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can.”
    “Maybe I’ll start you running laps around the house to build up your appetite.”
    “I wish I could,” she whispered.
    “Soon, Rachel, soon.” He didn’t add that when she got that well, she’d be heading back to Dallas and her sophisticated life. But he knew it was true.
    When they reached the kitchen, regret and joy warred within him. He could finally walk away from the temptation of touching her, but his arms felt lonely when he put her in the chair Madge indicated Rachel should use, the one closest to the fireplace, where a cheery blaze was flickering. “We don’t want you getting sick again, child.”
    J.D. took the seat next to her. Madge raised her eyebrows but said nothing. She started them off with bowls of homemade tomato soup.
    Rachel took her first spoonful and looked up in surprise. “I didn’t think I liked tomato soup, but this is delicious.”
    “Thank you, Rachel. It’s my own special recipe.”Madge passed some slices of garlic toast to go with the soup.
    “I’m glad I’m not having to worry about calories right now,” Rachel said.
    “You have to worry about getting enough of them,” J.D. remarked.
    Madge changed the subject. “How’s the calving going?”
    “Things have slacked off. It’s almost as if the cows are waiting for bad weather because they know it will cause us more problems.”
    “I doubt that’s true, J.D. After all, it’s not a picnic for them, either,” Madge assured him with a chuckle.
    “Have you watched the weather reports today? I feel something in the air.”
    “I heard it this morning. There’s a front coming in, but they don’t think it’ll be that strong. It’ll lower the temps a few degrees, maybe produce some showers.”
    “Maybe that’s what I’m sensing.”
    “You can tell when a change in the weather is coming?” Rachel asked, her eyes widening.
    “Not always, but there are signs. Some of the old cowboys can almost call it to the hour. They have rheumatism.”
    “Oh.”
    “I think he’s teasing you, dear,” Madge said.
    “I’d like to hear you say that when old Bluey is within earshot.” J.D. laughed when Madge’s cheeks reddened.
    She jumped up from the table. “I think our sandwiches are ready.”
    Rachel watched as Madge opened the oven and took out three plates. “You cooked our lunch already on the plates?”
    “Goodness, no. I just heated them up to be sure J.D. had a warm lunch before he went back outside. This is the roast beef I cooked for dinner last night. I just melted some cheese over it.”
    “It sounds delicious. Now I wish I hadn’t eaten all my soup. I’m not sure I have enough room for this.” Rachel stared at the hefty sandwich in front of her.
    Madge got a butcher knife and cut Rachel’s sandwich in two. “Try to eat half of it. We’ll make J.D. eat the rest.”
    “You won’t mind?” Rachel asked, looking at him for the first time.
    He gave her his sideways grin. “I don’t normally complain when someone gives me more food, Rachel. Especially on a day like today. That wind blows right through you.”
    Rachel shivered and both he and Madge jumped, immediately trying to make sure she was warm. J.D. got up and put more wood on the fire and Madge offered to put a blanket around her shoulders.
    “No, I’m fine. I was just thinking about the wind J.D. was describing.”
    “If I told you about the blizzards we have, you’d be huddling before the fire,” he told her with a smile.
    “You don’t really have blizzards, do you? In Texas?”
    “Yeah, we do. Not too often, but the weather is much harsher here than it is in the Dallas area,” J.D. assured her. Then he turned to Madge. “When is that front coming in?”
    “They said sometime tonight, but they’re not always on target.”
    “That’s for sure,” J.D. agreed with a snort of laughter.
    Suddenly a staticky voice interrupted their meal. “J.D., we found a bunch of mamas and babies huddled in a group. We’re starting them