He rolled his eyes. “All right, dammit. But only because it’s Christmas.” He pulled the rest of the suit from the trunk. He paused and held up the pants, hoping for a new excuse. Dammit if they weren’t long enough.
Her cool look said she knew exactly what he’d been thinking. He shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He went toward the door muttering that he was damn glad Christmas only came once a year.
* * *
“Wowie! Lookit Hank!”
Margaret spun around, and the silk of the ball gown rustled against her bare feet. He stood in the doorway dressed in formal clothes. She’d always thought a man looked more handsome in a white tie and tails than anything.
Hank looked better than that. He was tall, and the black coat made him look even taller, leaner. The white shirt against his tanned skin gave it a more rugged and earthy appeal. The white tie was slung around the shirt collar and the shirt was undone with buttonholes on both plackets. There were no studs.
It was an odd mix. The fine precise quality of dress clothes and the hard ruggedness of the man himself. Together they made a formidable presence.
He crossed the room and just stood in front of her. She smiled. “Hi.”
He was staring at her dress. Actually, he was staring at her cleavage.
He gave a small whistle through his teeth. “They sure look bigger than they felt.”
She took a long breath. “How perfectly romantic.”
“Well, hell, Smitty, that’s one helluva set of—” She covered his mouth with her hand and shook her head.
Theodore was standing beside them, his curious eyes taking in every word, every look.
He frowned up at Hank. “What looks bigger?” Hank looked at him and said as smoothly as a con man, “The dress sleeves.”
“Oh.” Theodore frowned at the sleeves and then joined his sisters.
“Nice recovery,” she whispered.
“Yeah, I recover real fast. Wanna clock me sometime?”
“I have to assume from that lascivious look on your face that I don’t want an explanation.”
He gave her a long look. “You really don’t understand?”
She shook her head.
“Yeah, well, never mind, sweetheart. You’ll get it someday.” Then he turned slightly and muttered, “Better damn well be soon.”
“Dance with her, Hank! Dance with Smitty!” Theodore was jumping up and down.
And Lydia began to play a waltz on the organ.
No one was more surprised than Margaret when he held out his hand and pulled her into his arms. They danced, and he actually knew how. In fact, his steps were smooth and his hand on the small of her back guided her to each move, held her firmly for each swirling turn. She was aware of his scent, of the warmth of his body, and even more aware of him and of the dark promise in his eyes whenever he looked at her.
After a few dances, he surprised her and pulled Lydia out to dance while Theodore cranked the hand organ. The young girl smiled and laughed when he swirled her around, practically picking her up off her feet so she could keep up with him.
Even Annabelle had a turn at dancing to silly steps that bounced her in his arms and made her giggle and laugh and tuck her head under his chin. Something happened to Margaret, something warm and special as she watched them. She looked down at the lovely pink ball gown. It was the same color as the pearl she had given him. She ran her hand down the fabric and smiled.
The next thing she knew Hank had pulled her into his arms again. And they spun around a thatched hut on a wacky and wonderful Christmas, with a smiling genie watching and candlenuts burning instead of rich crystal chandeliers, dancing and twirling and falling in love to the tinny tune of a hand organ waltz and the sweet music of children’s giggles.
29
By the time Hank and Smitty had stopped dancing, Annabelle and Theodore were sound asleep and Lydia’s lids were heavy over her blue eyes. They put them to bed and stood there, together watching them sleep. Hank slid his hand around hers. Because it felt right. Because he didn’t want to let her go. Not yet.
Muddy was lounging on a trunk, his head resting in one hand. Hank looked back at Smitty, who was staring up at him. The air was thick with more than just humid tropical air.
