“Oh my.” My hand went to my chest, and before I had a chance to register what was happening, I found myself chest to chest with Jasper Taylor.
“Are you okay?” One hand clasped me around the waist, the other held my arm... the arm that wedged between us... the only thing keeping my breasts from smooshing against the hard planes of his broad chest.
“I’m fine.”
He set me upright and immediately released his grip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
Hot prickles danced across my cheeks. I averted my gaze, desperate to look anywhere but into the eyes of the man who’d just caught me by surprise. “Thank you, um, I think I might need some air.”
“Of course.” He stepped aside so I could get to the stoop.
In the bright afternoon sun, I took in a deep breath. I didn’t belong in Ido any more than they deserved the title of most romantic small town in Texas. It was obvious. At least to me. And probably to Jasper Taylor as well.
“Here it is.” Suzy joined me on the small wooden stoop, a magazine in her hands. “My first centerfold.”
My gaze ran over the spread. Suzy sat in the middle of a virtual wonderland of stuffed animals. “That’s really something.”
“Those were the days.” Suzy ran a gloved finger over the picture. “I suppose I ought to show you where you can get ready. Jasper said you don’t have much time and that something went wrong with your trailer?”
“That’s right.” Relieved to be back on task, I ran my palm over my skirt. “Could I possibly use your bathroom?”
“Of course. Let me show you where it is.” Suzy reentered the trailer and I followed.
Jasper had moved to the sitting area. His large frame barely seemed to fit in the small club chair. He made a move to stand as I reached for my makeup case.
“You need any help?” he asked.
“I’ve got it. I’ll be a little while. Do you need to go take care of anything while I get ready?”
“I need to make sure everything’s ready at the square.” He frowned as he glanced down at his jeans. “And then get cleaned up myself.”
“Oh, I’ll make sure she gets to the party in time.” Suzy pulled on Jasper’s hand. “You go take care of yourself and leave us girls to it.”
Jasper glanced from Suzy to me and back again, his brows drawing down to create a tiny furrow between them. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. But before you go, can we have a moment of silence?” Suzy took Jasper’s hand in hers, then reached for mine. “Go on, join hands, you two.”
I slowly reached out. Jasper’s fingers closed around mine, sending a pulse of warmth up my arm.
He rolled his eyes and nudged his chin toward his aunt. “I failed to mention that September thirtieth is a special day to Aunt Suzy.”
“Not just me. It’s a big day for all of us Deaners.” Suzy nodded.
“What’s a Deaner?” I was almost afraid to ask. For all I knew, it was a group of taxidermists who practiced some strange ritual on the last day of September.
“Fans of James Dean. He tragically lost his life on September thirtieth, and at five forty-five local time we share a moment of silence.” Suzy glanced at the clock on the wall. A chipmunk popped out of a small log as a chime sounded. “If y’all will bow your heads.”
I snuck a look at Jasper, who appeared to clench his jaw before dropping his chin to his chest. I closed my eyes and focused on the way his hand felt in mine. That moment when he’d caught me... just thinking about it had my heartbeat ratcheting up and my pulse thundering through my ears.
Suzy squeezed my hand, then let it go. “Thank you. I normally honor him by myself. It’s nice to have friends and family take part.”
Jasper let my hand drop from his. “You sure you’re okay riding to town with Suzy?”
His aunt dabbed a tissue under her eyes. “What do you think I’m going to do to her? Stuff her?”
I gulped in a breath. It diverted down the wrong pipe and I coughed, sputtering in an attempt to catch my breath.
“Suzy, was that really necessary?” Jasper guided me to the edge of the dinette bench. “You know she’s joking, right?”
