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“That was private.” Poor Constance. Her whole family was in her business it seemed.

“Constance, can I talk to you for a minute in the other room?” Millie asked, not bothering to hide her laughter at the scene.

With one last look at Jack, Constance let Millie pull her away, leaving him to face the firing squad.

Mrs. Pritchard narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t know about this fellow, Samuel. What do we know about him? He could be up to no good.”

“Don’t worry. I put the fear of God in him when I talked to him yesterday,” said Ernie, pulling out his usual chair and taking a seat. “He’ll be on his very best behavior.”

“Yes, I will.” It wasn’t going to be easy, but he was determined to keep his hands to himself for the next few months and do this properly. “I brought a pineapple, Mrs. Pritchard.”

Her eyes lit up. Jack knew it was a favorite treat of hers and that she very rarely indulged, given the expense.

“Oh my! Let me bring that into the kitchen and cut it up.” She took the basket. “Heavens! What else did you bring?”

“Just a few treats for the family.” This was going exactly as he hoped so far. Mrs. Pritchard was on his side for sure.

“Let me help you.” Verity rose and hurried to her mother’s side, ogling the treats.

“Me too,” said Prudence, following suit.

The girls followed their mother into the kitchen, leaving Jack alone with Ernie and his father.

“Have a seat, Jack. Take a load off,” said Reverend Pritchard. Though he was smiling as warmly as ever, there was a dangerous spark in his eyes.

Apparently, Jack wasn’t out of the woods yet. He settled into his usual spot beside Ernie. Though should he have taken the seat beside Constance where Verity usually sat? What would Constance expect? Would she be offended if he sat next to Ernie? Or would it be presumptuous to take the seat next to her? He’d never been this nervous about dinner at the Pritchards’ before.

“How about those Robins? Did you listen to their game against the Red Sox on Tuesday?” Did he sound as nervous as he felt? He sure hoped not.

“Nice try, buddy.” The reverend grinned ear to ear and folded his arms over his chest. “So. You and Constance. I take it seeing her with Doug pushed you over the edge?”

Constance pushed him over the edge, coming over to his house and daring him to do what he’d been dying to do for longer than he dared admit. Not that he could say any of that out loud. “Yes, sir. It did.”

“And now you’re trying to butter us up with treats so that we won’t give you a hard time about it. Is that right?”

Guilty as charged. “Is it working?”

“It sure worked on Mom and the twins,” said Ernie, shaking his head.

Reverend Pritchard laughed. “Bee always has had a sweet tooth, as you well know.” He leaned forward and folded his hands in front of him, holding Jack’s gaze.

More sweat trickled down the back of Jack’s neck.

“Well then. I expect you to treat my daughter with every bit as much respect as Doug did.” The reverend’s smile took on a menacing quality. “I know you and Ernie are a couple of cocky speed demons, but you’re going to take this nice and slow and steady. Do I make myself clear?”

“Very clear, Reverend.” He was going to take things as slow as he could stand. And if it meant he had to spend more quality time than usual with his right hand, it couldn’t be helped.

“In fact, Ernie?” The reverend turned to his son.

“Yes, Pop?”

“I think you and Millie should go on some double dates with these two to make sure there’s no hanky-panky.”

Ernie gave Jack an apologetic look. It was good to know this wasn’t what he had in mind. “Of course, Pop.”

Come to think of it, maybe having Ernie along was a good idea. Millie wasn’t the most reliable chaperone.

“How are your plans for a flight school going, by the way?” Reverend Pritchard asked, leaning back but keeping his eyes narrowed.