Page 30 of His Christmas Love Song

“Yeah. Okay. I didn’t exactly respond the way I should have. But I can fix it.”

“You better,” Hank says sternly. “I’ve never met two people more meant for each other and more clueless about it.”

Hank’s words warm Jesse even as he cringes under Hank’s critical eye. He and Ryan are meant for each other. If nothing else, he believes that with his whole heart. He straightens his spine. “I’m going to do better.”

“See that you do,” Hank says. He looks to Cameron, who’s been standing a foot behind Jesse for this entire painful exchange. “Hi,” he says, his tone softening. “I’m Hank Moore.”

“I know,” Cameron says.

Jesse shifts so Cameron can come stand next to him and allows himself to enjoy the return of Cameron’s blush.

“I’m Cameron Keane. You wouldn’t remember, but I spent a summer working here at the lodge ages ago.”

Hank’s eyes widen a little and he takes Cameron in again, sweeping his gaze across him from head to foot and back again. “Cameron? The kid who’d sneak off to play that old piano every chance he got?”

“That would be me.”

“Wow, it’s been, what—fifteen years?”

“Closer to twenty,” Cameron says with a bashful smile.

“There’s something in the air around here,” Hank says. “It’s a week for reunions. I take it you know Jesse here?”

“Oh yeah.” Cameron chuckles. “I know Jesse. Told him about this place, actually. Ryan and I went out for a while. But how do you know each other?”

“We were in the Peace Corps together. Did two years in Africa with Jesse, a few months with Ryan,” Hank says. “Small world.”

“This is wild—who would have thought someone from my tiny hometown would have ended up in the Peace Corp with two of my buddies? And now you’re back home. Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Hank smiles slowly and Jesse swears he winks. “Looks like you grew up good, though.”

Jesse stifles a grin as Cameron turns bright red. He’s happy if the sparks he senses between Cameron and Hank lead to something great for them, but he’s on the clock. “Cameron just came back from touring, and I’m sure he’d love to play for you, but—”

Hank breaks in with an impressed whistle. “I’m surrounded by talent,” he says. “And I definitely would love to hear you play.”

Jesse claps his hands briskly. “Great! So you two will do that but first I need you to do something for me. Hank—can you text Ryan and make sure he doesn’t get on the road tonight? It’s too dangerous with the snow.”

Hank’s thick eyebrows push together, and he nods. “I wouldn’t want anybody on the road during this storm.”

“Cameron, do you have a guitar I can borrow?”

“What’s wrong with yours?”

“I’m not ready to see Ryan yet. Please, can I borrow yours?”

“I’ve got one upstairs,” Cameron says grudgingly. “What’s all this about?”

“Just keep Ryan on the property. Cameron, maybe you can invite him for dinner here at the lodge. I need to work on something, and I can’t let him go back to Nashville without telling him how I feel. If he still wants to leave after that, well, that’s up to him.”

“You can use my room upstairs,” Cameron says, handing over his key.

“Thank you so much, really. I know I’ve been an unforgivable jackass, but I promise I—”

“Just go!” Cameron pushes his shoulder and Hank makes a shooing motion with his hands.

“All right. Thanks, guys,” he says, walking backwards toward the lobby.

Hank slides over to Cameron. “I’ll call Ryan. Can you hang out for a while just in case? These two need all the help they can get.”