Cody Ryan had always been a stand-up guy—kind, a little on the shy side, and true to his word. He lived by the cowboy code of ethics that hung on the wall out in the bunkhouse. She had admired that in him even when they were just kids in elementary school. When he broke up with her, she still respected him for his honesty.

She couldn’t make out his features, but then, she didn’t need to. She had dreamed about him regularly for years even though she had moved on—or thought she had. With his chiseled face, those steely blue eyes framed by those thick brown lashes, and all that blond hair that he usually wore just a little too long, he had taken her breath away when he passed her in the halls of Honey Grove High School.

Finally, her eyes grew heavy and she slept.

The vibration on her wrist awoke her, and there were Dixie’s little eyes peeking over the side of the bed at her. “Good morning, little one.” She reached out and petted the tiny animal.

“I think your baby wants food,” Cody said from the kitchen area. “The water is warm on the stove. I’m going to open the door to let Dolly and the kittens out into the barn. We’ve got to figure out something for the door. The cat either has to get out of here or else we have to make her a litter box.”

Stevie stood, stretched, and rolled the kinks out of her neck. “Thanks for warming the water. We could wire the door open a crack so that the cats can come and go as they please but Dixie can’t get out.”

“If she was in a natural setting, she would be in a stall with her mama, right?” Cody asked.

“Yes, and the mama would be near her for warmth,” Stevie answered as she made a bottle.

“So, she could come back in here when she got cold. I’m sure she would follow the cats wherever they go.” Cody refueled the stove. “What I wouldn’t give for a good hot shower can’t be put into words.”

“I can’t snap my fingers and make a shower or hot water appear out of nowhere, but I do have an extra toothbrush or two in the van,” Stevie said. “I’m glad to share with you if that will help.”

“Definitely,” he answered. “What else have you got out there?”

“I’ve got a go bag for when I have to spend the night with a cow that’s having trouble birthing a calf. It’s got extra clothes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and deodorant,” she answered. “Don’t you carry a duffel bag with you?”

“Nope, just my doc bag,” Cody said, “but I would love to borrow one of those toothbrushes.”

“Nope, you can’t borrow one,” she said.

“Why not?” Cody asked.