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“I must admit, Dogwood Creek is full of charm and appeal. I look forward to visiting the candle shop, the gift stores, and the boutiques. The mountains and wooded areas are a breath of fresh air ... a lovely change of pace from the city,” Caroline gushed.

Then she leaned toward Blake, pouring on a sugary sweet tone.

“Your idea to build a log cabin resort here with my brother as your vice president is brilliant. People from the city will flock here. But then, everything you do succeeds, Blake.”

He shrugged as he sliced into his ham. “I’ve always felt more at home in Tennessee than in the big city. The pace is more relaxed and it’s less crowded. A man can breathe here.”

“My thoughts too,” Father agreed with a nod.

But alarm bells were ringing in Hensley’s head.

Did Caroline have designs on Blake? If so, would he succumb to the charms of a familiar and pretty face?

Did they have a dating history? Maybe it was finally time to ask more about his past girlfriends.

He did not seem as if he had an attraction to Caroline, but she couldn’t be sure without asking him outright.

After the meal, Hensley was glad when Grandmother invited Caroline upstairs for that tour.

Grandmother Lonsdale knew exactly what to do to salvage time for Hensley to be alone with Blake and spare Jen for time with Bing.

With that handled, Father invited Wickham to join him in the family room to watch television, probably because he’d observed Lula’s attraction to the young man and had concerns about her judgment.

Bing and Jen excused themselves so Jen could take him on a stroll through the brick garden paths behind the house.

While her younger sisters helped Mother with washing dishes, Hensley led Blake to the front porch.

It seemed like the safest place to escape household commotion.

On the porch swing, they could take in the mountain views in the distance and the signs of spring in the shrub and flower beds.

The mountains seemed to stand proud and tall over Dogwood Creek that Easter afternoon, reminding her of the Lord’s strong arm of protection, despite those who might invade.

Arms that she planned to lean on in the days to come.

Would Blake also become a tower of strength and a place of refuge, or would they be easily torn apart?

And just when they’d begun to get to know each other.

BLAKE PUT HIS ARM AROUND Hensley’s shoulders when they settled into the porch swing. He could get used to lazy Sundays and homecooked meals. If Hensley could cook like her mom, it meant hours of enjoyment ahead of them. And if not, she had plenty of family to call for recipe advice.

Hensley turned toward him. “I know you went along with the painting canvas portrait idea just for me, but I’ve been meaning to ask, what do you like doing in your spare time besides hiking, Blake Sterling?”

Was she teasing him a little, using his surname? Her tone was playful too. It sure seemed that way, but he didn’t mind. “Oh, I like to do many things. Fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, watching old westerns or football. I also like archery, reading books, and swimming. And you?”

“Like you, I enjoy many things. Reading is high on my list, sketching, taking walks, horseback riding, touring historical homes, dancing, canoeing, hiking, and bicycling. But we have something else in common.” She glanced at him.

“We are both second-born children who lived in the shadows of our older siblings. And we both overcame that, forging new paths.”

Blake tilted his head to one side. “You’re right. I guess we have both forged new paths. Does your family have horses here?”

She nodded. “We have two. Want to go riding sometime?”

“I’d like that. Our horses arrive on Monday. And I’m enjoying this peaceful view from your front porch. I sure don’t mind porch sitting. We didn’t have that in Manhattan.”

Did she have any idea how much he valued easy moments like this?

It seemed they could only be found on Sundays or some evenings after a long day.

It’s why one of his first purchases in Dogwood Creek had been a couple of rocking chairs for the front porch at his cabin.

And for a second, he could see himself growing old with Hensley, rocking in those chairs, holding each other’s hands.

He’d ordered more for the balconies and decking around the main lodge too.

“Have you called your father and siblings today to wish them Happy Easter?” Hensley asked as the swing creaked.

“Not yet, but I will later tonight when I’m home.

” Those calls might take him some time. “It’s probably going to be hard for us to go out on any dates this week.

With Caroline in town and more construction and landscaping going on, I will be wiped out at the end of each day.

But I do have some good news. Folks are already dropping off items for the auction and signing up to bring chili. ”

“That is great news. I knew they would.” Hensley smiled, but she shifted in the swing and her smile faded. “I love to sit out here and read sometimes. It’s so peaceful.”

“It is.” He could not disagree with that, and when found, peace was to be cherished.

It was a gift from the Lord. And few found it, but today, they seemed to have found some measure of it.

Except Hensley seemed tense now, stiffening despite his arm around her.

Only he wasn’t sure why. Women were hard to understand. Should he ask what was on her mind ?

“I’m curious. Caroline seems close to you. Did the two of you used to date?”

Ah! He chuckled, shaking his head. He wouldn’t have to ask what was on her mind. So, the tension was about Caroline. Why did that not surprise him any? Caroline was ... Caroline. She could be kind of a pain. A little on the snobbish side.

But he couldn’t say that exactly, could he?

He could assure Hensley that he had never dated her before.

And it was time to tell her about Elise.

He’d been engaged to her for a couple of years, after all.

She’d broken his heart, and it had taken him some time to recover.

Wyoming had done most of that for him. It was time to at least mention that he’d once been engaged.

He glanced at his watch. “Well, I make it a rule not to talk about the past too much. I tend to get bogged down by it. But I’ll give you the five-minute rendition.

I’ve never dated Caroline and don’t plan to.

She’s my friend’s bossy kid sister. I was once engaged to marry a girl named Elise, about two years ago.

That is, until she graduated from college, took a job as an elementary teacher, and promptly cheated on me with some head honcho on the board of education.

Before Elise, there were a couple of girls I dated over the years, but the only one that stood out was Sarah, back in high school.

Except she moved away when her father was transferred.

People’s careers seem to find a way of interfering in my love life.

And that’s it. My whole love life history in a nutshell. Has it been five minutes?”

“I’m sorry about what happened to you with Elise and Sarah, but I’m glad to hear you didn’t date Caroline.

” Hensley leaned to one side, resting an elbow on the arm of the swing.

She released a sigh. “I guess now is a good time to give you my history in five minutes. It’ll probably take less than that.

You met Jake. And before him, there was a Marine named Michael who ended up deployed.

He married a nurse, also deployed. And there was a boy in my teens from our homeschool co-op, Nathan.

He moved away to go to college, and I never heard from him again.

I’ve had a few other dates over the years.

Nothing else. And I’m saving myself for marriage. ”

Blake regretted that he’d made some mistakes on that count, but he was saving himself for marriage now.

He’d repented and turned himself around to be pleasing to the Lord.

He nodded and reaching over, squeezed her hand gently.

Then he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, gently.

Hensley was someone special. He shouldn’t rush things with her.

He had to be sure. His heart couldn’t take another loss.