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noticed him. Cameron drew her attention as the surprise on his face turned to appreciation.
    Appreciation for the cookies, no doubt. She handed him the covered paper plate. “I made a batch with butterscotch chip and my gramma’s famous chocolate-chocolate chips.”
    â€œI don’t think there are enough words to thank you.” Cameron took the plate eagerly and ripped off the foil. “Frank, you’ve got to try these chocolate cookies. They sell them over at the coffee shop.”
    â€œTry them? Already have. I’m addicted to them.”
    â€œYour grandmother could charge ten bucks for a single cookie and folks would still buy two.” Cameron snatched a cookie and took a bite.
    â€œMa’am, we sure do appreciate this.” The deputy chose a chocolate cookie from the plate. “I’ll just leave you two alone. I’ve got a report to file, uh, in the back room.”
    There was no back room. Cameron appreciated Frank’s efforts, though, as the deputy disappeared into the storage closet, where they kept their coats and their spare office supplies.
    That Frank was quick on the uptake. He saw right off that Kendra was the kind of woman a man wantedto be alone with instead of making small talk while other people watched.
    â€œI hear your sister had her baby. A girl.” Cameron held the plate out, offering her a cookie.
    Kendra shook her head, declining the offer. “I have another beautiful niece. I’m pretty lucky, being an aunt. It’s much better than being a parent, because I get all the snuggles and fun and I get to buy presents, but I don’t have the sleepless nights and all the work that goes with it.”
    â€œSounds like a good deal.” Cameron wondered at the false brightness he saw on Kendra’s face. A face that had small crinkles in the corners of her eyes, marks of character that he found attractive. Hers was not a face of sleek, artificial beauty, and a light within him flickered to life. “I’m glad to know Karen and her new baby are fine. Your other sister is expecting soon, isn’t she?”
    â€œYes, in a few months. We have a lot of blessings to be thankful for in my family. And speaking of blessings, thank you again for help with the tire.” Her sincerity shone soul-deep. “If these cookies aren’t enough, I can bring by another batch sometime.”
    â€œThis is more than enough.” He’d never tasted a more delicious cookie. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman. There was so much to respect about Kendra, he didn’t know where to begin, but if he made a list of all her attributes, it would be a long one.
    She was certainly showing good manners in thanking him for helping her. After all, he’d told her hewouldn’t be averse to receiving baked goods if she wanted to repay him, but she’d actually come. That said a lot about her.
    He’d definitely go with her stables, if he decided he could afford a horse. That was a big question he needed an answer to if he was going to go any further with this notion of his.
    â€œYou have a good day, now.” She was backing toward the door.
    There was no time like the present while he had her here, even if she was halfway out the door. “Say, Kendra.”
    She hesitated, one hand on her black-rimmed sunglasses perched on the top of her head. She crooked one eyebrow in question.
    He didn’t wait for her to speak—or to escape. “I want to board my horse out at your place. Except there’s one small catch.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œI don’t have a horse.”
    â€œRight. I remember you told me.” A hint of a smile played along her soft mouth. “How are you going to board a horse you don’t have at my place?”
    â€œThat’s where you come in. I thought with your extensive horse knowledge combined with the fact that you don’t want to lose my business to your