Her chest was heaving and burning. She took big gulps of air, yet she felt as if no oxygen was reaching her lungs. Will wanted to help, did he? And for such laudable reasons, too. Not because he was concerned about her or her family, but because Sam’s Grocery was his current place of employment. He was only worried about himself—but then, why wouldn’t he be? He didn’t know the Howells well enough to put himself out for them. It wasn’t like he’d have to worry about a job once Stay-n-Shop got their way and moved into town. Once they’d built their new store, Will would no doubt have his choice of any of a dozen positions, with his experience as a supply specialist in the Army. They’d be knocking down his door. So what was he anxious about? She was the one who stood to lose everything she cared about, everything she’d worked for in this life—the intangible items that went far beyond the old clapboard building itself, like family, tradition, legacy.
