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fiancée came with him, spent one month in Charity, then left him for some other fellow she’d been stringing along. Steve hadn’t even known the guy existed.”
    No wonder he had a poor opinion of women. Some certainly ruined it for the rest of them. “Was she pretty?”
    “A knockout.” Dave took a minty pick and poked it between his front teeth.
    “That figures. Beauty stunts character.”
    Ben leaned on his elbows. “Well, I hate to tell you this, Alessi, but you’re real pretty yourself.”
    “I’m lanky and freckled. I was taller than everyone in my class until eighth grade.”
    Dave grinned. “Diana always says she’d kill for five more inches.”
    “Who’s Diana?” She reached over and brushed a Danish crumb from his shirt.
    “My girlfriend, sort of.”
    “How tall is she?”
    “Five foot three.” He tossed the toothpick into the trash. “Says she’d distribute her pounds better over five more inches.”
    “That’s one good thing about being tall. Plenty of distribution.” Alessi scooted off the stool. “Well, I suppose I’ll go see who wants me.” She tucked the bag inside her coat and went back out. Spoken kindly, the next rejections at the community center and Maple Tree Bakery were as regretful as the rest. Though no one wanted to refuse her, she was learning the downside of a small town. People pretty much ran their own businesses, and business was minimal. There was certainly no tourist traffic, not even much Christmas shopping, though that might be due to the snow falling again. A silent desperation started inside.
    Unless Sheriff Roehr came up with her car right away, she needed a job. “Don’t depend on others, Alessi. No matter how bad it gets; God helps those who help themselves.” Mom’s way had not worked out well in her illness, but the general philosophy was one to live by.
    She crossed the street, but the hair salon wasn’t open. It listed hours for Saturday, but Alessi guessed maybe there hadn’t been any appointments. Or the person was on vacation. Or any number of scenarios. She couldn’t cut hair, but she could learn to polish nails. The fact that no one was there on a Saturday didn’t look good, though, not for needing extra help.
    Hawkeye Gifts was open, and settled in among the maple syrup displays and handcrafted wooden bowls, trivets, and serving trays were the owner and his cat. He stood up and extended his hand to her. “Doyle Upton.” He smiled. “This is Dolly.” The fur on the cat’s neck and back flattened under his hand, then rose up with static connection as his palm stroked her. “What can I show you? It’s all handmade, except for the syrup—that’s God-made.” He started toward a glass case. “Got some maple fudge the wife stirred up this morning.”
    Alessi’s mouth watered as she accepted the sample he offered. It was good fudge. “Mmm. That is some of the best I’ve tasted.” She thought of the money in her pocket. Did fudge constitute an emergency? The thought sobered her quickly. “Mr. Upton, do you need help here? I’m looking for work.”
    He looked instantly disappointed she wasn’t a customer and shook his head. “As you see, there’s not much traffic. Keeping the store moves me out of the wife’s way, and the wood gives my hands a thing to do. But no, I’m sorry; I don’t need to take someone on.”
    “Well, thank you anyway. Tell your wife I enjoyed the fudge.”
    “Oh, I will. Wives like to hear that.”
    Alessi went outside. Granny’s Trunk and Bennet’s Books remained. She crossed over to Granny’s and inquired of the woman inside, expecting exactly the answer she got. Back outside, she looked across the street to Bennet’s. That must be Steve’s father’s store. As her steps drew her closer, she studied the brick façade and neatly painted window frames adorned with a simple evergreen garland and white lights. She stood there long enough to memorize the window displays, then pushed open the door and went