Nora glanced around her at the faces of the worshipers. Some of these men and women she recognized from the bus. She knew dozens of the girls because they were under her supervision. Still others were familiar because she’d seen them around town. Some, however, she’d never seen before. She found herself looking for one face in particular and was disappointed to realize that Mary wasn’t there. Either that, or she was hidden from view. Who are you kidding? She’s probably off with someone who didn’t stupidly refuse her invitation to go dancing.

The idea of Mary spending time with someone else depressed her to no end. By the time church let out, Nora felt good and sorry for herself. She started down the hill toward Townsite, with no particular destination in mind. Families filed out and children, no doubt still flush with the memories of presents opened that morning, expelled excess energy by playing tag with one another. Several times, Nora had to sidestep a young one rolling like a log down the hillside.

She hopped to the side to avoid a five-year-old boy as he dove out of reach of the older boy who chased him. As she did so, she bumped into another body. “Oh, my goodness. I’m so sor...” The rest of the phrase died on her lips as she looked down to see Mary, half-sprawled on the ground at her feet, a basket of pine cones spilled beside her. Immediately, she bent to help her up. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Gently, Nora lifted her to her feet and brushed her off.

Mary laughed. “Don’t look so concerned. I may be small, but I’m not that fragile.”

“Good thing.” Nora reached down at the same time as Mary to gather the pine cones, and their hands brushed. She withdrew her hand as if it were on fire.

“Better let me get those,” Mary said. She winked. “Were you on your way somewhere special?”

“Who, me?”

Mary corralled the last pine cone and returned it to the basket. “There. No harm done.” She situated the basket handle back on her arm. “You’re the only person I’m talking to, so yes, you.”

“I was leaving church.”

“So I gathered.” Mary glanced in the direction of the building and Nora blushed.

“I guess that was obvious.”

Mary laid a hand on her arm, and the touch seared Nora’s flesh. “Don’t be embarrassed. I asked the question.”

“You asked where I was going, not where I’d been.”

“Close enough.” Mary released her hold. “You look very pretty, by the way. I love your dress.”

Nora’s blush deepened. “Thank you. You look quite fetching yourself. That coat is pretty.”

“Thank you.” Mary twirled around. “It’s a little something I picked up in Knoxville on my last day off.”