“It’s Mom… I ran into a friend from the newspaper this morning and she mentioned seeing you at Mendleson Jewelers. Were you…buying an engagement ring? Thom, it isn’t that McDowell girl, is it? Call me, will you? I need reassurance that you’re not about to make a big mistake.”

This was what happened when you lived in a small town. Everyone knew your business. So, his mother had heard, and even with the wrong facts, she’d put together the right answer. Yes, he’d been at Mendleson’s. And yes, it was “that McDowell girl.”

Thom decided he had to talk about all of this with someone who understood the situation and knew all the people involved. Someone discreet, who had his best interests at heart. Someone with no agenda, hidden or otherwise.

The one person he could trust was his older sister. Suzanne was three years his senior, married and living ten miles outside of town; she and her husband, Rob, owned a hazelnut orchard. Thom didn’t see Suzanne often, but he was godfather to his five-year-old nephew, Cameron.

A brief phone call assured him that his sister was available and eager to see him. Off he went, grabbing a chunk of cheese and an apple to eat on the way. Maybe his sister would have some wisdom to share with him…. How quickly life can change, he mused, and never more so than at Christmas.

Suzanne had a mug of hot cider waiting when he arrived. Rob was out, dealing with some late deliveries. His family owned the orchard and leased it to him. Rob worked long hours making a success of their business, and so did Suzanne. Both his sister and brother-in-law were honest, hardworking people, and he trusted their advice.

“This is a surprise,” Suzanne said, pulling out a chair at the large oak table in the center of her country kitchen.

“Cameron’s in bed already?” Thom asked, disappointed to miss seeing his nephew.

“He thinks if he goes to bed early Santa will come sooner.” She gave a shrug. “Never mind that this is only the twenty-third. I guess he’s hoping he can make time speed up,” she said with a smile. “By the way, he had a ridiculous tale about you and some woman at the movies the other day. Throwing popcorn was a big theme in this story.”

“I don’t know what he told you, but more than likely it’s true. We bumped into Noelle McDowell and her little sister at the theater.”

“Noelle. Oh, no.” Suzanne was instantly sympathetic. “That must’ve been uncomfortable.”

“Yes and no.” He hesitated, wondering to what extent his sister’s attitude was a reflection of their parents’. “It was difficult at first, because we didn’t exactly part on the best of terms.”

“At first?”

His sister had picked up on that fast enough. “We’ve talked since and resolved our difficulties.”