by Vivian Arend
The dark, wooden walls shone with golden spotlights, and the scent of beer and pub food floated on the air. Music blared, but louder still were the voices calling out greetings and cheerful good wishes.
Zach hurried to Julia's side, slipping their hands together.
She jerked in surprise for a second before deliberately leaning in closer as she waved at friends.
Her head tilted back, lips brushing his ear. “Straight to the dance floor? We can avoid questions for a while that way.”
No arguments from him. He helped her with her coat, shrugged out of his jean jacket, and hung them both on a hook at the side of the dance floor.
He tucked her fingers into his and led her into the fray. A moment later, she was in his arms, and the world clicked a notch to the right.
This was perfect.
Her face tilted toward him, broad smile shining up. “You’re a goof,” she said.
He pulled her tighter, twirling her away from the masses around them. “Not going to argue, but you got a specific theme for that comment?”
She broke the contact between their front hands so she could tap his chest. “You wore your GROOM shirt.”
“I’m proud of this shirt,” he insisted. “Even while drunk, I managed to get out of the wedding chapel without you turning me into a GROO, or a ROOM, or the worst possible, a G OO.”
Laughter danced loudly at that, amusement written clear through down to her toes. “Good point. And I’ll have you know, I did consider wearing my RIDE shirt, but I decided I didn’t have the stamina to put up with the ongoing teasing that would trigger from the fire hall teams.”
She’d pulled on a pale-yellow blouse that shimmered under the dance lights, paired with a jean skirt that ended above her knees. “I like what you’ve got on. It’s cute.”
And sexy. Definitely sexy with the long line of her toned legs visible every time she moved, but in the interest of seeing her expression continue to shine like he’d just handed her a trophy, he’d keep the good enough to eat comments to himself.
He contented himself with pulling her against him and twirling hard. Julia clung close, tucked in tight as possible as she allowed him to take control. Her hands were strong, and her warm breath fanned over his skin.
It wasn’t just the dancing that made his heart race.
When the music finally changed tempo, dropping to a slow ballad, Zach was more than eager to switch his grip. He pressed one palm against Julia’s back, their other fingers tangled together at chest level. Holding hands, swaying back and forth as her eyes shone.
Yup. He could take this, and much, much more.
Her gaze flickered away then back, a secret poised on her lips.
Zach pressed their cheeks together. “What?”
She slid her hands up his chest, curling them around his neck. Her voice rose barely loud enough for his ears. “We have a lot of whispering and gawking going on.”
“It’s my dance moves.” Zach arched her back, cradling her over his arm. Hips together, legs intertwined.
Julia rolled her eyes as he pulled her to vertical. “Well, of course. That has to be it.”
“Shhh. Don’t mess up my concentration.” Cheek to cheek again, Zach rocked and enjoyed the contact between their bodies far more than was wise. “I have to focus on my Dancing with the Stars moves or we’ll be in trouble.”
Julia breathed deep, relaxing into him. Heat and fire licked up his spine, and the temptation to turn his face and nuzzle her lips grew stronger.
The fact she moved against him in a wholly sensual way would have to be enough for now, no matter how much more he wanted.
The song ended, and Julia curled into his side, pulling him toward the chairs at the side of the dance floor. “Come on. I need to hydrate.”
Her sisters were there. All three of them, which meant Tamara Stone as well. Her sharp gaze snapped over Zach in a way that said she wasn’t certain if she should shake his hand or kick out his knees.
Julia had no qualms, rushing into her sister’s embrace for a quick hug. “Sorry I didn’t make it over to Silver Stone this week to talk to you. I’m glad you and Caleb could make it tonight.”
“Of course, we could make it. It’s not every day we get to celebrate someone in the family getting married.” Her gaze darted up to Zach. “I mean, two new brothers in one weekend. That’s special.”
She looked dangerous. Zach was happy to allow Julia to tug him farther away from Tamara and her oversized husband, Caleb.
The small table had barely room for eight, especially since enough glasses for them all waited on the surface.
Finn caught hold of a glass and raised it in the air. “Never dreamed I’d be doing this so soon after my own wedding, but when fate speaks, we listen. To Julia and Zach. It’s not what’s in the past that matters, but the future. May you enjoy the coming days. Find a path that’s right for you and follow where it leads.”
Caleb lifted his glass. “And if I can add, you got family beside you all the way. Don’t ever think you’re alone.”
Zach glanced at Julia. She’d picked up a glass as well, but her eyes were suspiciously bright. He tucked his arm around her and cradled her close. “On behalf of Julia and myself, thank you. That means everything.”
Julia cleared her throat, but her voice was still shaky when she spoke. “To the future.”
The entire table raised their glasses in a toast. “To the future!”
The cheer echoed across the room, followed hard by screams of laughter.
Julia’s gaze slipped past him toward the front door. An instant later she slapped a hand over her mouth.
Lisa turned to check the action, and her eyes widened. “Oh. My. God.”
One slow twist later, as he made sure to keep Julia in his arms, the source of everyone’s amusement grew clear.
His surprise had arrived.
The man entering the bar was dressed from head to toe in shiny metallic fabric. His dark hair was elaborately combed back in a style that was far too familiar.
Elvis was in the building.
He went straight toward their table, light glistening off the sequins on his broad lapels.
Inside, the laughter welled up hard and fast until Julia was gasping so hard she found it difficult to breathe. With one arm draped around Zach’s neck, she leaned in close and rubbed her knuckles against his head. “You are an absolute goofball.”
He flashed a grin. “Hey, you were very upset I didn’t get him to our wedding. I figured this was the next best thing.”
It had been the strangest of evenings already, but just when the solemnness of it had been about to overwhelm her, Zach had played a winning card.
Elvis stood in front of them, bowing formally in greeting. “I hear there’s a couple of newlyweds who need a little serenading.”
Zach caught her by the hand and pulled her back onto the dance floor.
In the background, the regular music faded as Elvis got his guitar into position and strummed a couple of wild chords.
Music started from the overhead speakers, and a second later the performer in front of them joined in, smashing out “Blue Suede Shoes” on his guitar and singing loudly—and quite well—as the entire crowd in the Rough Cut pub joined in.
Zach twirled her out and then back into his arms, his smile beyond pleased.
The moment with her family had been almost too much. Karen and Lisa might’ve known part of the truth, but keeping a big part of why she and Zach were sticking together a secret from them and the whole thing a mystery from Tamara and Caleb—
They’d still offered unconditional support.
That kind of connection wasn’t easy to accept. Not with her previous lack of family. Not with the unsettled guilt simmering in her gut over being angry at the only family member she’d had.
Family was a damn complicated thing. She never expected that.
Which was why the bit of impossible happening right now made it easier to continue and not
feel as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
“Earth to Julia.” Zach tilted his head to bring her gaze in line with his. “Got a favourite request for Elvis?”
The performer did all the classics, or at least all the upbeat and happy ones. And while she did have a favourite love song or two, she wasn’t about to request them.
The level of temptation had been growing over the past week, and Julia was very close to caving in and opening up an interesting conversation with the man currently holding her in his arms.
But she wasn’t about to pretend this thing between them was about anything more than friendship and heat.
Still, it was rather appropriate to be dancing with Zach as the words to “Fever” filled the pub halls.
They danced, and drank, and then danced some more. Everyone exchanged partners for at least one song.
It seemed all of Zach’s friends were determined to give her advice.
“I know he seems easygoing,” Finn offered, “but he has a tender heart. I think it has something to do with growing up around so many girls.”
“You mean he’s got cooties?” Julia asked with the cheeriest expression she could pull off.
Finn’s lips twitched the barest bit. “Something like that.”
Josiah waited until almost the end of the dance before he switched his lighthearted conversation to a more serious track. “I know I’ve only met Zach fairly recently, but one thing I can tell you is that the man knows how to work. It seems as if he’s playing all the time, but he’s getting a shit ton done in the meanwhile. That’s something I respect.”
“Good work ethic?” Julia asked with curiosity.
“More the part where he’s not looking for a pat on the back. If it needs to be done, he’s going to do it.” Josiah winked then whirled her into Zach’s arms.
“I take it they’re all talking about me?” Zach moved them gracefully around the dance floor. “The reason I’m saying that is because I’ve been getting an earful about you from all your sisters.”
“What are they saying?” Julia asked with honest curiosity.
Zach paused for a moment. “Well, there were the usual threats against my person if I do anything to hurt you.”
Her jaw dropped, but she managed to pull it back into line. “Get out.”
“Dead serious, but I kind of expected that.” He twirled her close for an instant before moving far enough back so she could see his face clearly. “They all told me how much they wanted you to be happy, and how that was now my responsibility.”
She couldn’t help it. She rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s a load of bullshit.”
He blinked in surprise. “I’m not supposed to make you happy?”
“Well, I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t make me sad. But as for it being your responsibility? Hell no. We’re both grown-ass adults. We’re going to do our best to get along and have some fun, but if I’m being a shithead and grumbly about stuff? That’s not your fault. I expect you to tell me to get my shit together.”
Zach nodded briskly. “Exactly what I thought. Don’t worry, none of them actually threatened me with immediate death. Although, you tell me. Does Tamara strike you as a little more bloodthirsty than the other two? And that’s saying something, considering I saw Karen shoot a man without blinking.”
Julia made her own assessment regarding Tamara and had to agree. “I think it has something to do with being a mom. Protective and all.”
Pain rolled through her, unexpected and unwelcome. Moms were supposed to be protective and well…while that had proven to be true, Julia was now learning there was such a thing as overprotective.
Her own mother—the only bit of family she’d ever known—had kept Julia’s origins a secret. Back in the day, it hadn’t been something she’d ever pushed to find out more about. Mom loved her, wanted her. End of story.
Only with the proof of what having an extended family was like slapping her in the face every damn day…
Once again, Julia pushed away the hurt. Now was not the time to poke at the ball of discomfort in her belly. At some point, though, she needed to spill her frustration and anger on Tony and talk it through.
A few more dances, and slowly the party broke up. She laughed the entire way home to their small cabin as Zach regaled her with a dramatic review of the evening.
When they hit the front door and slipped into the warmth of the living room, Julia teetered on the edge.
It was only the lingering uneasiness from thinking about her mom that made her choose to hold off for yet another day. She had no idea what was going to happen between her and Zach, but it wasn’t going to start when she was stewing in her brain about uncomfortable family choices. About things in her past that annoyed her immensely.
Still, something had to be said.
She turned to Zach and stepped close enough to be able to rest her hands on his chest.
He went motionless.
Julia stared up at his face. At his kind and eager expression. “Thank you for making this evening a lot more fun than expected.”
“You’re welcome.”
Before she lost her nerve, she shifted closer and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, retreating before he could tangle his arms around her or tangle up the evening with more complications.
“Good night.” Julia escaped to her bedroom. There was no other way to phrase it.
Heck, she’d probably been one step shy of a sprint, but at the same time, as she pulled off her party clothes and got ready for bed, it was with the strangest and most wonderful sensation surrounding her. Like a warm blanket around her shoulders.
Like something hovered on the horizon with the potential to be wonderful and good.
Curling up in her own bed, close to but not with Zach, increased her sense of anticipation in a good way. Like looking forward to a holiday or the presents waiting under a Christmas tree.
Some wonderful gifts that could be unwrapped very, very soon.
Waking the next morning to the scent of bacon just added to that delicious anticipation.
The dinner bell rang, and Zach called out cheerfully, “Breakfast time, sleepyhead.”
“I’m up,” she returned, shoving back the quilt. She pulled on a robe and slippers and joined him in the wonderful-smelling kitchen.
He’d made breakfast consisting of four different types of protein accompanied by a stack of perfectly buttered toast.
“You are a god,” Julia informed him, stacking bacon on a piece of bread and slathering the pile with mustard. “Thank you.”
“You are a heathen,” he retorted with a grin. “That’s supposed to be ketchup. But you’re welcome.”
She waited until her mouth was empty, savouring the flavours as she eyed him closely. “What’re you doing today?”
“Not much. Finn is taking the whole slowdown of getting the dude ranch running seriously. Since we don’t need things up and at ’um until the spring, both of us have time to deal with other tasks.”
“I never did understand why you guys switched from going hell-bent for leather to a Sunday stroll.”
Which is how, for the next umpteen minutes, Zach went over the details of what had happened regarding Red Boot ranch. About the challenge for Finn and Zach that turned out not to have been a challenge in the end.
It all seemed very far-fetched, or at least it did until Julia considered their own strange predicament.
“Now I understand better why Karen said your mentor isn’t necessarily her best friend.” Julia stacked their empty plates and took them to the counter, preparing to do the dishes and cleanup.
“Bruce meant well,” Zach offered. “He was an amazing man, but he definitely didn’t do things by the book.” He glanced at her. “I am sorry again that you got caught up in his wrangling. I’ll do everything I can to make the time go as smoothly as possible.”
Julia nodded, dipping her hands into the hot water and getting started. “I think we’re getting along
okay—so far, so good.” She ignored the big topic that would need to be discussed at some point soon but not when she was elbow-deep in bacon grease. “We need to talk about my employment possibilities. What are the chances you’re willing to move farther north for a while?”
It appeared she’d managed to shock him. He gaped at her. “Why do you want to move away from your family?”
“Because my internship is done at the end of October. There’s a job available in High River, but I’d hate to have to drive two hours every day for my shifts.”
Zach moved to her side to dry and put away the dishes. “Now that you brought it up, I kind of have a job for you already.”
It was her turn to freeze. “What kind of job?”
“Medical officer here at Red Boot ranch.” Zach lifted a hand. “Hear me out. This is not me making up a job out of charity because of the situation we’re in. This is an honest-to-goodness position that needs to be filled. I can even show you—it’s been on the books since day one.”
“You want me to be the medical officer for a dude ranch.” Julia heard herself say the words, but it didn’t seem possible.
There was that word again. It seemed possible might not mean what she thought it meant…
“We’ll have to go over the exact requirements, and of course the salary needs to be set—”
“I accept. Oh, hell yes, I accept.” She threw her arms around him, ignoring the wet spots she left behind as she squeezed him tight. “I have wanted to work on a dude ranch since the minute I left. I adored growing up on one, and hated that I had to leave to go to school. And I know this is a real position—you have to have somebody, and I would be perfect for it, I swear.”
Zach patted her back gently. “I’ve already offered you the job. You don’t need to show me your resume.”
She was grinning from ear to ear. It was irregular in some ways, but the entire situation they were in was—yeah, not typical. “I’m sure we can work out the details, but thank you. That is a load off my mind.”
He winked. “You’re welcome.”
They’d just finished cleanup, and Julia was about to head to the bathroom to get ready for the day when loud knocking shook the front door.