As Mary watched him go down the walk, a familiar figure materialized in the distance. Sam. Her pulse pounded in her ears. “Mother?” she hollered.

“I’m in here.”

Mary followed her voice to the kitchen. “Any idea why Sam would be walking this way?”

Her mother looked up from rinsing the lettuce in the sink. “I invited him to dinner.”

“You…what?”

“I invited him to dinner, of course. Mary Elizabeth, you’ve been home a whole week and you haven’t even left this house. How was Samuel supposed to know you were back if I didn’t tell him?”

Her ears turned red and she clenched her fists. “If I’d wanted to see Sam, I would’ve arranged it myself.”

“I know, dear. You just needed a little push, that’s all.” Her mother resumed preparing dinner.

Mary stalked away, went to her room and fumed. In another minute, Sam would walk through their front door. It was her worst nightmare. What should she tell him? “Sam, I’m sorry, but I’ve met someone in Tennessee. We’re deeply in love.” If she told him that, he’d want to know his name. Then he’d tell her mother she’d said that, and she’d get the third degree. Think, Mary Elizabeth. Think quickly.

The doorbell rang. Her time was up.

“Hi, Samuel. It’s so good to see you. Oh, what lovely flowers. I’m sure Mary will love them. Mary? Samuel is here. Come say hello!”

Mary rolled her eyes. There was nothing for it. She couldn’t very well climb out the bedroom window, although she was sorely tempted to try.

She checked her face and lipstick in the mirror. “Coming!” She plastered a smile on her face as she came around the corner. “Hi, Sam.”

“Hi, Mary. You look…pretty.”

“Thank you.”

“These are for you.” He held out the flowers to her.

“Thank you. Those are very nice. I’ll just put them in some water and be right back.” She took them into the kitchen. “Mother,” she hissed, “you don’t get to run my social life anymore. Don’t you ever interfere again.”

Her mother rounded on her. “Don’t you ever talk to me like that again, young lady. Just because you spent a few months away from home on your own doesn’t make you an adult. You get out there and be charming. You’re lucky that nice young man is still available.”

“Samuel,” she called. “Mary’s forgotten her manners. Would you like something to drink?”

“No thank you, ma’am.”

“Get out there. Now.” She shooed Mary toward the living room.

She sat in the chair opposite him. “So, how’ve you been? How’s the watch business?”

“It’s fine. Lots of new customers.”

“That’s good.”

“We have a little time before dinner. Why don’t you two go for a walk?” her mother called.