“Aftyn, this is Liam Flynn. Liam, Aftyn Hutchins.”
Liam extended his hand with a grin. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“You too.” She leaned toward Cole and lowered her voice. “He’s very handsome.” Cole rolled his eyes and she laughed.
The band launched intoWhen a Woman Loves a Man,a song by Lee Roy Parnell, the familiar guitar riff echoing off the exposed brick walls.
Cole turned toward her. “Would you like to dance?”
She hopped off the stool. “I would.”
He took her hand and guided her onto the floor, drawing her gently into his arms. She wrapped her hands around his neck, his curved around her waist, and they swayed to the mellow chords. Each time he shifted she caught a faint trace of his aftershave, warm and clean. She tilted her head back and studied his profile in the soft lantern light.
Kind, patient, good-humored. She could feel how easily her heart might follow him anywhere. But her real destination lay elsewhere. Once she found Avery and got her car back, she’d be on the road to Colorado. Still, would it hurt to enjoy his company while she was here?
As the last notes faded, the band shifted into a more lively song. Cole shook his head apologetically.Aftyn was ready to return to their stools when Liam stepped between them.
“Would you mind if I asked Aftyn to dance?”
Cole shrugged and glanced at her. “Up to you.”
Aftyn smiled. “I’d love to.”
“I’ll bring her right back, Cole.” Liam took her hand and led her onto the floor. He spun her beneath the string lights, and she threw back her head laughing each time he pulled her close before spinning her away again. When the song ended, Liam escorted her back and gave Cole a quick bow before drifting to the far end of the bar, where Siobhan slid a frosty mug toward him and planted a kiss on his lips.
Aftyn nudged Cole’s elbow. “He can dance.”
Cole shook his head with mock despair. “Between Liam, Brett Watkins, and Devin Callahan, the rest of us don’t stand a chance.”
“Don’t you like dancing?”
“Sure,” he admitted, “but I’d rather not make a fool of myself.”
Aftyn laughed. “Most people feel that way until they’ve had enough liquor. After that, nobody cares.”
He chuckled. “True.”
An hour later, Grant stepped onto the stage and the crowd erupted. Spotlights flared to life, illuminating his relaxed stance as he lifted the mic.
“Is he going to sing?” Aftyn leaned closer so her words carried over the noise.
“He likes sitting in with local bands.”
She watched as Grant launched into a soulful ballad, his voice filling the room with the same confident timbre she remembered from his country star days. A few songs later Kay climbed up beside him, their harmonies weaving through the rafters.
“A free concert,” Aftyn murmured.
During the intermission she finished her wine and set the empty glass on the bar. “Whenever you’re ready to go.”
Cole stood and offered his hand. “Ready when you are.”
She slipped off the stool. “Let’s get out of here. I’m planning to be lazy tomorrow.”
“My Sundays always are.” He chuckled, then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll ride out through the fields, check on the barley and peas, but mostly take it easy until dinner at my parents’.”
“That sounds perfect.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Do you ride? Other than when being rescued.”
