“Honey, no self-respecting germ would ever live in that horrible stuff.” He sat down on the sofa and began to eat. Dolly came from behind the stove and began to rub around his legs. “I’ll save the bone for you, pretty girl, but you can’t share with Dixie. Alpacas don’t eat meat,” he said and then glanced over at Stevie, “unless this redhead wants it. I owe her for saving my hands, so if she wants to gnaw on it awhile, then she should have it.”

Stevie picked up her pocketknife from the worktable and sat down on the other end of the sofa. “You’re not even funny.”

“And I tried so hard.” Cody heaved a long sigh but there was no denying that it was all fake.

“Seriously.” Stevie rolled her eyes. “You know when I miss Mama the most?”

“At mealtimes.” Cody turned serious. “That’s when I missed my folks the most.”

Stevie cut off a piece of steak and started toward her mouth with it. “We shared two meals a day with each other, even when she was sick. I would carry our plates to her room and sit beside her bed while we ate.” She finally put the steak in her mouth.

“I understand,” Cody said. “I really do. I thought I was ready to get away from the ranch, but I was so lonely in college that sometimes I thought of quitting and going home. There were people all around me in the cafeteria, but not a one of them to talk to about my day. Mama always said breakfast and supper were our best family times. Even as little boys, we talked about our day at the supper table, and I missed that so much.”

“Everyone needs a family,” Stevie said. “Look at Dixie. She probably wouldn’t survive without the cats. Even though they’re two different species, they’ve bonded to make a family. I hope Max doesn’t mind if I take them with us when we leave.”

“Max is in the hospital,” Cody said. “I was coming from his place when I wrecked my truck. He was having chest pains, so I called the ambulance and sent him to the hospital in Bonham. I’m sure he won’t mind if we borrow Dolly and the kittens. In fact, he’d probably be happy to know they were being cared for. Once Dixie is happy in her new world, I’ll bring them back.”

“I envy you and the closeness you have with your family. Always have.” Stevie cut another piece of steak and popped it into her mouth.

“You were close to your folks,” Cody said.

“Yes, I was, but I always wanted siblings like you had,” Stevie confessed. “Losing Mama would have been a little easier to bear if I’d had brothers or sisters to share the grief, to share the memories.”