“All that’s true. If you and I pick up these things tomorrow, we can tell everyone the total when we get back.”
“Not necessary. I’ll handle it.” He walked around the tree collecting the remaining cards. Tomorrow he might bitterly regret the impulse since it meant braving the General Store again.
But tonight all he could think about was making sure these kids got the toys they yearned for. And for reasons he didn’t want to examine, he wanted to pay for them.
“That’s very generous of you.”
The warmth in her voice drew his attention. She was looking at him like she was ready to eat him up with a spoon. And he was more than willing to let her do it.
He needed her kisses like he needed oxygen, but once he got started he wouldn’t be able to stop. “If we don’t leave this gazebo and head back to the Raccoon in the next five seconds, I can’t be responsible for my actions.”
Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of rose. “Understood. Let’s go.” She headed down the steps.
He followed, careful not to touch her. “I don’t think I should dance with you anymore tonight.”
“I don’t think you should, either. I’m even wondering if I should switch places with Claudie for the ride home.”
“Please don’t. I like having you up next to me.”
“I like it, too. You look sexy when you’re driving.”
“So do you. I had to keep myself on a tight leash when you drove us into town today.”
Her cheek dented in a smile. “Nice to know I’m not the only one.”
“No, ma’am.”
“We should take my truck again tomorrow. It’s only fair since you volunteered tonight.”
“Okay, I accept.”
She glanced at him. “I really like that about you.”
“What?”
“You don’t have a macho need to always be in the driver’s seat.”
“You can thank Jordie for that.” A sudden picture of her at three, fists propped on her hips as she defied him, made him grin. “She might be four years younger, but she let me know from the get-go that I wasn’t the boss of her.”
“I’ll bet she did. That said, she idolizes you. And I think….” She took a breath. “Never mind. It’s not my place.”
“Hey.” He caught her hand before they crossed the street. “I hope you know you can say anything to me. No rules.”
She turned to him. “I could be wrong.”
“So what? You could be right. What were you going to say?”
“Let me back up. I know for a fact Luis is happy about us being together. And I also think Jordan would like it to work out for us.”
“No question.”
“Really?”
“While we were out on the dance floor, she told me Luis was her saving grace. And you could be mine.”
She looked startled. “Wow. That’s…that’s lovely.”
“I tend to agree with her.”
