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following afternoon on her way home from work Caroline stopped at the local Winn-Dixie for a few groceries.
    She collected what she needed and pushed her cart up to the checkout stand—behind Nell.
    â€œHowdy, friend,” Nell said cheerfully. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”
    â€œNell!” Caroline didn’t disguise her pleasure. “How are you?”
    â€œGreat. I’ve been working hard on getting the word out that I’m turning Twin Canyons into a dude ranch. The brochures were mailed to travel agents last week.”
    Caroline admired her ingenuity. “That’s terrific.”
    The grocery clerk slid Nell’s purchases over the scanner, coming up with the total. She paid in cash, then glanced around. “Jeremy!” she called. “Emma.” She reached for the plastic bags, giving a good-natured shrug. “I warned those two not to wander off. I know exactly where to find them, too—the book section. They’re both crazy about books, especially The Baby-sitters Club books and that new series of kids’ Westerns by T. R. Grant. I can’t buy them fast enough.”
    Caroline recognized both series. T. R. Grant was the current rage; even Maggie had wanted Caroline to read her his books. Maggie was still a bit young for them, but it wouldn’t be long before she devoured Grant’s books and The Baby-sitters Club by herself.
    â€œHave you got a moment?” Caroline asked, opening her purse to pay for her own groceries.
    â€œSure.” Nell waited while Caroline finished her transaction. “What can I do for you?”
    As they walked toward the book display at the far end of the Winn-Dixie, Caroline mulled over the best way to approach the subject of Nell and Grady. She wasn’t sure why she’d allowed Richard to upset her, especially when she believed it’d all been a lie. Not that she’d blame Grady for being attracted to Nell. In fact, at one time she’d believed they might eventually marry. They seemed right together somehow; both were ranchers and both had struggled against what seemed impossible odds.
    In the back of her mind Caroline had always suspected that when the time was right, they’d discover each other. Grady and Jake had been good friends, and Grady had been a pallbearer at Jake’s funeral. Grady and Nell were close in age and would make a handsome couple. Grady was an inch or two over six feet, with a broad muscular physique not unlike Jake’s. There weren’t many men who’d suit Nell physically, since she was nearly six feet herself.
    â€œI hope you don’t think I’m being nosy, but I heard a rumor…” Caroline blurted before she lost her nerve. This was even more embarrassing than she’d feared.
    â€œAbout what?” Nell frowned.
    Caroline drew a breath and held it until her lungs ached. “About you and Grady Weston.”
    Nell frowned again. “Me and Grady?”
    Caroline nodded.
    â€œGrady’s a friend,” Nell said. “I’ve always liked him and if I were ever to consider re marrying, I’d certainly think about Grady.”
    Caroline broke eye contact. This wasn’t what she’d wanted to hear.
    â€œHe’s a good man and he’d make an excellent husband andfather,” Nell continued, then asked a probing question of her own. “Is there any reason you’re asking?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œHe asked me to the dance last month,” Nell added, as if she’d suddenly remembered.
    So it was true. Caroline’s spirits sank.
    â€œIn fact, I received two invitations to the dance within a few hours.” This was said with a note of amusement.
    â€œTwo? Grady and who else?”
    Nell’s mouth widened in a smile. “You aren’t going to believe this, but both Grady Weston and Glen Patterson asked me to the dance.”
    â€œGlen?” That was a kicker, considering he was