“Are Leslie and Max going to be there?” Dara asked.
“Leslie is babysitting for Jayson and Celine tonight, but Max will be here later with one of his friends.”
Jack turned the truck onto a well-maintained road and drove about a mile before Dara saw a sprawling ranch house with a barn. A couple of hay-filled wagons hitched to horses were off to the side.
Dozens of cars were parked in front of the barn. Jack pulled up next to a big red truck, and cut the engine before he climbed out. He strode to Dara’s side and helped her step down before retrieving the cake from the back seat of the king cab.
They headed for the party. The cool air chilled Dara’s nose, and she was glad for the leather jacket.
Country-western music spilled out through the open barn doors. Outside, party-goers stood with plates mounded with food, while others ate while perched on straw bales. Teens and younger kids sat with their parents or friends, talking and eating. Younger children ran around the barn, playing tag.
They walked past a campfire in a shallow dugout, people sitting on camp chairs around the circumference.
Dara looked at Jack. “This is quite the event.”
“Yep.” He gave a nod. “Probably the biggest barn dance held each year in Prescott Valley.”
“That’s not hard with the size of your family,” Dara said with a laugh.
“Not far from the truth.” Jack nodded to the barn. “Sounds like Henry and the Haymakers are the band tonight.”
Dara focused on the music for a moment. “They have a great sound,” she said as they continued on.
Outside were big wooden doors resting on top of wood barrels as tables, and each was laden with food.
Trays of BBQ pulled pork rested beside massive containers of potato salad, slaw, corn on the cob, cowboy beans, and plates of deviled eggs. Bottles of hot sauce lined the table in front of all the containers.
Pans filled with cornbread were next to rolls piled up in cloth-covered baskets. Beside those were mason jars filled with jams and plates of butter.
Huge metal buckets were packed with ice and filled with bottles of beer and cans of soda. The buckets were to either side of a table with a beer keg, jugs of apple cider, big bowls of punch, and red Solo cups.
There was even a table with hard liquor and a bartender making apple pie shots and serving Fireball Whiskey.
Jack carried the cake to the dessert table covered by red checked tablecloth. He set it next to towers of big chocolate chip, sugar, and oatmeal and raisin cookies. More plates filled with moist brownies sat beside mini hay bales with skewers of fruit stuck into the straw.
Dara looked over everything in amazement. “Who does all this work?”
“Don’t forget there’s a hell of a lot of McBrides.”
She nodded. “McBrides have a lot of elves working behind the scenes.”
“Up for some good grub?” Jack took Dara’s hand. “Might as well fill up because we’ll be working it off with all the two-stepping we’ll be doing.”
“Of course line dancing, too,” she said with a laugh.
Jack shook his head. “I’ve never gotten into that.”
“Aw, come on.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “For me?”
“Maybe.” He matched her grin. “But only for you.”
He took her hand they walked toward the beginning of the line of people waiting to fill their plates.
“Jack.” A female voice drew their attention to Danica McBride. “I’m so glad you made it.” The beautiful dark-haired woman turned her smile on Dara and hugged her. “Wonderful to see you, Dara.”
“This is fantastic.” Dara looked at the barn and ranch house and everything in between. She moved her gaze back to Danica. “Your place is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Danica motioned to a man to come closer and Dara saw it was Danica’s husband. “Creed, Jack and Dara are here.”
Creed moved closer and took Jack’s hand in his big grip before slapping him on the shoulder. “Good to see you, cuz.”
“Happy to be here.” Jack returned Creed’s grin. “You know Dara?”
“Of course.” Creed took Dara’s hand and kissed her cheek. “Pretty as ever.”
“Hi.” A young boy with a mop of dark hair popped in between Creed and Danica.
Creed rested his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This is our son, Lance.”
“Hi, Lance.” Dara bent so she was closer to his level. “You’re such the young man. How old are you?”
“Nine.” Lance spoke with the confidence Dara had seen in his parents. Creed and Danica’s son looked at Jack. “Where’s Max?”
Jack smiled at the boy. “He’s coming later with a friend.”
“Can’t wait to see Max.” Lance’s face split into a broad grin. “I like him lots.”
Creed rubbed his son’s head. “Go find your other cousins until Max gets here.”
“Ok, Dad.” Lance took off like a shot.
Jack and Dara continued on toward the food line.
They were nearing the table when Dara heard a familiar male voice saying her name. She turned and met James McBride’s gaze.
“What the hell are you doing here with this old cowboy?” James, nicknamed Ace, grinned at Dara. “I can’t see how you could put up with him.”
“Hi, Ace.” Dara released Jack’s hand before she stepped into Ace’s embrace for a big hug. She’d known Jack’s youngest brother as long as she’d known Bailey. “It’s not too difficult.”
Jack took Dara’s hand again. “No flirting with my lady,” he said in a mock-serious tone.
Heat flushed over Dara. Was Jack really introducing her to his family as his lady?
“I don’t know.” Ace hooked his thumbs in his front pockets. “She’s beautiful and I don’t see a ring.”
Dara’s body felt even hotter as she looked from Jack to Ace and back. What the hell?
“I’ll have to kick your ass,” Jack said, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a grin.
Ace laughed. “I’d like to see you try, big brother.” He patted Jack on the shoulder. “I’ll see you on the dance floor.”
Jack grinned. “If you’re lucky.”
After Ace headed in the opposite direction, Jack smiled. “I hope you don’t mind me introducing you as my lady.”
Dara swallowed, then smiled. “It’s nice. I have to say that I’ve always enjoyed how you McBrides get along so well.”
“We have our disagreements and fight plenty,” Jack said. “We just do a pretty good job of making up and agreeing to disagree.”
“Andy and I have had our issues,” Dara said. “But yeah, we get along just fine. There’s only the two of us, so it’s good we’re as close as we are.”
“Andy’s a good guy,” Jack said.
“He is.” Dara nodded. “He does act differently now that he’s so far up the food chain in basketball and he’s pulling in good money. But to me he’s just my big brother.”
“Dara.” Molly McBride moved in for a hug. “How are you?”
“Great.” Dara smiled and hugged Jack’s mom in return. “What a great party.”
“Creed and Danica put on a good shindig.” Jack’s dad, Gus, appeared behind Molly. He clasped Dara’s hand. “Nice to see you here, girl.”
Gus turned to Jack. “You got some sense in you, son.” He inclined his head to Dara. “This is one fine young woman you have here.”
Warmth flowed over Dara at Gus’s words and his and Molly’s clear acceptance of her.
“I sure do have a great lady.” Jack rested his arm around Dara’s shoulders. “Seen Jayson around?” he asked about his twin.
Molly pointed in the direction of the barn. “You’ll find him in there with Celine.”
Jack kissed his mom on the cheek. “We’re trying to make it to the line for some grub. I don’t know if we’ll make it at the rate we’re going. Nothing like running into all the cousins in one night.”
Molly laughed. “I wish yo
ur sister was here.”
“That girl’s having a great time on her honeymoon.” Gus kissed the top of Molly’s head. “Come on, woman. Let’s get us some punch.”
“Woman?” Molly play punched Gus in the arm. “Watch it, old man.”
“Who you callin’ old?” he grumbled as they made their way toward the barn.
Jack and Dara made it to the buffet line. He handed Dara a plate and gestured for her to go before him. She piled a little bit of everything on her plate, and ended up with more than she could likely eat. Jack filled two of the red cups with hard cider.
“It’s like Thanksgiving.” Dara looked at Jack as they carried their mounded plates and drinks to one of the few free hay bales. “Take a little of this and a little of that, and next thing you know you end up in a food coma.”
“That’s about the size of it.” He waited for her to sit and then settled down beside her.
Dara watched all the activity around her. The casual laughter in the air, animated conversation, and constant movement. She’d never seen so much flannel and plaid in all her life.
“I hear you’re looking for me.” Jayson, Jack’s fraternal twin, sat on a hay bale across from Jack and Dara. “’Bout time you showed up.”
“Fashionably late,” Jack said with a grin.
Jayson looked at Dara. “What are you doing with the likes of that cowboy? I’m sure you can do better.”
Dara flashed Jack a grin. “He’s kinda grown on me.”
Jack winked at her and she felt all warm and fuzzy inside.
Celine—a fashion designer formerly from New York City—sat beside her husband, Jayson. Celine made plaid flannel look sexy like no one else could. Except maybe Carrie Underwood.
“Hi, Jack.” Celine turned her smile on Dara. “You’re looking wonderful, Dara.”
“Thanks,” Dara said. “How’s your little one?”
Celine, who’d once sworn she would never have kids, looked ever the proud mama. “We left Jay with Leslie because he was a little fussy today. We decided to keep him out of the cold.”
“Jay’s around eighteen months now, isn’t he?” Dara asked.
Proud Papa Jayson put his hand over Celine’s and they exchanged a loving glance before he turned back to Dara. “Right around there.”
Dara had always wanted children of her own. She stole a glance at Jack. He had two teenagers. Would he want young kids again?
He turned his gaze on her and smiled, like he knew what she was thinking.
She popped a deviled egg into her mouth, as if all she’d really had on her mind was food, and not having babies with Jack.
Jack and Dara chatted with his brother and sister-in-law as they ate dinner. Dara watched as people enjoyed hayrides around the ranch.
When they finished eating, they tossed their empty plates into the trash held in fifty-gallon barrels. Next stop, the dessert table.
Dara was pretty full, but decided to try one of the homemade chocolate pecan cookies. The big soft treat was amazingly good.
More people showed up, even as the evening grew darker. Dara and Jack talked with more people they knew and some Dara didn’t.
They finally made their way into the barn where a wood dance floor had been laid out in the riding area. Jack helped Dara take off her jacket, then laid it next to his on one of the nearby mountains of haybales.
Everything was in full swing, with couples two-stepping around the dance floor to Kenny Chesney.
As the band struck up a tune by Kade Fields, Jack caught Dara off guard, whirling her onto the dance floor.
Dara laughed as she stepped on Jack’s foot. “I have not two-stepped in so long.”
“It’ll come right back to you, honey,” he said as he swept her along.
By the time the song was over, Dara was giggling so hard she thought she might hyperventilate. A sheen of perspiration now covered her skin from all the dancing.
“Damn, you know how to two-step,” she told Jack.
He started taking her around the floor as the next tune began. “A man’s only as good as his partner.”
“Then you are terrible,” she said and he grinned.
* * *
Ace cut in, and Jack had the urge to take Dara right back from his younger brother. Instead, he watched from the sidelines.
Even from there, Dara’s smile got straight to his gut. Damn, she was beautiful. She was pretty good at country dancing, even though she didn’t think so. Jack, his brothers, and his sister had learned back when they were just practically toddlers, so they had an edge when it came down to it.
As the song ended, he took back Dara in one easy movement, stealing her away from Ace.
Her eyes seemed to sparkle and she was laughing. “You all are wearing me out.”
“I’d like it better if I was the only one wearing you out.”
She quieted a little, as if thinking about what he’d said, then smiled. “I’d enjoy plenty of that.”
A tune popular for line dancing started up. Jack tried to excuse himself and take her away from the dance floor, but Dara wouldn’t let him. She took his hand and tugged him into the floor teaming with country folk getting into the song.
Dara watched others and him to get the feel for the dance. It only took a short time before she had it and was dancing with the best of them.
Sweat rolled down the side of his face by the time they finished and he grinned while Dara laughed. They walked to the side of the wood floor that had been set up for the night, and he held her hand as they talked with a couple they both knew from Cottonwood.
The band started playing their rendition of Kade Fields’ second big hit, a slow song titled In My Arms.
Jack excused himself and Dara and led her onto the floor. He brought her into his embrace. She settled her head against his chest as they moved to the music.
She felt so soft in his arms. He could hold her like this for long moments forever, and never get enough.
He pressed his lips to the top of her head and breathed in her soft scent. Lilies maybe? Whatever it was, it filled him from head to toe.
Dara looked up and met his gaze. Her lips parted, as if to say something, but he kissed her instead.
He moved his mouth over hers and she kissed him back. She tasted sweet, like honey to him.
When he drew back, her face was flushed a soft pink. He pulled her close and held her until the song’s final note.
Jack slid his arm around her waist. “Let’s get out of here and get a drink.”
“I could sure use one,” she said breathlessly.
After grabbing their jackets, they headed outside where the harvest moon hung low in the sky. Straight ahead was the large campfire with seats all around it, most of them filled. He spotted two next to each other, currently empty.
Instead of leading her to the drink table, he switched directions. “Let’s sit by the fire. Looks like they’re roasting marshmallows.”
After she was seated, he left to retrieve a beer for himself and a cup of the spiked punch Dara had asked for.
When they were both seated, drinks in hand, they sat back and watched the flames for a moment. Music drifted on the night air.
Most of the people around the fire Jack knew, but there were a few he didn’t know. He struck up conversations with the couple closest to them and introduced Dara.
Soon they were handed sticks and marshmallows, and in no time they were toasting them over the fire.
Ace grabbed a guitar and played a ballad while a gal named Carrie sang along. Ace was damned talented, and Carrie had a nice voice.
The night wore on, ending with a big bonfire north of the barn.
It was damned near midnight when Dara and Jack decided it was time to leave. They thanked Danica and Creed for the hospitality, then headed out to the truck, and off to Dara’s home.
“Free next weekend?” Jack asked as he drove. “Max and Leslie will be with friends. You and I can head on up to Sedona.” He hesitated. “We c
an make it an overnight trip. Separate rooms even.”
“I’d love that.” Dara’s smile never failed to warm his chest. “You are such the gentleman.”
“Good.” He glanced at the road and back to her. “Not to get ahead of ourselves,” he said, “the Saturday following next is the county fair. Leslie and Max will be showing livestock. Of course there are all the exhibits to see and Leslie will be barrel racing.”
“Sounds like I have a couple of fantastic weekends ahead,” Dara said with a grin.
Jack couldn’t help flashing her a grin in return.
They arrived at Dara’s, and he escorted her to her front door.
She unlocked it. “Would you like to come in?”
“Hell, yeah.” He smiled. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea. Being close to you puts too many thoughts into my head that don’t belong there. Yet.”
She leaned close and grabbed his jacket lapels. “You are the most amazing man, Jack McBride.”
His gut stirred at her nearness, and then she pressed herself close and kissed him.
Jack groaned as he moved his mouth over hers. Damn, she tasted fine. He could never get enough of this woman, his lady.
He wanted her so damned much, but it was too soon.
God, she smelled good.
He pulled away from the kiss and smiled down at her. “I’d better get on home, Dara, before I take you up on coming in. I might just stay if I’m not careful.”
She gave him a look that was both sexy and teasing. “Toss caution to the wind. You won’t regret it.”
He laughed, although it probably sounded strangled thanks to the pain now in his groin. “Soon,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to next weekend.” She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “It’s going to be a long week.”
“It’ll be a long week for both of us.” He trailed his finger down the slope of her nose to the tip. “I’d better get on home now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She looked up at the sky and the moon overhead. “It’s already Sunday.”
“Then I’ll call you later today.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Goodnight, honey.”
“Have a safe trip home.” She waited in the doorway while he strode to his truck.
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