Hassie was getting on in years and probably should’ve retired long ago. Together with Carrie’s two younger brothers, he’d opened a hardware store.įor as long as she could remember, Knight’s Pharmacy had been the very heart of this town. Unable to make a living farming the land that had supported them for three generations, her father had leased the acreage to his older sons and moved into town. The Hendrickson farm, like many others, had fallen victim to low crop prices. The town was a success story in an area where there’d been few. The people of Buffalo Valley knew she would keep their problems to herself. Alec’s infidelity had reinforced the importance of trust and honor for Carrie. Already they approached her with their troubles and concerns as naturally as they did Hassie. When it came time for the older woman to retire, Carrie would be willing and able to assume her role in the pharmacy and in the town. Meanwhile, working side by side with Hassie, Carrie had learned a great deal. Well, it would happen eventually she’d just have to wait. She felt deeply grateful for their generosity but she was twenty-seven years old and longed for more independence and a home of her own. The last few years had been bleak financially, but the reward would be worth all the sacrifices.Īfter her divorce, she’d moved back in with her parents. Now she was about to finish her internship with Knight’s Pharmacy and achieve her Pharm.D and become a Doctor of Pharmacy. Carrie had taken her advice nearly six years ago she’d enrolled at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Hassie was the person who’d suggested she return to college. Hassie had shared the grief of her own losses and helped Carrie deal with Alec’s betrayal in ways her own mother never could. Many an afternoon they’d spent talking, reminiscing, sitting quietly together. She’d guided her through the fog of her pain and encouraged her to look toward the future. Following Carrie’s divorce, Hassie had given her sympathy-and good, brisk, commonsense advice. Hassie would be ecstatic about finally meeting their son.Ĭarrie loved Hassie Knight, who was her mentor and her friend. Apparently they planned to do that sometime in the new year. A few months ago, Hassie had heard that the Kyles had retired in Grand Forks and she’d mailed off a note, inviting them to visit Buffalo Valley. Working closely with Hassie as an intern pharmacist, Carrie Hendrickson was keenly aware of how eager the older woman was to meet her son’s namesake.
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Not that Natalie had anything to worry about, he told himself staunchly. With her looking up at him that way, smiling and appreciative, Vaughn couldn’t help noticing that Carrie Hendrickson was a very attractive woman. “I’d consider it a pleasure,” she said, and smiled. He’d learn everything Natalie wanted to know and more. “Please,” she said, “it would mean the world to Hassie, and I’d be delighted to give you a tour of town.” He’d been vaguely uncomfortable about questioning Hassie, anyway. He might get all the information he needed from Carrie then he could meet Hassie on strictly social terms. “Listen,” she said, “I’ll phone Leta Betts and ask if she can fill in for me for a couple of hours.” Hassie would feel terrible if she learned you’d left without meeting her.” She hesitated, obviously thinking.
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Three hours was far longer than he wanted to stick around. “I should have phoned beforehand,” he muttered. “If Hassie had known you were coming, I don’t think anything could’ve kept her away.” He didn’t intend to make an entire day of this. “What time did you say Hassie would be back?” Vaughn nodded, disappointed that he’d missed meeting the older woman. “Hassie told me it was one of the greatest honors of her life that your parents chose to remember her son through you.” Vaughn had heard about Vaughn Knight from his own parents of course, since they’d both been close to Hassie’s son.Ĭarrie sipped her coffee. It’s been her mission to make sure he isn’t forgotten.” But from the time I was small, Hassie told my brothers and me about Vaughn. “You knew Vaughn Knight?” The blonde seemed far too young to have known Hassie’s son. We lost Harvey Schmidt in the Korean War and five men in World War II, but none of their families live in the area anymore.” The only one most of us actually remember is Hassie’s son. “Hassie told you about the War Memorial, didn’t she? We’re all proud of that.” Not waiting for a response, she continued, “The town built the Memorial three years ago, and it honors everyone from Buffalo Valley who died in war. Carrie reached across the counter and grabbed a second mug for herself.