Her Valentine Hero. Gail Martin Gaymer

the in-line skating track?”

      “Too many.” He motioned toward the car. “We can walk to the car from here—no more running.

      She chuckled at his playful comment, still rattled by her good feeling with him. “I had a great time today.”

      “So did I. We can do this anytime.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “You’re glowing, you know.”

      “Do you mean sweat or a red face?”

      He leaned back and laughed. “A real glow, healthy pink cheeks.”

      The way he looked at her sent her pulse charging up her arm, and she cautioned her wayward thoughts. Ogling Rainie’s younger brother made no sense. She would be a cradle snatcher. And worse yet, how could she tell him the truth about her relationship with Erik? She couldn’t get involved with that mistake between them. He deserved a pure, wholesome wife. Jonny would always be...Jonny.

      Though she told herself it was for the best, part of her fought the reality. She jerked her mind back to her resent plan. Jonny and Ashley. “What did you have in mind for dinner? I like to get my thoughts primed.”

      He chucked and shrugged. “It’s your pick. Howe’s Bayou has a mean po’boy.”

      “Crispy French bread filled with meat or fish.” She shook her head and grinned. “Fatten me up, will you?”

      He slipped his arm around her shoulder, and squeezed. “Okay no po’boy. They have salads.”

      “Is it quiet there? Good for talking?”

      He drew back and eyed her. “I thought we were eating.”

      She’d bungled. He and Ashley needed time to get to know each other if anything might happen, but playing matchmaker was against Ashley’s wishes and probably not on Jonny’s agenda, either. She faced it. The matchmaking idea had become her own self-defense against her crazy emotions. “I suppose you’re right.” She managed a playful expression. “Can we stop by and pick up Ashley on the way back to my house?” Then he could drop her off home after dinner. Her plan had taken a turn, but a good one.

      He nodded, his mind seemingly focused on something else.

      She pulled out her cell phone to warn Ashley of the new plan and to her surprise, Jonny headed in the right direction, as if he knew where Ashley lived. When he turned down the street, she pointed, but he’d already aimed the nose the car into the driveway. A frown tugged at her forehead but she managed to grin it away. Why he knew where Ashley lived was none of her business, and except for the tug of her heart, it didn’t matter.