She blew out a pent-up breath. “I even made sure all the strawberries were as close to the same size as possible.” She had fussed way too much over every single detail. But she didn’t regret it. She wanted this to be a success, she suddenly realized, more than she’d wanted anything.

“It’s perfect.” The intensity of his look made her lightheaded. Which could probably turn out to be a little scary on top of all her nerves.

She nodded toward the bread bag. “This is still warm.”

“You baked that special?”

She smiled. “No one can resist warm bread. Is there anything else I can do?”

“Pray,” he said with a little chuckle. His gaze settled on her in a way that made it hard to look away. A warm, fuzzy feeling spread through her abdomen and into her limbs, which hung heavy and awkward on her body.

“I have to tell you something,” he said, rubbing his neck. “I sort of didn’t—”

“What is it?”

Just then, Gia burst out the back door carrying some cut pink flowers in little vases. “Hey, Tessa,” she called as she put them on the table. “Wow. Look at that!” She admired the beautiful cake from several angles. “I’m so glad you’re here, because Leo’s been a real crank this morning.”

Tessa saw a warning look pass between brother and sister before Gia flew back into the restaurant, taking the bread and the cake with her. She was almost sure those flowers were peonies clipped from the bushes growing on the side of their house. Meaning: Leo had cut flowers?

Before Tessa could ask Leo what was going on, Aunt Loretta and Uncle Cosmo walked out onto the patio.

“This is quite a surprise, Leo,” Uncle Cosmo said. “A fancy lunch, and none of us even knew.”

As they oohed and ahhed over the new patio and the beautifully set table, Tessa turned to Leo. “A surprise?” she asked. “As in, your dad has no idea?”

He turned very red. He dropped his voice. “That’s what I wanted to let you know. I tried to tell him a couple of times, but I…I don’t know. I didn’t want to give him a chance to say no, so I told him this morning. Are you angry?”

“Leo, I’m so nervous, I’m not sure.”

“Don’t be nervous. It’s going to be great. I hope. And…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

She saw how nervous he was. And stressed. So she shrugged. “It is going to be great. I believe in you.”

She did believe in him. No matter what happened.

Loretta pinched Leo’s cheek, then clutched her chest. “My heart is fluttering with excitement. What time did you get here this morning, anyway? Never mind; don’t answer that. I can’t wait to taste everything. Just remember, your father is a bear.”