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And as far as she knew, he hadn’t gone on a single date in his time in Trinity Falls.

The idea tugged at her heart again and she bit her lip as she followed him to the back of the store.

It would hurt like anything to set him up with Maggie, but she could definitely do it. And if she really cared about him, it was more important to see him happy than it was to wish things were different.

Don’t sit around throwing yourself a pity party, Valerie would have said.

And she would have been right.

5

RORY

Rory stood by the clearance racks in the back of Pura Vida, trying not to let himself get down about that look on Ana’s face when he dropped that big hint a moment ago.

It was about the closest he’d ever been to flat out stating his intentions. And her instant response made his heart feel like it was being crushed by a hydraulic press.

So he’d retreated back to the clearance section, hoping to distract himself by looking for something for Evangeline. But now he was wondering if he dared get any closer to the frantic action around the racks.

The shop was deliciously warm after the brisk cold outside. The scent of a vanilla candle burning at the counter filled the air, and a radio by the counter was playing Christmas music. Everything was in place to set a calm and peaceful mood.

But the shoppers were another story.

Ginny Davies picked through dresses and sweaters at lightning speed, lifting up options as Betty Ann Eustace called out the names of the women they were shopping for from her notebook. Anytime the women agreed on an item, Ginny whisked it over to Shirley Ludd, who tossed it over her arm. The poor woman looked in imminent danger of tipping over from the weight of their finds so far. But bright-colored dresses kept right on sailing through the air to her at top speed as Betty Ann’s pen scratched in the notebook and she called out more names.

“Not from back here,” Ana said softly, touching Rory’s arm to get his attention.

As if she ever didn’t have his attention. He felt like a human compass whenever Ana was around, his thoughts flying to her like she was true north.

“Okay,” he said, moving in the direction she indicated.

Of course she was pointing him to the more expensive things, and he could splurge a little on Evangeline, for sure. But most of what he earned these days went to necessities, and he tucked away everything left over for a higher purpose.

Although he was starting to think his plan for that money might not work out like he’d hoped.

“We have some nice maternity things,” Ana told him. “They’re right over here.”

Right beside the dressing rooms was a rack with Maternity handwritten on the little chalkboard sign over it.

“Oh wow,” he said as Ana lifted out a dress for him to consider.

It was a warm-looking knit in a rich purple that would be just right for his sister’s coloring.

“It has pockets,” Ana said, showing him. “And the top has a wrap-style design that can open for nursing. The fabric will stretch and hug, so she can keep wearing it after the baby comes. And it’s a cotton blend, so it’s easy to wash if she’s doing fun stuff with Leo and they get messy.”

“This is great, Ana,” Rory told her, impressed but not really surprised that she’d instantly found the perfect gift. “She’s going to love it.”

“Excellent,” Ana said with a bright, happy smile. “How about a pair of warm slippers to go with it? We have some knit ones with suede soles.”

They were right on the wall beside the rack. He followed her over, willing himself not to look at price tags. He was supporting Ana and her mother by shopping here. And it felt really good to treat his sister.

Ana pulled a pair from the wall. They were charcoal gray, a thick, chunky knit that looked handmade, fleece-lined, with pale gray suede soles.

“They’re perfect,” he said, taking them with a smile. “Did someone local make these?”

“I did,” Ana said, looking pleased. “It’s kind of a hobby.”

“That’s so cool,” he told her, meaning it.