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“I could, ah, use all the friends I can get right now.”
    â€œI know the feeling.”
    As if their honest words had startled them, they once again shared a sweet smile. The way they used to, back when the three of them used to walk to school together.
    â€œWell, I better get back to the bleach,” she quipped, trying to make her words seem light and almost impersonal. It would never do if Jacob discovered how much she used to like him. Before he could spy a hint of that in her face, she quickly turned back to the dairy shelf.
    She heard him turn and walk away, greet a pair of ladies who entered the store.
    But standing there in front of the dairy case, Deborah felt her face flush. Once again her silly, betraying heart had begun to imagine life with Jacob Schrock. Life as friends—and so much more than that.
    The idea made her almost tremble with frustration. Oh, when would she ever get a clue? Getting close to Jacob would only bring her more heartache.
    Because she’d never be able to forget Jacob’s note to Perry. The one he’d sent just before Perry went missing.
    The note Perry had hidden in his bedside drawer.
    The note she’d found and had done her best to hide ever since.
    W ell, that had been easy—about as easy as getting a tooth pulled! Jacob thought as he walked back to the front counter after greeting the women who’d just entered the store.
    Deborah had accepted his apology. But she’d been noticeably cooler than usual. And instead of just hurt and pain flooding her gaze, he had spied something else, too—a deep, simmering anger.
    He felt bad that he’d been the cause of it.
    Thankfully, the bells at the front door chimed, signaling a new customer. “May I help ya?” he asked, wheeling around to see who entered.
    â€œYeah! You can get me fifty pounds of flour and bird seed,” Walker Anderson joked as he walked through the doors. Coming closer, he chuckled. “What’s with you, Jacob? Since when do you ask if I need any help with anything?”
    â€œSorry, I was trying to take my mind off something, I guess.”
    Walker’s smile dimmed. “Is everything okay?”
    â€œYeah, sure. What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you swore off this place on your days off.”
    â€œI did. But then my sister talked to my grandma, who asked if I could bring her a couple of things from the store.”
    â€œFrancis and James?”
    â€œYeah.” Walker shrugged. “I guess my grandpa is feeling under the weather.” His frown deepened. “My dad is driving him to the doctor today.”
    â€œI hope it’s nothing too serious. Walker, you want to grab the flour or the seed?”
    â€œYou don’t need to get either. I’ll do it.”
    â€œI can help. I’m not busy. I’m just standing here, watching Deborah work.”
    Walker’s head swung to the right. “Deborah? Oh, hey, Deb!”
    To Jacob’s surprise, Deborah waved one slim hand. “Hiya, Walker. How goes it?”
    â€œWell enough.” His smile grew. “Hey, you look great over there, scrubbing.”
    One of her eyebrows rose. “And why is that?”
    â€œBecause that means I’m not doing it,” he teased with an even broader grin.
    â€œWhatever I can do to make your job easier pleases me greatly, Walker Anderson.”
    Feeling like the odd man out, Jacob glanced from Walker to Deborah and back again. Had they always been so comfortable around each other? And he called her ‘Deb’? When had that come about?
    â€œWalker, I’ll go get the seed from the back. You get the flour,” Jacob said.
    â€œAll right, sure,” he said. “As soon as I go say hi to Deborah.”
    Feeling cranky all over again, Jacob walked to the back of the store. Why did he care if Walker and Deborah got along so well?
    Was it because he’d been rude to her for days and she hadn’t melted