The coffee maker had shut itself off, and she was debating with herself about reheating some in the microwave when she heard a knock at the door.

“Who in the world would be out in this weather?” she muttered, as she turned the walker around and went to answer it.

The fact that Duke Talbot was standing beneath her porch already shedding clothes did something for her heartbeat, but as it turned out, the only things he took off and left on her porch swing was a raincoat, his boots, and a cowboy hat with its own rain cover.

He gave her a tentative smile, and then held up the carton of eggs.

“It is not my habit to go to anyone’s home unannounced, but I didn’t have your number, and I come bearing a gift. Hope sent you a dozen fresh eggs. Is that enough to get me in the door?”

Cathy grinned. “It’s more than enough.”

Duke was enchanted as he went inside and closed the door behind him. She had a dimple. Just one, and only visible when she smiled.

“Is it okay if I put these in the refrigerator for you?” he asked.

“Of course. I’m sorry I don’t have hot coffee, but I fell asleep and the coffee maker shut itself off.”

Duke frowned. “I hope I didn’t wake you?”

“No. It was that lightning and thunder a few minutes ago. I was in the kitchen when you knocked.”

“Okay then,” Duke said, and headed for the kitchen in his sock feet, but when he did, Cathy went to the hall and turned on the central heat to take the chill off the house, then followed him, and sat down at the table.

“If you don’t mind reheated coffee, pour yourself a cup and microwave it,” she said.

Duke glanced at her. “Do you want some?”

“Sure,” she said.

He filled two cups, popped them in the microwave, then brought them to the table and sat down with her.

“How is your ankle,” he asked.

“Still swollen and painful, but I’m managing just fine, thanks to you.”

Duke eyed the flash in her eyes and wondered what she was thinking. But instead of asking, he made a painfully boring comment.

“You make good coffee.”

The praise was so simple, but for Cathy, who’d rarely gotten a compliment from her ex other than how she looked, it pleased her.

“Thank you.”

Duke was trying to think of some witty comment to make that might prompt a conversation when his cell phone rang. When he saw it was from the County Sheriff’s office, he sighed.

“I’m sorry. I know this is rude, but I really need to take this call.”

“Do you need privacy? I can go—”

“No, nothing like that,” he said, and then answered. “Hello, this is Duke.”

“Good morning, Duke. Deputy Treat here. We just wanted to catch you up on the investigation. We did confirm the rustlers came directly through the Bailey property. We tried to locate a place where they might have purchased the feed sacks they left behind, but that brand is sold all over the state, and anyone with cattle might have purchased it.”