Hunt cupped her face, then swiped at the tears on her cheeks.

“You are something of a warrior, aren’t you? You stood up to a bully, not knowing what he would do, and you didn’t let him back you down. I think I am in serious awe of you right now. Are you going to be okay?”

Ava nodded. “Sure. I’ve been challenged by worse in the ER and came out bleeding from it. Vince Lewis is just a jerk.”

Hunt frowned. “You got hurt in the ER?”

She shrugged. “Big-city ERs can be a little rougher than our little hospital here in Blessings. I’ve had a few stitches. It’s part of why I came home to work. Thank you again for coming to my rescue. Now you have fulfilled two of my childhood fantasies.”

Hunt grinned. “What are you talking about?”

“Remember I said I was pretending that eating with you at Granny’s was our first date? Well, I’ve always considered you my knight in shining armor, too. All of the bloody knees you helped patch up, and making Ray and Junior stop pulling my hair, and teaching me how to do long division, and giving me the last cookie for getting it right?”

He shook his head. “You remember all that?”

Ava swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I remember everything about you. And like the knight you always were in my heart…you came to my rescue today. Thank you.”

Hunt sighed. “Honey…you’re welcome, but I think I’m the one who’s hit the jackpot here. I haven’t felt worthy of much of anything for a long, long time. You just put a light back in my heart, and for that, I thank you.”

He wanted to kiss her. But she’d already endured crap she hadn’t asked for, and he wasn’t going to add insult to injury. Being old friends didn’t give him leeway for anything more.

“I really enjoyed our date today. I’d love to do it again sometime. Maybe an evening after you get off work…and if you’re not too tired.”

“I’d love that,” she said, and then stood in the doorway and watched him drive away.

Later that evening, Ava got dressed and drove to the funeral home for Marjorie’s viewing, but she was thinking of Hunt at home alone and feeling bad for the rift between him and his siblings.

* * *

Marjorie’s children were at the funeral home, dressed in their best, presenting a united front to the people who were coming to pay their last respects.

They mingled about the visitation room, thanking people for coming and listening to them relating their best memories of Marjorie.