“Play it!” a woman shouted as she moved, carting a small baby on her hip. The older couple Andie ran into at breakfast hopped to their feet and began a short shuffle over the wood floors.
The music, the environment, and the company too—all of it created a mood that felt as warm and calming as a soft embrace. One that might, if she let it, heal the wounded parts of her heart.
She gave in to the smile that formed at her lips in response.
Months prior, Andie had been going about her life with barely a care in the world. Or so she had thought. But her old lifestyle had come with cares that didn’t exist in places like this. No one here was competing for status. Putting on an air of superiority or glam.
Andie could hardly believe how quickly she was adapting to this new and foreign way of life. She didn’t hate it at all. In fact, as she took in the guests from near and far, jamming to the blues with a freedom she’d never known, she enjoyed the sense of camaraderie between them.
In that moment, as another wave of comfort and joy washed over her, Andie offered a prayer of gratitude. The first she’d offered since her world had crumbled. Perhaps she could forgive Grandpa after all. And maybe, she mused, eyes settling back on Trenton as he played, just maybe this move would lead her to an unknown destiny. One she hadn’t imagined in her wildest dreams.
After all, Trenton belonged to hernewlife. Unlike the men, friends, and even acquaintances from her past, Andie wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Trenton. And suddenly, that fact felt like the most stable leg she was standing on.
The sensible side of her knew how precarious that position was. Relationships were fickle things, and at this point, she wasn’t yet in anything of the sort. But the other side of her—the part she’d never quite indulged—knew that the handsome cowboy was the best sort of distraction she could ask for. Above that, as little as she might know of him, Andie was certain he was better than any man she’d liked before.
Forget what Richard said about staying single all their lives. He could do that if he wished. But if Andie was now sentenced to this state of exile, she may as well embrace it. And Trenton—his past, present, and future, were all wrapped up in the one thing they had in common—The Homestead.
Chapter 10
Trenton knew it wasn’t polite to track the dancing couple across the way, especially since he was dancing with a woman of his own. Sadly, his protective nature wouldn’t let him look away for long. Or perhaps, an inner voice accused, it was the jealous side of him that urged him to follow the placement of Lee’s hand as it slipped slyly lower down Andie’s back.
“I’m bummed that the riding classes are over,” Linda said. She leaned in, propped her chin onto Trenton’s shoulder, and let out a sigh.
Trenton tried to hide his surprise at the rather familiar gesture and forced his thoughts to the conversation. “It’s been a pleasure having you and Billy in there. You may just a have a future bull rider on your hands.”
She trilled out a delighted giggle and trailed her long fingernails over the span of his back.Whoa.This was getting a little…
“I’d love it if you came to my room tonight,” she said in a sultry voice.
Trenton nearly lost his footing as he stepped into the next move.
“I can put Billy to bed, and we could…do whatever we’d like.” The insinuation in her words caused an odd dose of embarrassment to push through him.
“Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t take you up on that offer. It wouldn’t be proper, me being part of the staff here at the inn.” No need to tell her he was one of the owners. Or that accepting her offer wouldn’t be proper for several other reasons as well.
Suddenly her face got very close to his. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” she said in a hot whisper.
Just as the words left her lips, the song came to a blessed end. Trenton took a quick step back as his eyes shot to Andie and Lee. Andie had reached her arm back where she seemed to be peeling the guy’s hand off a place much too close to her rear end. Looked as if the little twerp had missed the staff’s course on sexual harassment.
He forced his attention back to Billy’s mom. “I really do appreciate the offer, Ms. Day, but I’m going to have to decline.” Trenton lifted the back of her hand to his lips and planted a kiss there. “You have a nice evening, now, okay?”
After offering a polite nod, Trenton excused himself and headed toward the drinks.
A quick glance out the corner of his eye said Andie had a similar idea. In fact, she beat him to the drink selection—a copper bin filled with bottles and cans—and was lifting a bottle of lemonade from the ice.
“How was your dance with Mr. Handsy?” he couldn’t help but ask.
Her cheeks went a warm shade of pink. “Seriously,” she hissed. “I was scared that he was going in for a full-on butt grab.”
“He would have found his face in the dirt if he had,” Trenton grumbled.
Andie shot him a wide-eyed look. After a blink of assessment, her expression changed. “Oh, you mean because of Emmitt?” She nodded to where her brother talked with a group of ladies. One of which, Trenton noted, was Linda.
“Yeah, him and me both.” He squared a serious look at her.
“At least I now know the first order of business to address with the staff,” she said. “A class on harassment.”
“Not a bad idea.” Trenton said with a nod. “It’s been a while since we had one.” He leaned in then. “Hey, if any of the guys around here make you uncomfortable—staff, guests, or other—be sure to let me know. Betty’s fought off a good share of come-ons from guests over the years, but she does a pretty good job of whipping her offenders into shape with a tongue lashing alone.”
