The bakery was warm, the scent of cinnamon rolls lingering in the air. Holly wiped her hands on her apron, her thoughts heavy. Lee had gone out to the farm after hearing that his mother had sent his father to the hotel. Holly’s chest tightened. What if all this drama pulls us apart?
The bell above the door jingled, and Lee stepped inside, brushing snow from his coat. His eyes softened when they found hers.
“You look worried,” he said, crossing to her.
Holly hesitated. “I just… I don’t want all this with your parents to affect us. I don’t want it to change how you feel.”
Lee reached for her hand, his grip steady. “It won’t. You make me happy, Holly. That’s not going to change because of them. I know what I want. And it’s you.”
Relief flickered through her, her lips curving into a small
