"Oh really? Then what type are you?"
"Not sure, really. Dancin' at a weddin' with one of my bosses? hmm..." she taps her chin and I know she's teasing me.
"Is this miscreant botherin' you, Miss Delilah," Miss Dottie, one of the Sallys says from where she's sitting next to Dee.
Dee shoots a wicked grin my way."I'm not sure, Miss Dottie. Do you think he's a worthy dance partner?"
"The only dancin' I've seen him do was with a lamp post on Main Street after a good night at the Cow. Not sure that's worthy of a repeat performance," Dottie says. “It sure was entertainin’ though.”
"Miss Dottie. I'll have you know that the lamp post was the problem that night. It wouldn't let me lead, you see."
The old lady chuckles, shaking her head. "Hmm. That can be a problem. My late husband, bless his soul, had two left feet and the rhythm of a gnat."
Toby nods. "I've heard gnats don't have a very good ear. Lucky for me, I do."
Dee adds with a playful smile. "So, Toby, are you sayin’ you have better rhythm than a gnat?"
I can't help but laugh, shaking my head. "Well, I wouldn't go that far. But I do believe I can keep up with you on the dance floor, Miss Delilah ‘Skippy’ Daniels."
She arches an eyebrow, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Is that a challenge?"
I hold her gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "Only if you're up for it."
Sensing that this dance is still not a done deal, I decide this is a 'go big or go home' moment. And since this is a wedding, and I'm not above making a fool out of myself, I drop to one knee, earning a gasp from Dottie, Dee, and I'm sure I just heard Mags standin' behind us too. I don't look though, I only have eyes for my One-who-doesn't-know-she's-my-one.
Dee's cheeks heat as she looks around the room. "Tobes, what are you doin'?" she whispers.
I shoot her a wink. "Skippy, will youpleasedo me the honor of givin' me this dance?" I announce loudly, wanting everyone to hear that I'm asking her.
Humor lights up her gaze, mixed with disbelief and surprise. "Well afterthatrequest, if you don't dance with him, Dee. I will," Miss Dottie says with a laugh.
Dee only has eyes for me though, her gaze warm as she stands from her chair. "I couldn'tpossiblyleave thismiscreantin your care, Miss Dottie," she says, not looking away from me, the airbetween us thick and alive with something I can't put a name to. All I know is that I like it and I want more of it.
I stand up straight and hold my hand out to her, bracing myself but still not being prepared for the wave of whole-body awareness that comes when Dee slides her palm against mine and laces our fingers together.
"Alright, Mr. Graham. Show me what you've got."
I lead her to the dance floor. The soft strains of a country love song begin to play as we sway together, my hand resting at the small of her back over her dress, my other one still joined with hers beside us.
I'm finding it hard to breathe normally, let alone move my body. Every part of me, every single cell feels magnetized. Like it wants to cling to her and never let go. This can't be normal. I've read that when you've heard the Call and you're with your One, it's like the rest of the world ceases to exist. I just figured that was an exaggeration. Except the feeling of Dee in my arms and having her bodysoclose to mine while my heart tries its hardest to jump out of my chest and into hers, it’s beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined.
I don't think Dee is as unaffected as she looks either. I mean, she looks absolutely ravishing, but when our eyes lock, her pupils are blown, her skin is flushed, and her breathing is ragged. As much as I suspect she’s trying to hide it, there’s no missing the effect I’m having on her. I decide that unless I want to blurt out the truth to her right here and now, I need a distraction to stop me from taking this dance from wedding reception appropriate to something else entirely.
"Did you have fun today," I say, breaking the silence.
Dee's smile widens as she looks up at me. "Oh for sure. Who doesn't love a good weddin' and the shindig afterward. It's been good to just have time to let loose and relax. And those Sallys are a hoot. They've been tellin' me stories about everyone and spillin’ all the small-town tea."
I chuckle. "Yeah. They're good people, if not a little nosy."
"Maybe that's where Nelly gets it from," she replies with a grin.
"Possible, or maybe she's just learnin' bad habits from everyone around her. She took off runnin' with my boxer shorts this mornin'. Luckily you were still in bed because I had to do a naked run back to my room from the bathroom. Found the little beast happily chewin' on them outside the bunkhouse."
"She's too cute to be a beast. Maybe she's just impressionable," she suggests.
"She must’ve learned how to break into the bathroom from a certain duck we know.”
"Or she was just excited to be part of the ceremony. Can't say I've ever seen agoatflower girl before,” she says. “Then again, thisisthe first weddin' I've ever been to. So thereisthat."
