Cody." "Yeah." He studied the woman seated across from him. "How come you came back? You know, most folks round here thought you wouldn't." "Really?" She could imagine though, the whispers, the gossip. Cody nodded. "I sure didn't think you would. Going off with that fancy guy, livin' in a mansion." "Enough." Karen stopped him. "It's not all it seems to be." "I see." Sitting back in his chair he contemplated his next sentence, weighing the words before he spoke. "Ya know, Karen, I always wanted to come over after…" The subject got clumsy again, so he let that thought trail off and continued on with the next. "I wanted to give you time. Guess I gave you too much." He looked at her again, as if trying to judge her reaction so far. "Not that you'd be interested in an old plow boy again, after…" Again he let the end trail off in silence. "Well, in any case, I really ought to be getting back. Time to feed the cows." "The cows?" "Yeah, the big things out there in the field." He pointed through the wall in the direction of his farm. "Funny." She smiled and felt a tingle of happiness she hadn't felt in months. "Need any help?" She knew he didn't, but hoped he'd say "yes' anyway. Cody's face lit up with the biggest smile Karen had ever seen as he nodded and held out his hand. "Sure thing. Can always use help, and company."