Lakeside Hero. Lenora Worth

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      He didn’t intend to mention that he’d met Marla Hamilton. His buddies were all bachelors, but lately they’d singled him out for blind dates and matchmaker testing. He didn’t want to be the first one to cave.

      “About time you got here,” Detective Blain Kent said when Alec slid into a chunky wooden chair. “We’re about to order.”

      “And he’ll have a fully loaded meat-and-cheese, right?” Rory Sanderson, once an army chaplain and now a minister, said with a grin. “Am I right, Alec?”

      The Back Bay Pizza House was famous for fat pizzas that oozed with plenty of cheese and meat—or veggies, if you liked eating produce with pizza dough, which Alec did not.

      “Right as rain,” Alec replied with a grin. “And I don’t plan on sharing.”

      Hunter Lawson, as always, didn’t have much to say beyond a greeting that consisted of lifting a hand in the air. Former special ops, Hunter came and went so fast, half the time no one even knew he was around. A native of Oklahoma, Hunter hadn’t decided if he liked Florida yet or not. He liked to wander around and sleep on couches. Definitely commitment-shy.

      “So how’d it go with Mama Alvanetti?” Blain, a former Marine MP, asked after they’d ordered three loaded pizzas and their drinks.

      Knowing that Blain’s detective brain was always in overdrive, especially when it came to the slightly-on-the-right-side-of-shady Alvanetti family, Alec tried to tread lightly. “I finally got a chance to talk to her—after the big wedding yesterday.”

      Blain’s blue eyes went dark. “It’s always hard to pin down an Alvanetti. Did she agree to help fund Caldwell Canines?”

      Alec nodded and waited for the waitress to pass their drinks around. “She did, but she was just finishing up with her niece’s wedding and right after that, about to turn around and leave town for a while. I grabbed her generous check and got out of there.”

      They all laughed and moved on to other topics, catching up with baseball stats and anything sports-related. The four of them had formed a bond right here at the pizza house during a fierce game of darts, and after serving in the military, they’d migrated back to Millbrook Lake. They’d made friendships that would last forever; these weekly meals and the occasional fishing weekend out at the camp house they’d all bought together suited Alec just fine.

      That bond extended to their faith, too. When they were about to leave, Rory, often called Preacher, turned to Alec.

      “Hey, we’re having this dinner at church Wednesday night. Kind of a singles thing, but more of a business thing. Thought I’d extend an invitation to you—but not for the obvious reason. The theme this week is local businesses and organizations.”

      “I certainly fill that bill,” Alec replied, wondering what the catch was.

      Rory grinned his boyish smile. “Thought you might bring some of your Caldwell Canines business cards and host a booth with your brochures, maybe even bring one of your service dogs. Good networking opportunities. A lot of other locals from all over the area will be there, and since we have a lot of returning vets around here...”

      Alec mock-frowned but realized these kinds of events could help his cause. Plus, he hadn’t been to church in weeks, and he missed the time spent with friends—even if his scar did scare some of the younger children.

      “Let me check my busy calendar,” he said. Then he laughed. “Sure, why not? I’m working the rounds right now, trying to drum up support, so it stands to reason that I need to attend an event that will bring Caldwell Canines more exposure.”

      “How are you doing?” Rory asked, with the concern only a pastor could exhibit. “You’ve missed a couple of fishing trips recently.”

      “I’m doing fine,” Alec replied, glad to have Rory on his side. “It’s been a process readjusting, but the foundation work is keeping me too busy to feel sorry for myself.”

      “Good to hear,” Rory said, slapping Alec on the back. “You haven’t been to church in a while, either. Maybe this will get you more involved again.”

      Alec rubbed a hand across his scar. “I scare people, Preacher. Especially children.”

      “No children at this event. Adults only.” Then Rory leaned close. “I’m not judging, and I’m not trying to force you into anything uncomfortable. I really want you to share your philanthropic work with a few other people.”

      Alec thought about that. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to show people what I want to accomplish by placing disabled vets with service dogs. After all, that is the point.”

      Rory’s grin widened. “So you’ll come? Setup is around five. We’ll do a reception type thing, with tables and booths for the vendors, and then we’ll have a good home-cooked meal.”

      “I’ll be there,” Alec replied. “Just don’t try to set me up with any women.”

      Preacher shot him a pained glance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

      * * *

      Marla walked into the fellowship hall of the eclectic Millbrook Lake Church and started setting up the many platters and cake dishes she used to display and serve her cupcakes. Pastor Sanderson had called her last week to ask her about showing and selling some of her baked goods at Wednesday’s single-and-social business-night get-together.

      “You’re not trying to set me up with anyone, are you?” she’d asked through a grin.

      “Nah, just trying to get some networking going. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and with your cupcakes, I’d say we’ll give new meaning to that phrase. People will be talking with their mouths full.”

      “You are such a cutup, Preacher,” she’d replied. “I’ll be there. Thanks for inviting me. And this batch will be on me.”

      After unloading her serving trays and tiered plates she went back to the van to bring the first tray of cookies and cupcakes to the table where a placard read Marla’s Marvelous Desserts. She and her staff had made around five dozen luscious little muffins in flavors ranging from Red Velvet Reality to Vanilla Velocity and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Calamity. She liked to name her concoctions to get attention. She’d even made a batch for Pastor Rory: Preachin’ It Pecan Praline.

      “Need some help?”

      Marla turned from the creamy beige tablecloth to find Pastor Rory heading her way. The tall, relaxed minister was about as enticing as her cupcakes. He had shaggy sunshine-bleached blond hair, a boyish grin and blue-gray eyes that were always laughing. Most would think he surfed all day but this man did a lot of his surfing in the Bible. He was the best minister in the world. He’d sure helped Marla through some rough patches, but they were just good friends. Preacher liked tending to his sheep as much as she loved tending to her bakery items.

      She nodded. “I have three more of these big covered pans out in the van. If you help, I’ll give you a cupcake, no charge.”

      “I will accept that offer,” he said, already walking backward toward the open door into the fellowship hall. “Even though I know you’re giving them all out for free anyway.”

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