As Maria checked out of the hotel, her heart heavy in her chest. It was already later than she usually made it to the shed. Eldon was likely working on his latest table creation, wondering where she was. The last thing she wanted to do was break his heart, but she knew she couldn’t see him again until she had a more distinct answer about how their future might take shape. When she didn’t show up by afternoon, he would assume she returned home and he would be happy for her, even if he was sad for himself. Though Maria hated the idea of leaving him waiting, she felt that she was doing the right thing. She would go home, talk with her parents, straighten things out, and then return to him with the good news. He could come back and they could be together. It was the only path that made sense. Maria waited patiently at Cooper’s store, watching the street until she saw a horse and buggy make its way down the highway and stop in front of the store. She could tell from a long way off that the man in the buggy was not her father. It was not his turn to make a supply run and he would not have traded in time from the field for very many occasions. He had dropped her off and that had been enough.
