“And we can save my vet supplies that are on shelves in the garage.” She tried to hang on to a few positive ideas. “A lot of the things I use often are stashed in the van, so that’s a good thing. I’ve got a roof over my head, friends who care about me, my clothing was all undamaged except for one drawer full of pajamas. My mother’s voice popped into my head and told me that it was all just stuff. So why do I feel like I just fell into a black hole?”

“In the past few months, you’ve started a private vet practice. You’ve lost your last parent. You’ve been stranded in a winter storm with a baby alpaca and your archenemy. Now your house might not be worth saving,” Cody answered. “That’s enough to put a person without your strength over the edge.”

“I don’t feel so strong right now,” Stevie said. “I’m grateful for everything, but inside, I’m a mess, Cody.”

“Let’s go up to the ranch house for supper. You need to be around people and family,” Cody told her.

Stevie wanted to curl up on the bed, put a pillow over her head, and think about nothing, but after all the Ryan family had done for her, she couldn’t do that. She nodded and stood up. “You are right. Maybe playing with little Sam and Taylor might make me realize that, like Mama said, it’s just stuff.”

Cody took her by the hand and led her to the living room, where he helped her into her coat. “I’ve lived among folks who had so little that I can agree with your mother.”

Stevie just gave him a brief nod. They walked up the path to the house hand in hand, and just that small gesture made her feel better. Pearl must have been watching for them out the kitchen window because she met Stevie in the middle of the kitchen floor with outstretched arms.

“I’m so sorry about this,” Pearl said as she hugged her, “but know that you are welcome here for as long as you want to stay. Sonny says we’ll clear out the tack room and you can use it for your vet clinic.”

“That’s right,” Sonny said from his place at the table. “We can put locks on both doors so the insurance people won’t fuss at us over the drugs you need to keep handy, and you can keep your van parked in the barn so it will be ready to go when you need it.”

“And for all that and for room and board, I want to pay you what’s fair,” Stevie said.