Devy, it's time to go.”

“I don't want to go.”

“We've got to go home now.”

“I want to stay here forever.”

The tall, thin man with a dark brown butch haircut stooped down and hugged the ten-year-old. “The Lord gave us a precious gift this summer: a busted water pump, ruptured radiator, and a parts store that got the order wrong twice.”

“Why was that a present, Daddy?” Develyn whimpered.

“That's how he guided us to Argenta. All those problems led us here and kept us here. Now it's time to go home.”

“Why can't I take Brownie to Indiana?”

“Sweetie, we've been all through that. Besides, Brownie is a Wyoming horse. This is his home. He belongs here.”

“So do I, Daddy. I can't leave. I just can't. Why don't you understand? I've got Wyoming in me now, and I can't leave.”

“Devy, your mind is filled with prairie and sage and horses. I'm sure part of your heart will always be here. Do you know what?”

“What?” She sobbed.

“You get to take every one of those memories with you.”

“But they are only in my mind.”

“And your heart. That's the good part. What does Mama do with all the pictures she takes on one of our trips?”

“She puts them in an album,” Develyn sniffed.

“How often do we take them off the shelf and look at them?”

“Hardly ever.”

“Now you see what I'm saying?” Mr. Upton continued. “Wyoming won't be in some faded scrapbook. It will be in your heart every day of your life. And just think, every night you can let your heart just ride through those memories over and over.”

“But, Daddy, I might forget. What if I forget about this summer and Brownie and Mrs. Tagley?”

“Devy, you'll have some bad days. We live in a world that sometimes treats us mean. But even on those days, you can run away to Wyoming, to your memories of this dirt-road town. Do you really think you will forget Wyoming?”

“No, Daddy.”

“So come on, honey, get in the car. Mama and Dewa are waiting.”

Develyn rubbed her upturned nose with the palm of her hand. She glanced down at the spots on her yellow blouse. “Can I have an orange Popsicle?”

“Mama said you can't have them in the car. But I think when we stop for lunch in Cheyenne you can have one.”

He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “It's time to go, Devy.”

It really is time to go.

Develyn shoved her sunglasses on top of her head. Well, it's not the cabin we stayed in thirty-five years ago. It's not the cabin I spent the summer in, but it's just as difficult to leave. Lord, if I had to repeat one summer over and over, it would be this one. Thanks.

Casey Cree-Ryder burst through the cabin door, waving her left hand. “Look, look, look! Is that the most awesome diamond ring or what?”

“Oh, honey, it's gorgeous!”

“It belonged to Jackson's grandmother and then his mother. She insisted that I take it. Dev, I never thought I'd be engaged.”

“Jackson is one lucky guy, honey.”

Casey slipped her arm around Develyn's waist. “Hearing that means more than you know. You were the first person in my life that made me glad I'm me.”

“And Jackson is the second?”

“Yeah, and he's cuter than you.”

“Are you disparaging my pathetic white skin again?”

“Hey, I like your farmer tan. But Devy, never go out in a two-piece bathing suit.”

“Thank you for the advice, countess. I'm thinking of wearing a paper bag over my head.”

“A brown paper bag?”

Develyn stuck out her tongue. “Now, Ms. Cree-Ryder, are you sure you want to take care of My Maria and Uncle Henry?”

“Yes, yes, yes. I know the mare is a pill. I'm used to temperamental horses. But I'm not sure Uncle Henry can survive without his mama.”

“Coop said he will help you.”

“Yes, he said I can live in the cabin until me and Jackson get married. He's going to pull a trailer back to the springs so he can work up there.”

“Have you set a date for the wedding?”

“Not really, but whenever it is, you have to be the matron of honor.”

“Casey, that will be one of the most joyous days ever. All teasing aside, you are a great friend.”

“Let's go outside, Dev. Others are waiting for you, and I'm about to cry.”

Delaney relaxed on the porch, her feet hung over the edge. Leon perched next to her. When he saw Dev, he jumped up, ran over to her, slapped her on the arm, then ran down the lane toward his grandmother's.

“I love you too, Leon,” Develyn hollered.

“I know,” he shouted back.

Dee walked over to her mother. “I think that's the best he can do, Mom. I think he wants to hug you, but he just doesn't know how.”

“I know, honey. Touch is a powerful statement. Leon has just never experienced tenderness. Right now, it's beyond him.”

“Mom, I laid awake most of last night thinking about it. I decided I'm going back to Purdue.”

Develyn slipped her arm around her daughter's waist. “Oh, that's good, Dee. I'm happy to hear that.”

Delaney slipped her fingers into her mother's. “I want to teach.”

“Are you serious? What happened to the drama major?”

“I decided I want to teach kids like Leon.”

“That's a wonderful goal.”

They walked hand in hand over to the Jeep Cherokee.

Develyn bit her lip, then stared across the pasture. “I can't believe I'm leaving again.”

“Again?”

“I left when I was ten, remember? I was just thinking about that day. I think a person shouldn't have to relive a sad day. Of course, it was different back then. I remember the lecture Dad gave as we left town.”

“You miss Grandpa, don't you?”

“Yes, I do. And you miss your dad, don't you?”

“Is that OK, Mom? Are you alright with that?”

“Sure, baby. No one can take the place of a girl's daddy. I'll make you a promise. I won't ever say anything negative about your father again.”

“Some things are changing, aren't they, Mom?”

“Dee, this summer has changed almost everything.”

“Oh, good,” Delaney laughed. “Are you going to get a tattoo?”

“Some things will never change.”

“Do you want to see my tattoo?” Delaney asked.

“Why don't you just tell me where it is?”

“Out loud?” Delaney gasped.

Develyn bit her lip. “I don't think we want to go there. Did you get all your things put in the Cherokee?”

“Hey, I forgot to tell you that Lily called.” Casey tucked her clean white blouse into her Wranglers as she scampered across the porch. “You were in the shower. She said call her back whenever you get time.”

“So their flights went fine?”

“She said the church is available on October 1.”

“So they have set a date?”

“Is that cool or what?” Casey licked her fingers and mashed down her black bangs.

“I've never been a matron of honor before, and this year I get to do it twice,” Develyn grinned.

Casey wound her long braid on top of her head. “Maybe I should put my hair up?”

Delaney made a face. Develyn wrinkled her nose.

“Then again,” Casey grinned, “maybe not.”

With packages in hand, Cooper Tallon stepped out of his trailer and strolled up. “Dev, I know we said our good-byes last night…”

“You call 3:30 a.m. ‘last night’?” Delaney laughed. “In five more minutes Casey and I were going to turn on the spotlights.”

“We had the buckets of cold water already poured,” Casey added.

Cooper rubbed his square chin, then glanced down at the packages. “I wanted to give you a couple of presents.”

“You didn't need to,” Develyn protested.

“This one, I didn't need to… it's just a fun project.” He handed her a small, heavy gift sack. “I found it in the ruins of your cabin. It was broken, but not melted, so I restored it. I figured it must hold a memory or two.”

Develyn reached into the sack and tugged out a round, brass object. “My clock? You fixed my clock?”

“It seemed to be stuck on 12:20. So I cleaned it, straightened out the dent, and got it running again.”

Develyn sucked in a breath and held it. “You certainly did, Mr. Cooper Tallon.”

“Why are you crying, Mom?” Delaney probed.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she watched the ticking second hand. “Because it feels good to get my clock running again.”

Casey wrapped her arms around Develyn. “I've got to get to the store. Jackson needs me. Doesn't that sound wonderful? You and Dee are stopping for free going-away Popsicles, right?”

“Yes, we are. We'll see you there.” Casey piled into her old truck and fogged dust down the drive.

Cooper slipped his arm around Develyn.

“By the way, Renny Slater stopped by around daylight but didn't want to wake you up.”

“That was thoughtful, but this is one time I wouldn't have minded.”

“He was in a hurry. He said a band of wild horses broke out on I-25 north of Douglass, and the state patrol begged him to come down.”

Develyn shook her head, then ran her fingers though her short, blonde hair. “I bet they did. That's my mustang breaker. I don't think Wyoming could survive without Renny Slater. There is no one quite like him.”

“He said he'll see you down the road.”

She laid her head on Cooper's chest and closed her eyes. “This is tougher than I thought,” she murmured.

“I can sit in the car if you two need to kiss some more,” Delaney said.

“No,” Cooper insisted. “I want you here. I've got another present for your mama to open, and I want you to see it too.”

The big gift bag had several envelopes.

“Start with this one.”

Develyn read the card slowly.

“Sometimes I wonder if you really know how much you mean to me. I wonder if you know how often in a day my thoughts turn to you. Do you know how I like to watch you, listen to you, tease you…love you? You came into my world and changed my life. I am grateful to the Lord for the changes.”

“Wow, that is a wonderful card, Coop.”

“I meant ever' word of it.”

“What were those words he wrote at the bottom?” Delaney asked.

“It was just a personal note,” Develyn explained. “Just a quote from a country song.”

Delaney grabbed the card and laughed. “‘There ain't nothin' about you that don't do somethin' for me.’”

“Open the dadgum present,” Cooper blushed.

Develyn stared at the contents. “Airline tickets?”

Delaney peered over her shoulder. “For Thanksgiving week.”

Develyn kissed Coop's cheek. “Oh, honey, what a wonderful present. Now I know when I'm coming back.”

“Mom, there's more than one ticket.” Delaney prodded.

“Oh, there's one for you, Dee! How generous. And two for Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Lawrence? This is going to be a wonderful Thankgiving. The newlyweds get to come too. And tickets for my mother and David?” She tried to pry into Tallon's gleaming steel-gray eyes. “You are flying everyone to Wyoming? I don't understand.”

“I figured we'd all like to attend Casey and Jackson's wedding.” He winked at Delaney.

“So that's when the date is. I wonder why she didn't tell me. Oh, yes, we will want to come and… wait, I mean, my mother and David aren't exactly the Wyoming type, honey.”

“I think you are wrong. I'm sure they will want to come.” He handed her a small gold box.

“Is this?” Develyn gasped.

“I think your mama will want to attend her daughter's wedding.”

“Oh yes!” Develyn kissed Cooper's lips. “When did you do all this shopping?”

“I started plannin' it the night we caught Hunter Burke. I told you I had personal business in town yesterday. Well, a wedding ring and mushy cards is about as personal as this ol’ cowboy gets.” He put the palms of his hands on her cheeks and kissed her back.

“Now do you want me in the car?” Cooper asked.

“No,” Develyn insisted. “We need a chaperone.” She opened the box and kissed Cooper again. “But, honey, we haven't got this figured out yet. I'll be in Indiana for almost nine months of the year, and you'll be in Wyoming. How will we do that?”

“Dev, it will work out. Maybe it's taken me all summer to figure out, but if I can only have you part of the time for now, that's far better than any other option I've ever had. If I can only have you here in our big Wyoming log home three months of the year, we'll just have to pack four times as much fun in every day we're together. I'll get to Indiana as often as I can. You come out here when you can. Can you live with that, Miss Dev?”

She slipped the ring on her finger and pressed the ticking clock against her chest. “Yes, sir, Mr. Tallon, I believe I can.”