Treasure Creek Dad. Terri Reed

      “We’d have still welcomed you,” he said, studying her face. “The orientation went well. I’m excited about this trip. And thank you for your willingness to help us shop tomorrow. I think it will be a good experience for Veronica and me.”

      She smiled. “That’s my goal.” Nothing more.

      Right?

      The door to the church opened. Pastor Ed Michaels and his wife, Jenny, stepped out. Grateful for the interruption to the embarrassing encounter, Casey waved. She really liked the forty-something couple, even if she didn’t regularly attend services. Pastor Ed locked the door and then escorted his wife down the walkway.

      “Good evening, Casey,” Pastor Ed said. “Jake.” The two men shook hands. “Have you met my wife, Jenny?”

      “Nice to meet you,” Jake said.

      Jenny, a petite brunette with a sunny disposition, smiled back. “Hello.” Her gaze bounced back and forth between Jake and Casey. “What are you two up to this evening?”

      Casey nearly groaned aloud. The last thing she needed was for the pastor and his wife to think she and Jake were dating, when that couldn’t be farther from the truth. News like that traveled fast in a small town, and if she didn’t nip in the bud now, everyone would have them hitched and setting up housekeeping before she knew it.

      Helping Jake shop tomorrow didn’t count. That was business. Nothing more.

      “My daughter and I are taking a guided tour with Casey in a couple of days. Casey has graciously agreed to help us pick out our backpacks tomorrow, and we were discussing that.”

      Casey could have hugged Jake for explaining their association so succinctly.

      Jenny looked up at her husband, who stood a good foot taller than she. “We should take a guided tour sometime.”

      “We should,” Ed agreed. Though he was not classically handsome, there was something very appealing about the pastor. His nose was a bit too big for his face, but his eyes were kind and his crooked smile was endearing.

      “I’d love to take you out on the trail sometime. Just say when,” Casey offered.

      “That’s kind of you to offer, Casey. We’ll have to look at our calendars,” Pastor Ed said.

      “Will we see you two tomorrow at the barbeque?” Jenny asked, her gaze a bit too pointed for Casey’s liking. What a little matchmaker!

      Casey hadn’t ever attended the church’s weekly singles group. She didn’t want to be put out on display or be seen as desperate. It was bad enough to be labeled “one of the guys,” but to actually advertise that she was unattached by going to a singles group just didn’t appeal.

      “Barbeque?” Jake inquired.

      “Every week we have a Saturday-night singles social. Since the weather has been so mild we’ve had a barbeque. It’s a fun time. Mostly fellowship, with a bit of worship time. Nothing formal,” Pastor Ed explained. “We’d love for you both to join us.”

      “That sounds great,” Jake said, and turned to Casey. “What do you think? Are you free tomorrow night?”

      Just when Casey managed to shove away hopes of Jake being interested in her, Jenny was pushing them together. Casey forced a smile. Feeling trapped—how could she explain her reluctance to attend without sounding like a complete idiot or without lying—she said, “I—well, I don’t think I have anything planned.”

      “Good,” Jenny said, as she slipped her arm through her husband’s, looking pleased with herself. “We really should get home to the kids.”

      Pastor Ed patted his wife’s hand and smiled lovingly down at her. “Yes, we should.” To Jake and Casey he said, “Looking forward to seeing you both tomorrow. Good night.” The pair walked over to a sedan parked at the curb, got in and then drove away.

      “I better get back to your sister and my daughter,” Jake said. “Walk back with me?”