“Things have been stressful with Doug and all the changes at the library. I’d honestly rather stay home and unwind. I’ve got a new book by one of my favorite authors—”

“You can read over the weekend. You don’t need to spend your Friday night in bed!”

“Why not?” Taylor exclaimed, as they darted across the parking lot. “We both know I’m not a ball kind of girl. I’m a librarian. And boring as mud. Trust me, you’ll have more fun without me.”

Jane raced next to Taylor, teeth chattering again. “You’re only boring because you don’t go out and do anything!”

“I like being home. I like reading.”

Jane shuddered as the freezing wind whipped past. “You’re too young to become a hermit.”

Taylor peeled a long strand of hair from her lashes and tugged her knit cap lower on her head. “I’m not a hermit. I’m just an introvert, which means I like people, but I don’t find parties exciting. They tire me out—.”

“You sound like an old lady!” Jane interrupted, giggling. “But you’re young and beautiful and this is a once in a lifetime event. A historic event to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Marietta’s 1914 Great Wedding Giveaway—” she broke off and glanced up at the sky as the first slow, lazy snowflakes drifted down. “It’s starting to snow.”

“We’ll get you to the airport,” Taylor said. “You’ll make it.”

Jane dragged her bag across an icy patch. “So when does it warm up?”

“May? June?”

“No!”

“Don’t think about it,” Taylor said, as they arrived at her car and she clicked the unlock button on her key ring. “It’ll just make it worse.”

Inside the car, as Taylor turned the engine on, Jane held her hands to one of the vents, waiting for the heat to kick in. “You have to come, Taylor. It’s the party of the century. Everyone’s going to be there—.” she broke off, frowned, hesitated. “Okay, from the sluggish ticket sales, we know not everyone will be at the Graff Hotel Friday night, but most of Crawford County’s movers and shakers will. It’s going to be beautiful. Don’t you want to see the ballroom decorated?”

“I do. That’s why I’ve volunteered to help Risa deliver the flowers Friday. But that’s enough for me. I love to read about balls in my Regency romances, but there’s nothing in me begging to go to a ball. Besides, even if I went, what would I wear?”

“That’s easy.