"Are you comfortable?" Paula asked Mrs. Richards. She had seated her in the parlor, Mrs. Richards waiting for her guests to arrive for the social tea.

"Perfectly fine, now go find Juliette and have a lovely time."

Paula sighed inwardly, "Yes, ma’am." she left the room just as Mrs. Porter, the towns biggest gossip, arrived. Mrs. Porter, her name fitting for such a portly woman, greeted Paula coolly then went into the parlor.

Paula found Juliette outside walking in the gardens. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the flowers bloomed in an array of colors.

"Oh, hello Paula.” Juliette picked her head up from admiring the early spring flowers. Dressed in pale blue, Paula couldn’t help but notice how it brought out her blue eyes, “I really do appreciate this. It's rare that I have someone my age to talk to. I'm an only child, you know, and my only friend is my mother."

"Well, I do hope I can be a good listener. What would you like to talk about?" Paula asked timidly.

"How about you? Tell me about yourself? What are your hobbies? Are you in love?" She said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Paula coughed, "In...in love? No. Hobbies?..." Juliette interrupted her.

"Oh, come now...don't lie, Mrs. Richards told me you liked someone." she smiled.

"I don't really, well, I suppose I do, but I don't think he cares for me." she stared at the ground.

"Why not?" Juliette linked arms with Paula and the two proceeded on.

"Oh, for one, he's rich, I'm not."

"Won't you tell me who he is?"

"I can't."

"Oh, alright, I won’t force you, but won't you at least tell me what he looks like?"

"Oh, he's very handsome, tall, beautiful eyes." she looked off dreamily, "Wavy black hair and a deep voice that could melt a girl's heart." she suddenly stopped, looking to see if Juliette was suspecting.

"Sounds like Phillip." Juliette said in the same dreamy way, having no idea her new friend meant the same person.

"Oh, no, it’s not him!" Paula said a little too harshly.

Juliette stopped walking and turned to face her, "Well, I didn't say it was him, it just sounds like him. He is handsome, don't you think?"

"Oh, yes, I mean..." her eyes widened, almost ashamed she had admitted it.

"Paula, you can say he's good-looking, I won't be offended. It's the truth, you know. Just because we're engaged..."

"Engaged?" Paula’s eyes widened.

"Yes, why he asked me yesterday."

"How nice." What was wrong with her? Why should she care if they're engaged? She didn't even know Phillip, and to be honest, she might really never get to know him.

"Paula, are you alright?"

"Yes, how about we go into town? I could show you around?"

"What a splendid idea!"

*******

Entering the local general store, Paula spotted her oldest friend immediately, "Craig, this is Phillips’s fiancé, Juliette . Juliette, this is my friend, Craig MacKenzie." Paula introduced them.

"How nice to meet you." Craig smiled in his usual charming way.

"Same here. Paula tells me your father owns this general store." she looked around at the large room. It was a quaint little store. The shelves where covered with books, medicine, candy, cloth, tools, and other various items.

"Yes, he does. My father knows the Richards quite well. Would you like something?"

She turned her eyes back to Craig, "No, but if I do, I'll be sure to ask."

"Craig, if you don't mind delivering those things my father wanted. He wasn't able to come get it today." Paula interjected.

"If you stop by on your way home, I'll be more than happy to give you a ride and drop your father's things off." He told Paula.

"Certainly."

"Great, then I'll see you later. A pleasure meeting you, Juliette." he left the two ladies to go help a customer. Paula led Juliette out of the store and down the street.

"Boy, is he in love with you!" Juliette exclaimed.

"Oh, nonsense! He is not." Paula defended herself, but the truth was, Craig MacKenzie was in love with her. Ever since childhood.

"Didn't you see the way his eyes followed you with every move you made? The way he listened whenever you talked?"

"I suppose."

"He's the one you like, isn't he!" Juliette clapped her hands, as if figuring out the greatest mystery.

"He is certainly not!" she looked wide-eyed at Juliette.

"Yes, I can see it in your eyes. Oh, I can't wait to tell Mrs. Richards!"

"Juliette, you mustn't! Please, I'd be terribly embarrassed."

"So, then I was right!"

"No, I didn't say that! I am not in love with him!"

Not wanting to get Paula upset, Juliette stayed quiet, but her smile remained on her face.

Later that night, the moon up above, Craig helped Paula onto his carriage.

She had waited a few moments for him to close up the store and load the supplies for her father.

"So sorry to keep you waiting." He apologized.

"Oh, I don't mind. I really do appreciate this, Craig." she told him as the carriage lurched into motion.

"I'm always willing to do a favor for a good friend. You do know you’re my best friend?”

"Oh, of course!" she laughed. On the way home, Paula thought about what Juliette had said. Was she really in love with Craig? He was a simple looking young man, short and muscular, with caring green eyes and short brown hair.

But, to Paula, there was more to a man then looks. Craig had depth. His love for God, his family and life shown in his eyes. His gentle smile was contagious. He was a man with values, morals, a wonderful sense of humor, and he was a great listener too. All these qualities added up to make one special person. Whenever Paula needed someone to talk to, if her parents weren't available, Craig was always there. The longer she thought about it, the more she became convinced. She was in love with him.

"Thinking?" Craig interrupted her thoughts.

"Hmmm? Oh, yes...I mean, no." She thought quickly. He couldn’t possibly know.

"About what?"

"Nothing."

"You know, you can't fool me." and he was right. She was never able to keep things from him.

"It's not something I can discuss with you this time. It's a private matter."

"Oh." he suddenly stopped the horses and pulled over to the side, turning to face Paula.

"What are we stopping for?"

"Paula, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"What's that?"

"This is kind of hard for me, but I know I can trust you."

"Craig, would you please tell me?"

"I'm in love with someone, and I don't know how to tell her." he put it simply.

"And who might this someone be?" she took her gaze away from his and looked at the ground, a smile playing on her face.

"Well...Miranda Grace."

Paula turned her head quickly towards him, her face no longer smiling.

"Paula, I don't understand. You're my best friend! All I wanted was your advice." he started up the wagon, keeping up with Paula's fast pace.

"Well, you're certainly not getting any from me!" she began to walk faster.

"Please, I need your help."

She stopped short in her tracks. When she finally turned to face him, tears pooled in her eyes.

"You want some advice? Well, here goes...If you truly love a girl, tell her, and if not, then don't make her think you do!" she turned around quickly, running into the woods.

"Paula, wait!" he got off his wagon and followed her. He finally found her sitting on a log by the brook, her head in her hands, sobbing.

He took a seat next to her and held her in his arms.

"I don't understand. Did I say something wrong?"

"Just leave me alone!" she cried, but didn't move from his arms. They felt so good around her.

"Paula, please tell me what I did wrong!"

"I can't!" She stood up and went to stand closer to the water. Craig remained seated, watching as the moon reflected off her tear-stained face and hair, almost giving her an angelic look. It suddenly hit him like a blow in the stomach. Paula was in love with him and he had gone off blabbering about some other woman.

"Oh, Paula, I didn't know."

"Know what?" she said angrily, staring at the water as it moved smoothly over the rocks.

"That you were in love with me."

"Please, that's not what's wrong."

"I can see it in your eyes."

She turned to face him, "Then how come you didn't see it two minutes ago." no longer caring that she admitted it.

"I was too blind."

"Yes, you were. I didn't realize I loved you until Juliette pointed it out to me. That's when I thought long and hard about it. Every time I needed someone to talk to, I'd come to you. Every time...it was always you...and now, since you love someone else, you'll no longer be there for me, and...that's what hurts." She turned away again

"I'll always be there for you."

"How?"

He stood up and went to her side.

"No matter what happens, you can always come to me."

"No, it wouldn't look right."

"What? A friend helping a friend."

"Craig, don't you get it? It won't ever be the same between us."

"We'll always be friends. That will never change."

"Oh, I don't know what to think any more." she began to cry again and Craig took her in his arms.

"What am I doing!" she pushed herself away, "I'm being so selfish." she looked Craig straight in the eye, "If you love Miranda, you need to tell her, and right away. Don't waste another minute!" Craig, confused, shook his head yes.

"Paula are you okay?"

"Craig, if I truly loved you, I would give you up."

"I don't get it."

"Don't try to, just trust me. I love you enough to let you go. Now, we better go home, or my parents are going to have search parties looking for me."

Confused, but willing, Craig followed her back to the wagon, then dropped her off at home, along with her father's supplies.

"So long, Craig. I pray everything works out for you."

"Same here. You're an incredible woman, Paula. Even though I love Miranda, I envy the man who gets you."

"Goodnight, Craig." then she disappeared into the house.

"Paula, you seem rather quiet today." Mrs. Richards told her. She watched as Paula walked around with a sullen look on her face, responding to Mrs. Richards questions with a nod of her head. Now, they both sat in the living room on the floral couch, tea and cookies laying idly on the table.

"I guess I'm just tired, that's all."

"Is there something wrong?"

Paula looked at the sincere look on the woman's face. She had talked it over with her own mother the other night and, of course, had felt much better. But the next day, when she spotted Craig on her way to the mansion, all of her feelings flooded back.

"What if you were so in love with someone, but you didn't realize it until....it was too late?"

"What happened?”

Paula related her story and again felt the burden lift.

“I sometimes wonder if there's anyone else out there for me. I'm praying about it."

"That's very good. I'm sure God has someone for you...someone who will treat you the way you ought to be."

Just then, in walked Phillip. Paula rose quickly from the couch.

"I just came in to remind you about the ball that we're having next week for our wedding engagement, mother."

"Oh, yes. Paula, I'd love for you to join us." Mrs. Richards told her.

"Me?" she was shocked.

"Why, of course."

"But...but I don't even have a dress...and besides, I'm merely a servant."

"Nonsense, you're my friend."

"Juliette asked for you to come also. She enjoyed spending time with you." Phillip added.

"Well, I..."

"I'll loan you a dress." Mrs. Richards interjected.

"Please, we'd be honored." Phillip told her.

Paula stared into Phillip's eyes, then responded, "I guess there's nothing stopping me then."

"Splendid! I'm so happy." Mrs. Richards exclaimed, not taking notice of the look exchanged between servant and son.

If Juliette hadn't walked in just then, no one would have ever guessed jow long Paula and Phillip would have stared at each other. Their gaze broke, they turned to look at her. She looked breathtaking in a pink gown.

Her hair was all done up and her face looked radiant. Phillip walked over, took her hands, and kissed them.

"You look beautiful, as usual." He told her, bringing a slight blush to her cheeks.

She then turned to Paula, "You will come to my party, won't you?"

"Of course. Phillip's mother is kind enough to let me borrow one of her dresses."

"Wonderful."

"When is it again?"

“Next Tuesday.”

Next Tuesday came too quickly for Paula. Beautifully dressed in navy silk with white lace accents, and her hair piled up in a bun, with beautiful curls hanging down, it did little to disguise her nerves. It was around 8 when Paula arrived. The room was lavishly decorated to fit the occasion. Paula had never seen such extravagance. It was exquisite, and she was part of it!

Phillip and Juliette were dancing when she walked into the room. When he saw her, Phillip stopped short, causing Juliette to bump into him.

"Phillip, why did you stop?"

He put his attention back on his fiancé, "No reason, I just...my foot seemed to have cramped up a bit, that's all."

"Oh, look, there's Paula. She looks lovely. I'm sure she's bound to catch an eye or two, don't you think so, Phillip?"

"Yes, I'm sure." his eyes went back and found Paula standing awkwardly by the punch bowl. She did look beautiful.

"Let's go say hello. She looks out of place." Juliette suggested. She took Phillip's hand and led him to Paula.

"Oh, it's so nice to see a familiar face." Paula exclaimed, not looking at Phillip. She knew if she did, she'd stare again, and it was becoming a bad habit. She did get enough of a look to notice how handsome he looked in his dark suit and slicked back hair.

"No one's asked you to dance?"

"Oh, no. I just arrived. Besides, I wouldn't know what to say if they did." then her eyes suddenly turned to Phillip.

"Alexander, dance with my friend Paula." Juliette suggested to one of the guests that was standing nearby.

"It would be my pleasure", Alex's charming smile only took Paula's eyes away from Phillip for the moment, but she soon found herself staring so intently at Phillip as he talked with Juliette, that she didn't feel the tap on her shoulder.

"Paula, I believe this fellow would like to dance with you." Alex interrupted her thoughts.

"Me? Oh, I couldn't possibly." she talked to herself, "Oh, this thing? I believe it looks better on your mother...I'd love to dance." she held out her hand to the air and waltzed around the porch. So engrossed with her thoughts, then when she turned around, she almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Phillip standing there.

"May I?" he came closer and held out his hand, but Paula backed off.

"How long were you standing there?" her throat suddenly felt dry.

"Not long, but long enough to know you're a very good dancer."

She blushed, but didn't remove her gaze.

"May I?" he asked again. The music started up once more, and Paula gave in. When he wrapped his arms around her, her heart raced. Phillip, on the other hand, was thinking how nicely she fit in his arms.

"Where did you learn to dance?" he asked.

"My father."

"He must be very good, then."

"Oh, yes." was all she could choke out.

"Juliette tells me that you and Craig MacKenzie are very good friends. My family knows his father well."

She stopped dancing and stared wide-eyed at him.

"Did I say something wrong?" he said, not removing his hand from hers.

"No, it's just that...Craig loves someone else...Juliette thought...it was just...." she sighed, not wanting to remember.

"I'm sorry to hear that. He must have been crazy to give you up."

"What was that?"

"Well, glad to see you two are having a good time out here." they were interrupted when Juliette came towards them.

"Juliette, I was just dancing with Paula. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." she smiled.

"Good, well if you two ladies will excuse me, I promised my mother a dance." and off he went. Paula watched him leave, her heart crumbling as he disappeared.

Juliette took note of the look. She noticed it every time Phillip was in the room.