“Those look good!” he said. “You make the best cookies in the world—next to Katy. Sometimes she gives me a cookie that she baked at Shop Mart. Her cookies are the best of all.”

Megan lifted two cookies onto a saucer, which she set in front of him. “Look out. They’re hot.”

“That’s how I like them. I like how they sort of sizzle when I dunk them in the milk.”

He was dunking his second cookie when the front doorbell rang. Megan hurried to answer it. By now, it was getting dark outside. She switched on the porch light before she opened the door.

The figure on the doorstep was petite, almost doll-like, with her long blond hair in braids. She was dressed for work in her blue Shop Mart bakery uniform. Her pretty, elfin face wore an anxious expression.

“Hello, Katy,” Megan said, smiling. “Come on in.”

Katy stepped across the threshold so Megan could close the door. “I can’t stay long,” she said. “My dad is waiting in the car. How is Daniel? Somebody told me he got hurt.”

“He’s in the kitchen,” Megan said. “Go on in. You can see him for yourself.”

Katy dashed into the kitchen. She gave a little cry when she saw the sling on Daniel’s arm. “Oh no!” She hurried around the table and hugged him from the right side, avoiding the sling. “Is it bad? What happened?”

Daniel smiled, doing his tough-guy thing again. “It’s not too bad. I fell out of the sleigh, that’s all. The doc says I’ll be okay in a few days.”

Katy kissed his cheek. “I’m so sorry. I bet you were really brave.”

“I didn’t even cry,” Daniel said.

“How about some cookies, Katy?” Megan said. “I’ll put some in a Baggie for your mom and dad.”

“Thanks.” She sat down next to Daniel. “I’ll just share Daniel’s milk.”

Megan slipped a few more cookies onto the saucer between them. Katy broke a cookie in two, dipped one half into the cup, and nibbled it daintily.

“Guess what?” Daniel said. “I’m studying for my driver’s test. When I can drive, I’ll get a little car. Then I can drive you to work.”

And then we can get married. Daniel didn’t say it, but Megan could imagine what he was thinking. What a shame this sweet couple, so perfect for each other and so much in love, faced so many obstacles. Life wasn’t fair.

“I’ve got to go.” Katy stood. “My dad will be wanting to get home. Thanks for the cookies, Megan.” She gave Daniel a peck on the cheek, took the cookies that Megan had bagged, and hurried out the front door.

Megan sighed, knowing what had to come next. Putting off this talk with Daniel wouldn’t make it any easier. As he reached for another cookie, she sat down across the table from him. “Daniel, I know you’re excited about taking the driver’s test. But there’s a bit of a problem. Mom is upset with me for letting you get hurt today. She doesn’t want me helping you study for the test. I promised to respect her wishes.”