Dancing with Fireflies

by Denise Hunter

Her face burned in the awkward silence. She couldn’t think of a thing to say. Not a single thing.

  Not. A. Single. Thing.

  “I should go. It’s late and—I should go.” He backed from the room.

  She found her tongue. “Thanks for the chair. And supper.”

  He couldn’t seem to meet her eyes. “Yeah, ah, no problem. I’ll let myself out.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “Lock up behind me?”

  “I will.”

  What had he done? Daniel turned the ignition and pulled from the parking lot. He couldn’t get out of there quickly enough. Jade had meant to kiss his cheek. His cheek. He was sure of that.

  Had he turned on purpose? Some pitiful subconscious excuse to collect a kiss? He wasn’t sure. It had happened so fast—her lips were on his. He’d returned it, no more than a quick brush. Then she’d jerked away as if she’d touched a hot plate instead of his mouth.

  Then he’d heard that gurgle of laughter before something had choked it off. Probably horror. He’d finally kissed Jade—sort of—and had to apologize for it. Not exactly the moment he’d always dreamed of.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  “I HAVE A FAVOR TO ASK,” DANIEL SAID AS HE HUNG UP THE phone two weeks later.

  Jade gathered the paper clips and dropped them into her new drawer organizer. Now that Betty Jean had left, Jade had spent the morning rearranging things to her liking.

  “What’s that, boss?” The awkwardness of the accidental kiss had faded as they settled into a new routine.

  “Grandma asked me to invite you to dinner tomorrow night.”

  She’d only seen the woman twice since she’d returned. She felt a twinge of guilt. Mrs. Dawson had always been so good to her. “Sure, I’d love to come.”

  He gave her a look. “My parents will be there.”

  “Oh.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  She didn’t want to be rude. They were his parents. But she’d always felt awkward around them. Not awkward. More like a pair of Birkenstocks in a closetful of Pradas. Plus she always felt angry around his parents. They were supposed to love Daniel more than anyone, but they’d abandoned him, and they pressured him all the time.

  But his grandma had invited her. “Is it like a dinner party with lots of people?” Where she could blend into the background and avoid talking to his parents?

  “No, just us. It’s okay, I get it.”

  “No, no. It’s fine. Nice of your grandma to think of me. What time?”

  “I can pick you up at seven?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Heaven knew she had no other plans. She hadn’t heard from Cody since word had gotten out about her pregnancy.

  Jade had nothing to wear. Half her closet was strewn across the bed. Everything was either too small or too casual for an elegant dinner party.

  She finally settled on an empire-waist dress in a bold print. Too bohemian for the occasion, but her options were limited. She slipped it over her head, then frowned into the mirror. The bodice was tight on her enlarged breasts. The filmy material draped over her rounded belly, falling to her calves in an uneven hemline. It would have to do.

  She removed a few of her rings and took off all of her earrings except the pair her parents had given her for her birthday. Her one pair of nice heels were tight on her swollen feet and sported a small scuff mark on the toe. But she squeezed her feet into them anyway.

  She only had a few minutes to fuss with her hair and makeup before Daniel arrived.

  “Wow, you clean up nice,” Daniel said when she opened the door. “I like your dress.”

  “Thanks.” She immediately felt better about her choice. The bright colors looked good on her. Her hair had behaved, so she’d left it to fall around her shoulders in loose waves.

  She settled into the passenger seat, watching Daniel round the car. He wore khakis and a pressed button-up, sleeves rolled to his elbows. She admired his broad shoulders and trim waist. His brown belt matched his shoes, she noticed when he entered the car.

  “You look nice too, Harvard Boy.”

  He shot her a wry grin. “Thanks.”

  She rested her arms on her slouch bag. “Why are your parents in town? You just saw them recently, didn’t you?”

  “Dad had an event in Bloomington, so they swung over, mostly to see Grandma. They’re flying out tomorrow night.”

  “Quick visit.”

  “Sometimes that’s best.”

  Daniel gave another crooked grin, drawing her eyes to his lips. His jaw looked as smooth as granite, and the clean scent of aftershave filled the car’s interior.

  Her thoughts went back to their accidental kiss, as they had many times already. It should’ve disgusted her. At least a little. He was like her brother. After all, if it had happened with Ryan . . . ewww. She shuddered.

  “Cold?” Daniel reached toward the thermostat.

  “A little.” No way was she admitting the real cause of her shiver.

  Daniel hadn’t seemed too shaken by the kiss, but then, he came from a different world. People in his circles kissed on the mouth in passing, didn’t they? At least they did on TV.

  She wondered if that’s the way he greeted Courtney when he traveled to DC. Maybe their kisses had progressed to the more passionate variety. They’d had, what, three dates? The thought settled under her skin like a barb.

  What is wrong with you lately, Jade?

  A few minutes later, Daniel pulled into the long winding drive of the Dawson mansion. The night darkened as they mounted the wooded knoll, passing the manicured lawn. Porch lights splashed against the brick façade and pooled on the welcoming veranda.

  As they climbed the porch steps, Jade shifted her faux leather bag, wishing she’d left it in the car. It had seen better days.

  “Jade!” Daniel’s grandma opened the massive wooden door and drew them inside, giving them delicate hugs. A filmy pantsuit the color of champagne hung on her tall, lean frame, and her silver hair shimmered under the light of the enormous chandelier.

  “Hi, Grandma.” Daniel kissed her on the cheek.

  “Such a handsome boy. And Jade, you look lovely.”

  “Thank you. I like your suit.” Jade’s heels clicked across the marble entryway as she followed his grandma.

  When they entered the sitting room, the Dawsons rose to greet them. Daniel had inherited his stature and dark good looks from his dad.

  Mr. Dawson embraced Daniel, then he shook Jade’s hand. “Nice to see you again, ah . . .”

  “Jade, Dad,” Daniel said.

  “Of course!”

  Mrs. Dawson turned her cheek for Daniel’s kiss, then gave Jade a nod with her foreboding chin, her eyes bouncing off Jade’s stomach. “Jade. Lovely to see you.”

  Her stilted tone said more than her words. She was long and lithe, where Jade was short and curvy. But now she only felt like a big pregnant lump.

  “You too,” Jade said, dredging deep for a smile.

  She and Daniel sat on the sofa across from his parents while Daniel’s grandma excused herself to the kitchen.

  “Can I help?” Jade asked, hopefully.

  “No, dear, you just relax. I just need to assist Mrs. Pierson with the finishing touches.”

  Jade hid her bag at the side of the sofa. Mrs. Dawson took a seat. She wore a red pencil dress with a scooped neckline. A ruby necklace lay against her porcelain skin. Her brown hair was perfectly coiffed. Her makeup was impeccably applied, a touch of rosy blush where her cheeks would bunch if she were smiling.

  “How was the event in Bloomington, Dad?”

  Mr. Dawson nodded. “Not bad, not bad.” He traded a look with his wife. “We were able to see the Chandlers while we were there.”

  “Friends of my parents,” Daniel explained to Jade. “Mom’s known Mrs. Chandler since their college days.”

  “They spent the day shopping,” Mr. Dawson said. “My wallet has yet to recover.”

  Mrs. Dawson fol
ded her hands on her lap. The setting on her wedding ring was the size of a guitar pick. The diamonds sparkled under the Tiffany lamp.

  “Sounds like you had an enjoyable visit,” Daniel said.

  His mom nodded once. “Very much so.”

  She was being awfully quiet. She’d hardly looked at Jade since they’d arrived, not even when they’d greeted each other.

  Jade twisted the sole ring on her finger. A silver band engraved with daisies, a gift from Madison.

  “When did you get into town?” Daniel asked.

  “Around noon,” Dad said.

  “You should’ve called. I would’ve set up a tee time.”

  “I had some business to take care of. And Mother needed some help with financial matters.”

  “We stopped by the country club,” Mrs. Dawson said, finding her tongue. “We ran into the Flannigans and the Whitfields.”

  Mr. Dawson gave her a look. “The Flannigans are buying a winter home in Phoenix. Six bedrooms, an indoor pool, the works. The pictures were stunning.”

  “They have grandchildren there, right?” Daniel asked.

  “That’s not the only news we heard,” Daniel’s mom said.

  Mr. Dawson fixed her with a look. “Victoria.”

  “It has to be addressed, Allen.”

  “Now is not the time.”

  Daniel stiffened, looking between his parents. “What’s going on?”

  Jade shifted. She shouldn’t have come tonight, not if they were going to talk about family matters.

  She inched forward on the sofa. “I should go help your grandma.”

  Mrs. Dawson narrowed her eyes at Jade. “Perhaps you shouldn’t, as this concerns you.”

  Jade shrank back into her seat. Her skin heated. The flesh under her arms prickled.

  “Mom, what’s this about?”

  “It’s just a rumor, Victoria. For heaven’s sake, give them a chance.”

  “What rumor?” Daniel’s eyes found Jade’s. Her look must’ve convinced him she was clueless, because he was looking back at his mom now.

  “That she’s”—Mrs. Dawson’s eyes flitted to Jade—“carrying your child.”

  “What?” Daniel said.

  Jade palmed her heart, which thumped like a jackhammer. “Oh no.” She hadn’t heard any rumors at all. But then, the person at the center of the rumor was usually the last to hear.

  “I’m so sorry.” Jade’s eyes went back and forth between the Dawsons and Daniel. “It’s not true.”

  “Of course it’s not true,” Mrs. Dawson said.

  “Mother.”

  As if her son would never be so stupid as to conceive out of wedlock. Jade shrank into the cushions, wishing she could melt into the chestnut-colored leather. Jade couldn’t even disagree. It was true.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He set a hand on her balled-up fist. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

  Daniel’s grandma poked her head into the room. “All right, dearies, dinner is served.” And then she was gone.

  Mrs. Dawson’s red lips pressed into a tight line as she stood.

  They filed quietly through the foyer, the tension palpable. Daniel surveyed the dining room, seeing it as Jade might. The formal table was set with so many plates and bowls that the burgundy tablecloth virtually disappeared. In the center, silver candelabras flanked a fresh flower arrangement. On each of the five plates sat a slab of prime rib, a perfect circle of potatoes, and an artfully arranged bouquet of asparagus. The air was thick with the smell of beef and horseradish. His stomach twisted hard.

  “How lovely,” Mom said as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb into the conversation less than a minute ago.

  Daniel pulled out Jade’s chair, and she sank onto it. She wouldn’t even look at him. His palms grew damp in anticipation of the coming conversation. It wouldn’t come over the meal—his mother’s manners would never allow that.

  They joined hands, forcing Jade to take Mrs. Dawson’s across the table. After his grandma said grace, Daniel squeezed Jade’s hand before releasing it.

  “Smells delicious, Mom,” Dad said.

  “I’ll tell Mrs. Pierson you said so. I can’t imagine what I’d do without her.”

  The sentence was punctuated with the sound of silverware scraping fine china.

  Daniel cut into the tender beef, grateful for something to do, something to look at. He was glad for the dimmed chandelier. Maybe it would hide the flush of anger that had crept up his neck.

  “Mmm. Delicious,” Jade said. She’d probably rather be eating rice and yogurt in her dingy apartment, and he didn’t blame her. Had he known an ambush was coming, he never would’ve brought her.

  “Daniel, have you met with the Crawfords about the ferry?”

  He was happy to talk about anything besides the rumor. “I have. They’re eager to work out an agreement. It seems business isn’t what they’d wish.”

  “So you’d be doing them a favor,” Dad said. “And they in turn will do a favor for you. Those boys have a lot of pull in DC. You’re working smart. I’m telling you, son, between your grassroots campaign and the Crawfords’ support, you’re on your way to the top.”

  “Unfortunately they’re not willing to let the ferry go into Louisville, which is a potential problem for us.”

  “How so?” Mom asked.

  “A lot of locals work in Louisville. A ferry would save them time and gas and allow some families to scale back to one car instead of two.”

  “Well, you can’t back out of the deal with the Crawfords,” Mom said. “There’s a lot more than a few gallons of gas on the line here.”

  “We haven’t come to a deal yet, but I’ll let you know how it goes.” This was a matter for the transportation department. He wanted what was best for the community, not what was best for his political future, but his parents would never see it that way.

  Daniel’s grandma and mom picked up the conversation. Jade was being so quiet. Was she angry? His mother had been inexcusably rude in the sitting room. He looked at Jade, but her eyes were on her plate, her cheeks pink.

  She swallowed and began coughing immediately. Daniel reached for her drink and handed it to her, and she took a sip. Linen napkin over mouth, she coughed again. The conversation continued over her coughing fit, punctuated by frowns from his mom.

  Jade gave a final hack. “I’m sorry.”

  Daniel touched her arm. “You okay?”

  She nodded, taking another drink of her tea. Her face was red, and Daniel wanted nothing more than to get her out of there. But respect for his grandmother kept him rooted to the seat.

  The conversation turned to the uncommonly mild summer, and the charity his mom had founded in DC for disabled veterans.

  Daniel choked down the rest of dinner and forced himself to finish the chocolate mousse with raspberry garnish. By the time he spooned the last bite into his mouth, he was full and tense, dreading the conversation to come.

  Finally Daniel’s mom rose from the table. “I’ll help with the dishes, Mother Dawson.”

  “Nonsense. I have nothing but time on my hands. Go relax in the sitting room while I start the coffee. I’ll wash them later.”

  The sitting room was the last place he wanted to take Jade, but he clung to the hope his mother would drop the subject. He set his hand against the small of Jade’s back as they walked.

  Mr. Dawson patted his flat stomach. “I’m stuffed.”

  Jade settled into the sofa corner. Daniel sat closer this time, his thigh pressed against hers. He wanted her to feel his presence and know he was in her corner.

  “We need to discuss the rumor circulating about town,” Mrs. Dawson said, picking right up where they’d left off.

  “There’s nothing to discuss, Mom. It’s not true.”

  “Be that as it may, we all know unsavory rumors can destroy a political career.”

  “I’m afraid your mother’s right.” Mr. Dawson shot Jade an apologetic smile.

  “What do
you want me to do—take a paternity test? Rumors fade.”

  Mrs. Dawson set her chin. “Or they catch like wildfire, spreading and wreaking havoc on one’s political aspirations.”

  Daniel’s jaw twitched. “It’s not true. Just do the math.” She’d been two months pregnant when she arrived in town, for heaven’s sake.

  “It doesn’t have to be true, son. It just has to be believed.”

  “You have to separate yourself from her, and furthermore you must—”

  That was enough. “She has a name, Mom.” Daniel stood, pulling Jade with him. “And we’ve had enough.”

  “Sit down, Daniel,” his mom said.

  “We have to be going.” He gave his parents a final look. “Have a safe trip home.”

  They swung by the kitchen and said good-bye to his grandma. He took Jade’s arm as they walked outside. In the car she crossed her arms.

  Daniel started the car, turning off the air-conditioning. He snapped off the radio. He couldn’t believe his parents. How could they be so rude? So demeaning to his guest? He’d taken Jade in there like a lamb to slaughter. Idiot!

  His jaws clenched. His hands clamped the steering wheel, the bones of his hands spreading like rigid fans.

  “I’m so sorry, Daniel.”

  His hands tightened on the wheel. “Don’t you dare apologize.”

  “It’s my fault. We’ve been spending too much time together. I let you go to all those doctor’s appointments. Someone must’ve found out and drawn their own conclusion. Or maybe they saw my car overnight at your place. I begged my way into your office, and now they probably think—I should’ve been more careful, and now you’re paying the price. Your mom’s right, we should—”

  “Stop it.” He braked at the traffic light. “We didn’t do anything wrong, and if anyone should be apologizing, it’s me.” He palmed his neck. “I shouldn’t have brought you tonight.”

  “You couldn’t have known.” She watched him as he accelerated through the green light. His nose flared. Something flickered in his eyes.

  Jade frowned. “You didn’t know about the rumor. Right?”

  In the distance a train whistle sounded. A car whooshed past. Daniel’s grip on the steering wheel continued. His lips pressed together.