* * *
“Alright!”Robert cheered Friday morning, when Amy walked into work without her boot. “Change of plans for tonight.”
She’d gotten the okay from James that morning to remove it as long as she took it easy.
“What do you mean? What are we doing tonight?” Robert had teased her all week about big plans for Friday night. Knowing Robert, he probably had something crazy planned.
“It’s a secret,” he said before walking away.
He had a meeting at lunchtime, and they had to skip their Friday lunch date, so she couldn’t get any information out of him. Truthfully, she was relieved to not have two dates with him in one day. The man was way too attractive.
Leaving Kallie with Ben that evening, so she could go on a date with his cousin was awkward. Hope had offered, but James had reminded her they needed to attend the hospital board meeting, so Ben had volunteered again. Having no alternative, Amy accepted.
Now, sitting in the truck with Robert, his tangy, woodsy scent filling the cab, Amy reminded herself he was her boss, and they were just friends. “So where are we going?”
“Scooters. Out by the county line. It’s the best dance hall in the state. Fridays are always swing dancing night, and they have line dancing on Saturdays.”
Swing dancing?Amy’s stomach knotted. She’d joked about her gracefulness, or lack thereof, when she’d broken her toe, but she honestly wasn’t very coordinated. She’d broken a lot of dishes at the restaurant before she’d acquired the skill to bus and wait tables.
“Robert, listen, I’m not very good at dancing... or anything that requires any real agility.”
“Relax. It’ll be fun. Besides, I’m an excellent teacher.”
They shared easy conversation while they ate pulled pork sandwiches and steak fries—the one good thing on the menu, according to Robert. Scooters was a fun environment, reminding Amy of an old-time saloon with wood floors, and a mixture of brass and wrought iron decor. Loud music, boot tapping, and laughter filled the establishment creating an air of excitement.
She enjoyed her time with Robert, but she couldn’t seem to keep her mind off Ben. It didn’t matter whether he was working in the garage across the street or miles away tending her daughter, Amy missed Ben. A part of her longed to stay home with him and Kallie, making cookies or watching a movie.
She relaxed over dinner, but her food churned in her stomach the moment Robert insisted they hit the dance floor.
“Sorry.” Amy said the word so many times over the next hour she felt like a broken record.
Despite Robert’s skills at leading, she repeatedly stepped on his toes as she struggled to follow the unfamiliar moves. Once she became familiar with the basic steps, and managed to relax, she enjoyed herself. Until Robert suggested they try some lifts.
“No way. I can’t do that stuff.” She’d admired the experienced dancers all night and was in awe every time one of the men lifted his partner overhead. “Besides, my toe is starting to hurt. I think I’ve overdone it.” It sounded lame, but it was true. This stupid broken toe was so embarrassing.
Besides, she was more than ready for the evening to be over. The more time she spent with Robert, the more she liked being around him. And that was dangerous.
* * *
Ben mutedthe already quiet TV when he heard Robert’s truck pull up in front of his parents’ house.Well, this is awkward.
When he offered to babysit, he never thought he would still be here when Robert brought Amy home. His mom was supposed to take over, but she wasn’t home yet.
Every muscle in Ben’s body tensed a moment later, when Robert carried Amy through the front door. He was on his feet in an instant. “What did you do to her?”
“Nothing ice and rest won’t cure. I tried to teach her to swing dance, but that—”
“That was a dumb idea, considering her toe has barely healed.” The heat in his words surprised him.
A scowl marred Amy’s pretty face. “You didn’t need to carry me. I could have walked.” She looked at Ben after Robert put her on the couch. “I’m fine.”
Robert bent to take off Amy’s shoe, and Ben darted to the kitchen for an ice pack. He returned in time to see Robert placing a pillow under Amy’s foot. When his cousin reached out for the ice pack, Ben hesitated. He didn’t want to relinquish it. He wanted to be the one to come to Amy’s aid.
What is wrong with me?Ben tossed the ice pack at Robert with more force than necessary. It bounced off his wrist and fell to the floor.
Robert picked it up and shot him a ‘What’s with you?’glare. After placing the ice pack on Amy’s foot, he sat by her, in the spot Ben occupied a couple weeks ago—the night Amy told him about Lance’s abuse.
Did Robert really need to sit so close?
