“Thank you for that, but I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m afraid if she gets me cornered, I’ll sing like a bird.”
His gaze softened. “Don’t be afraid. You always have the option of telling her. If a time comes when you feel you need to, then do it.”
“But I’ll get you in big trouble.”
“My own doing. Not your problem.”
She locked her hands behind his neck and swayed to the music. “I want to kiss you right now.”
“I want to kiss you, too. But that will lead to things that aren’t appropriate on a dance floor.”
“You don’t think we could have a nice easy kiss and keep it at that?”
His sexy grin gave her the answer.
“You know what? We need to be able to kiss like that. Nell and Zeke do. It’s romantic and it will help convince your mother.”
“Good point, but I’m not sure I can—”
“Sure you can. Lean down here and give me a gentle kiss. Expand your repertoire.”
“A gentle kiss is already in my repertoire, thank you very much.”
“Then how come you’ve never given me one?”
“I have. I guess you missed it.”
“When?”
He lowered his voice. “After we’ve had sweaty sex, not before. We’re in the before-times, when my thoughts are on ripping off that skirt and tossing you down on my bed.”
Her skin flushed. “You’re not helping. Is your mother watching us?”
“Don’t know. I’ll check.” He turned her in a lazy circle. “Yep, she is.”
“I’m telling you, it’s a good idea.”
“All right, let’s try it. Shut your eyes and lift your chin.”
Eyes closed and face turned upward, she ran her tongue over her lips and waited. For some stupid reason her heart was pounding. Ridiculous. It was just a kiss to make the engagement look real.
Okay, not only that. She craved the sensation of his lips on hers. A mild kiss was better than nothing, right?
His warm breath caressed her mouth a second before his lips, soft as velvet, brushed hers. Slowly he applied subtle pressure, not too much, just enough to make the intimate connection.
He tightened his arms, bringing her closer, but his kiss remained easy, undemanding, as if he cherished this moment, cherished her. The music and the chatter from the crowd faded.
A lightness filled her, as if she could float, as if she and Teague were adrift on a cloud, alone in a world of gauzy light and swirling pastels. Delicious. A subtle hum of desire undulated under the surface, a ripple of awareness. Just enough.
Gradually he lifted his lips.
No. Don’t stop. This is amazing.
“All done.” His voice sounded normal.
The music and the noise of the dinner crowd returned, dissolving her hazy watercolor world. Gone. Damn it. She opened her eyes.
His expression was impossible to read. Had he experienced that floaty, drifting-on-a cloud stuff? Maybe not. Better not mention it.
She cleared her throat and got her bearings. “See? We kissed and didn’t end up rolling around on the floor tearing each other’s clothes off.”
“Imagine that.”
“The music’s stopped.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced toward the bar. “And our food just arrived. Ready to go eat?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers as they walked back to the bar.
And there it was again, not as strong but still messing with her, that darned floaty thing.
Chapter Nineteen
During the meal, Val spilled catsup on her shirt and excused herself to go clean it off in the restroom. Ed, a whiz at stain removal, went with her.
The minute they left, Teague’s mom put down her hamburger and faced him. “I’m relieved to find out your relationship is based on more than sex.”
“What brought that on?”
“Your kiss on the dance floor.”
Val had been right. And she’d put him through hell. He’d nearly mastered the role of a carefree lover only interested in a good time. Then she’d asked him to switch gears and give her the kiss of a man deeply in love.
Oh, he could do it. Had ached to do it for months. Those few moments had been heaven.
Re-entry had been rough. He’d been a split-second away from saying I love you. Locking that down, especially when she gave him a dreamy-eyed look, had twisted his insides into a knot that was just now loosening.
“Nothing wrong with having a healthy sex life.” His mom’s gaze twinkled. “I’m just glad that’s not all you have going for you.”
“It’s not.” But it was the primary thing he had going for him the next four nights.
“Considering how you feel about each other, I can’t figure out why you tried to keep me from coming here.”
Oh, boy. How to field that comment?
“Blame it on me.” Val arrived in the nick of time and slipped onto the stool to his right. “He knew I was a little freaked about being engaged, and he was worried that having you come so soon would stress me out.”
“Oh. I guess that makes sense.” She glanced at him. “You could have told me that instead of making up an excuse about school.”
“I can see why he didn’t.” Ed poked her way into the conversation. “He was being protective of Val. He didn’t want to make her out to be a head case.”
“Okay.” His mom nodded. “Good point.” She looked over at Val. “Did I stress you out, honey? Because if I did—”
“I was a little agitated at first, but scooping poop together took care of that.”
His mom grinned. “It’s the great leveler, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I’ve always maintained.” Ed polished off her champagne. “Nothing better than— oh, listen to that. Boot Scootin’ Boogie. Let’s get out there, Madeline.” She turned to Teague and Val. “You guys coming?”
“Not me,” Val said. “I’d rather sit and watch you two.” She turned her stool to face the dance floor.
“Great idea.” Teague spun his around, too, as his mom and Ed headed off to join the other dancers. “Did I tell you my mom’s a tap dancer?”
“You did not.”
“Has been since she was a kid. She’s the driving force behind the Tottering Tappers, a bunch of retired teachers.”
“That explains why she’s killing that line dance.”
“Yeah.” He laughed as she added a shimmy to the action. “I’ve always loved watching her dance. She looks so happy.”
“She does. Will she forgive us when she finds out the truth?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. If we get through this episode, I’ll fly up to Eugene in a month or so and tell her in person.”
“Good idea. Put in a good word for me, will you?”
“Absolutely. And thanks for coming to my rescue just now. I was floundering. Between you and Ed, you smoothed things out.”
“I’m glad the timing was good.”
“And you were right about the kiss.” Amazing that he could talk about it so calmly. Maybe because he was concentrating on the dancing and not looking at her.
“Oh? She mentioned it?”
“First thing she said after you and Ed went to work on the ketchup stain. She’s relieved that our relationship is based on more than sex.”
“Do you think we’ve passed the danger point and she’s bought into it?”
“Maybe. In case I haven’t said it enough, I’m grateful that you agreed to this plan.” He nudged back his hat. “When I first asked, I figured my chances of convincing you were zero to none.”
“The truth is, if you’d made a move when you were at my house, I would’ve caved immediately.”
His pulse rate picked up. “I had a hunch that was the case.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Wouldn’t have been fair to press my advantage. You had to make the first move, not me.”
&nbs
p; She smiled. “Noble of you. Did you expect me to show up at your house?”
“Nope. That was a surprise. A good one.”
“I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“I’m honored to be the first.” And he desperately wanted to be the last. The thought of her with another man gnawed at his vitals. Could be he’d have to get used to it. “That dance was the sexiest—” He paused, his focus shifting to the front door. “Matt and Lucy just came in.”
“I’m glad your mom isn’t here. We need to stop them from doing the congratulations bit.”
“Right.” He stood. “Hey, you two. Thanks for showing up, but—”
“Your mom’s not here,” Lucy said with a laugh. “Hi, Val. Bad timing, huh?”
“Great timing.” She gestured toward the dance floor. “She’s out there with Ed, which gives us a chance to tell you not to bother with the congratulations thing.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “She’s onto you?”
“Not yet, but she’s still looking for holes in the story. Jake and Millie stopping by made her more suspicious, not less.”
“See?” Lucy turned toward her husband. “That’s what I said. I’ve gotten to know her better since she started collecting my art. She’s sharp. She’d recognize a setup.” She glanced at Teague. “Where do things stand, now?”
“Not too bad. But Val’s right. Another couple showing up to offer congrats could set us back.”
“I’d still like to say hello.” Lucy checked out the dancers. “We can stay here until they get back. Then I’ll make it all about me wanting to connect with Madeline about a sketch she wants. She’s commissioned one of Sir Eatsalot. She thinks he’s adorable.”
“Which he is,” Val said. “Ask her if you can make a print of the original, because I’d love to buy one.”
“I’m sure she’d say yes.” When the music stopped, Lucy surveyed the dance floor. “Here comes Ed, but Madeline stayed to talk to some guy.”
“She did?” Teague swung around and zeroed in on his mother. She was having a cozy chat with a gray-haired dude. “Who’s that?”
Lucy shook her head. “Haven’t a clue. Matt?”
“Might be the banker who gave me the loan to buy Thunder.”
“He’s vice-president of the bank.” Ed arrived, a big smile on her face. “I introduced them after the line dance.”
Teague blinked. “Why would you do that?”
“All part of my grand plan.” The music started up again. “Are they dancing? I don’t want her to catch me looking.”
“They’re dancing.” Teague was riveted. “And she’s laughing.”
“He has a good sense of humor.”
“How’d you work this? She never wanted to before. She’d dance with me, but that was it.”
“He’s a plant. I told him I’d get her out on the floor for a line dance and he had to grab his opportunity right after it ended.”
“When was this?” He flicked a glance at Ed before returning his attention to his mom and the banker guy. Uneasiness gripped him.
“Day before yesterday. He’s not the only one.”
“What?” He turned to stare at her.
“I lined up three very nice men and asked them to rotate and make sure she got plenty of time on the floor. I sent them her picture and told them a little something about her. It was easy. She’s a beautiful, intelligent woman with a lot to offer. And she can dance like nobody’s business.”
“You’re matchmaking?” His gut clenched.
“Not at all. These are local guys. She’s not moving, at least we all hope not.”
“Then what the h—”
“I just want her to remember what it’s like to flirt and have fun with the opposite sex.”
“Why?”
“In case I’m right that she just needs a little nudge to reconsider the idea of dating.” Ed’s gaze was as calm as a cloudless summer sky.
“Exactly when were you going to tell me this?”
“I just did.” She looked over at Matt and Lucy. “You’re skipping the congratulations speech, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Matt sounded like he was about to bust out laughing. “And your strategy is brilliant, by the way.”
“I wouldn’t call it brilliant.” Outrageous was more like it. He got a kick out of Ed’s talent for outrageous behavior. Except when it involved his mom. He kept sneaking peeks at the dance floor. “I wish you’d run it by me.”
“Why? She’s your mother but she’s my girlfriend. Which makes me way better qualified to judge whether this is a good idea or not. Would you have thought of it?”
“No.” And hell no.
“And even if you had thought of it, you wouldn’t have the contacts to make it happen. I do.”
“I just wish you’d—”
“I didn’t tell you beforehand because I suspected you wouldn’t be crazy about the idea.”
“I’m not.”
“Don’t you want her to stop focusing on your love life?”
“Yes, but—”
“This is the classic answer to your problem.” She swept a hand toward the dance floor. “Encourage her to focus on her own.”
Chapter Twenty
On the way home, Val held hands with a distracted Teague in the darkened back seat of Ed’s fancy truck. She’d initiated the hand-holding as a gesture of support. Poor guy had been thrown for a loop by Ed’s bold move and his mom’s enthusiastic reaction.
For the remainder of the evening, he’d behaved like a spectator at a tennis match. His attention switched constantly between her and his mother, who was mostly on the dance floor.
Talking to him at the bar had become complicated. Several times she’d had to repeat something because he’d been totally focused on the dancers. Out on the floor, he’d bungled his usually smooth moves and twice he’d stepped on her toes.
Yes, it was funny, but touching, too. Clearly he didn’t know what to make of a situation he’d never encountered and hadn’t a clue how to handle.
Ed had continued to reassure him that everything was fine, that none of these guys would act inappropriately. The few times his energized mother had returned to her seat at the bar, she’d laughingly told him to relax. She might as well have asked him to transform into a different person, one who didn’t have a protective streak a mile wide.
Now that they were headed back, his attention was no longer divided. She might have his hand, but the rest of him was fully occupied with the conversation in the front seat.
Madeline’s excitement bubbled over like a shaken bottle of champagne. “That was the most fun I’ve had in years. It’s obvious you recruited those guys to dance with me, but I don’t care, because they genuinely had a good time and so did I.”
“I didn’t have to work very hard, toots. You’re an easy sell.”
“Hey,” Teague said. “That’s my mother you’re talking about.”
She turned around and flapped a hand at him. “Take it easy, son. I’m flattered that Ed could find three good-looking, intelligent men who wanted to dance with me.”
“You danced with more than three guys.”
“Yes, she did!” Ed chortled with glee. “They came out of the woodwork. I loved seeing them jockeying for position. You looked good out there, Madeline. Didn’t she, Val?”
“Sure did. You’re a wonderful dancer. I wish you were staying longer so you could teach me some steps.” Had she really said that?
“Thank you.” Madeline gave her a smile. “It was quite the ego boost. The ones Ed picked are excellent dancers, so that helped. Most of the others weren’t. But they were sweet and I couldn’t bear to turn them down.”
“The one with the red shirt didn’t look much older than me.” Disapproval gave an edge to his voice.
“Up close he doesn’t,” Madeline said. “He keeps in shape, so he looks younger from a distance. I’d say he’s in his mid-forties.”
“That’s not a bad age gap.” Ed flashed
her a grin. “You could pass for early fifties.”
Teague’s fingers tightened. “I thought this wasn’t about matchmaking?”
His mom scooted around so she could look at him. “It’s not, son. I doubt I’ll ever see that man again. Or any of them. Well, except Cliff, the banker. We have a lunch date for Saturday.”
Ed slapped the steering wheel. “Booya!”
“I hope you don’t mind, Teague. I’m here to see you, of course, but—”
“He has his work to do, don’t you, Teague?”
“Yes, ma’am. And I don’t mind, but I don’t see the point.”
“He sponsors a clothing drive every year and he wants to ask me about the one I run in Eugene. It’s not so much a date as a chance to share information.”
Ed glanced at her. “And you also get to have a nice lunch with an attractive man.”
“I suppose, but that’s not my motivation.”
Teague’s grip relaxed.
“But if the lunch goes well…” Ed paused for emphasis. “I’m thinking you could find similar attractive men in Eugene who’d like to have lunch.”
His fingers tensed.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Ed. Is that where you’re going with this?”
Val had a perfect view of Ed’s jawline illuminated in the lights from the dash. Judging from the muscle twitching there, Ed wasn’t happy with Madeline’s question.
“Why not?” Her tone revealed her frustration. “You’d have no trouble finding them in a bigger town like Eugene. I’ll bet that place is crawling with great guys your age who would love—”
“But I don’t want a great guy. I had one, and nobody will ever measure up to Wes. I can’t imagine sharing a house and my life with anyone else.”
Ed’s beleaguered sigh said it all. If she hadn’t been driving, she likely would have banged her head against the steering wheel.
“I look forward to having lunch with Cliff, but I look forward to having lunch with the Tottering Tappers, too. I have a social life. I don’t need to have lunch with some guy just to spice things up.”
“A conversation with a single man who’s interested in you is totally different from one with girlfriends.”
Teague leaned forward. “Mom, I think you should do what feels right. If dating sounds like fun, then do it. But if you’re happy with things as they are—”
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