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outside with Carter in the lead.
     
    Cat sighed. The love between them was palpable. She glanced at Wilson, who was washing his hands at the sink, and thought how happy she was at this moment and how close she’d come to ruining their relationship. If Wilson had quit on her—if he hadn’t come to Chihuahua, Mexico, looking for her—she would have died from the beating Solomon Tutuola had given her, and she knew it.
     
    Suddenly she realized Wilson was watching her. Old habits made her want to shut down her emotions and turn away. Instead, she took a deep breath and forced herself to meet his gaze. The love she saw took her breath away. Her vision blurred.
     
    Wilson saw the tears and quickly spoke.
     
    “The parts Dad ordered for the hay baler are in. Would you mind picking them up? I’d go, but I don’t want to leave Dad to lift the machinery we’re working on by himself, and if I left, I know he would.”
     
    Cat frowned. “You’d better be careful of what you’re lifting, too, mister. You haven’t been out of the hospital long enough to impress me.”
     
    Wilson grinned. “I promise not to lift anything too heavy. So, do you mind going?”
     
    “Of course not, but I’ll have to drive your truck. My SUV is still in the
     
    shop.”
     
    Wilson slid his hands down her back, then cupped her backside and pulled her closer, settling her right between his legs.
     
    “Now you know how I felt when I got that phone call from you in Chihuahua.”
     
    She sighed. “We sure haven’t come to this place by an easy route.”
     
    He grinned. “There wasn’t anything about you that was easy, but I can honestly say you’re worth it.”
     
    Cat arched an eyebrow, then picked up her wallet. “So where am I going in Austin?”
     
    “The John Deere dealer. We passed it the other day when we were going out to dinner. Do you remember where it was?”
     
    “I do. Do I just ask for Carter McKay’s order?”
     
    Wilson nodded. “That’ll do it. Here’s Dad’s credit card. He’s already called them to okay you signing for it.”
     
    “Good. I’m off, then. See you soon.”
     
    “Drive safe,” Wilson said, and stole one last kiss.
     
    Cat sighed when he pulled away, then headed outside, where she saw Dorothy on her knees beside the doghouse, with Carter squatting down beside her.
     
    “How many?” Cat called.
     
    “Five,” Dorothy said. “And they’re the cutest things. You’ll have to help me name them when you get back.”
     
    “Count on it,” Cat said, and waved goodbye.
     
    Cat pulled herself back to the present as she walked into the equipment dealership, pausing in the doorway to orient herself. After spying the parts department sign, she headed that way. The man behind the counter was sporting the remnants of a sunburn and a fat lip. She knew enough about men not to mention either one. Instead, she pulled Carter McKay’s credit card out of her pocket and leaned her elbows on the counter as the parts man gave her the once-over.
     
    “Hello there, missy…exactly what can I do for you?” “I came to pick up some baler parts for Carter McKay.”
     
    The leer morphed into courtesy so fast that Cat almost believed she’d imagined her first impression.
     
    “Yes, ma’am. Right away, ma’am.”
     
    Then he yelled at someone standing halfway down the aisle behind him. “Hey, Junior. Wilson McKay’s girl is here to pick up his dad’s baler parts.”
     
    Cat’s breath caught in the back of her throat as an old memory slammed into her so hard it brought tears to her eyes. All of a sudden she was seven years old again and standing at the checkout beside her father as an old woman leaned over the counter and looked down at her.
     
    “Well, would you looky here,” the old woman said. “It’s Justin Dupree’s little girl, Catherine.”
     
    Cat took a deep breath and made herself focus on the green and yellow John Deere logo painted on the wall, instead of on the emotions