The rest of the space was a general store, with all sorts of farm equipment, saddles and horse gear, racks of clothing, including heavy Carhartt work clothes and western wear. There was a section of camping equipment and RV supplies.

She could see a sign that read FEED AND GRAIN above a door at the back. Rocky Mountain Supply was the only game in town, the only store for miles around that catered to ranchers, outfitters, tourists, and sportsmen.

A steady number of customers moved around inside.

“May I help you?” A stout, gray-haired older woman had noticed her wandering about.

“Yes, thank you. I’m new to the area. I just started working in the kitchen at the Diamond Bar Ranch.”

“I heard Mabel took off to visit her son and his family down in Phoenix.” The woman smiled. “I’m Frances Tilman. Everybody calls me Fran. Welcome to Coffee Springs.”

“I’m Ellie Bowman. It’s nice to meet you, Fran. I’m happy to be working at the ranch. It’s a beautiful place, and the people there all seem really friendly.”

“Oh, they are. I’ve known most of them since they were kids. Seth Ackerman is engaged to my niece.”

Ellie smiled. “That’s the nice thing about small towns. Everybody gets to know everybody.”

“True, and it’s one of the things that make Coffee Springs such a great place to live.”

“Sure seems like it.”

“So you aren’t married?”

“No. Though it would be nice to have a family someday.” If she could ever find a man she could trust, one who wouldn’t try to control her.

They chatted amiably for a while, talked about the weather, about the scenery. Fran showed her around the store, and Ellie selected a few items just to keep her talking: a pink paisley western shirt, a quilted down vest, and a pair of Montana Silversmith earrings.

“I just met Jonas Murray,” she said to test the waters.

Fran’s silver eyebrows pulled together. “I’m not surprised.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re new in town. Not many gals around as pretty as you. Men like Jonas . . . sometimes they try to take advantage.”

“Really? Is he married?”

“Was till his wife left him some years back. I suspect Jenny caught him with his pecker somewhere it shouldn’t be.”

Ellie laughed. She wondered how long ago that was and if the woman he was having the affair with could have been Heather Logan. She’d take a look at county divorce records, figure out the timing.

“Jonas was very nice, and I’m not married either. He asked me to lunch. That ought to be safe enough, don’t you think?”

Fran shrugged her plump shoulders. “You’re both adults, both single. I don’t suppose there’s anything wrong with it. Just remember what I said.”

Ellie nodded. “Oh, I will.”