“Not sure, but she’s yours. Cute too.” He cocked his head. “I had one like her when I was a boy. She needs a name.”

I traced the white streak between the puppy’s eyes and around her nose. The rest of her black coat glistened in the light. “What’s your name, my little ray of sunshine?” I met Denton’s gaze. “Joy.”

“I like it.”

A talkative and generous math-teacher cowboy? Perhaps if I got to know him, I’d not feel this grinding apprehension. “I have no need for her papers. But I think we should celebrate over a cup of coffee.”

“I’ll wait out here. It’s a beautiful day.”

I gave him a mental thumbs-up. “You’re a gentleman, and I appreciate it. Please, hold Joy and give me a couple of minutes. How do you drink your coffee?”

“Raven black.”

“Strong?”

“Yep. Oh, I have puppy food at my place, and she’s had her shots.”

Gratitude watered my eyes. “I’ll repay you.”

“You are with the coffee and possible friendship.”

Would he be this friendly if he knew my past?

With only one rocker, Denton and I sat on the porch steps to drink our coffee, and Joy curled up in my lap. I stroked her with shaking fingers. The last time I was this close to a man, I had to fight him off.

But I had dreams like any woman. I longed for a man I could trust—a man I could love and share my innermost thoughts with. He’d feel my presence when I entered a room, and we’d sit for hours content with silence and a love that promised to last through every storm.

Denton stood and climbed the steps. “Sorry. Not my intention to make you nervous.” He leaned against the porch post.

I nodded at his perception and took my first sip to regain my composure. “I’m a loner.”

“Would you prefer I leave?”

I prayed for guidance. Denton could be a great guy. If he was the enemy, I wouldn’t discover it by avoiding him. “I’m okay. We can talk.”

“I’ve been a widower for a couple of years, and it’s hard to climb out of the grief. But I’m ready.”

Suspicion gnawed at me. “We just met. Why is my friendship important to you?”

“You’re a mystery, Shelby. I’m curious.”

“And I’m confused.”

He waved away my question. “All I want is friendship. Nothing else. Great coffee, by the way.”

His warm smile caused me to relax slightly. “I bought it at the same place where I work—Amy-Jo’s Café.”

“I need to pick up a bag.” He pointed to his horse. “Want to meet Big Red?”

“I’d love to.”

Denton introduced me, and I petted the horse while cradling Joy.

“I have a soft spot for animals,” he said. “My apartment in Houston didn’t permit pets. Another reason why I liked it out here. Trust me, as a kid, I pestered my parents for another dog, a cat, and a horse.”

“Are you sure you don’t want this puppy?”