Page 15 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Yep. But I had to settle for a show starring you instead.It was an okay trade, I guess. I enjoy seeing you on stage. On the negativeside, I didn’t really learn anything about you I didn’t already know.” Henarrowed his eyes, looking at Christopher closely. “Except that you look prettygood in eyeliner.”

Christopher lifted a hand to rub at his eye. “I should washthis off.”

“Or not,” Jesse shrugged and stood, tossing his popcorn baginto a nearby garbage. “So what do you have to do now? Another show? Or…”

He realized they were nearly exactly the same height, andtried to concentrate as he stared into Jesse’s warm eyes. “I’m through for thenight. Usually, I’d wash my face and go home. But…” Christopher noticed theflicker of doubt in Jesse’s eye.

He wasn’t sure if it was worry that maybe Christopher wasn’tas interested as Jesse had thought, or fear that Christopher had misjudged hisintentions altogether, putting a romantic spin on a friendly gesture.

Christopher took the plunge anyway. “I’m kind of hungry. Idon’t suppose you’re up for more park food? I eat for free. Which means youcould eat free too, if we play our cards right.”

Jesse stuck his hands into his jacket pockets and noddeddecisively. “I’m in.”

Up the Crickwas usually theeasiest place to get food once the shows for the night were over. It was nearthe rear of the park, and most of the patrons had started drifting toward thefront exit. It was also Christopher’s favorite because it served actualmeals—baked beans, cornbread, turkey, and down-home mashed potatoes with the skinmixed in—instead of hamburgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken nuggets.

“Hey, Darla!” Christopher called out, guiding Jesse over tothe trays. “Line still open?” Darla had been working at Up the Crick for years,and she had never once closed shop early, no matter how empty. The question wasmostly a courtesy, and a gesture of appreciation.

“Yep! You getting the usual?” she asked starting to ring itup and put in her code for the free employee meal.

“Well, I thought I’d get a little more this time,” Christophersaid, waving his hand at Jesse.

Darla bit her lip, gave Jesse a long up and down, andnodded. “Fine. He gives enough money to the park anyway. One free meal is ajust reward.”

Christopher looked at Jesse in surprise as they startedfilling their plates under Darla’s supervision. “Seriously, you come here oftenenough that Darla recognizes you? You really do make good use of your seasonpass.”

“Nah,” Darla said. “He comes regular, but that’s not how Iknow ‘im.” Jesse was smiling at Darla with a wide grin, and Darla talked on, “I’veknown Jesse since he was an ankle biter. My twin sister used to babysit him.Remember that, Jesse? Back in the day?”

“Sure do,” Jesse said, scooping sweet potato onto the plateon his tray. “Marla was my favorite babysitter ever. Gave us candy for dinner.”

“Your daddy paid her good, and she liked sittin’ for you andyour sis. How’s Amanda doin’ anyway?”

“She’s great. Happy, healthy, and all that jazz.”

Christopher stopped him. “Wait—Amanda from your studio. She’syour sister?”

“For the last twenty-seven years,” Jesse grinned. “I hadfive years to myself before she showed up.”

“Oh.” Christopher thought about the photo he’d seen in Jesse’soffice.Not his sister, then.“Why didn’t she justsay so the other day?”

Jesse shrugged. “She probably thought you knew. Everyoneknows everyone around here. It’s not anything we try to hide.”

“But people ‘round here know you a bit better than most, don’tthey, Jesse?” Darla smirked.

Christopher wasn’t sure if it was a nice smirk or a mean one.He glanced at Jesse, but he didn’t look uncomfortable.

“I guess that’s probably right,” Jesse said.

Christopher set about filling his plate with his usualchoices, while Jesse added turkey, sweet potato casserole, and lemon meringuepie to his tray.

Darla rang them up, typed in the code, and went back tocleaning the place, but not before she grabbed Christopher’s sleeve andwhispered, “Catch of the century. No joke. But watch out. Damage follows him ‘round.”

Christopher wasn’t sure what to make of that mix ofencouragement and warning. Darla had never struck him as especiallyhomo-friendly, so he wasn’t surprised she was acting a little odd to see himwith another guy, on what might look like a date.

A date.

Christopher suddenly wondered if they were on one. It wouldbe helpful if he knew for sure whether or not Jesse even batted for his team.Darla’s comment seemed to weigh down on the side of yes, and there was also thefact that Jesse had referred to Christopher’s earlier cancellation as “being stoodup,” and the flirtatious looks he’d sent Christopher’s way.Andhe’d called him cute—hadn’t he? Or close enough.

Still, there was the photo he’d seen in Jesse’s office. Hecouldn’t forget about it. The kids had looked enough like Jesse—the same noseon one, the same face shape on the other—to be worrisome. He wondered if therewas a casual way to ask about it.Hey, so, you got anykids? More importantly, what about a wife?