Would he be here tonight? Probably not, if he didn’t intend to date. On the other hand, she wasn’t trolling for a date, either, and she was here. Clearly the emphasis was on having fun and eating good food, not hooking up with someone.
Stepping into the Choosy Moose made her sigh with pleasure. The aroma of tasty food and a spirited rendition of Tim McGraw’s Something Like That lifted her heart. The large plush moose head mounted over the antique bar was a hoot. He sported a dark green Apple Grove High graduation cap with its gold tassel dangling on the left. A CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES banner in green and gold hung above him.
Dancers spun around the floor in a kaleidoscope of color as a low hum of cheerful conversation slid under the chords of the music. Yeah, she could have a good time here.
One of the cowboys on the floor executed a tricky maneuver with his partner and they grinned at each other, obviously enjoying the moment. She blinked, looked again. Zeke.
Chapter Seven
When the music ended, Zeke walked his partner back to her table. What was her name again? She’d told him when she’d asked him to dance, and he’d spaced it.
“That was fun.” She remained standing as the other two women left their chairs. “I have to go. We’re due at a graduation party, but I’m glad I trusted my instincts and asked you to dance before we left.”
“I had fun, too.” He stepped back. “Don’t let me make you late for your party.”
She glanced at her two friends. “Go ahead, guys. I’ll be there in two minutes.” As they nodded and left, she pulled her phone from her purse. “I’d like to trade digits.”
He flashed her a smile. “Sorry. I dance but I don’t date.”
“Oh! Are you—”
“Unavailable. Much obliged for the dance, ma’am.” Tipping his hat, he started back toward the gang’s usual booth. He’d taken two steps when a woman sitting at a table on the other side of the room looked his way. Nell? Yep. She gave him a little wave.
Geez, now what? He should at least go over and say hello before returning to the gang. Nell’s principal was part of a group that had pushed three tables together. One of the ladies looked familiar, too. She’d poked her head in a few times to say hi while he and Nell worked on the greenhouse.
Okay, he got the picture. Apple Grove Elementary had let out for the summer yesterday. The faculty was likely here to celebrate the end of the school year.
These were folks from Claire’s school. Her future teachers would be in that gathering. He should absolutely say hello.
As he crossed the room Nell’s expression brightened. She was glad to see him. Heaven help him, he was glad to see her, too. Couldn’t help returning her smile.
Her hair was different, a mass of dark curls tumbling around her shoulders. Her blouse was cut lower than any she’d worn in his presence before. He kept his gaze on her face.
She stood. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“The gang was going and Claire wanted to have a sleepover at Henri’s.”
“It was her idea?”
The other shoe dropped. “Did she know about this celebration?”
“Probably. It’s not a secret. The faculty’s been doing this for years. The Moose’s owner foots the bill. I think he and Henri—”
“Are close.” Claire wasn’t the only one who knew about this shindig. If it was a long-standing tradition Ben created, the entire town would know. And somehow he’d been kept out of the loop. Hmm.
“Let me introduce you to everyone.”
“Thanks. That would be great.” As she went around the long table, he despaired of keeping track of the names, but he zeroed in on the familiar-looking blonde lady. Valerie Jenson taught fourth grade and would have Claire next year. She acted pleased about that.
Several others commented on his daughter, too. She’d made a name for herself, which didn’t surprise him. She’d also set him up tonight, aided and abetted by the Brotherhood. He should have clued in when she’d made a point of telling him to have fun.
When Nell finished the introductions, he glanced around the table. “Claire loves her school and I thank you all for giving her such a warm welcome. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Now I’ll let you get back to your celebration.” He looked at Nell and touched two fingers to the brim of his hat. “See you Monday.”
“See you then.”
He left it at that and walked back to the booth where the gang sat, delighted smiles on their traitorous faces. He let out a breath. “You knew all about this, didn’t you?”
Matt didn’t even have the decency to look guilty. “We might’ve.”
“Come on, Zeke.” Garrett gave him a knowing look. “Don’t tell us you’re not happy to see her.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Just doing you a favor, little brother.”
Jake had taken to calling him that, and he didn’t mind. He mostly liked it, but not tonight. “Yeah, well, if you thought something would happen because we’re at the Moose together, I hate to disappoint you. Nothing will happen.”
Jake grinned. “You can say that, but Nell is headed this way even as we speak.”
His heart rate picked up. His see you Monday comment was supposed to signal they should go their separate ways this evening. For some reason, she was bypassing that. As the Brotherhood stood to welcome her, he turned.
Nell gave them a smile. “Oh, please, sit.” She waved at them, which had no effect. They continued to stand. “Okay, then. I just need to borrow Zeke for a minute, but first I wanted to find out if you got the thank-you notes from the kids.”
“We did,” Matt said. “Very cute. Claire’s pasted them all over the walls of the bunkhouse.”
“And I grabbed some to put up in the Raptors Rise visitor center,” Jake said.
“That’s awesome. Anyway, like I said, I just need a quick chat with Zeke.” She glanced at him. “Is there a quiet corner where we can talk?”
“Um… I’ve never—”
“Go around the far side of the bandstand, little brother, past the end of the bar. Like you’re going toward Ben’s office.” Jake kept his expression bland.
Didn’t fool Zeke for a second. The minute they were out of sight, the speculations would begin. “Okay, thanks.” He put a hand at the small of Nell’s back, which seemed to be the gentlemanly thing to do since he was guiding her over there.
“I—” Nell paused to clear her throat. “I need to ask something before Monday. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.”
“What is it?” Maybe they could get it out of the way before they made it to this secluded corner that had temptation written all over it.
“It has to do with the riding lesson. I was wondering if—”
The band launched full blast into Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country, drowning out the rest of her sentence.
He leaned down, inhaling her springtime perfume. “Never mind. We need to move upwind of those speakers.”
“What?”
“Never mind!” He hustled her around the bandstand and toward the office and storage areas at the back of the building. With the speakers pointed in the other direction, they should be able to hear each other. He stopped and turned to face her. “What’s up?”
She raised her voice. “I was talking to Valerie about the lessons and—”
“Hang on.” He stepped closer. “There. Now you don’t have to shout.”
“Thanks.” Her cheeks turned a pale shade of pink.
Maybe he shouldn’t have moved in like that. He was close enough to feel her body heat, which made breathing normally a challenge. Backing up would be lame, so he held his ground.
She swallowed. “So Valerie would love to join our class. She’ll have those girls next year and she’s eager to get to know them better.”
Her eyes were beautiful. He’d never been this close, never had the luxury of gazing into them when she was inches away and he could pick out the flecks of green and gold. Mesmerizing.
“Sure.” He’d agree to just about anything if it would bring this glow of happiness to her amazing eyes.
“Thank you, Zeke. That will mean a lot to her. And me.”
A couple of seconds elapsed before he figured out it was his turn to say something. “Happy to help. I may be able to use more horses for the lessons, but I’ll have to talk to Henri about it. If for some reason I can’t, adding another adult will mean less riding time for you.”
“That’s fine. I’ll watch and listen. That’s valuable, too.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He’d agreed to her request. Discussion over. Any second now she’d head back to her table. He didn’t want that. Not yet, anyway. “You and Val will need hats. The girls, too.”
“I figured we would.”
“Boots would be helpful, the kind with a heel, but if some of you don’t have them, that’s okay.”
“I’ll pass that on.”
“And sunscreen.” His attention drifted to her cleavage. Such soft, creamy skin... He wrenched his attention away. “So you don’t get burned.”
“Good advice.” She pressed her lips together, as if holding back a smile, maybe even a laugh.
“Is something funny?”
“Yes.” Her smile bloomed.
“What?”
“Your effort to avoid looking at my chest.”
He took a quick step back. “No, I’m—”
“Don’t bother denying it.”
His cheeks heated. “It’s just that I’ve never seen you in something that low-cut.”
“Valerie told me to wear a skirt that swirled for dancing and a top that would get me some partners.”
That reasoning stuck in his craw. But he’d taken himself out of the game, so why shouldn’t she look around for someone else? “Should work.” He hesitated. “Want to dance?”
Her face lit up. “I do.”
“We’re probably playing right into Claire’s hands.”
“It’s just dancing.”
“You’re right. Okay, let’s go. That number’s a slow two-step. It’s a good place to start.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He’d never held her hand before. He liked it more than he should.
Chapter Eight
Nell told herself it was just a dance, no big deal. But the minute he drew her into his arms, she gave up that lie. She wanted way more than a dance with him.
She’d fought a visceral urge to claim him for a dance ever since she’d glimpsed him out on the floor with someone else.
She didn’t discount the power of cleavage, either. He’d struggled against his normal male tendency to ogle. She gave him points for that.
But if the low-cut blouse had helped inspire him to dance with her, she’d take the advantage and run with it. Or dance with it.
John Pardi’s Head Over Boots combined nicely with Zeke’s mellow two-step. He was taking it easy on her and she didn’t stumble once. When he flashed a smile at her as they made their way around the floor, she returned it.
His palm warmed the middle of her back, the pressure firm, confident. His dark gaze locked with hers. Zing. Oh, yeah, they had chemistry. She hadn’t been wrong about that.
Her skirt swirled around her bare knees and her hips swayed in time to the music. Just dancing. Yeah, right. They were talking to each other in the subtle language of lovers. Every note, every word of the tender song wove a spell, surrounding them in a private bubble.
The song ended long before she was ready for the dance to be over.
He stopped dancing but didn’t let go. “Thank you.”
“I loved it.”
“So did I. I’m glad you suggested it.” She wouldn’t mind another dance, but she was here to party with her fellow teachers and dinner should be arriving any minute. She glanced up at Zeke. “I’d like to do this again, but my meal’s probably waiting. I should—”
“I’ll walk you back.” He slipped a hand around her waist.
And didn’t she enjoy the heck out of that? Evidently she wasn’t the only one affected by the dance. She savored the possessive gesture.
“I have no right to ask,” he murmured, “but I’d like to dance with you again, and now that you’ve been out there, I guarantee other guys will—”
“What if I say I’ve promised all my dances to you?”
“You’d do that?” He started to smile, but it turned into a frown. “This is probably not how you intended your evening to go, but—”
“My evening is going fine. I was worried that I’d be rusty, but dancing with you is a terrific confidence booster. I want to try it again and see what happens if you throw in some complicated moves.”
“Alrighty, then. I’ll give you a chance to eat before I show up at your table.”
“Don’t wait too long. To tell the truth, I’d rather dance than eat.”
“Good. Me, too.”
When they reached her seat at the table, he helped her into her chair. Then he straightened and met Val’s curious gaze. “Hey, Valerie.”
“Hey there, Zeke.”
“Nell said you’d like to take lessons with the girls.”
“Only if it won’t be a problem.”
“Not at all. Glad to have you.”
“Wow, that’s great! Thanks.”
He turned back to Nell. “See you soon.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Ladies.” He tipped his hat and headed off to rejoin the Buckskin gang.
Valerie leaned in close. “What’s going on, girlfriend?”
Nell gave her a quick rundown.
Val kept her voice low. “Just dancing, huh? I’m not buying it. I saw the way he looked at you while you were out there. He’s into you.”
“Even if you’re right, he doesn’t want to do anything about it.”
“Think you can change his mind?”
Would tonight’s unexpected encounter make Zeke consider a relationship with her? The jury was still out, but Nell gave herself excellent odds of becoming his current favorite dance partner. He certainly was hers.
They stayed out on the floor as the band picked up the pace with several fast numbers in a row. When Zeke threw in some tricky steps, she kept up with him. Did his sexy hip movements make her fantasize how much fun they could have in her bedroom? Hey, she was only human.
When the band announced The Electric Slide, everyone in the Buckskin gang got in on it. Jake made sure Zeke and Nell were tucked into their part of the formation.
Then he took the spot next to Nell. “You haven’t met my—” The music blasted, cutting him off as the group moved in unison.
“I’m Millie!” the redhead beside him called out as she pivoted. “Jake’s wife!”
“Nice to meet you!”
“And that’s Kate!” Jake pointed to a blonde dancing next to Rafe.
Kate waved in acknowledgment.
“Hey, this works.” Jake proceeded to turn the Electric Slide into a meet-and-greet, gesturing to each of the women Nell hadn’t met and calling out a name. Then he tested her, pointing at each of them and lifting his eyebrows.
She was giggling by the end of the dance.
Jake gave her a thumbs-up. “You nailed it. I’m impressed.”
“Me, too,” Millie said. “Excellent multi-tasking.”
“Remembering names is what I do, but I’ve never tried it while line dancing.”
“Hey, Jake.” Rafe showed up with the blonde woman Nell could now identify as his wife Kate. “Way to put Nell on the spot, bro.”
“Got the job done.”
“And she handled it.” Zeke slid his arm around her waist.
The gesture was lovely. The affection in his voice was even better. “And now I know everybody’s name. Nice to meet you, Millie and Kate. I—”
“We’ll be taking a short break, folks!” The lead singer’s voice flowed from the speakers on the bandstand. “We’ll be back after the cake.”
&
nbsp; Zeke frowned. “Cake?”
“Val told me Ben wheels out a huge chocolate cake with a candle for each year Harland’s been principal.”
“Here’s an idea, Jake.” Matt came over with Lucy. “We’ll use this break to introduce our—oh, wait. You already did the complicated thing, instead.”
“My idea was more fun.”
“Way more.” Nell sent him a smile. His creative effort said a lot about the guy. He clearly wanted her to feel welcome. She was growing fond of Zeke’s big brother.
Zeke glanced at her. “You’ll need to go back over to the table for the cake thing.”
“Right.” But it meant interrupting the dynamic she had going with Zeke and her new friends.
“After the break, we can—”
The squeal of a microphone preceded another announcement. “I’ve been told everybody’s invited to have a piece of cake, including the band. And whoa, I can see why. That’s one ginormous pastry. And a heck of a lot of candles! See you over there, folks.”
“We get cake, too?” Nick stood on the fringes of the group, his arm around Eva, his fiancé. “We should come to this every year.”
Rafe gave him a look. “So that we can pay our respects to Apple Grove’s teachers, right, Nicholas?”
“Well, sure.” Nick rubbed his flat stomach. “And help them eat that big ol’ cake.”
Nell laughed. “Then by all means, let’s head over there.” Easy to see why Claire talked about her aunts and uncles with such affection. They were a lovable bunch. Hanging out with Zeke came with several perks and the Buckskin gang was one of them.
Chapter Nine
Moments later, Zeke stood in line with Nell as Ben passed out generous slices of cake handed to him by a server. Zeke had met the Choosy Moose owner several times. A robust sixty-something, he had the same impressive silver mane as Zeke and Jake’s father.
The resemblance ended there. Ben was a straight-shooter, a generous soul who’d started a Christmas toy drive for needy kids many years ago and it was still going strong. Ben also thought Henri Fox hung the moon. Zeke agreed with him.
Single-Dad Cowboy (The Buckskin Brotherhood Book 8) Page 4