“Speaking of elephants, Mia and I had a little visit out in the barn. She feels so bad that she sold off her flock of sheep and ran away with Honey Grove’s most notorious bad boy, and used up every bit of her money. Talking to her is what gave me the courage to tell you how I felt.”

“From what Jesse told me, they were heartsick for Mia,” Cody said. “And she’s paying dearly for her mistakes now.”

“How’s that?” Stevie asked.

“She lost her position overseeing some of the hired hands. Addy made her take her courses online this semester because last semester she flunked them all, and she had to interview with Jesse for a job as a ranch hand,” Cody answered.

“Tough love.” Stevie finished off her piece of cake and stole a bite of Cody’s. “Mama applied some of that several times when I was growing up, and even after I came home.”

“Dad will never get better.” Cody’s tone went all hoarse, like he was trying to talk past a lump in his throat. “I couldn’t bear to have one of my kids do that to him in his last days.”

“So you are thinking about settling down now? I figured after you saw that Sonny was all right, you might go back to Doctors Without Borders again.”

Cody took another drink of his beer. “I do miss that life, but my place is here, and to answer your question, I have thought about a family, but that’s as far as it’s gone. Right now, I’m just trying to take care of Dad, this ranch, and my practice.”

“And again, you’ve got too much on your plate for a serious relationship, right?”

“That’s pretty much the way of it,” Cody answered.

“From the time we spent in the tack room, I’d say that you’re a normal old cowboy looking for peace, love, and contentment,” Stevie said.

“I’ll take normal anytime, but I’ll argue that old point,” he teased.

“You’re staring forty in the eye,” she reminded him. “Like I said, I finish a project before I start another one. Consider yourself all done. I’m moving on. You can do the same or not—that’s your choice.”

“What do you want out of life…love?” he teased.

“I don’t have to decide tonight, but I don’t intend to waste any more time on measuring all guys by your yardstick. I’m not seventeen, in this town, or in my own eyes when I’m around you. I’m an independent woman who is building a vet practice.” She picked up her beer and finished it.

“You are definitely independent,” Cody agreed. “You remind me a lot of Addy.”