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“What kind of Chinese food do you like? Anything in particular?” He began to relax, some tension draining from his shoulders. At least she didn’t seem to have any arguments about Chinese food.

“The sweet and sour chicken is my favorite. Fried or white rice is fine. And a vegetable egg roll or spring roll would be nice, but I’ll take a chicken egg roll if they don’t have a veggie egg roll. I’m not big on pork.”

He could remember that much. “Got it. Is seven good?” He’d learned that a little later in the evening was best for her. “I can pick you up in the limo, like usual. We’ll eat at the lodge, so we’ll have more time to tour the facility, eat our dinner, then make the banner and do the photo wall.”

She nodded. “Seven on Friday evening is great. I don’t have any upcoming weddings on Saturday, so if you have no events at the lodge between now and May fifteenth, we can accomplish a lot in advance. Maybe I’ll bring the dishes and tablecloths.”

“Fine with me. We don’t have any events booked between now and then.” He took another bite of his burger, noting she’d begun to relax.

“There’s just one more important detail.”

Maybe they weren’t done after all. He angled toward her, leaning forward as he held his burger in mid-air again.

“We need to explain our plan to the youth group next Wednesday evening at seven. It’s when they usually meet. Without them on board, we don’t have a chance of success.” She picked up another fry from her plate.

“Will that be difficult to get them to agree? Won’t they have ten different opinions?”

“Not if they want our help.” She bit off half of her fry.

“It’s also why we have ironed out most of the details ahead of meeting with them.

It cuts down on a lot of the flack and debating about this, that, and the other.

The important thing is that we present the idea, offer to tend to these things they don’t have the time or resources to handle, and get them involved with the idea of being willing to auction off their labor to folks in the community.

In other words, we need them to attend the event and come with willing hearts and hands. ”

He nodded and bit into his burger. When he finished chewing, he added, “Sounds easier said than done.”

“No worries. I’ll explain everything. You can stand beside me for reinforcement. I’ll mention it to Sam so she can introduce us,” she offered.

Sounded easy enough. “Good plan. The youth group doesn’t know me that well yet. They’ll respect what you have to say, and I’ll support you.”

Phew! Had he survived their second meeting? She likely had decided he was argumentative, but in the end, he had agreed to everything she suggested once he understood her reasoning.

What could they talk about now? She didn’t appear too pleased with him.

Maybe they should finish their burgers in peace.

By then, he’d think of something to chat about with Miss Hensley Fitzwilliam.

She took another bite of her burger. He was glad to see her eating.

The door jingled, and more folks entered the diner.

Hensley turned white as a ghost when she glanced up at the door and the burger in her hands dropped to her plate. The remaining lettuce leaf and tomato slice slid out, but she didn’t seem to care.

“What’s wrong?” He kept his voice low. Then he glanced over his shoulder, spotting a group of three men near the door.

“Unfortunately, it’s my ex-boyfriend, Jake,” she whispered before breathing in deeply and staring down at her plate.

“The last man on earth I’d prefer to see.

We dated three years. Everyone thought we’d marry, but we broke up when he took a fancy job at a big law firm in Louisville, Kentucky.

He’s on staff as one of their real estate attorneys. Haven’t seen him in ages.”

But “Jake” soon observed her and sauntered over to say hello. “Hey, Hensley! How’s it going?” Jake adjusted his tie, giving her a wide smile.

“Jake, how nice to see you again.” Hensley forced a smile, but she stiffened even though he leaned down to hug her.

She patted him on the back once or twice as he hugged her, but Blake could tell she was uncomfortable.

As the fellow rose from the hug, she added, “Goodness, I haven’t seen you around in forever. Maybe the Christmas before last?”

The tall man wearing a long double-breasted coat nodded, tucking a pair of leather gloves in his coat pocket. It was chilly and rainy outside. Glancing at Blake, he extended his hand. “Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. Jake Parker.”

“Jake, this is Blake Sterling.” Hensley gestured toward Blake, seated directly across from her.

“New boyfriend?” Jake’s brows arched toward Hensley for confirmation as Blake shook his hand.

“Yep, new boyfriend. That’s me,” Blake heard himself choke out as he tightened his grip on the handshake. Couldn’t have the fellow thinking Hensley was still single. But why had he stepped up like that? It was unlike him to fib about anything. “Nice to meet you.”

Jake, still arching his brow, glanced at Hensley and then back at Blake when she didn’t nod or flinch. Blake reached across the table to cover Hensley’s hand with his. They had to play the part now that he’d gotten himself into this mess. He glanced at Hensley to see if she’d protest.

Hensley nodded ever so slightly, a nervous laugh escaping her throat. She didn’t pull her hand away when his hand covered hers.

She recovered, glancing up at Jake while Blake kept his hand over hers. “Are you in town for long?”

“I’ve moved back to the area since I’ll be heading up a branch here.

Well, not exactly here. Closer to Gatlinburg, but it’s only a short drive away.

My law firm is expanding into Tennessee.

” Jake glanced over at his friends who’d settled into a different table as a waitress approached them.

“Looks like it’s time for me to order, but take care. I’m sure I’ll see you both around.”

Hensley nodded, but Blake turned to stare after Jake Parker as he left to join his friends.

She released a long sigh as if she’d been holding her breath and gazed at him with a mix of gratitude and relief in her eyes. “Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that.”

“No, I wanted to. Not sure why. I guess something about him irked me.” He stole another glance over his shoulder at her former boyfriend and then turned back to Hensley.

“When you finish eating, how about a ride in the limo to the craft store? We can shop for whatever you think is needed to complement those centerpieces. Maybe we’ll find those jars and the twine, burlap, and lace you mentioned. ”

She nodded. “That would be nice.”

Somewhat content with his actions and also befuddled by them, Blake hardly understood what he’d just done.

Was it Jake’s impeccable dress and demeanor?

Maybe the fact he’d dated Hensley for three years of her life and yet hadn’t married her?

Why did her ex-boyfriend seem to bring out an urge to protect her?

Was it jealousy pangs that twinged? He should have worn a suit like Jake instead of the red and black plaid lumberjack shirt and jeans he sported.

Sure, Hensley was overdressed, but he’d begun to grow accustomed to her doing that no matter where they went.

Instead, he’d dressed down in flannel to ward off the chilly spring weather.

It seemed more appropriate since he spent most of his time communicating with his construction crew.

Whenever he glanced over his shoulder, he caught Jake staring at Hensley.

Why did it leave him with the impression the fella would make a move to reunite with her soon? Maybe he should consider stepping up his game, that is, if he was going to listen to Bing’s advice, and maybe what his heart might be telling him.