She didn’t want the spell to end, yet at the rate they were going now, she worried she’d want to tell him about her problem. Crazy thing was, he just might understand and be of some comfort. Having an understanding ear wasn’t something she’d received from anyone. Not even her shrink.
It surprised her how many Christmas decorations they used to make the living room look like the school gym for a Valentine’s Day dance. As Justin added the finishing touches to the red lights around the window, she wandered back to the music discs and sat on the floor, leafing through the collection. When she saw an artist she loved, she smiled. “Great, he has Vince Gill.”
“Who?”
She looked over her shoulder at Justin. “Vince Gill. He’s a country singer.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know a lot of musicians. I don’t really get time to listen to music.”
She took the disc out of the case and replaced it with the other in the player. Vince’s soft voice drifted from the large speakers. As the music played, she continued to browse through the collection.
“Justin? What’s your friend’s name? The one who owns the cabin?”
“Brad Young.”
She hesitated in thought then shook her head. “I don’t know him.”
He laughed as he threw another couple of logs on the fire. “Are you kidding? Everybody knows Brad. Are you sure you don’t know him?”
“The name doesn’t sound familiar. Maybe if I saw his face, I would recognize him.”
“I’m sure you would.”
She glanced back at Justin. His warm gaze hadn’t moved off of her. A strange comfort surrounded her, and her heart skipped to life again. Why did he have to be so incredibly good looking and sweet now? Why couldn’t she have stayed upset at him? She silently prayed he wasn’t anything like Chuck, or her weakening control would give her big trouble.
* * * *
AMOMENT OF SILENCEstretched through the air as Justin listened to Vince Gill’s song. The singer’s soothing voice echoed through the room, creating a cozy feeling. He closed the glass doors to the fireplace, and Brooke’s angelic hum rose above the crackle of the burning logs.
Relaxing against the wall, he let himself enjoy the music as her voice blended with the singer’s. It had been so long since he enjoyed anything. Justin’s hectic life kept him going one way or the other, not allowing a moment for himself. It was a miracle he’d even had time to date Robin, let alone get engaged. Thanks to his meddling mother, he’d somehow found the time to pop the question. Or maybe she’d popped the question. He couldn’t remember.
In fact, his mother was the one who purchased the ring because his schedule was so time-consuming. The interfering woman reserved the perfect restaurant and she made sure the limousine picked him up from the office to deliver him there on time.
If his mother wasn’t trying to run his life, it was Robin. She’d wanted an office right next to his and had even hinted about being Vice President of the billion-dollar company. No way would he allow Robin to work side by side with him. She didn’t know the first thing about the oil business since her father owned a chain of hotels across the country.
Even before the wedding date was set, Robin had been house hunting. He shook his head in remembrance. That woman would have bought furniture and home decor and charged it to him if he hadn’t found out about her shopping spree before she went and put a stop to it. He’d tried to break off their relationship, but she told him her daddy wouldn’t be happy. Right then Justin should have realized that her father was already controlling his life.
Justin took a deep sigh and relaxed. All of that was behind him now. He had bigger worries. Did her father still want him dead now that he’d walked away from the wedding?
Shoving those irritating memories to the back of his head, he moved away from the fire and over beside Brooke, who sat crouched on the floor by the CD rack. Her head was bent over the collection of music as her voice joined in the song. She tapped her foot on the floor and bobbed her head to the beat. Strange how attracted he’d become to her in such a short time. But Brooke was completely different from Robin, and he couldn’t help but like the differences. Even now as his thoughts wandered off track, he wanted Brooke in his arms; wanted to take away the pain from her past that dimmed the glow in her eyes.
He touched her on the shoulder to get her attention. When she lifted her jaded gaze, he smiled. “Excuse me, Miss Cavanaugh. Would you dance with me?”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Of course.” He glanced around the room. “We have the decorations for a ball, so why not pretend we’re at one?”
Mixed emotions crossed her face when her eyes widened. He expected her to turn him down, but she smiled and slipped her hand in his. It was smaller than Robin’s, and he liked it. Real fingernails shaped Brooke’s fingers, whereas Robin went in twice a month to have the salon do hers. Brooke’s nails were beautiful and delicate – just like her.
“I’d love to dance with you,” she answered with a lift to her voice. He pulled her to her feet and took her in his arms.
Compared to Robin, Brooke’s body almost disappeared in his hold. Brooke was like a breath of fresh air. She fit right into his arms, and as he gathered her close, she molded against him so well.
They swayed with the slow song and danced perfectly together. She was an excellent dancer, unlike Robin who clumsily stepped on his feet. It surprised him to think he still remembered how to dance. It’d been so long since he was able to do anything fun like this.
The more he danced, the more happiness grew inside his heart. Earlier that morning, he’d been running for his life, and betrayal hurt just as bad. Comfort washed over him, making his worries disappear. Once again, Lady Luck had been keeping an eye on him. Brooke needed this time also, but he wished she’d tell him about her past. He really wanted to help her if he could.
The song ended, and a faster beat took its place, so he stepped away. “I’m afraid I don’t know how to dance to fast songs.”
