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Shadow at her side. Her breath came out as a vapor trail. She caught up with Frank in the stables.
    “Miss Cami,” he said. “You scared the life out of me. I wasn’t expecting nobody.” He expelled a long breath.
    “I’m sorry, Frank,” she said. “This is Red?” She stared at the handsome paint stallion Frank was grooming. “This is Silky’s horse?”
    “ Yes, Miss Cami. They was all Miss Silky’s horses, but Red here was her favorite.” He stroked the curry brush down the horse’s flank.
    She stepped close to the stall and reached out to touch the horse’s nose.
    The big paint snorted and shied away, kicking at the stall.
    She stepped back, her heart racing. “He’s wild isn’t he?”
    “No, Ma’am,” Frank said emphatically. “He don’t know you. He was like a big old baby for Miss Silky, but he don’t have nothin’ to do with nobody he don’t know.” Frank reached up to stroke the horse’s neck.
    Cami stared up at him. “I can understand that. Some days I feel the same way.” She turned to head back to the house. “Frank,” she said. “How can I get to know Red?”
    He grinned at her, a blush staining his boyish face. “Red is partial to apples, especially when you slice them for him.”
    She nodded and headed for the house, her footsteps crunching through the crisp layer of snow. Shadow picked up his head and barked twice as Breckenridge Ryan’s truck rolled toward the house.
    He lowered the driver’s side window and smiled at Cami. “That jacket looks good on you.”
    “Thanks.” Cami ducked her head and stamped her feet to keep warm.
    He put the truck in gear and leaned out. “You need to get a pair of boots at Pruitt’s Western Wear. I’m sure your feet are cold.”
    “An astute observation,” she said.
    He gave her a one-sided grin. “Did your fiancé tell you what to do about your inheritance?”
    “My fiancé gave me his opinion,” she said, refusing to be baited.
    “And may I ask what that might be?”
    “My fiancé thinks I should stay.”
    “I can hear a ‘but’ attached to that statement.” He turned off the motor and climbed out of the truck.
    “But, I’m not willing to give up my fellowship so easily,” she said. “I did change my flight. I gave myself two weeks to make up my mind.”
    “Good for you,” he said. “Silky would be proud of you.”
    She cast him a cool glance. “For your information, Silky was always very proud of me. She was my number one fan.”
    Breck chuckled deep in his chest. “I would think your fiancé was your number one fan.”
    A cloud of anger gathered in her chest. “Did you just come here to irritate me?”
    “That and to give you this.” He opened the passenger door and removed a large foil wrapped container.
    “What is that?” she asked.
    “Smoked ham prepared especially for you in the Ryan smokehouse, courtesy of my dad. I’ll carry it in for you.” He trudged up the stairs and stamped the snow off his boots on the front porch. Turning back to where she stood, he asked, “Are you going to let me in?”
    Cami ran up the steps and opened the door.
    He went to the kitchen and set the large container on the counter. The aroma immediately filled the kitchen.
    “Thanks,” she said.
    “I didn’t know if you cooked or not.”
    “Of course I can cook. Why would you think I couldn’t?”
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know if a busy city doctor had time to cook or if you just ate from a microwave.” He stood grinning at her with his know-it-all expression.
    Cami resisted the overwhelming urge to smack him. She tilted her head to one side. “I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent cook. Some would call me a gourmet.”
    “I see,” he said. “I’m glad to know you won’t be starving to death here.” He swung the refrigerator door open and checked the contents. “You seem to have lots of food but you’ll need to go into town and stock up on some fresh fruits and vegetables. There’s