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following close behind. Cappie gaped at the sight. Her old car had been refurbished, its dents beaten out and the whole thing repainted and repaired. There were even seat covers and floor mats. She stared at it helplessly surprised.
    Cy Parks got out of the SUV and followed the sandy-haired man up onto the porch. “I hope you like blue,” he told Cappie. “There was a paint sale.”
    She could barely manage words. “Mr. Parks, I don’t even know what to say…” She burst into tears. “It’s so kind!”
    He patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. “There, there, it’s just one of those random acts of kindness we’re supposed to pass around. You can do the same thing for somebody else one day.”
    She dabbed at her eyes. “When I strike it rich, I swear I will!”
    He chuckled. “Harley Fowler, here,” he introduced his companion, “is as good a mechanic as he is a ranch foreman. I had him supervise the work on your car. Theinsurance company paid for it all,” he added when she started to protest. He grinned. “We get things done here in Jacobsville. The insurance agent locally is the sister-in-law of my top wrangler.”
    “Well, thank you both,” she said huskily. “Thank you so much. I was almost ashamed to ask Keely for rides. She’s so nice, but it was an imposition. I live five miles out of her way.”
    “You’re very welcome.”
    The front door opened and Kell wheeled himself out onto the porch. He whistled when he saw the car. “Good grief, that was quick work,” he said.
    Cy grinned. “You might remember that I always did know how to cut through the red tape.”
    “Thanks,” Kell told him. “From both of us. If I can ever do anything for you…”
    “You’ve done enough,” Cy returned quietly. His green eyes twinkled. “But you could always put me in that novel you’re writing. I’d like to be twenty-seven, drop-dead handsome and a linguist.”
    Kell rolled his eyes. “You can barely speak English,” he pointed out.
    Cy glared at him. “You take that back, or I’ll have Harley shoot all the tires out on this car.”
    Kell held up both hands, his silver eyes twinkling. “Okay, you could get work as a translator at the U.N. any day. Honest.”
    Cy sighed. “Don’t I wish.” He frowned. “Do you still speak Farsi?”
    Kell nodded, smiling.
    “I’ve got a friend who’s applying for a job with thecompany. Think you could tutor him? He’s well-off, and he’d pay you for your time.”
    Kell frowned.
    “It’s not charity,” Cy muttered, glowering at him. “This is a legitimate need. The guy wants to work overseas, but he’ll never get the job unless he can perfect his accent.”
    Kell relaxed. “All right, then. I’ll take him on. And thanks.”
    Cy smiled. “Thank you,” he replied. “He’s a nice guy. You’ll like him.” He glanced at Cappie, who was wondering what sort of company Cy’s friend worked for. “You won’t,” he assured her. “I used to be a woman hater, but this guy makes me look civilized. He’ll need to come over when you’re at work.”
    Cappie was curious. “Why does he hate women?”
    “I think he was married to one,” Cy mused.
    “Well, that certainly explains that,” Kell chuckled.
    “Thank you very much for fixing up my car,” Cappie told Cy. “I won’t forget it.”
    “No problem. We were glad to help. Oh, mustn’t forget the keys, Harley!”
    Harley handed the keys to her as Cy headed back and got into the other vehicle. “She purrs like a kitten now,” Harley told her. “She drives good.”
    “The car is a girl?” she asked.
    “Only when a guy is driving it,” Kell told her with a wicked grin.
    “Amen,” Harley told him.
    “Come on, Harley,” Cy called from the SUV.
    “Yes, sir.” He grinned at the brother and sister and jumped into the passenger seat in Cy’s SUV.
    “What a nice man,” Cappie said. “Just look, Kell!” She walked out to the car, opened the door and gasped. “They oiled the hinges! It