Travis nodded, his gaze painfully following Josie as she clapped and laughed, her joy as bright as the lanterns swaying above. She curtsied to the couples beside her, graceful and poised, like a princess acknowledging her court.
“Why don’t you ask your wife to dance?”
He hesitated, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. “I’m not much of a dancer, Auntie. You know that better than anyone.”
Aunt Polly chuckled. “Pfft! Hogwash! You and Sophie used to dance until your shoes wore out.”
Travis chewed his bottom lip, the familiar ache tightening in his chest. He could still see Sophie’s smile, hear her laughter as they spun together under the stars. She had loved to dance, and he had loved her—loved her so much that he would have danced until the sun rose, just to see her happy. But that was their thing. Their special bond. To dance with another woman was a betrayal, like erasing what he had shared with Sophie. He hadalready replaced her in so many ways. He couldn’t take dancing from her, too.
“I can’t do it,” he murmured, more to himself than to Aunt Polly.
His aunt sighed. “I understand your grief, Travis. I lost my husband and boys on the same day. It took years to heal that hole, but you have a wife and four children to think about. I won’t have you spoil their lives because you’re too frightened to love again.”
The thought of moving on made the ache in his heart more painful. Each thought was like a piece of skin being ripped off, making it impossible to scab over. Travis had known Sophie since childhood. Losing her made him lose a piece of himself. He was half the man he used to be without her. He closed his eyes.Don’t do this to me, Josie. I can’t fall for you.
“Please, Travis. Think about them,” Aunt Polly begged. “Don’t let people think you’re one of those old couples who just get by and grow sick of one another. You’re young. Take a leap.”
Travis’s gaze rested on Jonas chasing after Paul and Andy. Behind them, Josie stood awkwardly, peering around with her hands at her sides. He could tell she enjoyed the dancing, and he couldn’t take that away from her, not when every married couple was out there. Would he really leave her without a partner, only to watch the rest of the couples act as happy as she once was with Jonas?
The sorrowful view of her, her arms pinned across her chest and gaze downcast, pricked at Travis. He rubbed his chin, letting out a sigh.Just one dance.He owed her that much, given he couldn't be the husband she would need.
Travis footed towards her, his heart beating against him like a jackhammer. When she turned, her gaze rested on him and her eyes rounded for a brief moment.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” Travis said, his fists pressed to his hips.
Josie’s eyes crinkled into slits as her mouth curved. “I am. I love dancing. It reminds me of my home before the war. I loved going to balls.”
Travis extended his hand when the music started again. “Would you care to dance with me, Mrs. Blythe?”
Josie’s eyes gaped, her lips parted. “Are you sure? Is this too much for you?”
Yes,Travis wanted to say, but he couldn’t spoil the day for Josie. “No, I want to dance with you.”
Josie reached out, her fingers softly wrapping around his hand. Her bare hand fit perfectly in his, her warm touch sparking something within him—a feeling he couldn’t quite identify as shock or something deeper he didn’t dare to admit. With a gentle nudge, he led her to the dancefloor, his pulse thrumming like a drum. As her hand rested on his shoulder, he instinctively pulled her closer, his arm settling around her slender waist, feeling her form press against him. Her hand met his, and he tried everything in his power to remain calm. Travis remembered the steps he took with Sophie the year before—slow and rhythmic.
As he let Josie sway in his arms, he noticed how she kept her gaze down, as she often did, avoiding his eyes. Despite her shyness, there was a softness in her movements that made the moment feel intimate, even fragile. She was so small in his arms, his hands practically swallowing hers.
“You don’t have to look away,” Travis said.
Josie lifted her chin, her innocent eyes meeting his. “I apologize.”
“There’s no need to be shy around me, Josie.”
“I’m not shy,” Josie denied sharply.
He raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. “You’ve been acting like I’m going to strangle you each time I’m near.”
Her hands tensed in his, shock flickering across her face. She shriveled from his gaze, her breath hitching, as if his comment had struck a nerve. The sudden change in her demeanor puzzled him.What is wrong with this woman?
Josie tore away from him mid-song. “I’m sorry, Travis. This is wrong—”
Travis stepped closer, his hand extended. “It’s not wrong, Josie. I know you like to dance. I owe you this much.”
Josie’s cheeks blazed as she scratched her forearms. “Forgive me. I’m just not used to you . . . being so close to me.”
Travis thrust out a breath. He never thought the day would come when he’d be in such close proximity with another woman. But Josie wasn’t just a woman—she was his wife.
“I know our situation is . . . odd, but I’m your husband, Josie. Whatever you need, you can come to me. You have helped me so much this past week, and I wanted to help you in return.”
