He cleared the tightness from his throat and lowered his voice so only she could hear. "I'm not sure I dare go to Scooters."
Her face fell and concern flitted through her eyes. "Oh right. Sorry, I forgot about your..." She let her words die off and gave the other ranch hands a weak smile. "Not tonight, guys. We're wiped out. Thanks for the invitation though."
"Your loss," Brody said as they turned and walked away.
It killed him to see that light die from her eyes. Would it always bethat way between them? Would he always be the thief of her joy because of his weakness?
Riley stepped up the first stair of the back deck, but he caught her hand.
"I'm sorry, Ri. You know I would go if..."
"I know." She squeezed his hand. "It's okay."
No. It's not. I hate stealing your happiness.
"You know what? Maybe we should go." His mouth went dry even as he said the words, but he wanted Riley to be happy again. If dancing would help her move beyond what happened to her, then he would take her dancing.
Riley put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand how difficult it is for you to go there. So, it's probably best if we stay home and watch a movie."
He searched her face, looking for that little spark of light in her eyes. The prospect of spending time with him didn't bring the same light as the thought of dancing.
He squeezed her hand. "I want to take you dancing, Ri. If you promise to stay by my side, I think I can handle it."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up, sparkling and bright. She rocked up on her toes, bouncing with excitement. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Just don't expect me to do many lifts, my arms feel like jelly after all the work we did today."
"That's okay." She let out a little squeal. "I promise I will not let you out of my sight."
Daniel hoped that was enough. If he couldn't keep it together for the woman he'd always loved, he feared he'd never succeed in staying sober.
"I'm going to get showered." She patted his shoulder before pulling her hand back. "Do we want to eat here or at Scooters?"
His mom's cooking was much better than anything they served at Scooters, but he could go for one of their pulled pork sandwiches with their sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. It was the only decent thing on the menu.
"You decide," he said as he stepped back.
"I haven't had their pulled pork and steak fries in ages." She grinned again and the light in her eyes intensified. "Let's eat out."
"Sounds good, as long as I get to pay."
Her grin grew. "Like a date?"
He locked gazes with her for a long moment; the air between them charged with electricity. "I want to take you on a date, Pockets."
She shoved her hands into her back pockets again as her lips lifted in a shy smile. Then she rocked up on her toes. "Good because I would love to go on a date with you, Tarzan."
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck as Riley darted into the house. He turned to walk down the lane, sending up a little prayer that this night didn't turn into a disaster.
CHAPTER 15
Riley collided with Jake when she came out of her room.
He caught her by the shoulders. "Whoa there. Slow down." His brows hiked up as he took in her fancy white shirt with a ruffled V neck and lacy sleeves, indigo jeans with silver stitching and rhinestone accents on the pockets in the shape of a butterfly, and even more expensive white boots. "Where are you going all dolled up?"
She may have gone a little overboard, but she was so excited about going out with Daniel that not even the memory of what happened the last time she went swing dancing was enough to dampen her spirits.
"Daniel and I are going to Scooters." She stepped away from him, intent on not keeping her date waiting.
