I bet you’re even cute in flannel pajamas. Cody wondered where that thought came from. He hadn’t blushed since he was a sophomore in high school, but he almost did right then. “Mama and Dad did figure it out, but they didn’t say anything. Addy did good raising her as a single mother,” Cody said.

“I got to admit, I was shocked when it came out that Jesse was Mia’s father. Addy sure kept that secret well for almost twenty years,” Stevie said, “but then I would have done the same thing if I’d been in her shoes. Has Mia settled down after that rebellious streak she had last summer?”

“Yep, good as gold,” Cody said. “She realizes she dodged a bullet by leaving that worthless Ricky kid in Las Vegas and coming home where she belonged. She’s a wonderful big sister to the twins Addy and Jesse adopted, and she’s taking online courses at home to finish up her education, plus she’s a fine hand on the ranch.”

“I agree on Ricky being worthless. I heard that he’s got a baby in Honey Grove and one in Bonham, and he’s only about twenty. Sometimes, the DNA will surface. His daddy was a bad boy, and his mother was wild,” Stevie said.

Oh, yeah! Cody thought about his biological parents, who’d been addicted to painkillers to the extent they could no longer take care of him. Cody was aware of all the pitfalls he may have inherited, but was also thankful he’d grown up in such a loving and nurturing environment, never tempted by bad habits.

“I’m glad Mia got away from Ricky. Whatever happened to open her eyes was worth it. Sometimes it takes a shake-up to realize what you’ve got right in front of your nose. I’m talking about all this.” Stevie waved a hand around to take in the whole bunkhouse. “I didn’t even have to ask, and your family came to our rescue like true friends. Addy sent shampoo, conditioner, and sweet-smelling bath salts, and Pearl changed the bedsheets,” Stevie said. “I shouldn’t be cranky, but I am.”

“We are all your friends.” Cody laid a hand on her shoulder. “Finish eating, go take a bath, and sleep off the crankiness. Everything will be just fine, and we’ll get you back in your own home as soon as we can.”

“As cold as it is right now, that might be spring,” Stevie grumbled, “but thank you for trying to make me feel better.”

“Anytime, Miz Stevie”—he grinned—“and since you set the table and got everything ready, I’ll take care of the cleanup.”

*  *  *