by June Faver
They drove in silence, but Jenn’s hand was resting on his thigh. His hard, warm thigh.
When he turned in at the Eagles Hall, the parking lot was packed. Pickup trucks lined up as far as the eye could see.
“I’ll let you out at the door,” he said and put the truck in gear.
“I can walk with you.” She could not imagine walking into this huge, packed building by herself.
“You can wait for me at the front door. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay, I’ll just slide out.” She accomplished this and closed the door, but he waited until she had climbed the steps before he took off. Feeling somewhat out of her element, Jenn waited for her guide to return.
Two couples came up to the door. They were laughing and talking amongst themselves. The women were dressed much as Jenn was and seemed to be completely comfortable in their garb, but Jenn still felt that she was participating in some Western cosplay. Not my gig…yet.
But as long as Cade and the children were in her story, she would be there, trying to fit in.
In a few minutes, she spotted Cade’s long-legged stride coming through the maze of trucks. She immediately felt safe again.
“There’s my girl,” he said, loping up the steps to take her hand. “Let me take you inside and show you off.”
My girl? That sounded promising. It flashed through her brain that it was odd that her brother had fallen in love with a Garrett and she had too.
When they stepped inside, a barrage of noise assailed her ears. People were milling around, talking, and some screaming with laughter. She heard glass clinking and metal scraping. Canned country music was playing, but nobody was dancing.
“Two, please.” Cade handed cash to a lady behind a card table at the door. She inked a stamp and rolled it across the backs of their hands.
Jenn recognized the image of an eagle with spread wings. How appropriate.
Cade tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her inside. “Let’s find a seat.”
There were long tables fitted with folding chairs all around, circling the large dance floor. Cade was obviously searching for someone, and when he spotted Big Jim at a table, his grin went wall to wall. He steered through the crowd and made it to the long table next to the dance floor. “Hey, Uncle Jim. I told you we’d make it this time.”
Big Jim Garrett stood up and gave Cade a man hug plus a couple of hearty shoulder slaps. “Good to see you, boy. And, Miss Jennifer, you sure are lookin’ purty this evenin’.”
“Why, thank you, Mr. Garrett…Big Jim.” She felt her cheeks burn under his obvious admiration.
“You folks sit right down here with us.” He gestured to the family members spaced around the table.
“Here, come sit by me,” Leah called.
Jenn was surprised to see that Leah was holding her infant son. Cade escorted her to the other side of the table and held her chair, then placed his straw cowboy hat on the table next to her to save his place.
“Tyler and Colt went up to get us some food. Line’s so very long, and I didn’t feel like standing in it.” Leah placed the baby in an infant seat on the table and turned to give Jenn a hug. “So good to see you.”
“I better see about finding our dinner,” Cade said. “What are you hungry for?” He pointed to a menu board posted on the far side of the room. It appeared to be mostly hamburgers and hot dogs with a variety of sides.
“Anything. I’m not particular.” Jenn wasn’t especially hungry but was willing to partake of whatever Cade chose for her.
Cade gave a little wink and took off in the direction of the food lines.
“I’m so glad to see the two of you together,” Leah said. “You make a perfect couple.”
“Really?” Jenn felt a bit uncomfortable discussing their relationship when she was just trying to figure out if they had one. “Cade is a very nice man.”
Leah let out a giggle. “That’s an understatement. He’s also a babe.”
Jenn had to laugh at that. “You’re right. He is, and I’m still trying to figure out what we’re doing together.”
Leah slipped her arm around Jenn’s shoulder for a quick embrace. “Because you’re a very nice person and you are also lovely. Cade is lucky to have you.”
“That is so nice of you to say.” Jenn shrugged. “I’m just trying so hard to be a good mom to the children. I love them so much.”
“How is that going for you? If you need any help with anything, just let me know. I think I’ve been through about everything raising Gracie and now the baby.”
Jenn glanced across the table to where Gracie was chatting with Mark, Misty’s young brother. They seemed to be very comfortable here, although the Eagles Hall was a sort of glorified bar. She noticed lots of children and teens in the property.
“I’m sure it’s nice for you to leave the kids at home, but if you ever decide to bring them, they will be welcome here. We can help you with them.”
Jenn stared around her. She had never considered bringing the children, but it seemed that many other people had. “I don’t know. Lissy is teething, and she tends to be a little whiny.”
“Aren’t they all?” Leah winked at her.
“There she is!” Misty Garrett nodded at Jenn and came to the table bearing food. “This is for you and the kids, Big Jim.” She set a stack of containers on the table beside him and handed off one box to Gracie and another to her brother, Mark. “Colt is juggling the drinks.” She sat down beside Big Jim and placed the two remaining containers in front of herself and the chair next to her, obviously reserved for her husband.
In moments, Colton came to join them with three soft drink cans and a pitcher of beer with a stack of plastic cups. He set the pitcher of beer in front of his dad and dealt the sodas to the two young people as well as Misty.
Tyler came next with containers of food for his wife and daughter, and finally, Cade strode across the floor similarly laden. He slid into the chair next to Jenn and served her a carton of food and a soft drink. “I would have gotten you a beer, but I didn’t know if you wanted one. The hamburgers are great.”
“Thanks.” Jenn opened the container and almost swooned when the aroma of freshly grilled beef rose up to meet her. “Oh, this smells wonderful.”
“Hope you like it.” Cade wrapped his big hand around the bun and took a bite of one of his burgers. Jenn noted that he had gotten two for himself, although they were plenty large. There were french fries in her container, as well as a plastic cup of coleslaw. What more could a girl ask?
Jenn picked up her burger with both hands and leaned over the carton to take the first bite. An explosion of flavors burst on her taste buds. The meat was delicious. A crispy lettuce leaf and sliced tomato were layered with a thin-sliced onion ring. There was cheese melting everything together. She realized she was moaning in appreciation.
Leah leaned closer and whispered, “I only make those sounds when I’m horizontal.”
Jenn almost strangled on her burger.
Fortunately for her, the younger of the Garrett sons chose that moment to enter with his family.
“Hey, here comes our little brother,” Colton said.
Tyler snorted. “Late as usual.”
Beau Garrett held his redheaded daughter, Ava, in one arm and had his other arm around his equally redheaded wife, Dixie. He shot a dark look at his brothers that clearly said If there weren’t children present…
“Sit right down, Son. Make Miz Dixie comfortable and let me see my precious Ava.” Big Jim held his arms out to remove Ava from Beau’s arms, while Beau held a chair for his wife and then went to forage for food.
Jenn waved at Dixie. She was a stunning woman and maybe a little less friendly than Leah and Misty. Maybe it was because they didn’t live on the Garrett ranch itself, but on the land Dixie had inherited from her father.
Jenn found herself smiling, but she got back to her dinner quickly. There was time to socialize when the delicious hamburger had been devoured.
Cade had finished his first one and was reaching for the second. Good thing this big boy worked hard every day. No gut on this one.
As soon as she had finished, a young boy not much older than Mark came by the table and picked up all the disposables, depositing them in a large rolling trash can. He moved down the line, picking up anything that was empty.
Her facial expression must have revealed her surprise.
“His father is an Eagle and runs the grill on weekends.” Big Jim nodded his head toward the boy. “His mom is at the door taking the admittance money.”
It seemed this was a family affair for families other than the Garretts.
“Nice,” she said.
Cade reached for her hand, and they sat with their hands clasped right on top of the table. He certainly wasn’t hiding his feelings. The phrase my girl kept reverberating in her brain as she contemplated her new life and the changes she was going through. She glanced at the hand holding hers. It was comforting and exciting at the same time. She felt safe for the first time in a long time. She knew what tomorrow would bring and that made her happy.
The throng of people seemed to have cleared off the dance floor. Most were seated, having eaten, and were now watching as the band was setting up. In a short time, one of the Eagles took the stage and made some announcements about upcoming events hosted by the Eagles, and then he introduced the band members.
The band started off the first set with a lively, fast-paced song, and the dance floor was quickly filled with dancers spinning around.
Jenn felt a moment of terror. She had no idea what the steps were to whatever dance they were doing. What have I done? I’m going to embarrass Cade and myself.
But Cade was holding her hand and lightly stroking his fingers over it. It was somewhat calming, but she dreaded when he would want to dance.
Cade lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her fingers.
Jenn felt a rush of lust swirl through her lady parts. That others in the Garrett family were surreptitiously observing his actions and exchanging glances was adding to her discomfort.
The music changed to a lively two-step and the dancers geared down a bit but still swirled around and around.
When the next song began, the lights dimmed a little and the band started a slower tempo number.
“This is our song,” Cade announced. He pushed back from the table and held her chair.
Jenn sucked in a deep breath and let it out all at once. “I’m not really a very good dancer.” Nonetheless, she stood and turned toward Cade.
He smiled encouragement and gestured to the dance floor.
Jenn took a few steps and stopped, but Cade took her hand and led her to the center of the large dance floor. She assumed a dance position with one hand on his shoulder and the other hand in his.
He whispered, “It’s a two-step.”
That meant nothing to Jenn, but surprisingly, she was able to follow his strong lead. After they circled the floor once, she began to relax, almost enjoying the music and being in his arms.
The two-step morphed into another song, a country classic that even Jenn had heard before. They danced and Cade drew her closer. This felt good. Maybe he could hold her even closer.
When the song ended, Cade took her back to the table. She noticed that all of the Garretts were staring at them and smiling.
Jenn took her place beside Leah, who gave her a nod and a wink. “You two looked really good out there.”
“We did?”
“Sure. Weren’t you enjoying yourself?”
Jenn considered for a second. “Well, yes. It was great.”
“You gotta relax, Jennifer. We’re all here for you.” She rocked the baby in his carrying seat, but Big Jim scooted the baby’s seat closer to him.
“You two get up there and dance. I got this little one.” He was smiling as he gazed at his grandson, the first member of the generation to carry on the Garrett name. He was especially proud that this little one bore the name James Tyler Garrett, or J.T. as he was called.
With Leah and Tyler on the dance floor, Jenn got a chance to observe Big Jim in his natural state. He was in love with his grandchildren. All of them. The man was building their future by creating opportunities for the family to stick together, to become stronger, to prosper.
Big Jim glanced up and caught her staring. “Ain’t nothin’ like family, Jennifer.”
She returned his smile. “I suspect you’re right. Unfortunately, the only family I have left are just babies.”
His bushy brows drew together. “Not so. You got all of us Garretts. You’re one of us now. Just relax and know that you are a part of the family.”
“That’s really nice,” she said, but she wasn’t sure she believed it.
Jenn and Cade danced again…and again. The steps to the two-step were indeed simple and varied by the tempo of the music. It could be a very fast two-step, or it could be a close and cuddly two-step. But the very simple steps remained the same.
She found herself grinning over nothing at all, throwing her head back and enjoying a hearty laugh. Cade appeared to be enjoying himself as well.
In between dances he was properly attentive, including her in conversations with his family about topics she barely knew. He made sure that she was properly hydrated and exercised.
They shared the floor with other members of the Garrett family. Tyler danced with Leah. Colton danced with Misty. Misty danced with her brother, Mark, and Tyler danced with Gracie.
The singer announced a ladies’ choice dance, and Cade looked at Jenn expectantly.
Jenn pushed her chair back and walked a few paces to tap Big Jim on the shoulder.
He looked up, surprised. “Me? You’re askin’ me to dance?”
“I certainly am,” she said, assuming a dance pose.
“Well, you asked for it, little lady.” He pushed his chair back and unfolded his long legs to loom over her. “I’m gonna dance your little toes off.”
“It’s a deal.” She practically ran out onto the dance floor, Big Jim on her heels.
Although she considered herself tall, she could not see over Big Jim’s shoulder and felt a moment of claustrophobia. To her delight, Big Jim Garrett was as smooth on the dance floor as he was gruff on the outside. After the dance ended, Big Jim spun her around and around with a hearty polka. When he walked her back to the table, he was grinning. “Thanks for the dances, Miss Jennifer.”
“My pleasure, Big Jim. I’ll be your partner anytime.” She collapsed into her seat beside Cade.
Big Jim clapped Cade on the shoulder. “Don’t let this one get away, son. You got yourself a live one.”
Cade shook his head, grinning. “Y’think?”
The Garretts stayed until the band played the last dance. Apparently, Jenn was with the cool kids because, time after time, groups of people came by the table to say good night, mostly to Big Jim, but also to the Garrett family in general. Big Jim was standing up over and over again, leaning over the table to shake hands with departing locals.
Ava was asleep in her daddy’s arms, but Big Jim bent to drop a gentle kiss on her temple. Dixie, who had always seemed cool, spread her arms and gave Big Jim a hug. “Good night, Dad.”
Big Jim kissed Dixie’s cheek. “Good night, my beautiful daughter-in-law. Take good care of these two.”
The next to leave were Colt and Misty, with her brother. Big Jim gave hugs to all and seemed to be especially in tune with Mark. “See you all in church tomorrow morning, late service.”
“Amen,” Colt said a
nd shepherded his family out the door.
Tyler and Leah had been gathering the baby’s things. Gracie’s eyes were half-closed.
“I’m going to pull the truck up to the front. You stay right here with Dad.”
“I’ll keep ’em safe, Ty. Don’t you worry.” Big Jim grinned as his middle son gave him a thumbs-up. He picked Gracie up, and she put her arms around his neck. “Let’s go wait for your daddy up front.”
When only Cade and Jenn were left at the table, she started to push back, but Cade stopped her. “I hope you had a good time.” His voice sounded wistful.
“Of course I’m having a great time. I learned to two-step, and I got to know your family a bit better.” She stroked his cheek with her fingertips. “And I got to be with you.”
“Jennifer…I’m pretty sure you know how I feel about you…” His voice trailed off, and he leaned close to kiss her.
Her eyes remained closed after the kiss ended. “Words, Cade. We females want to hear the words.” She opened her eyes to fall, headfirst, into the depths of his gaze. I’m a goner.
“You want words?”
“Only if they’re true.”
“In that case, I’ll have to confess that I am truly and deeply in love with you, Jennifer LaChance.”
“Oh yes. Those are the words I was hoping to hear.”
He brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, then trailed his fingers gently down her cheek. “I want to know where it’s written that the man has to say I love you first. I’ve been trying to get it out for days.”
“It’s a rule,” she insisted. “The man must declare his love first. Every woman knows that.”
His lips twitched, as though stifling a smile. “Oh, really? Well, when does the woman declare her love?”
She considered several smart-assed responses that might make him laugh but nixed that idea right away. The big guy looked so vulnerable. She swallowed hard. “Well, I suppose it would be right about now. I love you right back.”
Blue fire flickered in Cade’s eyes. “We need to leave.”
“Yes, we do.”
