Free Blessed Vows by Jillian Hart Page B

peripheral vision leaning over to swipe his last French fry through the plastic container of Sally’s tartar sauce.
    I’m gaping at him again. Embarrassed, she jump-started toward her cousin Kelly before Jake noticed she was sneaking peeks at him and got the wrong idea completely. The poor man. He probably got it all the time. Women probably fell at his feet in adoration. So she made sure to whisper as she sidled up to Kelly. “Tell me my sisters haven’t been overheard trying to set me and Jake up.”
    â€œOkay, I won’t.” Kelly piled the last of the plates into the bus bin. “But they have.”
    â€œGreat.” No wonder Jake hadn’t so much as looked her way! Her sisters were well-meaning, but they weren’t helping. Ah, the joys of a close family. She rolled her eyes, unable to be really mad. “Go. I’ll finish cleaning up. And don’t forget to take Sally with you.”
    â€œSure. I’ll do you a favor and make sure her handsome uncle comes, too. I’ll sacrifice myself just so you don’t have to be around him if that’ll help.” Her eyes twinkled.
    â€œOh, that’ll help. Thanks. Then my sisters can try to fix you and Jake up, and I’ll be out of the loop.” She liked that idea. “See how handsome he is?”
    â€œBut I thought you liked him.”
    â€œLike him, sure. Who wouldn’t? But that’s as far as it goes.” Careful to keep her voice low, Rachel gathered the soda glasses from the table. The kids looked up at her with expectation. “I promised you milk shakes when you come back. Let me take your orders now. Allie, do you know what you want?”
    â€œStrawberry!” Their little cousin sang with amazing cuteness.
    â€œOkay, sweetie. You’ve got it. How about you, Anna?” she asked Allie’s little sister and wasn’t surprised when she wanted strawberry, too.
    Rachel scribbled down orders as the kids startedshouting out what they wanted. They were loud and funny and she loved that they made her laugh. Just what she needed. By the time the kids were shoving through the doorway and out of sight, she felt much better and ready to tackle the next problem.
    Sally was the only child left on the patio. Streamers waved from the open table umbrellas. Bright balloons floated, tethered by their colorful ribbons. The wind breezed through the trees behind the patio wall, and the afternoon sun cast a solemn shade over the girl and her uncle.
    This is an easy fix, she realized. She had nothing to do with her sisters’ schemes, and Jake was leaving in less than an hour for the airport. Easy. All she had to do was smile. The Lord would take care of the rest, as He always did.
    â€œWhat kind of milk shake can I get you, Sally?” Rachel kept her order pad handy.
    But instead of belting out her preference, the little one simply shrugged her slim shoulders and stared hard at the table in front of her.
    Rachel tried again. “You look like a girl who likes strawberry.”
    â€œâ€™Kay.” She didn’t sound enthused.
    Jake stirred. “Maybe we ought to get ready to go, Sal.”
    The little girl sighed. “I don’t wanna go back to California. I don’t wanna go home anymore. It’s not myhome now.” Her voice rose with high emotion, and there was no mistaking her dark pain on this bright, beautiful day.
    Nothing could be more unfair, poor sweetheart. Rachel knelt, wishing she could take the little girl into her arms and hold her until the pain eased up a bit. But Jake was there, swinging Sally into his sheltering arms and bringing her to rest against the wide expanse of his dependable chest. She pressed hard against him, her little body shaking with silent sobs.
    An equal sorrow darkened Jake’s eyes as he met Rachel’s gaze over Sally’s soft, downy head. “Thanks for everything, Rachel, but I’m gonna take her home.”
    â€œIs