“We’ve met,” Eva said. “But I believe Dr. Westfield is a specialist in internal medicine, not dermatology.”

“What the hell difference does it make?” the old man asked. “Far as I’m concerned, those doctors all skin ya.” Then he chuckled to himself, pleased with his own humor.

“Actually,” Dan said, “Hank likes Dr. Westfield, even if it sounds as though he’s complaining.”

“Liking him has nothing to do with griping about the bills he’s been giving me.” Hank leaned against his cane. “There was a time I could have given Doc Graham a couple of chickens and called it good. But now these young doctors want you to give ’em an arm and a leg, even when the ones you got ain’t all that good anymore.”

“Maybe you should see the princess doctor,” Kaylee said. “She fixed my owie and didn’t make us give her anything.”

“So there you go,” Dan said to his uncle. “You need a new doctor.”

Hank chuffed. “I need a whole new body. This one’s falling apart.” He looked at Dan, challenging the man whose body was young and strong to disagree.

“You heard what Dr. Westfield said, Hank. All that whooping it up when you were younger is taking its toll on you now.”

“I suppose that’s true. Too bad I didn’t listen to my Mama. She told me to quit smokin’ and drinkin’, but I didn’t listen to her.” He gave Kevin a little nudge. “Let that be a lesson to you, boy. Pay attention to what your elders tell you.”

Dan placed a hand on his uncle’s frail and stooped shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You want to take a tour of the ranch with us, Hank?”

“No. You go ahead. I’ll have lunch ready for you when you get back.” Then the old man gave a respectful nod to Eva. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

She smiled. “Same here.”

Hank turned and shuffled back to the house.

“Come on,” Dan said to Eva, “we’ll start by showing you the barn.”

The kids ran ahead, followed by the cattle dogs, and Eva fell into step beside her host.

“Hank’s a good man,” Dan said. “He’s just a little old and crotchety. But he means well.”

“You don’t need to explain. I have a soft spot for the elderly. In fact, I’ve been volunteering my time at the Brighton Valley Senior Center.”

“You don’t say.” He sketched a gaze over her, sending her senses reeling and knocking her off balance.

She did her best to shake off the inappropriate reaction to the look he tossed her way, telling herself there hadn’t been anything to it, that her admission had merely surprised him.

But she hadn’t done anything special. On a whim, she’d gotten involved with the center, hoping to fill and brighten the days and evenings when she wasn’t working at the lab.

The game plan had worked, and as an unexpected bonus, she’d acquired a better understanding of those who were lonelier than she was.

“I wish I could tell you that Hank didn’t always used to be cranky and ornery, but it wouldn’t be true. He’s been short-tempered and snappy for as long as I can remember. But for what it’s worth—deep inside—he’s a good man. And loyal to a tee.”

“Buena jente,” she said.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s a Spanish term for ‘good people.’ You know, one of the white hats.”

“Then that suits Hank just fine. You’ll never find a man whose word holds more truth and follow-through.”

Eva’s steps slowed. “It must be frustrating for him to not be able to do the things he once could do with ease.”

“I’m sure you’re right. Hank used to be the king of the ranch, and now he sits in a rocker and guards the front porch. And instead of riding herd or breaking horses, he’s babysitting Kaylee and Kevin.”

“Is he good with them?” she asked.

“They’re getting used to him.”

What did that mean?

When they reached the barn door where Kevin and Kaylee had been waiting, Dan pulled it open and waited for them to all go inside. Then the tour began in earnest.

The twins introduced Eva to a pregnant broodmare named Sugar. Then, as Dan began to lead them back outside, Kevin said, “Don’t forget about Midnight. She catches all the mice and rats that like to eat the hay and grain.”

“Where is she?” Eva asked.

“Either napping or working,” Dan said. “Midnight is a great mouser and a real asset on the ranch.”

Once outside again, Dan showed Eva a few things around the immediate yard, like the corral where he kept a couple of cutting horses. Then they piled into the pickup and drove along a dirt road, where he pointed out the creek that ran through the property.

When he showed her a small, private lake surrounded by cottonwood trees, she decided it was a beautiful stretch of land and told him so. What she didn’t admit was that she was glad that she’d accepted the kids’ invitation to visit. She couldn’t remember having such an enjoyable day.