“Glen Watson needs a cow checked for something or other, so she’s on her way to Dodd City,” Cody said as he got into the SUV and started the engine. “Do you remember me talking about Nate?”

“Your doctor buddy?” Addy asked.

“He called this morning, and…” He told her what Nate had offered him as they drove into town.

“Are you thinking about taking him up on it?” Addy asked.

“I told him no,” Cody said. “Dad might need more and more medical help. Jesse needs me on the ranch. It takes both of us to do what Dad used to do on his own. Before long, we’ll be hiring summer help and then…” He paused. “There’s this thing with Stevie.”

“But your heart kind of aches for the job, doesn’t it?” Addy asked. “I remember when I first came to the ranch. I missed nursing so much. I knew I was doing good here as a personal nurse to Sonny, and the ranch was a good fit for Mia. But…” She shrugged. “All I can say is it wasn’t easy. These days, at least, I get to be your nurse. But don’t ever let me keep you from doing what your heart is telling you to do.”

Cody hadn’t even thought of how taking the job would affect Addy. “Hey, I’m not going anywhere,” he assured her. “There will always be job opportunities, but right now I want to spend all the time that I can with Dad.” He parked in front of Gracie’s house and took his doctor bag from the back seat.

Gracie met them at the door and motioned for them to come on into the house. Pink floral paper covered the walls. Frilly lace curtains hung over the windows. Doilies were under every lamp, on top of every table, and even graced the backs and arms of her rose-colored sofa.

“Where do you want me so you can check my throat and lungs?” she asked. “I’m so afraid that you’re going to call an ambulance and send me to the hospital. My poor Fifi might grieve herself to death…” She stopped to pull a tissue free from a box and sneeze into it. “If I’m not here to take care of her.”

“Let’s set you on a kitchen chair,” Addy suggested, and brought one out to the middle of the living room floor.

Cody took her blood pressure and temperature. “Low-grade fever, but your blood pressure is good. Let’s take a look at that throat and listen to your lungs.