“Mama has probably let her friends all know you are stranded out here on the ranch and couldn’t get to them even if you wanted to,” Cody said.
“Hadn’t thought of that.” Stevie headed toward her bedroom. So now she and Cody were friends, but there was a little piece of her heart that still wanted more, whether she would ever admit it out loud or not.
Chapter Nine
The past several days had all run together, and Stevie had to check her phone to see what day it was when the alarm awoke her that morning. “How did it get to be Sunday?” she muttered as she padded to the bunkhouse kitchen in her pajamas and socks.
“I don’t know, but I don’t think we’ll be going to church this morning.” Cody handed her a cup of coffee. “Seems like a month ago that we were stuck at Max’s barn.”
“And yet we were only rescued yesterday.” Stevie opened the refrigerator door and took out bacon, eggs, and cheese. “Got any oatmeal? You’re going to need a big breakfast to keep you warm out there in the weather.”
“In the pantry,” Cody answered. “I can’t make biscuits fit to eat so I usually just have toast. There’s a couple of loaves of Mama’s homemade bread in the freezer.”
“I’ll make the biscuits this morning. We can thaw out a loaf of bread for sandwiches or maybe potato soup for lunch.” She went into the pantry and came out with what she needed.
Cody turned on the oven and brought pans out from the cabinet. “I could get used to this.”
“Oh, yeah?” Stevie raised an eyebrow. “Would that be having a woman in flannel pajamas and her hair all messy making biscuits?”
“That would be having a friend to talk to while we make breakfast, and then sharing conversation while we eat,” he answered, “and you are definitely not that little girl in braces anymore. Even with your bedroom hair, you are a beautiful woman.”
Stevie couldn’t remember the last time she had been paid a compliment like that, and she’d never had anyone tell her she was beautiful when she looked like she did right then. But the expression on Cody’s face told her that he wasn’t joking—and he hadn’t added the word love.
“Thank you,” she said, and wondered how both of their lives would have changed if Cody had even told her something like that when she had seen him at the rodeo a few weeks ago.
To everything there is a season. Your time will come. Be patient. Her mother had told her that many times, especially when her relationships went south.
For the days to be in such a jumble, the time that it took to make breakfast and eat it went fast. Stevie was just drying the last fork and putting it away when she heard the noise of the truck. Cody grabbed his hat, settled it on his head, and then put his coat on.
“See you at noon or before,” he said on his way out the door with Tex right behind him.
She raised her voice and yelled, “Call if you need a vet.”
She had no sooner said the words than her phone rang. She raced to the bedroom, grabbed it, and answered without even looking at the caller ID. “Hello, this is Dr. Stevie O’Dell.”
“Oh, Stevie,” Gracie Langston whined, “Fifi is sick. I need help.”
“What’s the matter with her?” Stevie had gotten a call like this about every two weeks since she had come home to Honey Grove. The first few times she had rushed across the street to her mother’s best friend’s house and checked on the ten-year-old poodle. Then she realized that it was Gracie who wanted company, and she was using the miniature poodle as an excuse to get Stevie to visit her. Then, of course, while she was there, Gracie would either pump her for gossip about what she might have heard when she was on vet business, or else Gracie wanted to spread rumors to her. Most of the time, she just steered the conversation away from the folks she did business with, and then let the rumors go in one ear and right out the other.
“I’m so, so sorry, Miz Gracie,” Stevie said, “but as you probably know, I’m stuck at Sunflower Ranch. Trees are down between here and town, and it will probably be next week before I can come home. What’s wrong with Fifi? Tell me how she’s acting.”
“I heard you and Cody Ryan were stranded together,” Gracie said. “Is there something going on between you?”
“No, ma’am,” Stevie answered. “Now about Fifi?”
“Your folks was good people, and they raised you up to be a good girl. Don’t you be lettin’ that Cody Ryan ruin your reputation,” Gracie scolded.
“I’ll be very careful.” Stevie bit back a smile. “Is Fifi running a fever? Is her nose dry and cold? Are her eyes all watery?”
“No, none of those things,” Gracie sighed. “I think she’s depressed. Can you call the pharmacy and have them bring me some antidepressants for her?”
“I’m sorry,” Stevie answered, “but no. Does she stare at the door and whine?”
“Yes, but she’s been using her little potty pads since she can’t go outside. Before all this storm hit, she would bark at the door when she was ready for me to take her for a walk around the block,” Gracie answered. “Since Fifi is your patient, can I tell you something under that patient-doctor confidentiality rule?”
“I don’t think vets work that way, since animals don’t talk to us,” Stevie said.
“Well, I think she has a crush on that corgi that Eva has next door, but I’m not having her out there flirting with that short-legged little mutt,” Gracie said. “I don’t like Eva and her pompous ways, and I sure don’t like that dog of hers. When she takes it for a walk, it hikes its leg on my flowers, and she doesn’t even apologize.”
“Has someone shoveled your sidewalk?” Stevie asked.
“Yes, and from my house to the end of the block, but what’s that got to do with my Fifi?” Gracie’s tone said she was getting tired of the conversation.
“She’s bored,” Stevie said. “Poodles are temperamental and like a schedule. She’s used to you walking her every day. Put on your boots—the ones with fur around the top—and take her for a stroll down to the corner and back. That should make her happy again.”
“But it’s cold out there,” Gracie objected.
“Bundle up real good and call me later if she doesn’t feel better. I’ve got to hang up now and take this next call.” Stevie hit the right buttons and said, “Hello, Mia. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, but I was wondering if you were awake and were up for some company for a little while,” Mia answered.
“Always,” Stevie answered. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”
“I’ll bring a package of cookies,” Mia said, “and be there in ten minutes.”
Stevie hurried to the bedroom, changed into sweats, and brushed her hair out. She’d just finished when she heard a knock, and then Mia’s voice yelling, “I’m coming in. Is everyone decent?”
“Just me here, and yes, I’m decent,” Stevie answered. “Come on in out of the cold and have a seat. Coffee is done.”
“I brought chocolate chip cookies. They’re not homemade, but they aren’t bad.” Mia laid the package on the coffee table and removed her coat, hat, gloves, and boots.