“I’ll think about it, but don’t get your hopes up,” Cody said.

“That’s fair enough. I’ll look to hear from you in a few days, then. Cheers, old mate,” Nate said, and ended the call.

Cody took time to scroll through the pictures. Compared to the hospital he had just been in with his dad, the facility looked really small, but when he remembered working out of a one-room place with a generator for power, it was downright beautiful. The photo of the village, which sat at the base of a lush green mountain range, was different from anywhere he had been sent before. If his dad hadn’t been on the decline, or if Stevie hadn’t come into his life, he would have jumped at the chance to work with his old friend.

He tucked the phone back into his hip pocket and got on one of the four-wheelers, intending to join Jesse in the west pasture. If it wasn’t too wet, they would be plowing that morning. He hadn’t even had time to start the vehicle when his phone rang again. This time it was Gracie Langston.

“Dr. Ryan,” he answered. “What’s your problem, Gracie?”

“I’ve got strep throat and maybe pneumonia. A fever for sure. Fifi’s puppies have made me sick.” Her tone sounded downright nasal. “The doctor’s office doesn’t have any appointments available, and I need help. I could die before Monday.”

“I doubt you’re going to die, Gracie. But I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Cody slung his leg off the four-wheeler and jogged to the ranch house.

Addy and Mia were both in the kitchen when he got inside. “Hey, Addy, sounds like Gracie Langston has a fever and is asking if we can come check her out so she doesn’t die before the doctor’s office opens on Monday. You free?”

“Dying, huh?” Addy chuckled, knowing her neighbor’s hypochondriac tendencies. “Yeah, I can go with you. Watch the boys for me?” Addy asked Mia.

“Sure thing,” Mia replied.

“And will you call Jesse and let him know I’ll be back as soon as I can?” Cody asked.

“Of course. And if Dad needs me to go help plow, I’ll call Nana to come babysit until you get back. And if Gracie has to go to the hospital, you can bring Fifi and her puppies home with you. I’ll babysit them until she gets well.”

“Oh, no!” Addy shook her head. “If those dogs come to the ranch, you’ll never let them go back. If Gracie has to be away for a few days, she can hire someone to go to her house and take care of her animals.”

Addy tossed Cody the keys to her SUV and grabbed a sweater on her way out the door. “I saw Stevie’s van leaving a few minutes ago. Where’s she off to?”