“We have as much help as we need. Besides, you’d have to get along with Bucket, and I don’t see that happening.” Conner poured coffee into a mug, added milk and two spoons full of sugar, and carried it into the living room. “Here, this’ll perk you up for the drive home.”

She accepted the coffee and took a sip. “You remembered how I like it,” she said. “At least that’s something. Does this mean you’re about to throw me out in the cold?”

Conner took a seat in the rocker, facing her. “Ronda May, you’ve got everything it takes to find a good man and have a happy life. You’re pretty, you’re smart, and you’d make a wonderful wife and mother. One of these days, you’ll get your chance to walk down the aisle in that beautiful dress. And the sooner you forget me and move on, the sooner that’s going to happen.”

He’d meant to cheer the woman, but his words only released a fresh flood of tears. “What if it doesn’t happen? You dumped me. Chuck cheated on me. And now . . . I don’t even have a job. What’ll I do if I don’t get married? I’m almost twenty-one. All my friends are married. My sister got married at seventeen. She’s got two kids now. I’m scared, Conner. I don’t know what to do.”

“Hey, look at Maggie. She’s thirty and getting married to a great guy. Go home and get some rest. Things will look better in the morning, I promise you. Maybe you’ll even meet somebody new at the Christmas Ball.”

“Like I’m even going. Everybody knows what happened with Chuck. They’ll all be laughing at me.” She finished her coffee and sat cradling the mug in her hands as she wept like a spring flood.

Conner stood, hoping she would take it as a signal to leave. But he should have known better. He was beginning to feel like a jerk. Had he really caused her this much pain, or was he being played?

Just then, a small miracle happened. Headlights swung past the front window, accompanied by the sound of Travis’s truck slowing down and pulling under the shed. Conner exhaled in relief. The U.S. Cavalry had arrived.

Minutes later, bundled against the weather, Travis came in through the front door. His knowing gaze met Conner’s from across the room.

“Hi, Ronda May,” he said. “I saw your car outside and took time to brush the snow off the windows. If you leave now, you won’t have to do it again.” He held out a gloved hand. “It’s slippery out there. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”