Helping a stranger turns into far more than Merry ever envisaged it would. Ma's Kitchen has been Merry Jensen's life for as long as she can remember. The last thing she wants is a man in her life. What she does need is help in Dewberry Lane's busy diner to make her life easier. Phillip Dalton is exhausted from traveling, and is found sleeping in the diner when he should be on the way to his new job in another town. As a result, he misses the weekly stagecoach and is stuck with little money to spare. To help him out, Merry offers Phil a temporary position until it's time to leave. It could turn out to be the biggest regret of her life. Eagle-eyed Mrs. Grayson is on the case, and she ferrets out the true extent of the stranger's skills. The Dewberry matchmaker has other plans for the pair as well. How will Merry react when she discovers the truth? And will the town matchmaker get her way, or is Merry doomed to a life of loneliness? Author's Promise: This is a heartwarming historical Christmas novella with a happy ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is a clean and wholesome story with nothing more than hugs, kisses, and holding hands.