Forget it for now, she told herself as she pulled into her parents’ driveway. She would bring her purchases inside, put away the groceries, check on her mother and Daniel, and then shut herself in her room with her guitar and work on her song. Maybe this time she’d come up with something good. Even if she didn’t, it would at least take her mind off her worries.

* * *

The next morning, she drove her brother to work. Daniel had been bored at home. He was eager to be back on the job, with people he knew and liked. He was especially happy about being around Katy again.

“Now remember,” Megan told him, “be careful lifting heavy bags. If your shoulder starts to hurt, stop and rest. If it doesn’t feel better, call me and I’ll come and get you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Daniel said. “Don’t worry.”

She was pulling up to the entrance to let him out when she saw the sign posted in the window: HELP WANTED. CUSTOMER SERVICE. APPLY INSIDE.

As Daniel hurried into the store, Megan stared at the sign, thinking. Ronda May needed a job. And she’d had plenty of experience dealing with customers. This position might be just the thing for her. Someone should tell her about it.

Someone who had her phone number.

Megan didn’t. But Conner did.

With a sigh, Megan pulled into a parking place, fished a pen and a scrap of paper out of her purse, and scrolled her phone to Conner’s number. She’d made it clear that she wouldn’t call him until she heard he’d settled things with Ronda May. But now, it seemed, Ronda May had become her concern, as well as his.

He picked up on the first ring. “Megan?” Even his voice triggered a ripple of awareness, like being lightly touched.

“Hi,” she said. “I know I promised not to call—”

“No—that’s all right. It was your idea, not mine. I’ve missed you. What’s up?”

The conversation was about to become awkward. “I ran into Ronda May at Shop Mart yesterday. I invited her for coffee and we had a nice talk.”

“Oh?” He was instantly on guard. “How did that go? Did the two of you dice me into pieces?”

“No. In fact, she said some nice things about you. I can’t say we’ve become friends, but at least we understand each other better.”

“And?”

“Here’s why I’m calling. I guess you know she lost her job.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I just let Daniel off at Shop Mart. There’s a Help Wanted sign in the window—they need somebody in customer service.”

He was silent for a moment. “Yeah, that would be right up her alley.”