Reggie leaned forward. “You sound okay and you look good, so that’s encouraging, but panic is right here, under the surface. Please tell me what’s going on.”

Dena nodded. “Do you know who Micah Ruiz is?”

Reggie frowned. “Sure. He’s the lead singer for Darryl John James. I like his music. How would you know about him? You only like country music.”

“Yes, there is that, but this isn’t about music so much as the man himself.” She drew in a breath and reminded herself that her sister loved her and would never laugh in her face or otherwise hurt her feelings.

“I have a crush on him. A big one, and it’s getting hard to control.”

Reggie rolled her eyes. “We all do. Have you seen him? He’s the definition of gorgeous. Those eyes.”

“Not like that. I mean in real life.”

Their server returned with their milkshake already split between two smaller glasses. He winked. “I gave each of you a little extra whipped cream.”

“Thanks,” Reggie said with a laugh. “A man who understands women. We appreciate it.”

When they were alone, Dena leaned toward her again. “I know him. He’s staying at the B and B. We’ve met. We’ve talked. He came to career day at my class. He’s funny and sweet and when I get nauseous, he does this thing with my wrists that makes it all go away.”

Reggie’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “You know him? Are you telling me Micah Ruiz is in Wishing Tree right this second and you’re just telling me now? How did I not know this? I’m so going to complain to Paisley. She’s supposed to know everything happening in town. She tells us there’s going to be a Snow King and Queen next year, but she doesn’t think to mention Micah Ruiz has moved to town?”

Dena motioned for her sister to lower her voice. “You’re missing the point.”

“I don’t think I am. He’s really here?”

Dena groaned. “Yes. At the B and B, probably eating potato skins and worrying that I’m slipping into madness. I would have told you before, but he’s a guest, and I try to respect their privacy, and it didn’t seem important.”

“We need to work on your definition of important.”

“Again, hardly the point.”

“Oh, I would say it’s totally the point.” Reggie stared at her. “Micah Ruiz? Start at the beginning.”

Dena explained about the music and running into him and how they’d shared late-night mini pizzas and the pressure point technique and that he was the new classroom dad for the month of December.

“I felt something the first time we met,” Dena added. “But that was just superficial chemistry. Now I know him, and I like him even more.”

She had to stop talking while their food was served.