“He’s still there,” she said. She couldn’t admit that it was her stepbrother. “He won’t get out for a long time, they say,” she lied with a smile.

“I should hope not.” He touched her rounded chin gently. “Your life has been no bed of roses, has it?”

“Everybody has problems,” she said easily, and she smiled. “Mine are no worse than anyone else’s.”

“There it is again,” he murmured.

“What is?” she asked, curious.

“That incredible optimism,” he replied. He smiled quizzically. “The only other person I’ve ever known who had it was Grace. She lost her fiancé in a bank holdup, got shot down on a missionary plane in South America and spent years ministering to poor people in the jungles. She was always smiling, downplaying her own tragedies.”

“She must be very kind,” Clancey said noncommittally.

“Kind, and loving.” His eyes held a faraway, dreamy look. “I haven’t seen her in years. I’m looking forward to it.”

“When is she coming back?”

“In a couple of weeks, I believe,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“I imagine so.”

It was late when the band wrapped up and started packing its instruments. Banks drove a sleepy Tad and a subdued Clancey home.

Tad woke up when they reached the house. He yawned as he went ahead of them to the front door and leaned against the wall while Clancey unlocked it.

“Thanks for supper, Mr. Banks,” Tad said, smiling. “It was great!”

“We’ll do it again,” he promised.

“Swell! Well, good night!” He went down the hall to his bedroom, leaving Clancey and Banks on the front porch, with the door standing open.

“It was a lovely night. Thanks very much,” Clancey told him.

He moved a step closer. His heart was hammering in his chest. Being close to her all night had provoked some odd sensations in his tall, fit body. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman. Clancey made him hungry. He had to remember how young she was, how sheltered.

He toyed with a short strand of her hair as he looked down at her. “This was fun. I don’t get out much, except on business. I guess I’ve forgotten how to enjoy a night out.”

She smiled. “We enjoyed it, too. We don’t go out at night much.” She grimaced. “It’s pretty dangerous for wimps like Tad and me.”

“Just as well to be cautious.” He glanced at his watch and made a face. “I’d better get home. I’m off tomorrow, so I’ll be overun with ranch chores that don’t get done when I’m working in town.”

“It’s supposed to rain.”

He smiled. “I get wet all the time. I never get sick.”

“I wish I could say that,” she replied ruefully.