She grinned. “Nurses have to keep their cool on the job. I maintain quite well. But on my own time, I lose patience with myself.”

“I empathize. Now, are we good to go? Got your jacket? It’s chilly out.”

“It’s in the living room,” she said, and then appreciated the view as she followed him back through the house. He had a sexy butt.

He helped her into her jacket and then flipped on the porch light as they were leaving.

Ava couldn’t remember a man ever being that thoughtful, and gave him a big check mark in the good manners department. When he helped her into the truck and then made sure she was seated and buckled in before he closed the door, he scored again.

The tension was there between them as they drove to Granny’s, but their friendship was older than this new stuff, and they were laughing and talking freely by the time they arrived.

“Remember the time you got sick from eating too many cinnamon candies?” Hunt said.

Ava rolled her eyes. “Are you really going there? Referring to the time I threw up on your shoe at the swings?”

“I guess I am,” Hunt said.

“So much for me getting all gorgeous if you’re going to bring up my sordid past,” she muttered.

He grinned. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not, but that’s okay. I remember you getting caught making out with that Linda girl when you guys were sophomores. Her daddy brought you home.”

Hunt chuckled. “How come you know that?”

“Emma told me. I pined for a good week that you’d forsaken me, and then the next time I saw you, you bought Ray and me ice cream and I forgave you.”

“Lord. I had no idea,” Hunt said.

Ava shrugged. “I got over it. My mother always said boys are slow on the uptake. Now, we’re here. Let’s go in. I’m starving.”

Hunt already knew he was in over his head, but if this was what drowning felt like, he wasn’t going to mind going under.

Hunt smelled barbecue the moment they walked in the door. It must be the special. At any rate, it struck a hungry chord.

“Mmmm, barbecue!” Ava said. “I know what I’m having.”

Hunt grinned. “Come on, Ava. Don’t be shy.”

She turned around and poked him on the arm. “We’ve known each other too long to be prissy about being hungry.”

“That we have, lady. Point made.”

Ava grinned, and then turned and waved at Sully.

“Hey, Sully, how’s your pretty wife?”

“You know Melissa…still being pretty,” Sully said, then picked up two menus. “Booth or table?”

“Lady’s choice,” Hunt said.

“Table,” Ava said.

“Follow me,” Sully said, and led them through the busy dining room to a table on the far side of the room.

After the funeral today, Hunt’s presence in Blessings was no longer unknown.