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“You’re not?”

Beth Ann’s brows pinched together as she shook her head. Then tears filling her eyes spilled over her lashes.

“Oh… well then, I’m sorry I assumed. I didn’t mean to upset you, but it came on so fast, and I thought for sure you were about to faint.”

“It’s okay. I can see how you might’ve thought that.”

Then Katherine reached for Beth Ann’s hand. “Talk to me, Bethie. You know you can tell me anything.”

“I… umm…”

Katherine waited as Beth Ann grew even more worried.

“I think you should know that—”

Another long silence lingered between them.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” Katherine said. “What’s so important I should know about?”

Katherine had never seen her friend like this before. She’d always been one to charge full steam ahead. Exuberant, joyful, and fun. But now, she was pale, full of fear and apprehension.

“All good out back!” Zach announced as he walked through the front door. He’d been outside, making sure raccoons weren’t getting into the dumpster again. “Not a critter in sight.”

Katherine looked over and smiled. “Thanks, Zach.”

“Sure thing,” he said, close enough to see the look on Beth Ann’s face. “I can go in the kitchen if you’re in the middle of something.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” Katherine said. “Just give us a few minutes. If you don’t mind, there should be enough dough ready to get started on a tray of cinnamon rolls. I’ll be back there as soon as I can.”

“No problem. You two takeallthe time you need.”

Katherine almost laughed as Zach hurried from the room.

“He’s such a good guy,” Beth Ann whimpered, watching the door to the kitchen swing to a stop. “I don’t deserve him.”

“Of course, you deserve a good guy. Don’t we all?” Katherine smiled, just thinking about Matthew.

“You do. But I don’t.”

“Bethie, don’t say that.” Katherine shook her head.

“But it’s true. I don’t deserve a good guy, and I definitely don’t deserve to be happy.”

As Beth Ann burst into hysterical sobs, Katherine yanked her up off the stool and dragged her into the ladies’ room. In front of the sink, she took a ponytail holder from her pocket and pulled Beth Ann’s hair into a haphazard bundle on the top of her head.

Giving the cold water handle a full turn, Katherine hung Beth Ann’s head over the basin and poured cupped handfuls of water over the back of her neck. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, but you need to calm down.”

Beth Ann’s whimpering began to cease with each splash of cool water. After wetting a few paper towels, Katherine dabbed beads of sweat from her friend’s forehead.

“I’m glad I didn’t let Matthew talk me into taking the day off,” she murmured more to herself than Beth Ann. “I don’t even wanna think about what would’ve happened if I wasn’t here.”

Beth Ann sniffled. “You were supposed to be with Matthew today?”

“Not supposed to. But he asked me to.”

Beth Ann perked up. “You should go!”

“Are you crazy? I can’t leave you like this.”