Page 8 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Thanks, Amanda. You’ve been great. Incredibly helpful.”

Amusement dimpled her cheeks. “Thank you, Christopher. I’mhappy to have been of service.”

Jesse sat again and motioned at the straight-backed woodenchair opposite his desk. “Please, have a seat. Make yourself comfortable. HasAmanda offered you anything to drink?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

Jesse smiled and nodded, riffling through some notes asChristopher dropped into the proffered chair. Christopher saw his own name atthe top of the first page, and recognized a few of the looping, upside downwords as part of the message he’d left on the studio’s voicemail over theweekend.

He zeroed in on Jesse’s left hand.No weddingband.Christopher glanced around the room quickly and spotted a photo oftwo kids that looked a heck of a lot like Jesse with their arms around a womanwith long, straight blond hair and dark brown eyes. Damn.

“It’s really great to meet you,” Jesse said as Amanda closedthe door discreetly behind her. He looked up from the notes and smiled warmly. “Iwas pretty excited to see your name on the schedule. I’ve been a fan for awhile.”

“I’m sorry?” Christopher stared at Jesse’s eyes. They hadgold flecks close to the pupil. “I think you have me mixed up with someoneelse?”

“You perform at Smoky Mountain Dreams, right? I’ve seen youplenty of times.”

“Really?” Christopher knew hesounded unprofessional and that he should at least attempt to act blasé insteadof outright skeptical, but he couldn’t help himself. No one had ever saidsomething like that.

Jesse shrugged. “Of course.Summertimein the Holl’erlast summer andChristmas Joylast winter, right?”

“Oh wow. That’s cool. I don’t know what to say.” He chuckledand pushed hair out of his eyes.

“I think I saw you for the first time two years ago. Yousang that solo on ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ and I thought you were prettygreat. I looked your name up in the program and everything.” Jesse tilted hishead. “Come on, don’t be modest. Surely you have a lot of fans.”

“No, not really.” Christopher didn’t know where to look,rubbing his palms on his jeans, and grinning helplessly. “I’m pretty happy withthe various perks of my job, but honestly, fans aren’t something I reallyattract. Are you sure you’re not thinking of Lash?”

Jesse’s face contorted into a frustratingly cute expressionof sheer perplexity. “You are nothing like Lash Hinkins. Do you really think I’dhave you two mixed up?”

Christopher felt his neck grow hotter. His flush hadn’t yetdied from the spark of attraction he’d felt when he first walked in, and now itwas back in full force. “I guess not. I’m just surprised. But thank you. Imean, that’s so nice of you to say. Really generous. And kind.”

“Nothing generous about it. I enjoy your voice a lot. It’sgot a tone and sincerity that I admire. Not to mention, you come alive onstage, and I like that too. I can tell you’re really happy to be up there. Youdon’t take it for granted.” Jesse hesitated and then said a little bashfully, “Youglow.”

“Glow?” Christopher couldn’t help but laugh. “Me? Ha! I’m…wow,well, I don’t know what to say.”

“I can see that.” Jesse’s mouth turned up at the edges. Heshook his head. “Let’s change directions now. I feel like an idiot, outingmyself as a fan. How about I get some dignity back and we talk jewelry for awhile?”

“No, no, you’re great! I’m the idiot who can’t take acompliment.”

“You’re right,” Jesse said. His dark eyes were soft andwarm. Christopher leaned in a little, drawn by their openness. “You can’t. Youshould really work on that. But in the meantime, I thought it was nice forsomeone to be self-deprecating in this age of selfies and relentless vanity.”

Christopher’s eyes strayed to the photo of the woman andkids.

“So,” Jesse went on, folding his hands on the table as hebent forward. “In your voicemail you mentioned this was a special piece youwanted done. For your grandmother, I believe?”

Christopher cleared his throat. “Yes. Though I have toadmit, after seeing your work, I’m a little embarrassed by the idea I had inmind. I’m afraid it’s a waste of your talent. It might not be worth your time.”

“Grandmothers are always worth my time. I love grandmothers.”Jesse laughed a little.

Christopher noticed Jesse’s fingers laced together prettily.He admired their length and form, and in a flash he wondered how they mightfeel on his body. And then his attention turned to the soft, beating pulse atthe base of Jesse’s throat, and he imagined whatitmightfeel like against his tongue.

Christopher Ryder, those thoughts areimpure, young man!

But Gran in his head was chortling as she scolded him.

“So tell me about the locket?” Jesse asked. “Do I need togive you the nervous bridegroom treatment?”

“The what?”