“For saving Maggie.”

“Oh.” He cleared his throat. “I once saved a wounded falcon.”

She kissed his cheek.

“It was hurt real bad.”

Her lips inched closer to his.

“Richard broke his arm when he was eight and I carried him home. Will you reward me with a kiss for that, as well?”

“Grady!” she protested with a laugh. “Enough.”

He loved the sound of her laughter. Because he wanted to hold her one last time, he scooped her into his arms and swung her around. Throwing back her head, she continued to laugh with such sheer joy it infected his very soul. They hugged for a long time afterward, content simply to be in each other’s arms.

This was heaven, Grady told himself. Heaven in its purest form.

* * *

GLEN WAS AT FRASIER FEED early Tuesday evening just as he’d promised. Ellie’d had a long grueling day; not only was the store exceptionally busy, their wedding was less than a month away and there was an endless list of things that needed to be done.

“I’m glad you’re on time,” she said, smiling at him, loving him. She marveled again at how they’d both been so incredibly blind to their feelings. Obtuse was the word for the pair of them.

“Hey, when was I ever late?” Glen teased.

Ellie rolled her eyes and hung the Closed sign in the shop window. She started toward the office where she kept her purse, but hadn’t gone far when Glen caught her hand and stopped her.

“Not so soon. Aren’t you going to let me know how pleased you are to see me?”

“I see you every day,” she reminded him.

“We aren’t even married and already you’re treating me like an old hat.” He wore a woebegone look.

Laughing, Ellie locked her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss he wouldn’t soon forget. Neither would she.

“Oh, baby,” he whispered, his eyes closed. “How much longer until the wedding?”

“Less than a month.” Her head buzzed with everything they still needed to do, to decide and plan. “Sometimes I wish we could just run away and get married.”

“That idea appeals to me more and more,” he murmured.

Ellie was tempted herself, but reason soon took over. “Your mother and mine would never forgive us.”

“In that case, let’s live in sin and give them something to really be upset about.”

Despite herself, Ellie giggled. “You always make me laugh.”

“I’m glad to know you find me a source of entertainment.”

“Always,” she joked, kissing him again, lightly this time.

He released her with a reluctance that warmed her heart. Ellie retrieved her purse from the office and tucked in her to-do list.

“When are we scheduled to meet with the Realtor?” Glen asked.

“Not until seven.” Where they would live had been a major decision. If she moved out to the ranch with Glen and Cal, she’d be commuting to Promise each day. If Glen moved into town, then he’d be the one commuting. In the end they’d decided to buy a house in town. Glen would continue working with his brother for a number of years, but hoped someday to start his own spread. When the time came, they’d buy a ranch closer to town, but that was years in the future.

Glen checked his watch. “Do we have time for a quick bite to eat?”

“If you want.”

He growled. “I’m starving.”

“All right, cowboy, let’s stop at the Chili Pepper for a quick sandwich.”

Only a few months ago Ellie’s life had been empty enough to swallow her whole. Her father had died, and then her mother had unexpectedly sold the family home and moved to Chicago. For the first time in her life Ellie had been utterly alone. That was when she realized how much she’d come to rely on her best friend—and eventually know how much she loved him.

They walked to the restaurant and managed to get a booth. Both were familiar enough with the menu not to need one. Ellie ordered the barbecue sandwich and a side of potato salad, and Glen chose a slab of the baby back ribs. He also asked for a pitcher of ice-cold beer.

“Dovie took me to lunch this afternoon,” Ellie said when the beer arrived.

“Anything going on with her these days?”

“She wanted to know how the wedding plans were coming along, and…” Ellie hesitated.

“And?” he prodded, pouring them each a beer.

“Have you met Dr. Dickinson yet?”

“Doc Cummings’s replacement? Not officially. Why?”

“Dovie asked if I’d, you know, take her under my wing.”

“The doctor?” Glen set his mug down on the table.

“Apparently she’s not adjusting to life in Promise.”

Glen relaxed against the red vinyl upholstery. “How do you mean?”

“She doesn’t fit in, and Dovie seems to think what she really needs is a friend, someone to introduce her to people, show her the ropes.”

“Do you have time for this?” Glen asked, zeroing in on Ellie’s own concern.

“Not just now.”

“Don’t think you’re going to have a lot of spare time once we’re married, either,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes. “I plan on keeping you occupied myself.”

“Oh, really?” Although she enjoyed bantering with him, Ellie could feel the heat rise in her cheeks.

“What that doctor really needs is something or someone to occupy her time.”

“I suppose you’re going to suggest a man,” Ellie said.

“You got something against men?”

“Just a minute.” Ellie put down her mug too quickly, then used her napkin to wipe up the spilled beer. “You just might be on to something here.”

Glen frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Why don’t we introduce the new doc to Cal?” An idea was beginning to take shape in her mind and fast gaining momentum.

“My brother?” Glen sounded incredulous.

“Yes, your brother!” She snorted. “Do you know any other Cal?”

Glen stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“Yes, I am. They’re perfect for each other.”

Glen slapped the side of his head, pretending there was something wrong with his hearing. “Let me get this straight. The woman I love, the very one who couldn’t see the forest for the trees, is about to take on the role of matchmaker.”

“It only makes sense.”

“You haven’t even met the woman.”

“I most certainly have,” Ellie protested.

“When?”

“The Cattlemen’s Association Dance,” she informed him primly, neglecting to mention that it had been a ten-second conversation and they’d done nothing more than exchange first names.

“Okay, Ms. Romance Expert, explain to me why you think my brother should meet this Mary.”

“Her name is Jane.”

“Jane,” he corrected. “What’s so special about her?”

“I don’t know,” Ellie was forced to admit. “But I do know one thing….”

“What’s that?”

“Cal needs someone.”

Their meal arrived and Glen reached for a blackened rib and dipped it in the pungent smoky barbecue sauce that was Adam Braunfels’s speciality. “Does Cal know his life is lacking?” he asked.

“Not yet.”

“Are you going to tell him, or are you volunteering me for the job?”

Glen appeared to find her idea highly entertaining, but she ignored his unwarranted amusement. “Neither of us will need to tell him,” she said.

Glen made a show of wiping the sweat from his brow. “Boy, am I relieved.”

“Cal will discover this all on his own.”

“Listen, honey, I hate to burst your bubble, but Cal’s a confirmed bachelor. I don’t even remember the last time he went out on a date. He’s sworn off women for good.”

“You sure about that?”

“Well, it’s been more than two years now, and he still isn’t over Jennifer.”

“Then it’s about time he got over her.” She sounded more confident than she felt, but she wasn’t going to let a little thing like male pride stand in her way. Cal needed someone in his life, but he was too stubborn to realize it. Like most of the male sex he simply needed a little help. She’d aim him in the right direction and leave matters to progress as they would.