Elizabeth glanced away. “No, I guess not.”
12
As the sun made its way west, leaving long, warm shadows over the Dorseys’ sweeping backyard, Ryder had just won his tenth game of cornhole, and no one else would challenge him.
On the stage, Buck sat in front of a microphone and started singing, not bothering to call for everyone’s attention. Over on the plywood dance floor, lit with a string of round globes and solar tiki torches, couples began a slow sway as Buck’s pure voice with a gravel texture sang over them.
Ryder looked around for Elizabeth, hoping to hold her on the dance floor, just as Buck changed the rhythm on the next song and the floor was crowded with line dancers.
To the delight of everyone, country legend Aubrey James joined the stage for a medley of old-time classics. After the initial explosion of cheers and applause for the Hall of Famer, couples started two-stepping around the floor and singing along.
Ryder faced the stage and saluted Buck. It was just like him to bring a big moment to his friends and family in Hearts Bend. Ryder was about to hunt for Elizabeth when Granny D. grabbed his hand.
“Come on, champ. Let’s dance. Aubrey James is singing, and my two-step is getting rusty.”
“I’m game if you’re game.”
“Hey, we’re not too bad,” Granny D. said, adding a twirl that moved them toward Pops, who danced with Elizabeth.
“Here you go, let’s trade.” Pops took Granny’s hand and released Elizabeth’s into Ryder’s.
“They think they’re so clever,” she said.
“Your Pops came to the fire tower on Saturday. Gave me a hand with the steps, along with a bit of free advice. Said you’d be hard to catch.” Ryder looked into her eyes as if to find some unspoken truth as they stepped around the floor in time with the music. Quick, quick, slow, slow. “But not impossible. I think he’s trying to help me out.”
“He’s a fan of love.”
“Exactly.”
The medley ended, and with Elizabeth’s hand still in his, Ryder headed for the dessert table.
“So, can I ask you something?” She picked up a small round plate and studied the slices of cake. “Did you order the pine for the fire tower from Dorsey?”
“Yeah, we always use the mill side of Dorsey,” Ryder said. “Your grandpa set up a long-standing contract with the WMA that Dorsey still honors. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
From the stage, Buck introduced an artist from Oklahoma, Summer Wilde.
“She wrote one of my favorite songs ever, and a country music classic,” Buck said. “‘The Preacher.’ She’s been hiding out in Tumbleweed, Oklahoma, raising a family and singing in the corner of a drug store. She’s penned a few other hits, even one of mine, but tonight she’s singing a couple of songs only Oklahomans know. Summer, get on over here.”
The party guests applauded as the two embraced, and Summer, with long, wild grayish-blonde hair, sat in front of a mike.
“Thanks for inviting me, Buck, especially since I’m old enough to be your mama. But I love a good guitar pull, and love singing with my good friend Aubrey James. And hello, Hearts Bend, Tennessee.” She began strumming her guitar. “I wrote this song for my husband Levi about thirty years ago. I still mean every word of it. Here’s to Matt and Betty Dorsey and all you committed lovers out there.”
As Summer began her subtle, romantic melody with Buck on the cajon and Aubrey singing harmony, Ryder set his and Elizabeth’s desserts aside and took her in his arms, right there under the trees.
She rested her head against him, and he knew he could stay like this forever. Not only because she was gorgeous and curvy, bold and brave, but because she was on his side. He never felt confident that anyone was truly on his side. His parents, perhaps, but from a distance. Enzo, but he’d also been his boss.
Summer’s rich, deep voice held out the closing note, and Elizabeth glanced up at him. He swept a lock of hair from her neck and searched her eyes for a yes before lowering his lips to hers.
“I-I should check on Granny.” Elizabeth backed away. “See if she needs any help.” She hurried off without looking back.
So, that was a no, then? It would take a lightning bolt to convince her he was worth the cost of her kiss and perhaps her dreams. Braving a peek at the twilight sky, Ryder sighed. There wasn’t a cloud in sight.
He’d wanted to kiss her, and she’d almost let him.
“Beth, you all right?” Granny looked up as Elizabeth started collecting empty dishes from the food table. From the stage, Buck and some of the others were winding down the night by singing hymns with Aubrey and Summer.
