“A mama cat named Dolly and her kittens Boots, Tammy, and Loretta,” Cody answered. “They’re out in the barn. Well, they’re actually in the stall with Maggie, the new cria, and Dixie. I can take them back when the roads are clear if you don’t want them out there, Dad.”

“Poppa…” Mia whined. “If no one buys that ranch for a long time, they might starve.”

Sonny’s old eyes sparkled. “What do you think, Pearl, darlin’. Can our budget afford to feed a mama cat and her babies?”

Pearl pretended to have to think about the finances for a while, and then finally she nodded. “Well, if she’s a good mouser, she might be worth keeping around, but no cats or kittens in the house, Mia. I hate the smell of a litter box.”

“Thank you, thank you!” Mia squealed. “I’m going out there to get acquainted with Miz Dixie and the cats soon as we get done with supper. I love their names, Uncle Cody, but why didn’t you name the boy Waylon or Willie or even Blake or Twitty?”

“Because he’s black and white and has four white feet. He looked like a Boots to me,” Cody answered.

“And, Mia, Boots Randolph was a fantastic country music saxophone player, so he’s kind of named after a star anyway,” Sonny said. “Look him up on that fancy phone of yours and listen to him play ‘Yakety Sax.’”

“I will,” Mia said, “but before I do that, I want to go see the new animals. I’ve tried for years to tame those wild barn cats. Now I’ll have kittens I can hold and love on.”

“And a brand-new baby cria,” Addy reminded her.

“Life is good in spite of the snow,” Mia sighed.

Yes, it is. Stevie agreed with a slight nod. In this household, she wasn’t a seventeen-year-old kid anymore. She was an adult who, like Cody reminded her, was an intelligent woman and a help to the community.

“I’ll go with you,” Stevie offered. “I’d like to check on Dixie one more time before bedtime, just to be sure she’s settling in all right. But not before chocolate cake.”

“Oh, Dr. Stevie, nothing comes between me and Nana’s chocolate cake, not even new pets,” Mia said with a giggle.

The twins began to fuss and gnaw on their fists at the same time, and Addy pushed back her plate. “That’s my cue for bedtime. They’ve had their baths, so it’s bottle and rocking time. Save me a piece of cake!”

“I’ll do daddy duty.” Jesse got up from the table and picked up one of the carriers. “Mia helped with baths, and she needs to go check on the new animals.”