She frowned at him. “That wasn’t a real kiss. Let me show you what I was thinking about.” Renae wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss, her mouth pressed firmly against his.
Neither of them realized they’d stopped dancing and just stood kissing one another in the middle of the dance floor until Ryder tapped on Chad’s shoulder. “This isn’t the place.”
Renae blushed. “Now we don’t have to wonder.”
Ryder just gave them odd looks as they headed back to their table. Renae didn’t know what Chad was thinking, but she was thinking about kissing him again at midnight. And again when he took her home. And maybe when he picked her up in the morning. Now she had something real to dream about.
Chapter Three
The rest of the evening was spent joking, dancing, and talking. They sipped at their Shirley Temples while people around them drank a little more heartily. As they got closer and closer to midnight, Renae got more and more nervous about the kiss coming. Finally, she knew she had to make a confession.
“I used to watch you when I went to your house to see Sam. I thought you were hot stuff.” It hadn’t come out just the way she’d dreamed it would, but at least it was out there.
Chad grinned. “Oh, yeah?”
She nodded. “And I don’t really need lipstick or a beard or anything else for my family’s holidays. I just wanted to have an excuse to go out with you.” Never in her life had she said something so daring, but the words felt right. She couldn’t start her relationship with him with a lie. Well, she already had, but she was clearing up that lie immediately.
He blinked a couple of times, his grin growing wider. “I was just looking for an excuse to go out with you, too. No more beard or lipstick. I just want to date you. How’s that?”
“Even though I trip over my own big feet?”
“That’s one of my favorite things about you. You should trip every day.”
“I do! I’m so glad you approve!”
He laughed softly. “You’re pretty special, Renae Quinn. Want to dance?”
“How ’bout I just take my boots off and I stand on your feet and dance that way? I used to do that with my dad, and I never tripped!”
“Nah. You’re going to keep your boots on, and you’re going to stand in one spot, and I’m going to slowly turn you as I circle around you. Easy, huh?”
She shrugged. “I guess so.” She eyed him. “Have I mentioned how much I’m looking forward to your kiss at midnight?”
“Not half as much as I am. Do you want to stay here? Or go somewhere quieter?”
She thought about it for a moment. “I want to go somewhere quieter, but my family will think it’s really weird if we leave just before midnight. Nah, we’ll stay here. And tomorrow we’ll be surrounded by people, too. Maybe tomorrow evening we can spend some time mostly alone. My family will be done with us by about three or four. We can go back to my place, and I can cook supper for you.”
“You cook?” He could just picture her tripping over her own feet in the kitchen and burning herself.
“I do! I’m not bad either. And just so you know, I got more cookies for the party tomorrow.”
He chuckled. “That’s probably for the best. Those cookies were so good, it’s no surprise you went through so many.”
“They certainly made me happy.” She reached over and took his big hand, feeling very daring. She’d asked him out, she’d kissed him, and now she was holding his hand. What happened to the girl who spent her life dreaming as everyone passed her by? “Tell me what you like to do in your spare time. Are you a reader? A gamer? A TV watcher?”
He shrugged. “I like to do all of the above. I like spending time with Ricky, and I want kids. I didn’t realize I wanted them until I got home and there was this fantastic kid there, just waiting for me to be his buddy.”
She tilted her head to one side, looking at him. “You know in my family, there are always five kids, right? It’s a Quinn thing.”
He gulped. “Five? That’s a lot of kids.”
“Yeah, it is. I’ve always known it was my destiny, though. So I’m ready for it. You wanna have five kids?”
“Um . . . can I get back to you on that one?”
“Sure, but do it fast. Once I’m head over heels in love with you, you won’t have a choice. Unless you want me following you around crying rivers of tears for you to drown in while you’re trying to escape from me.”
“You’re starting to scare me a little bit there, Renae.”
“Well, I decided that this relationship shouldn’t be based on lies. I’m telling you the truth now, so there will be no lies between us. Isn’t that nice of me?”
“Sure . . . I guess I should also tell you then that I snore.”
“Snore? I can handle snoring. I’ll just sleep with earplugs. What other bad habits do you have?”
Chad frowned. “You can’t expect me to divulge all of my bad habits on the first date!”
“Okay, just one more bad habit. You already know that I trip over my own two feet. What do you do?”
“I have a bad temper at times. And I have a bit of PTSD after being in the military. I thrived there, but I saw things that I can never unsee. Is that good?”
“Good enough.” She frowned. “I wonder what Bobling is seeing over there. He’s in Afghanistan as well.”
“Just be ready to love on him when he comes home.”
“Does that mean I should love on you? Exactly what would that entail? I can cook for you, but I’m not sure what to do beyond that. Do you want a foot massage?”
“If you gave me a foot massage would you be zoning me?”
“Absolutely. It’s what I do. We’ll just call it a foot massage for you, though.” She really wanted to get her hands on him, because she thought she might be able to help the PTSD a little. And if she couldn’t, she knew Riley could with her crystals.
He sighed. “Maybe someday.”
“Like tomorrow night after we get back from my grandmother’s.”
“We’ll see.” He didn’t really understand what a foot zone was, and he didn’t want to commit to something wonky. You never knew what was going to happen. People in their area were way too into alternative medicine in his opinion. He’d stick with her cousin, the MD. He’d look foot zoning up later and see if it was something he wanted to even consider doing.
Ivy breezed by with another drink for each of them. “I hope you two have a designated driver. You’ve had a lot of those things.”
“Yeah, but they’re virgin, right?” Renae said, winking at Ivy. Her cousin knew that she’d once gone to a wedding and spent the whole evening flirting with the bartender and asking for virgin Shirley Temples, thinking it made her seem older than her twelve years.
“Yeah, this time. But don’t forget to ask for them to be virgin next time. I might forget your preference.” After Ivy hurried away, Renae explained the joke to Chad.
Chad laughed. “I can see you doing that. You’re such a mess.”
“I was worse at twelve.” She glanced out at the dance floor, and it was obvious it was close to midnight. “I think they’re about to start the countdown.”
“Oh, really? Let’s go!” He stood up and took her hand, pulling her to the dance floor with the others, cheering as they counted down loudly.
As soon as they all yelled, “Happy New Year!” he caught her by the waist and pulled her in for a kiss.
She felt as if the world faded away as soon as his lips touched hers. There was some inherent magic in Chad that just made the world seem like a better place. How had she lived so long without him at her side?
When he broke off the kiss, she stared at him with wide eyes. “Wow.”
“Wow? Is that a good wow or a bad wow?”
“Oh, a very good wow. You’re something else, Chad Duncan.”
He grinned, touching her cheek with the back of his index finger. “Do you want to stay longer? Or should I pay the bill and take you home?”
&nbs
p; “Take me home. I need to rest up if I’m going to spend the day with you tomorrow.”
“Why do you need to rest up?” he asked, frowning.
“Because I need to be at the top of my game if I’m going to convince you to marry me and have five kids with me.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I always saw you as a dreamer, but you grabbed me and kissed me, and now you’re ready to convince me to marry you. Where did all this daring come from?”
She shrugged. “I guess you turn me into a daring dreamer. Who knows?”
He thought about her words during their five-minute drive to her house. What on earth was a daring dreamer anyway?
When he walked her to her door, she didn’t wait for his kiss. Instead, she went up on tiptoes and pulled his head down to hers, kissing him with everything inside her. “G’night, Chad. See you in the morning.”
“I’ll be the one on your doorstep, begging for another kiss. And another. And maybe another.”
She laughed, grabbing the front of his coat and pulling him down to her. “Here’s another one for the road. Wouldn’t want you to die of a lack of kisses before you get home.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. I’ll do my best to keep my spirit up, despite my lack of kisses.” He turned to walk away, but she stopped him.
“Hey, Chad?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you came home.”
“Me too.”
She shut her door and leaned back against it. She couldn’t believe how very daring she’d been with him. She’d dated before of course. What woman in her late twenties hadn’t? But she had never before fallen so hard so fast. Chad. She would have to guard her heart, or she’d lose it completely.
When Renae walked into her grandparents’ house with Chad beside her the following day, she was actually a bit nervous. Never before had she taken a man home to meet the family. A few first dates, and fewer second dates, were all she’d ever really had. She felt like she and Chad were starting a real relationship, and she wanted her family to like him as much as she did. Though, maybe not in the same way she did . . .
April Lynn was the first person to spot them, and she rushed across the room. “Renae. Introduce me to your friend!”
“Mom, this is Sam’s older brother, Chad. I’m sure you’ve met.”
“Oh, of course, we have! Chad, weren’t you in the military?” April Lynn asked, a smile gracing her lips.
“Yes, I just got home from the Army last month. Well, November, which still feels like last month. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Quinn.”
“Please, call me April Lynn. Everyone else does. Well, unless they decide to be silly and call me June Marie.”
“Now I’m not going to be able to remember which name is right. April Lynn or June Marie!”
April Lynn laughed. “I’ll answer to either one for you.” She looked over her shoulder. “Bob!”
Bob Quinn appeared right behind his wife. “Yes, dear?”
“This is Chad Duncan. He was in the Army until recently, and now he’s dating our Renae.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Chad.” Bob held his hand out to shake Chad’s. “Thanks for your service.”
Chad nodded briefly. “I hear Bobling is in Afghanistan. That’s where I was until recently. It’s a rough place to be right now.”
“I’m sure it is. We’ll talk more about that later. Let’s get you introduced around.” Bob led Chad off, and Chad frowned.
“Did I say something wrong, sir?”
“I just don’t want April Lynn reminded where Bobling is right now. She’s having a hard time with him being gone. Especially during the holidays. She’s one of those who wants all of her ducklings close. And her Boblings, too!”
Chad sighed. “I should have thought of that. I know my mom was a wreck while I was gone.”
“Mothers don’t understand defending their country the way fathers do. Boys grow up with the understanding that they may be called to service at any time. Girls know it’s an option for them, but not nearly as many feel like they should exercise that option.”
“Very true. Should I go apologize?” Chad asked, looking over his shoulder.
“Nah. Don’t bring it up again. I’m sure Renae has already soothed her mama’s ruffled feathers. Our girls are great at calming their mother down. I’ll introduce you around.”
The whole time Chad spent with Bob, he was aware of where Renae was in the room. At the beginning she was with her mother, but then she was joined by her sisters, and the four of them and their mother talked together. And then she went off with an older woman, who he assumed was her grandmother. . . . Finally, after what seemed like hours, he was returned to Renae.
Renae turned to him with a grin. “Hey, you.”
“Hey. I’ve now met all of your family and potentially everyone who will ever marry into your family and all of their relatives, too.”
Renea laughed. “The Quinns are a bit overwhelming when we’re all together, huh?”
“Yes! But I’m sure I’ll get used to them all.”
“Yup, because I’m not letting you get away now that you’ve met everyone. I couldn’t inflict that experience on another man when you’ve already been inducted.”
“Inducted? Nice word. Maybe hazed would be better?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “You’re just being silly. We have a Skype call set up with Bobling. Do you want to be there for it? Or do you want to hang out here?”
“I’m with you!” He put his hand in hers, and the two of them joined her sisters and parents, along with Roxane’s husband, Ciran, in a quieter room of the house. It looked like a second living area to Chad.
When they got to the room, Roxane was just connecting with Bobling, who sat there in his fatigues, looking tired. “Hey, Bobling! We’ve all missed you!”
Bobling flinched. “You know people call me Jake now, right?”
Bob laughed. “Like you’ll ever be anything other than Bobling to us. Jake. Why would you go by your middle name?”
Bobling rubbed his hands over his eyes and shook his head. “Happy New Year everyone!”
“Happy New Year!” they all chorused back.
Bobling squinted his eyes. “Chad? What are you doing with this crew?”
Renae lifted her hand that was joined with Chad’s. “He’s here with me.”
“Really? Chad, you and I might need to have a talk later, buddy.” The way he said buddy made Chad’s skin crawl. He’d known Bobling his entire life, and he knew the other man could kick his butt. At least he could in high school.
“Hey, we just started dating. We’ll talk when you get home,” Chad said, knowing Renae and April Lynn would appreciate the push for him to come home.
“Yeah, about that . . .” Bobling said, frowning.
“You didn’t re-enlist did you?” April Lynn asked, her voice slightly panicked.
Bobling shook his head. “No, I didn’t re-enlist. I’ll be home in September or October. I need to check the exact date. I just wanted you to know it was for sure happening this time.”
April Lynn turned to Bob, and Chad saw the tears in her eyes. He hoped his mother hadn’t been that emotional the entire time he’d been gone. “Our baby’s coming home.”
The sisters took turns saying hi to him, one after the other. Finally, Bobling looked over his shoulder. “My time is up. I’m glad I got to see everyone. Happy New Year, and I’ll be seeing you in less than a year. Love you all!” And his face disappeared.
All the sisters started chattering at once. Chad couldn’t tell which comment came from which girl.
“I can’t believe he’s coming home finally!”
“I’m going to hug the stuffing out of him!”
“He should have been here by now.”
“He’ll have to start coming to these things with us.”
Chad looked down at Renae, who had silent tears running down her cheeks. He frowned. “Why are you sad?”
&nb
sp; “I’m not sad. I’m happy he’s going to be here soon. They’re happy tears.” Renae swiped at one with the back of her hand.
Chad wrapped a tentative arm around her. He didn’t want anyone slugging him for touching her in public, and he didn’t know how her family was about public displays of affection. “We’ll have to throw a big welcome home party for him.”
Renae perked up at that, turning to her sisters. “Roxie, did you hear that? Chad suggested we throw a big welcome home party for Bobling.”
“That’s a really good idea! I’ll email him for an exact date he’ll be here and book the ballroom. This will be the most fabulous party in the history of Quinn Valley!” Roxie was the event coordinator for the Quinn Valley Hotel and Spa, and she knew just what to do to make a party perfect.
Bob nodded, grinning at his family. “Pull out all the stops.”
Roxie grinned. “Sounds good to me. The baby will be around six weeks old by then, and it shouldn’t be a problem for me to plan it.”
April Lynn turned to her eldest daughter. “That’s how you tell me I’m going to be a grandmother? What is wrong with you, Roxane? I taught you better than that!” Her tears started up again, and she was sobbing into Bob’s shoulder. “We’re going to be grandparents.”
Bob patted her shoulder, a smile on his face. “We are.”
“That baby is going to have a Disney nursery. There is no arguing with me! I’ll start sewing tomorrow.”
Roxane smiled up at Ciran. “I think she’s sufficiently distracted, don’t you?”
“That was good timing,” Ciran said, dropping a kiss atop her head.
Chapter Four
They divided into teams for a snow sculpting contest right after lunch. “The snow isn’t perfect,” Grandpa Harley said, “but it’s good enough. Each family is a team. Bob, you and your girls and Ciran and Chad. You get an extra because Bobling is off. Everyone else has to work together. Sophie, Sean, and Jeremiah will help Grandma and me judge. Go!”
Bob huddled up with April Lynn and the girls. “What are we making this year?”
“A dinosaur!” Riley suggested.
Daring Dreamer (Quinn Valley Ranch Book 7) Page 3