why don’t we go barhopping?” That was a Mason joke. There was only one bar in town.

“Sure,” Bobbi said, and they stepped back as Cait drove away.

She watched them in her rearview mirror. They had made her feel much better.

For the next few hours she ran errands, then delivered everything to the uncles. She looked at her watch. It was early, so Coop would still be at work. There was one more thing she had to do. The box of photos that Kelly had given her was still hidden in the Fredericks house. She didn’t think anyone would see it, but she didn’t want to risk it. She needed to get the box and come up with a secure hiding place.

Cait was standing on her toes and trying to get the box off the top shelf. She could barely reach it. It came down in a whoosh, almost hitting her head, but she caught it. Relieved that nothing had fallen out, she went downstairs. She’d left her bag in the dining room on one of the old mattresses. Just as she picked it up, she heard the front door open. She shoved the box at the back of the mattress, then turned.

It was Coop and he looked furious! “What the hell were you thinking? They came into the clinic. Where I work! Every day, I’m doing the best I can to make Kelly think I’m a serious person who wants a job in this town. Then you send half-naked girls to parade in front of everyone.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said.

“Those girls. It was embarrassing,” he said. “Everyone was laughing at me.”

Cait was puzzled. “Half-naked? Who was?”

“I don’t know their names. I’ve never seen them before. Or maybe I have. I don’t remember.”

Cait was beginning to understand what he was saying. “They really did it?” She grinned. “I have an idea that they were trying to show you that other women have beautiful body parts. They know it’s hard to compete when a man wants a woman like Rilla.”

He was blinking rapidly. “You think I want her?”

“You married her, so, yes, I think she’s your type.”

“She’s every man’s type. When I met her she came after me. I was too astonished to ask why. That’s all past history.”

She glared at him. “Not quite since she’s staying with you.”