Page 17 of Luke

Bryce quickly unlocked and opened the door with a grateful smile.

“Hi, I’m Connie,” the woman introduced herself, holding out a plate of delicious-smelling food covered with aluminum foil. “I hope you like western omelets.”

Bryce invited her inside and gratefully accepted the plate, setting it on the kitchen bar before wrapping her arms around the kind stranger.

“I’m Bryce. Thank you so much for this and for letting us stay here.”

Connie smiled warmly. “Oh, honey, what else could I do? Leave you and your baby out in the cold?”

Bryce’s eyes welled up with emotion. “Please, take off your coat and stay for a while.”

Connie smiled and shook her head. “I wish I could, but it’s breakfast time at the diner. Those cowboys get restless if they can’t get their morning meal and coffee.”

Bryce laughed, picturing the tough cowboys impatiently waiting for their food. “I’m sure they do. Thank you again foreverything.”

“It’s fine, the apartment was empty. Usually I have someone living here, I prefer it to be occupied. Not that there’s much crime in Clifton, but you never know,” Connie said.

“I really appreciate what you, Luke, and Beau did for me, it’s not often strangers go out of their way like that.”

“Luke and Beau are good boys; they were raised right.” Connie chuckled. “I know they’re not boys anymore, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I should get going, the snow is starting to pick up. We’ll make sure to salt the stairs for you. Even though you won’t be using them, we don’t want any accidents.”

“Thank you. I didn’t even realize it was snowing until I woke up. Leah kept me up most of the night.”

“Do you think I could see her?”

“Of course, follow me.”

Bryce led Connie to the bedroom where she smiled down at Leah in her bassinet.

“She’s beautiful,” Connie said with a smile.

“Thank you. Do you have any children, Connie?”

“No, unfortunately I couldn’t have kids. But I have three nieces who are like my own daughters.” Connie grinned.

“Oh, do they live in Clifton as well?”

“Yes, they’re originally from New Mexico but they moved here after getting their hearts broken. They found love here and are now married to cowboys. Their cousin, Sloane, even came here after a nasty divorce. She opened the bakery across the street.” Connie grinned. “She also met a cowboy and married him.”

“Oh wow, that’s amazing,” Bryce said with a laugh.

“It seems to be a trend around here,” Connie replied with a chuckle. “Well, I should probably head back before everyone thinks I abandoned them. If it’s okay with you, I’ll come backand visit again sometime.”

“I’d love that,” Bryce replied. “I’m sure I’ll get bored being stuck inside.”

“We all get stuck indoors during this time of year. The snow can get pretty deep and shut the towns down,” Connie explained.

“I saw photos of Clifton and two other towns when I searched about this town, but I forget the names of the other two.”

“Spring City, and Hartland. We’re all small communities but we’re very close-knit,” Connie said with a smile. “Well, I should get going. If you need anything just call or text me.” She wrote her number down on a piece of paper and handed it to Bryce. “I mean it.”

“I will, thank you for everything.” Bryce walked Connie to the door and hugged her before she left. “Please be careful on those stairs.”

“I will, I’ll make sure to get them salted for you. Bye.” Connie made her way down the stairs and disappeared through the door at the bottom.

Bryce closed the door and shivered as the cold air seeped into the apartment. She made her way to the front window, where she could barely see through the heavy snowfall, but she did see the bakery sign across the street. After living in Minnesota for two years, she had grown accustomed to the snow, but she was still apprehensive about driving in it. When she lived in Seattle, there was hardly any snow, so she loved seeing it. It could be quite picturesque at times, but she also knew how dangerous it could be. She was grateful that it wasn’t snowing on the night she gave birth to Leah; they both could have lost their lives.

As she sipped on a cup of coffee, Bryce gazed out the window and watched the snow continue to pile up. When she finished her drink, she placed the cup in the sink and checked on her daughter before deciding to take a quick shower.

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