As far as everyone in town could tell, Heather saw him as a brother figure, and he felt she did so as well. He had no reason to think otherwise. 

        The only problem was his love for her had grown fonder over the years. He had no idea much longer he could keep his feelings for her to himself. 

     The blizzard continues as if to make a mockery of him yet. He sits in the chair beside the sofa since his coffee is long gone by now. He sighs as he watches Heather sleep. Without a word, he went to his room, packed his things and left. He walked to the guest house, hung his coat up on the coat rack by the door, and he locks the door.   He unpacks his few belongings, lays down on the bed and begins to read his latest journal entry.

    He continues to lay on the bed, closes his eyes, and soon falls asleep. In his dream, Heather hugs him.

     Meanwhile, Heather awakens, sees the fire in the fireplace and smiles. She goes to the kitchen. She fixes herself a bowl of chicken soup and crackers for lunch. She eats it. She thinks it strange he did not join her for the meal. She looks around for him, but he is not there.

   Heather thinks, where did he go?  She thinks, it is strange he left no note for her. She looks outside and sees the prints from his snow boots in the snow. She shrugs her shoulders and sits down in the rocking chair in the corner of the living room.

   She stitches a new pillowcase as the snow continues to fall hard. A few hours later, she finishes the pillowcase which she stores inside the trunk in her room. 

    The blizzard continues for a whole week!   Heather notices he comes back every day to the farm to milk the cows, and collect the chicken eggs for her. She sees the pain in his eyes and wonders what could have put it there.