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morning and decided that you let me get too close last night. So today you’re making sure to put space between us, so I won’t get the wrong idea.”

      When her startled gaze came to his, he gave her a quizzical smile. “Do you really think that’s going to work?”

      * * *

      RACHEL DIDN’T LIKE being so easily read. “Why would you come to mind at all this morning?” She made herself hold his stare, but she could feel heat rising in her cheeks.

      â€œFor the same reason you came to my mind. Simple attraction.”

      She restrained herself from rushing into denial, which would only confirm his suspicion. “That’s a pretty big assumption. We only met yesterday.”

      â€œBut we spent most of the day together—several dates’ worth of time, in my estimation. I believe I know you pretty well already.”

      â€œI doubt that. And I’m sure I don’t know you.”

      â€œEvidently well enough to declare that we’re incompatible.”

      â€œThat’s based on one obvious fact.”

      â€œWhich to me makes it a pretty shaky conclusion. As a rational person, shouldn’t you investigate further and determine whether you’re right or whether you might, in actuality, be wrong? We could be the most well-matched couple in Bisons Creek. And that’s saying something, since we have married folks approaching their fiftieth wedding anniversary.”

      Rachel shook her head. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that. But why put ourselves through the pain of trying out a relationship that simply can’t succeed? I’m going to be busy establishing my practice. You have your church, your ranch, the teenagers you’re working with and now Lena’s diabetes. Neither of us has time to wedge another person into our lives, especially when that person will only make trouble.”

      â€œMake trouble?”

      â€œI’ll get impatient with your faith-based approach to life. You’ll try to change my mind, draw me into your church, which I’ll resist. We’ll argue and then we’ll break up, with a lot of torment on both sides. I’m suggesting we avoid that distress by keeping our connection casual.”

      His smile faded and he gave a long, low whistle. “You’ve got it all figured out, after one day.” Hands in the pockets of his jeans, he shrugged. “I think you’re wrong about both of us. As I see it, we could learn from each other, improve both our lives by sharing our points of view. I’m not some wild-eyed hermit who sees visions and hears voices. I’m just an ordinary guy who hopes to make things better for the people of his community with a little faith, hope and love. And the greatest of those is love.” He sighed. “If casual is what you want, though, that’s what you’ll get. Ready to check in with Lena?”

      â€œOf course.”

      He let her go into the room ahead of him, his usual polite approach. But Rachel noticed a difference in the air around them, as if a light had dimmed and there were shadows where there used to be brightness. Garrett seemed to be himself when talking to Lena and Justino, telling jokes and relating stories about his adventures on the ranch. He was certainly as polite as ever when she joined in the conversation. But the coolness of his gaze when he glanced at her, his politeness as he listened when she spoke, put a chill in the air. She wished she had a sweater to warm up.

      Kim Kaiser returned in the afternoon to give Lena and Garrett an intensive session on insulin—the different types and how to measure it, the kinds of situations that called for adjustments in dosages.

      Lena soon got frustrated. “This is worse than school! I can’t understand all these numbers and names.”

      Garrett was frowning at the papers he’d been given. “I have to agree. Rapid-acting, intermediate, long-term...how do we know what to use when?”

      Kim obviously tried to be patient. “Lena will test her blood-sugar level and then decide how much insulin to take based on what she has eaten or is planning to eat.”

      â€œHow often do I have to do this test?”

      â€œWhen you get up in the morning, before lunch, before dinner and at bedtime.”

      â€œEvery day?”

      â€œThat would be safest. Another positive step to take is a twenty-four-hour check, so you’ll track how your blood sugar behaves during the night when you’re asleep.”

      â€œThat sounds pretty difficult,” Garrett said. “Setting an alarm every couple of hours?”

      â€œOr having someone wake her up to do the test.”

      Lena slapped her hands down on the blanket. “Wonderful.”

      Rachel walked to the end of the bed. “This all seems overwhelming, doesn’t it?”

      â€œOh, yes.”

      â€œThere’s a lot you have to learn at the beginning. As with any new skill—horses, for example. You didn’t just get on and know everything about riding.”

      â€œIt was easier than this.”

      â€œOr how about dancing? Do you like to dance? Salsa, maybe?”

      Lena glanced at her boyfriend and grinned. “We love to dance.”

      â€œBut you had to learn the steps slowly at first, and concentrate on where to put each foot, how to move your hips and hands and head.”

      â€œI guess so.”

      â€œWith your diabetes, you have to learn the steps. Testing your blood sugar is the first one. Knowing which insulin to take at the right time is next. Figuring out when and what to eat is also important. All of these moves will help you stay well.”

      â€œBut it’s sooooo complicated.”

      â€œSalsa dancing is complicated for me,” Garrett said. “I’m totally uncoordinated when I try.”

      That made Lena laugh, as he’d surely intended. “I can teach you,” she said, “when we go back.”

      â€œIt’s a plan.” He nodded firmly. “But for now, we have to concentrate on insulin.”

      When Kim left the room later in the afternoon, Lena had gained a basic understanding of her routine. “I won’t be able to do anything but testing and taking shots,” she pouted. “I’ll never get to have fun anymore.”

      â€œYes, you will,” Rachel said. “Because, as happens with dancing, you’ll get faster at testing, injecting and managing your supplies.”

      â€œThere is one more thing we need to talk about.” Garrett took a chair at the side of the bed. “Caroline and Ford reassured the other kids at the ranch that you were getting better and the doctors were taking care of you. The question is, do you want them to know you have diabetes? We could explain what that means, kind of prepare them for the fact that you’ll be testing and taking injections. It’s your decision but, in my opinion, that would be easiest.”

      Lena let her head rest against the pillow, and tears seeped from underneath her closed eyelids. “It’s not enough to have to deal with this. I have to be embarrassed in front of everyone, too.”

      â€œNobody will care, Lena.” Justino took her hand. “They won’t think different of you.”

      Rachel nodded. “Everybody has limitations. Garrett can’t dance.”

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