Liz whispered, “Colleen is smitten and about to get her heart broken. Blaze is one night stand material. He has commitment issues.”

Jasmine leaned away from the grill and peeked out at the table. “She’s flirting with him, and honey, Colleen might be the one who breaks his heart instead of the other way around.”

“Blaze can charm a holy woman into bed. Colleen doesn’t have a chance. And he’ll be gone in a week. Raylen will break up with me if Blaze causes Colleen to cry.” Liz groaned.

Jasmine shook her head slowly. “It’ll take more than a tight shirt and dimples to get Colleen to commit. I’d say the two of them have each met their match.”

Liz put on her best smile and carried out the tray. “Turkey and dressing for Colleen, and a bacon cheeseburger basket for Gemma. Jasmine said she’d bring y’all’s on out when it’s done.”

Raylen pulled a chair from an empty table and wedged it in between him and Gemma. When Liz was seated, he brushed another kiss across her forehead and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his and resting their laced fingers on top of the table.

He’s marking his territory, the niggling voice in her head said. Are you going to put up with that?

She pulled her hand free, and smiled across the table at Blaze. “Is everyone busy getting set up at the carnival?”

“They are working on it. We’ve got a nice big lot, so we aren’t crowded. Marva Jo has been antsy for two days. She’s missed you. Is that your place south of here that looks like a North Pole store?” Blaze asked.

“That’s it. Uncle Haskell made most of it,” she answered.

“So, you grew up next door to my Uncle Haskell?” Blaze focused on Colleen.

“Yes, I did. We all loved Haskell and Sara,” Colleen answered.

If looks could kill, Blaze would be a pile of cold bones on the café floor right then from the looks that Raylen was shooting his way. Liz couldn’t blame him. She had told him all about Blaze and his conquests and there he was, flirting blatantly with Colleen.

“What do you think of Liz’s place?” Blaze’s eyes never left Colleen’s face.

“Haven’t seen it since she moved in. I thought I’d drop by tonight and look at it. It’s all Raylen and Gemma have talked about all week,” Colleen said.

“I’m going to help with the setup and see Mama, but I should be back by nine,” Liz told Colleen.

“Orders for the guys,” Jasmine said at Liz’s elbow. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Blaze. Are you looking forward to a long, slow winter?” She set their food on the table, dragged a chair from the nearest table, and sat down.

“Liz has talked about all of you. And yes, I’m looking forward to the winter this year, but I’ll miss Liz. Thank goodness for cell phones so we can talk every night.” He turned his attention back to Colleen. “Will you be takin’ in the carnival?”