Bluegrass Courtship by Allie Pleiter Page A

the table. “Janet’s church birdhouse is adorable, isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about asking her to make up a pair of tiny cottages for my niece’s baby shower—she’s having twins. You know, one pink and one blue—wouldn’t that be sweet?”
    Now Drew knew what that funny expression was all about. That odd look was Janet Bishop blushing. Even as she stared down at her pie, he could see her face taking on a decidedly pink glow. She wasn’t the kind of woman who wore lots of makeup, so he hadn’t noticed until she lowered her eyes like that how incredibly long her lashes were. Wow, he thought, if the show’s makeup artist gota hold of those eyes, they’d knock a guy clear across the room.
    â€œYou made that birdhouse, didn’t you? You’re talented. You’ve been holding out on me. There’s an artist hiding inside all that practicality.” He ducked his head until he caught her gaze. “It’s an amazing birdhouse. Even you have to know it’s amazing.” She looked up at him, and her embarrassment tugged something out of him.
    â€œThat one was a special case.” Her voice had a completely different tone to it.
    â€œSo you do have more? Made?”
    It seemed like a simple enough question, but it seemed to unnerve her. “A few. It’s a hobby, sort of. I sell them at the shop sometimes.”
    On second thought, Drew mused, those eyes were pretty amazing all on their own. “Will you let us buy everything you’ve got? Maybe make a few more?”
    â€œOh.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know.”
    â€œShe’s a talent, our Janet,” Gina affirmed, grinning.
    â€œShe’s right, Janet. It’s a gift, not something you hide behind.” Janet blushed more, fiddled with her fork. “We won’t even show them on camera, if that’s what’s bothering you. But can’t you see how perfect they’d be?” He caught himself applying the charming pressure he wielded so well, and told himself to back off. Janet Bishop was not a button to be pushed. “Just think it over. I really like the birdhouse I’ve seen, and I’m sure I’ll like your other ones. They’d be great. But it’s up to you.”
    Janet managed a slight nod and Drew felt better. “Gina sure does know how to indulge,” Janet changed the subject as she surveyed the chocolate-cookie-creamy-peanuty-caramel pie before them. They took bites at the same time,both falling into moans of satisfaction. It was as if Gina Deacon had taken every great dessert in the world and mixed them all together in gooey perfection.
    â€œDelicious Dave would be proud. Maybe even jealous,” Drew replied.
    Gina waved him off. “Well, you’re sweet to say so. Y’all just enjoy yourself.”
    Drew dug in for a second heaping forkful. “Nobody needs to ask me twice.”
    Â 
    Janet sat at her workbench later that night, trying to glue a tiny shutter onto a colonial-style birdhouse. It was painted to look like a brick house, complete with a tiny chimney and a gray slate roof. Diamond-paned windows and sets of small black shutters peeked out around the oval opening in front. This one had come out especially nice. She imagined it mounted on a pole beside all her other houses in a ring around the preschool garden. It would be like an avian neighborhood, just as Drew described.
    She liked the idea. The more she thought about it, the more she liked it. But it bothered her, too. Like everything Drew Downing did, it felt over-the-top. All her existing houses? She’d donated that one birdhouse to the church back when she and God were still on speaking terms. She’d enjoyed making and donating that one, mostly, she supposed, because it was her idea on her timetable. She’d had the time to get it just right and to present it when she was ready and not a minute before.
    She doubted it