He winked, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “What can I say, woman, I’m addicted to your whoopie pies.”
“So itismy cooking you fell in love with.” For a moment, a vulnerable feeling she hadn’t realized she possessed opened inside her.
Hank’s face grew serious, and his eyes latched on to hers. “Sweetheart, I was only joking. I fell in love with the whole amazing package. I promise, your talent in the kitchen is just the sweet, sweet icing.”
Joy filled her like a hot air balloon, tickling her insides until she laughed aloud. She had almost forgotten the feeling.It swept her away on a tide of happiness, swallowing her insecurities in its wake.
“Do you have a sister?” Connor asked, bringing her back to earth with a start.
She smiled. “No, just a brother. Come with me, and I’ll introduce you. You’re about the same age. I think you’ll have a lot in common.”
Hank watchedwith pride as Bethany pulled Connor across the room to where Travis was chatting with a few of the other tenants. Now she was his once more, he wanted her all to himself. He started to follow, but someone grabbed his arm.Elizabeth.She must have been listening to their conversation.
“Hank, I want to apologize. I am truly sorry for meddling, as you call it. I never meant to hurt you or Bethany. I thought I was protecting you. And now I see I was wrong. And I hope I’ve shown it by making amends. She’s perfect for you. Can you forgive me?”
The well of happiness in his heart was much too large to hold a grudge. “Yes, Elizabeth, I can, if you promise never to interfere again in my personal life.”
“I won’t. I swear it. I’ve learned my lesson.” Elizabeth arched a brow. “Well, I may have one teeny-weeny suggestion.”
Hank laughed. “All right. I can see you’re dying to offer advice. Out with it.”
“Maybe you and Bethany ought to produce a healthy line of bakery items. Somehow, I don’t think whoopie pies quite fit your public image.”
He grinned. “That’s actually not a bad idea. I’ll talk to Bethany and see what she thinks.”
Elizabeth smirked and gestured toward the lady from Fresh & Easy. “Hank, let’s snap a photo with Francine, shall we?”
He paused long enough for the photo, knowing Elizabeth would be sure to post it to his Instagram that evening. He scanned the crowd for Bethany, spotted her, and moved forward, but he could hear Elizabeth talking to Francine above the din of the crowd.
“Despite the snafus, I’ve managed to turn this contest win into positive media coverage for your company,” she said. “I could be a real asset if you’re in need of a publicist?”
Hank shook his head and grinned. He had no doubt Elizabeth would turn the entire event to her advantage. He spotted Bethany talking to Sam and joined her.
“Well, hi there, Hank. I’m real happy for you,” Sam said. “I knew you were smitten with my girl the day you showed up in your overalls and hat to fix her dishwasher. I told Bethany then and there you were in love. She didn’t believe me, but you do now, don’t you, girl?”
“You were right, Sam.”
“When’s the wedding. Have you set a date?”
“It’s much too soon. We just got engaged,” Bethany said.
“As soon as we can make it happen,” Hank said, glad to see Bethany didn’t argue. If he had his way, they would be married within the month.
They spent the next hour traveling from group to group, with Bethany introducing him to any of the customers he hadn’t met. She called each one by name, their faces lighting up as she asked after their families. Then he ate a cupcake and drank a glass of milk when all he really wanted was to have her to himself.
But of course, it wasn’t until much later, when the goodbyes had been said and the well-wishers had departed and Louis had dropped them off at Hank’s grandfather’s house, which was now his own, that his wish came true.
She sniffed the air as he opened the front door. “Why do I smell paint?”
“Close your eyes. You’ll know soon enough.”
He led her into the dining room and had her stand in the middle of the floor, beneath the antique chandelier. “Keep your eyes closed now.”
Hank found the remote, dimmed the lights, and pressed play on the home stereo system. Then he took her into his arms as the first strains of “When You Wish Upon a Star” by Louis Armstrong came over the speaker.
“You can open your eyes now.”
She blinked and looked around the renovated house.
