With each step, he asked himself why he was doing this. Hadn’t he said the whole flight here that he was going to avoid Kelly McIntyre at all costs? But his legs kept moving, one foot in front of the other.

A pretty brunette tugged on his arm. “Welcome back. It’s so good to see you.” She looked familiar but he couldn’t place her.

“You too. Thanks for coming.” But his attention remained on Kelly. He was afraid the next time he looked she’d be gone and he’d realize it was all in his imagination.

He was within shouting distance of her when the guys started playing their old song.

Her eyes widened, and he wondered if she had the same tingle of recognition of a hundred memories flooding back between them. He glanced over to Jason and Sam, who were giving him a thumbs up. They stood on stage, nodding, then Sam pointed to Dawn. She must’ve requested the song.

“Hey, Kelly,” he said to her, but then he lost all train of thought. Nothing came out. In a desperate attempt not to lose the moment entirely, he pointed to the table full of desserts. “So, you baked all of this?” That was so lame. Of course she had.

“I did.” She gave him a closed-mouth smile. “Your sister placed the order. I had no idea it was for you, or that you were back in town until—well, until you walked in.” Her jaw pulsed, like she was gritting her teeth.

She hadn’t come by choice. Now he felt like a jerk. He began to sweat. “Surprised me too. I hadn’t expected to visit with anyone while I was here. You know, just not enough time.” He found it hard to pull together a sentence. He pressed his fingers into the palm of his hand. “I guess they remembered our song.”

“Oh?” She acted surprised, but she wasn’t that good of an actress. “Yeah. Right.”

“Want to dance?”

She took a giant step backward. “No, thank you. I’m working. I’m not a guest.” She rearranged a plate of cookies that had already met with hungry hands. “I know your parents have to be thrilled you’re back for a visit. I don’t know how they kept it a secret. That’s got to be a first for Bailey’s Fork.”

“Yes, well, I got into town last night. I was trying to surprise them, but it turns out the surprise was on me. Dad’s out of town.”

“Oh, no.” She looked skeptical. “You didn’t know he was gone?”

“No. I didn’t.” But she looked only half convinced. “Does seem convenient though, doesn’t it?”

“It does.” Her smile was polite.

He wasn’t sure if she was nervous or still mad at him.