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He was so worked up about the trouble Mandi had caused with Leah that he didn’t even notice the cold or the lazy snowflakes drifting by. All he could think about was how to make this up to Leah. Is there a way to make this up to her?

Lost in his thoughts, Shaun turned the corner on Main Street and bumped into someone. He uttered an apology and lifted his head to find Michael Bishop standing there.

“Hey, Shaun.” And then his gaze took in the full duffel bag hanging over Shaun’s shoulder. “Are you going somewhere?”

Shaun shrugged. He really didn’t want to get into this with anyone. But the expectant look on Michael’s face let him know his newfound friend was concerned about him.

“I was just going to see if there are any rooms available in town.”

“What happened to your room at the Kringle B&B?”

“It’s a long story.” One he didn’t want to get into, especially on the street corner.

“Then come with me.”

“I can’t.” He really needed to find a place to stay that night.

“Sure. You can. I have plenty of room at my place. Free of charge.” And then Michael frowned as he glanced around. “Where’s Mochi?”

He already missed the pup. “She’s staying with Leah.”

“I see. Something tells me you really goofed up.” He pulled his keys from his pocket. “My pickup is across the street. Come on.”

Shaun was touched that someone he didn’t know all that well was willing to help him out. Michael was a good guy. He noticed that as soon as he met him. He didn’t speak unless he had something to say. He was respectful to his fiancée. And he loved animals, who loved him back.

And so, Shaun followed him to his pickup. On the way to Michael’s house, Shaun gave him the highlights of what happened with his ex.

“Man, that is so messed up,” Michael said. “Have you considered filing stalking charges?”

Shaun shook his head. “I don’t think she meant any harm—physically that is.”

“Are you sure? I mean don’t you live in Kentucky? That’s a long way for her to drive.”

Michael didn’t have to point out that it wasn’t normal behavior. Mandi had a long history of doing things that weren’t normal, but in the past, he’d just written them off as Mandi being Mandi. But he was over it. He needed her out of his life.

And then he recalled something Leah had said. He fished his phone out of his pocket and began searching through his apps, page by page.

“Everything okay?” Michael asked as they pulled into his driveway.

“Leah mentioned that Mandi might have put a location sharing app on my phone. I’m checking to see if it’s on here. I just didn’t realize I had so many apps.” And then he spotted something that caught his attention. He pressed on the little icon, and it opened up. But that wasn’t it.

“Come inside.” Michael got out.

Shaun followed him into the house. Immediately, a husky came charging into the room. Upon spotting Shaun, he let out a bark.

“Hush, Tank,” Michael said. “You know Shaun.”

The dog gave him a cautious stare before walking over to sniff him. It didn’t take long until Shaun was able to pet him.

Michael had his boots and coat off when he glanced over at Shaun. “Were you able to figure out if she was tracking you or not?” When Shaun shook his head, Michael said, “Check your phone settings.”

And so, Shaun did that and found that the location sharing had been turned on, but for how long? Since he’d never done anything with that particular setting, it must have been Mandi. She must have done it during their marriage.

Was it that she hadn’t trusted him? But then the more likely answer came to him—she’d turned it on when she’d started her affair to make sure he wouldn’t walk in on them. In the past, that revelation would have devastated him. It would have reopened old wounds, but all he felt the moment he turned it off was relief. He hoped he’d finally severed his last link to Mandi. And he could get on with his life.

But he felt as though he were missing an important part of his life—Leah. He hadn’t meant to fall for her. In fact, that was the very last thing he intended to do when he’d come to Vermont. And yet she’d worked her way past all of his defenses with her sweet smiles and her delicious pancakes.

Now he had to wonder if there was a way to fix things. His SUV wouldn’t be repaired for another week or so. It might give him enough time to try to undo the damage.