“So did you hear what we’re doing tonight?” Memphis asked with a nod to a small platform in the corner.
Ty spun, noticing that the man with the mic was dressed up in a flashy, western-style shirt, complete with colorful stitches and snaps. Betty strolled in wearing a dress with a wildly puffy skirt.
“Square dancing,” Memphis said as that very guess came to mind.
Emmitt strolled in, wearing a scaled down version of what the guy with the mic wore. Ty watched as he approached Betty, who threw her hands on her hips and looked him up and down. “Why, don’t you look handsomer than a polished rock. Thank you for agreeing to be my partner tonight.”
Emmitt puffed his chest. “No problem. As long as you don’t let me make a fool of myself.”
The duo looked their way. “Howdy,” Betty said with a wave. “How about you two join us for the demonstration? We need to give everyone a quick rundown so they can join in on the fun.”
A sharp knot of anxiety formed in Ty’s gut at the idea. She glanced at Memphis, who was looking at her with an arched brow, and then to little Lucas. “I’d love to,” she started to say, “but I don’t want to leave Lucas on his own—”
“We can watch him for you,” came a man from behind. She recognized Dad’s voice with ease.
Great. Ty knew the offer came from his genuine desire to help, but that didn’t make her any more inclined to parade on stage while her scrutinizing mother looked on.
“Perfect,” Memphis said. “Thank you, sir. And it’s good to see you two again.” Memphis shook her dad’s hand, then reached for her mother’s next.
Her dad returned the polite sentiment, though Mom was operating under her snobby minimum-effort practice, offering only a brief nod in Memphis’s direction. Of course, one look at Lucas put a smile on her face. “How’s my grandboy?”
“Great,” Lucas said with a hop. He pointed at the food. “Do we get to eat yet?”
Mom and Dad looked to Memphis for a reply.
“We sure do,” Memphis said, waving to where a small line had gathered at the buffet. Ty wondered if she and Memphis were supposed to wait and do the demonstration first, but her question was answered when she spotted Betty and Emmitt among those in line.
Ty tried, as best as she could, to forget the duty ahead of her as they dished up food and sat down to eat. Of course, she didn’t mind the idea of getting closer to Memphis, all while holding his hand. Those pleasing tummy flutters started up at the mere idea.
The pavilion filled up rather quickly, and soon Ty and her small family were seated among guests that were friendly, talkative, and engaging. It was obvious that The Homestead Inn attracted a certain type of guest. A type that was easygoing and down-to-earth. People who knew how to appreciate simple pleasures. Ty wasn’t sure if square dancing fit among those pleasures, but she would soon find out. She only wished her critical mother wouldn’t be there to witness it.
