“So it must be someone he’s just met.”
Laura shook her head.“No idea, but don’t jump to conclusions, will you?Talk to him.Come on, show me the new yarn everyone is talking about.”
Pasting a smile on her face, Ellie took Laura to the shelf where the new yarn was displayed.Was she going to be the last person to know Becket already had a new woman in his life?
“When do the movers arrive?”Laura asked as she looked through the yarn.
“I spoke to them earlier when they were a few miles from Bozeman.They seemed confident they’ll be here by one.”
“And Janice is playing shop again, she tells me.”
“You don’t think it’s too much for her?I’ve been a bit worried; it is her summer holiday as well.”
“Exactly,” Laura grinned.“According to Vivian and Annie, she gets bored very easily.Better to give her something to do before she starts matchmaking again.”
Ellie groaned out loud.“Oh, dear, no matchmaking, please.When Becket moves on, I’ll get my cat and live my beautifully peaceful single life.”
With a smile, Laura hugged Ellie.“That’s what I thought I wanted, until Hayden knocked on my classroom door.”
“Not everyone gets their fairy-tale ending, Laura.I’m very happy for you, though—you positively beam!”
Laura sighed.“I know!I still have to pinch myself at times.Hayden is…” she spread her hands, “just wonderful.I don’t know what will happen when Luke reaches puberty, but at the moment, we’re having a great time.”She picked up some of the yarn.“I’ll take these, thanks, Ellie.”
“I love these colors.”Ellie added two more balls.“On the house, for my friend.”
Laura laughed.“Do you make any money, I wonder?This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you give away yarn.”
“It’s my shop, I can do what I want,” Ellie smiled.“It’s so nice to see you.”
“I have a few errands to run, but I’ll see you later.We’re all going to help you this afternoon.”
“Oh, my goodness, that’s not necessary!You are all so busy on the ranch, I can’t ask you…”
Laura just smiled.“You haven’t asked.You never ask for help, do you?If this town has taught me anything, it’s that folks around here care for their own.And by now everyone knows Ellie Campbell and her beautiful yarn.And, Ellie, I’ve also heard all the rumors about Becket, but if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know by now he’s not that guy everyone talks about.He’s one of the good ones.Okay, I’m going.I’ve done my interfering for the day.”And with a wave, she left.
As Laura left, more customers entered.Ellie was kept busy until one, when Janice arrived.
Ellie quickly showed Janice the new yarn before she grabbed her bag.“Sorry, Janice, I must go.The movers should be arriving at the house any minute.”
“Of course, don’t worry about a thing.If I’m not mistaken, I’ve just seen Becket…”
“Poor Ellie!”someone cried from the doorway.
Ellie looked around to see Aurelia Hill rushing toward them.She was out of breath but wasn’t going to let that stop her from telling them the latest gossip.“Ellie, my dear girl, I’m so very sorry for you.I’ve been dreading this day.I knew Becket Weston couldn’t stay faithful.Some men are like that, you know?
“Aurelia, what are you going on about?”Janice asked crossly.
Aurelia inhaled deeply.“It’s Becket Weston,” she said gravely.“He’s in Java Café with another woman.”
For a moment Ellie swore she could hear her heart splintering into a thousand pieces.
“Oh, Aurelia, you and your stories,” Janice said.
Sniffing, Aurelia turned on her heel.“If you don’t believe me, go and have a look yourself.”
“Ellie?”Janice put a hand on her arm as Aurelia left.“Are you okay?You know Aurelia, she…”
“I heard him on the phone when he made the date.I’ve been hoping I was wrong, but…” Shrugging, she put her bag over her shoulder.“I… I have to go.”
