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Martha carried her and her husband’s dishes to the sink. “As soon as I clean these up, we need to get going too.”

“You don’t have to clean them.” Leah looked flustered.

“I don’t mind at all.” She glanced over her shoulder at Henry. “Why don’t you head up to our room and get ready to go?”

Henry nodded before he glanced across the table to Shaun. “Well, you heard the boss. I guess we won’t get a chance to play another round of chess.” Henry got to his feet and then ran a hand over his jaw where there was a noticeable amount of white stubble. “Guess I should probably use my razor too.”

“Yes, you should,” Martha said, “especially if you want any more kisses from me.”

Henry rushed over to his wife. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he rubbed his cheek against hers. She let out a squeal, and he let out a gentle laugh.

She stepped away from him. “Henry, what has gotten into you?”

He grinned at his wife. “I was just thinking that maybe I’d let my beard grow.”

Martha’s gaze narrowed in on him. “Go. And make sure you shave.”

The smile fell from his face. “Maybe I’ll grow it another time.”

After he walked away, Martha muttered, “Not in this lifetime.”

Henry called from the hallway, “I heard that.”

Shaun found himself grinning at their antics. When he looked in Leah’s direction, he found that she was smiling too.

“I don’t know how I’ve put up with that man for forty-three years,” Martha grumbled.

“You two still act like honeymooners to me,” Leah said.

Martha waved off her comment. “Don’t let Henry hear you say that. You’ll only encourage his orneriness.”

As Shaun finished his breakfast, he realized he’d never had that sort of fun relationship with Mandi. Their relationship had been based on shared goals—well, until he realized he wanted more from life than working constantly to pay for over-priced vacations and designer this or that.

When he’d told Mandi about his change of heart, it had been the beginning of the end of them. What he hadn’t expected was for Mandi to change so drastically. Or perhaps he’d just started to see her for the person she was all along.

But he didn’t have time to think about any of that. He needed to figure out what to do with his vehicle. The sooner, the better.

“Leah, do you know someone I can borrow a chainsaw from?”

Leah’s forehead scrunched up. “To be honest, I don’t know that many people in Kringle Falls.”

He was surprised to hear her say that. He just thought with her friendliness she would have immediately won over the whole town. Something told him there was a reason she’d been a bit standoffish with her new neighbors. He couldn’t help but wonder what the reason would be.

Not willing to give up yet, he asked, “So, you don’t know anyone at all that would have a chainsaw? Even just a minor acquaintance?”

Leah pursed her lips, as though giving it some serious consideration. And then her eyes widened. “There’s a landscaping crew coming tomorrow to hang the outdoor lights for me. My grandmother has it set up as an annual thing. I’m sure they will have a chainsaw.”

At last Shaun was able to take an easy breath. “Is there any chance you would be willing to call them now and see if they could come over today?”

She worried her bottom lip, but then she nodded. “I’ll do it now.”

As she exited the kitchen, he wanted to follow her, but he restrained himself. He didn’t want to put any more pressure on her. As it was, he was grateful for her help.

Martha said something, but he’d been lost in his thoughts and hadn’t caught what she’d said. “Sorry. What did you say?”

“I was just saying that she’s very sweet. Some man’s going to be very lucky to have her in his life.” Martha turned back to the sink full of dishes.

He stepped toward the sink. “Here. Let me help.”