Page 28 of Home to the Cowboy

The next moment, June was enveloped in a soft hug. “I’m so glad the two of you are together,” Willow whispered. Her eyes swept over June’s outfit. “You look stunning. And that necklace … Dylan?”

June nodded but didn’t elaborate. “You look very smart yourself.”

Hunter pulled Willow close to him. “I’m married to the most gorgeous woman.”

Grinning, Willow leaned against him. “We only got married in December; we’re still smitten with each other.”

June laughed. “Well, looking at the rest of your family, it seems to me the Westons stay smitten for a long time.”

“That we do,” Becket said as he and Ellie also joined them. “Come on, let’s find our table.”

It took a while to finally get to their table. Several people stopped them to talk. Dylan introduced her to everyone but there was no way she would ever be able to remember all the names.

As they neared the table, Nash Johnson approached from the front. Next to June, Dylan stiffened.

“You promised me a dance, remember?” Nash smiled.

“The lady,” Dylan said as he ushered her to a chair, “as you can see, is with me.”

Nash turned to June. “If he changes his mind, let me know.”

Frowning Dylan pulled out a chair next to June. “The damn cheek.”

Becket slapped him on the shoulder. “You better keep an eye on her, coz; there are more guys with eyes on your date.”

Fortunately, Arlene arrived with Hayden, Laura, and … June’s eyes widened. Luke?

Rose laughed when she saw June’s face. “This is what happens in a small town, I’ve learned. All the kids are welcome. They’ll find somewhere to nap when they’re tired.”

For the first time, June noticed the other children who had accompanied their parents. Children always included—what a lovely way to grow up. Her heart sighed softly for the little girl she’d been, the one who had never quite fit in.

Sometimes she wondered about her mother. What had driven her to leave her child at the fire station and walk away? As a little girl, she’d waited for her to come and pick her up again. Maybe she was just busy, she’d thought. By age ten, she’d stopped hoping that anyone would come and get her.

Dylan’s arm folded around her shoulder. “And that deep sigh?”

Smiling quickly, she shook her head. “If someone had told me two weeks ago, I’d be attending a ball in Marietta, I would’ve laughed. Prom night was probably the last time I was at a dance.”

Getting up, he held out his hand. “Well, we’re here to broaden your horizons. Come on.”

As Dylan pulled her close, she recognized the song. It was the same one that had played during the picnic earlier today.

Dylan’s mouth was close to her ear. “Like the guy’s singing, nobody makes me feel the way you do.”

June didn’t want to talk, though. With her head against Dylan’s, she closed her eyes giving her other senses the opportunity to lap up the rhythm of the music, Dylan’s warm chest beneath her cheek, his arms tenderly holding her close, his soft breath on her face.

All too soon, though, the music ended and Dylan was steering her back to the table. “I don’t know about you”—his voice was low—“but I’m either taking you home right now or I’ll have to get a long, cold drink as quickly as possible.”

For a moment, she wanted to throw caution to the wind and drag Dylan home, but this was way too fast and too intense. She needed time to think.

“A cold drink would be nice, thanks.”

His eyes flashed but nodding, he pulled out her chair. “If that’s what you prefer.”

No, she wanted to shout. It’s not what I prefer; it is the saner decision to make. Just one look from Dylan lit the embers that had started the first time she’d touched him. Oh, my goodness, this was ridiculous. She was leaving soon.

Her eyes caught Willow’s as she sat down, but she quickly looked away. The last thing she wanted at the moment was somebody reading her mind.

“May I claim my dance now?” a voice behind her asked. Nash Johnson was indeed persistent.