by Diane Darcy
Grandpa and Calum showing up for dinner at the same time had been helpful, as her newly acknowledged feelings were getting slightly out of control.
Talking about Calum, thinking about him, and at one point even wishing he were the father of her child!
She’d known the man for a total of forty-eight hours, and she needed to calm down.
Someone had wrangled him up some new clothes, jeans and a plaid shirt, and he looked great.
Not that she was noticing.
Calum glanced at the flowers on the table when he came inside the kitchen. He met Mandy’s gaze, and she offered a shy smile. “Thank you for the flowers.”
“My pleasure. With springtime upon us, they’ll soon be fresh ones for ye.”
Red clapped Calum on the back and said, “Well done, you,” before taking his seat.
Mandy smiled and turned away, but him looking so pleased with himself was stuck in her brain. The man was adorable, though she figured she’d better keep that sentiment to herself.
Fortunately, dinner was a hit with both men, the spaghetti turning out to be a new, verra tasty, dish for Calum.
Sheesh, she even liked the way he spoke.
“I was thinking,” Grandpa said. “It being Friday night and all, and you two being so young, you’d probably want to go out to the bar tonight and maybe do some dancing.”
Grandpa glanced around the kitchen. “I’d be more than happy to clean up in here if the two of you want to take off.”
Mandy’s face slackened. Grandpa wasn’t even trying to pretend that he wasn’t matchmaking anymore.
She was about to protest on both of their accounts, when Calum set his napkin down, pushed back his chair, and stood. “That’s a grand idea. I’ve no’ been dancing since I doonae remember when, and I’d love tae give it a go.”
Indecision flooded her and she bit her lip. It seemed there were a lot of things Calum hadn’t been able to do. Eat well, dance, and who knew what else. It seemed as if he’d led a very restricted existence until he’d arrived.
Which again, tugged at her heartstrings.
How was she supposed to say no, when he was looking at her so hopefully? Still, she wouldn’t exactly make the best of dance partners at the moment. “I don’t know …” she gestured to her stomach.
Grandpa made a scoffing noise. “You’ll be fine. Just stick to two-stepping, and you’ll rock that baby right to sleep.”
“I’m not sure —”
“I used to take your grandma dancing all the time when she was expecting your father. Fun times.”
Touched by the thought of her younger grandparents dancing, she could feel herself wavering, but knew it was mostly because she wanted to go.
She glanced at Calum, who was still looking so hopeful that she just couldn’t say no. “Just let me get changed.”
Grandpa clapped once and hooted, startling her, and the three of them laughed.
“Go on, both of you, get ready and then go off and have a good time. I’ll want to hear all about it tomorrow.”
Anticipation filled her as she pushed back from the table and stood. “I’ll meet you outside by my car in fifteen minutes.”
Calum gave her a short, courtly bow. “I’ll count down the minutes.”
Oh. Nice. As she went up the stairs to her bedroom, she found herself feeling bubbly, lighthearted, and excited.
It made her realize the contrast to how she’d been feeling lately. Sure, excited about the baby, but also matronly, unattractive, and even a little bit old.
Like her youthful exuberance for life was gone, and now it was all responsibility and work and just getting on with it.
Sad that it took a man’s appreciative gaze to snap her out of it, but she was suddenly glad he had.
Even if Calum disappeared tomorrow, she wasn’t going to sink back into that place again.
She was twenty-six years old. Life was for living, and she needed to remember that.
She had the work she wanted, she’d soon have the child she’d yearned for, and if she couldn’t quite trust that Calum, or any other man would be in her future, that was all right.
Pregnant or not, she was back, baby.
Chapter 9
Calum left the house to retrieve the new jacket Joe had helped him purchase earlier, then went to wait outside by Mandy’s car.
As he’d already cleaned himself up for dinner, he didn’t need to do anything to get ready, so Red gave him what he called a crash course in dating.
A lot of his advice had been confusing, but some of it was just common sense.
He knew to open a door for a lady, to pay for any food or drink, and to mind his manners, but also thought he should be in charge of the reins, so to speak.
Unfortunately, he didn’t own a vehicle, and Red was unwilling to let him borrow his.
Not going to happen, had been his exact words.
The fact that Joe had given him a lesson in driving earlier didn’t hold water according to Red. He’d not trust him with his granddaughter and her child. Not without a license.
He really needed to look into getting one.
Red paid him for work done the last couple of days, so he was set there, but Calum found himself sorting through the rest of his advice again.
Keep things casual, but don’t be afraid to open up because women like that stuff. He wasn’t sure what that meant.
Stay present. He wasn’t sure where Red thought he would go. He’d not desert her.
Do not dance with other women. Calum snorted at that one. Did Red think him a complete dolt? He’d not be taking another to the dance floor.
Don’t drink too much. Calum shook his head at that one. He was a Scotsman. He could guzzle ale all day long and it wouldn’t affect his faculties.
Mandy came out of the house and relief had him releasing a breath as he moved forward to greet her. He was over-thinking this.
He’d gleaned a few things for himself over the years. Throw a man and a woman together long enough, and nature would simply take its course. Simple as that.
He met her at the bottom of the steps, offering his hand as he took in the knee-length blue dress, long sweater, and matching, oh so feminine sandals.
“Ye look beautiful.”
Her dark eyes shone in the reflected lights from the barn. “Thank you. Nothing fits, so I don’t have many dresses to choose from, but fortunately, this one works. Sorry if I kept you waiting.”
He didn’t release her hand, and instead tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Not at all. I’d have waited all night if it meant this chance tae spend time with ye.”
She grinned. “Oh, it looks as if I’ve got a sweet-talker on my hands.”
That and more. He’d not forgotten his earlier desire to seduce her senses and so make her his own. He led her to the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened the door. “Och, just ye wait. I can be sweet as bluebells on a summer morn.”
She chuckled and he loved the sound of it. “And poetic too. Bluebells, huh? Do you have a lot of those in Scotland?”
“Aye, certain times the ground can be covered with them, and if ye walk through the meadow, the smell of them is divine.”
He helped her inside, tucking her sweater when one side of it hung out. He shut the door and rounded the vehicle to quickly take the other seat.
“I’d like tae drive, and think I could be competent at it, but yer grandfather has assured me he’ll skin me alive if I so much as try.”
The look she gave him was both pragmatic and sympathetic. “The no license thing?”
“Aye. I’ll obtain one at the first opportunity.”
She started the car and slowly drove down the lane. “And, what? You think I’ll let you drive mine if you do?”
“Only until I’ve saved enough for my own vehicle.”
She chuckled, again. “One step at a time. Who knows if you’ll even be here long enough to get a license, let alone drive my car.”
His heart sank a bit. It
was going to take some time to get her to believe in him. Of course, if they married, she’d not have to wonder.
“It sounds as if ye believe I’m tae leave. But I’m no’ going anywhere. Ye’ll ken soon enough.” He considered reminding her of his plans to marry her, but seduction was about subtlety, not demands, so he didn’t push the matter.
“We’ll see,” was all she said.
“We will, indeed,” his agreement was firm and filled with self-assurance. He might not know a lot of things anymore, but was certain of this and of her.
He was exactly where he was meant to be and wasn’t going anywhere.
The man was messing with her head. Making her think and wish for things she’d long given up on.
Darn him, anyway.
She asked about his day as they drove, and luckily, he was excited about everything he was learning and eagerly told her what he’d been up to.
She was glad to have his attention off her and focused on ranching for the moment. The way he’d been looking at her earlier … jeez, give a girl a moment to catch her breath.
Unfortunately, even talking about ranching, his deep voice, masculine and passionate, was attractive.
When they finally arrived at Red’s she had to drive around the paved parking lot to the back because it was packed, as usual.
Calum helped her out of the car and they went in the back way, past a few smokers leaning against cars, and then a couple of guys flirting with a group of women, most of whom she recognized.
Red’s was date night for couples old and young and when Calum opened the back door, country music, muted outside, blared out.
She liked the familiar comfort of the smells, sounds, and dancing couples. Until she’d started showing, she usually worked the bar at least one night a week, sometimes more.
She greeted people, and got many a curious stare as Calum led her to a couple of empty seats at a small table against the wall. “Does this suit ye?”
“Sure. Perfect.”
He smiled, obviously not the least put out to be seen with a pregnant woman at his side. “I’ll be right back.”
Calum made his way through the crowd and she glanced around the familiar room. She’d had a hand in the decorating a few years back, though she’d been under strict instructions from her grandfather that the place still had to look country.
She’d coated the old walls in red and white paint, added white brick wall decor panels in places, and put back many of the longtime decorations and newly framed photos on the wall.
She’d also added a few new touches: an iron trellis, a photo wall she’d decorated with pictures of Red and Amanda and many of their long-time customers.
The wall above the hall that led to the restrooms had fancy black lettering above it, proclaiming that fact.
The floor had been refinished, the bar had a new mirror, new leather stools, and the tables and chairs were new as well.
All in all, the place looked great, and their customers loved it.
Most of them anyway. A few old-timers had complained, but you couldn’t please everyone.
She watched Calum make his way back to their table, his new jeans, jacket, and button-down plaid shirt looking really good on him.
What wouldn’t look good on his tall, muscular build?
It took until he’d arrived at the table and set down two mugs to realize what he’d ordered for her.
A mug of ale?
He sat down in the seat across from her and grinned as he pushed one mug toward her, a bit of the froth on top oozing over the side.
“Uh, Calum, this is nice of you, but I can’t drink it.”
He looked worried and quickly took a sip of his own drink. “Nae, tis good, nice and fresh, ye can taste the hops.”
She leaned forward so he could hear her better over the blare of the music and he did the same. “Pregnant women can’t have alcohol.”
His dark brows bunched together. “What? O’ course they can. Tis full of barley and good for both mother and bairn. Everyone knows that.”
A chuckle escaped her at his earnest declaration. “No, everyone knows it’s not good for the baby. If I drank this,” she gestured toward the ale, “I’d have ten people over here in a heartbeat trying to take it away from me. And I see the pastor and his wife three tables over. One guess what the sermon would be about come Sunday.”
He stared at her in disbelief, then looked around at the people in the bar, many of whom were surreptitiously looking in their direction.
“Truly?”
“Yes. I’m dead serious.”
“I’ve never heard such a thing.” He shook his head. “What would ye like to drink?”
“A cranberry juice would be great, thanks.”
He was up and out of his chair, and she pushed her ale toward his spot just in case anyone decided she was actually going to drink it and came over to take her to task.
He was soon back with her juice, and after an attempt at conversation, pulled his chair around next to hers and draped his arm over the back. He bent his head near hers so they could hear each other better, and the intimacy left her suddenly breathless.
Was it warm in here?
Was everyone really staring, or was she just imagining it?
She sipped her drink, as they watched the dancers and he dipped his mouth close to her ear.
“That dancing is unlike anything I’ve done before.”
“Oh? How so?”
“I’ve danced like a savage around the fire with my clan and, of course, often danced jigs and reels, but nothing like they’re doing there.”
The crowd had switched from a slow dance to a line dance, the music blaring Uptown Funk, and a lot of couples joined in.
His obvious interest had her lips curving into a smile. “I could teach you.”
His eyes lit. “I’d love that.”
She took her sweater off and put it over the back of her chair to hold their spot, he did the same with his jacket, and they went to the edge of the dance floor where she easily slid into the steps of the dance.
Calum caught on fairly quickly, watching the other men as well, and soon had the steps down and was stomping, stepping, and twirling along with everyone else.
He smiled in her direction and she found herself responding to his excitement and enthusiasm.
When the song ended, he took her hand, none too soon as it turned out. Three girls headed in their direction, looked at their linked hands and backed off.
Calum, oblivious, looked down at her as another slow dance started up. “Twas fun. Would ye like tae dance another?”
Ah, yes actually, she would. “Sure.”
Calum was looking around at the other couples some of whom were doing a slow two-step, but apparently, he decided to go with the other half of the room and drew her into his embrace.
Her hands went up around his neck, his went around her waist, and when he moved closer, her stomach brushed against him, suddenly embarrassing her.
She took a step back. What was she doing? She was pregnant, and this suddenly seemed far too intimate. She glanced around to see if everyone was staring, and they weren’t, but she still felt awkwardly self-conscious.
He respected the distance she placed between them and took one of her hands in his, and continued their slow shuffle around the dance floor.
He was watching her, a question in his gaze as if he were asking if she was all right, or trying to discern for himself.
She pasted on a small smile, and that seemed to reassure him, so he moved a bit closer, until they were almost touching again, but not quite.
Ha. Give it a month.
She tried to hold onto her emotions, but the spell he’d cast around her seemed to be working its magic because she could feel herself starting to relax and enjoy his embrace.
It took her a moment to realize he’d seamlessly led her into a two-step. “Hey, you’re a pretty good dancer. I’d say you’ve done this before.”
“Nae, but
I danced my whole life. We all did. Festivals, country dances, around the fire at night. All this is somewhat familiar tae me.”
She nodded. “Do you miss Scotland?”
“Somewhat. But unless ye’ve a desire tae disappear into the mountains and live alone, tis all changed now. I’ve nae regrets for leaving. I’m happy tae have ended up here with ye.”
He made it sound as if they were together, which they weren’t, and she really ought to remind him of that fact in case she was, you know, giving him the wrong idea because she was clinging to him and dancing a scant distance apart, her heart beating a bit fast in her chest.
But, she didn’t.
Maybe because it felt good to be here with him, swaying to the music, feeling younger and more carefree than she’d felt in a long while.
Or maybe it was because he seemed sure enough for the both of them that they’d end up together, and her ego was eating it up.
After all, she’d decided if she wasn’t going to get what she wanted, or needed from a relationship, she’d forgo one altogether.
Take herself out of the game.
But, sure, it had pinched her ego.
And Calum was nothing if not an ego-restorative.
Especially surrounded by girls, her age and younger, wondering how she’d managed to snag the hottest guy in the room.
So, she kept her mouth shut, didn’t say a word, and danced the night away.
Calum wasn’t sure what was happening between them, but, three dances in and Mandy allowed him to pull her against him and he was starting to reconsider his plan.
He was going to seduce her to his way of thinking? He thought that perhaps he was the one being seduced … straight into madness.
Holding Mandy in his arms was likely to make him crazed!
The softness of her skin, the scent of her hair, the feel of her stomach against him.
When she looked up, her dark eyes liquid and shining in the low light of the room, his brain shut down, and all he wanted in life was to lean forward and kiss her. Deeply.
The thought of getting slapped for his efforts was the only thing stopping him from doing so.
He didn’t want Mandy disappointed in him, but swore that if they were around a Scottish fire at the moment, he’d ease her back into the woods, and nothing would stop him from pulling her close, taking her lips with his and … and …
