Marla from Pappy’s Market talked Abigail into it, then when Shay invited her, it sealed the deal. Wade had Maddy and Olivia for the night, and Shay was in need of a night out. Abigail felt obliged to give her one. Besides, she needed to get away from the house in the worst way. Wade had been unbearably testy all week.
On Saturdays the Chuckwagon served food and rolled out the dance floor. Kids were welcome, though the crowd was largely adult tonight, Abigail noted as she and Shay walked across the peanut-strewn floor.
From a large table at the edge of the empty dance floor, Marla waved them over. They headed her direction, squeezing past tables and chairs. The air was thick with the smell of grilled steak and onions, and the din of chatter made it hard to converse.
The Silver Spurs were setting up onstage, and Abigail was glad Marla had saved them seats because the place was packed.
“Hey, everyone,” Shay yelled, taking a seat next to Marla.
Abigail took a seat on her other side and saw Dylan across from Marla. “Hey,” she called.
“I can’t believe my luck.” Dylan’s eyes swung across the three of them. “I have the prettiest view in all Montana.”
Marla rolled her eyes. “You are so full of it.”
But Abigail could tell she enjoyed the compliment. Marla and Shay did look nice tonight. Shay had taken a little time for makeup, and her hair, normally pulled back in a functional ponytail, now flowed over her shoulders like a glistening waterfall. Abigail had drawn the line at mascara and lip gloss, but she had to admit her hair had cooperated.
Dylan received an onion blossom from the server and set it in the middle of the table. “Help yourselves,” he said to the others. He looked at Abigail. “Where’s Wade?”
She arched a brow. “How should I know?”
His lips twitched.
Abigail felt Shay’s questioning eyes and was relieved when Marla introduced her to the others at the table. Abigail waved and smiled. It was too loud for a long-distance conversation.
A microphone squealed, and the manager announced the Silver Spurs. After roaring applause, the lead singer began a foot-stomping tune.
“That’s Marla’s brother,” Shay fairly shouted into Abigail’s ear.
The singer smiled in Shay’s direction and winked.
“I think he likes you,” Abigail said.
Shay gave a wry smile. “One musician was enough to last me a lifetime.”
“Your ex?”
“He left me and Olivia high and dry.”
Abigail cringed. “Sorry.”
When the server appeared, Abigail ordered fries and a soda. She remembered Aunt Lucy saying something about Shay never getting over her first love, not even after she’d married. She wondered what had become of him.
The first song ended, and Dylan asked Marla to dance. Soon other couples crowded the floor, none of them better than that pair. Despite his bulk, Dylan could bust a move, and Marla had no trouble keeping up. They were fun to watch, made Abigail want to get up and dance a jig herself, though she’d never danced to country and western music.
Three songs later, someone cut in on Dylan, and he returned to the table and took the seat across from Abigail.
A spry, elderly man Abigail didn’t recognize asked Shay to dance. She slid gracefully from her chair and joined him on the floor. Despite his age, he had nimble feet.
“Who’s that?”
Dylan leaned in. “Pappy Barnes.”
“From Pappy’s Market.”
He nodded, then gestured toward the band. “What do you think?”
Abigail nodded. “They’re good.”
“Good enough to sway you over to country?” His eyes twinkled.
“Maybe for one night.” The band struck up another tune, and Marla’s brother sang into the mic with his raspy voice.
“Dance?”
She’d been eager for the chance, but she didn’t want to lead Dylan on. It was only a dance though. “I’m not very good,” she warned.
“I’m up for the challenge if you are.”
She shouldn’t pass up the opportunity. It would give her a chance to question him about Wade. “Well, I was starting to feel like a wallflower.”
He stood, chuckling. “Perish the thought!”
She accompanied him to the dance floor where he took her into his arms, maintaining good space. He guided her fluidly, and after a few minutes, Abigail relaxed and enjoyed the rhythm of the music.
“You lied,” he said. “You’re a good dancer.”
“You make it easy.”
He spun her around the floor until she was dizzy, her white skirt floating around her legs. They talked as they danced. Dylan was like an older brother, she thought, quick-witted and fun to spar with.
When the moment seemed right, Abigail changed the subject. “Does Wade ever come?”
Dylan shrugged. “Sure, when I can drag him out.”
“Why’s he reluctant? This place is pretty fun, plus he could bring Maddy along.”
Dylan spun her around, then picked up where they left off. “He went through a lot when his wife died.”
“He told me. It must’ve been terrible.”
Dylan seemed to take measure, like he was unsure Wade had really confided in her. “It was.”
“What was Lizzie like?”
Dylan opened his mouth, then closed it. He spun her slowly, then pulled her toward him. “You should ask Wade.”
Abigail admired Dylan’s loyalty even while she fought disappointment. “Not asking him anything right now. He’s been so grouchy this week.”
“You don’t say.”
She looked at him, waiting. There was more to that comment, but he wasn’t talking.
The song flowed into another, and they naturally changed their pace. When Marla’s partner left the floor, Abigail offered to step out, but Marla fanned her flushed face and shook her head.
“Did Marla come with you?” Abigail asked.
He grinned. “Don’t tell her I asked you first.”
“Must be hard juggling so many women.”
“You’re each so special, I just can’t get enough of you.”
“Oh brother.” Abigail rolled her eyes. Shay and Pappy floated by to her left.
Dylan spun her in a circle, and the room whirled. Her gaze floated past their table, then stopped and fixed on the seat across from Marla.
Wade was there—and he was staring right at her.
He looked away, back toward Marla, who was talking.
Abigail focused on the wall behind Dylan. Great time for him to appear.
Dylan spun her in another circle, and her feet got bungled up.
“My fault,” he said smoothly.
Abigail glanced toward the table. Maddy and Olivia were there, too, sipping what looked like Shirley Temples. They must’ve talked Wade into coming, because he sure didn’t look happy to be here.
She hated to imagine what Wade must be thinking—but then, he’d thought it anyway, hadn’t he? Assumed she was keeping a date with Dylan after that kiss—a date she’d never agreed to in the first place. She was growing tired of his testiness. He’d been insufferable all week, ignoring her until he had to speak, and snapping at her even then. How could one little kiss cause such a change?
“What’s wrong?” Dylan followed her eyes. “Ahhh . . .”
“Ahhh . . . what?” Now who was testy?
He cleared his throat. “Soorreey. What’s with the two of you?”
Abigail clenched her teeth. It wasn’t her; it was Wade.
“Look,” Dylan said. “I know it’s none of my business, but he’s been through a lot and—shoot.” He spun her the other direction, led her toward the back of the stage. “If looks could kill.”
She darted a look toward the table. “He doesn’t own me.” He didn’t even claim her, not even as a friend, by her last count.
One of the women from their table nudged Wade with her shoulder, laughing. Marla leaned across the table so far, she was in danger of plunging into his lap.
Abigail looked away. “Besides, looks like he has plenty of company.” She dreaded returning to the table. The night had gotten complicated fast, and just when she’d been having fun.
The song morphed into another, and Dylan pulled away.
“Don’t.” Her heart quickened at the thought of returning to the table. “I don’t want to go back.”
He sighed hard, then took her in his arms again. “Can’t stay out here all night, you know.”
Maybe she could call it an early night. She spotted Shay, who’d found another partner. She was smiling, and the man dancing with her couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.
So much for an early night.
Dylan twirled her around. The space between them had widened since Wade’s arrival. Then she spotted Wade dancing with Maddy in the opposite corner of the dance floor.
“Look,” Dylan said. “No offense, but when this song’s over . . .” He raised his shoulders.
“Fair enough.” Wade wasn’t at the table now anyway. Her fries were probably cold and soggy by now, but at least she could keep Olivia company.
The song began to wind down, and Dylan led them in a series of turns toward the other corner. She tensed. “What are you doing?”
They were side by side with Wade and Maddy as the band hit the last note and struck up a slow tune.
“Cut in?” Dylan asked Wade.
Abigail shot Dylan a glare that went unnoticed.
“Sure, Uncle Dylan!” Maddy sailed into his arms, leaving Abigail and Wade alone in the corner.
“I was just—”
“Dance?”
Even though they spoke simultaneously, she heard reluctance in his request. The fact that he didn’t want her in his arms made her want to be there even more.
She raised a brow. “Sure.”
Wade’s jaw twitched. He took her into his arms, holding her stiffly. An average-sized barn could fit between them.
Can’t dance without touching, now, can you? Abigail looked at the band. At the tin corrugated siding on the walls. At the dark beams running across the ceiling. At the crowd. People seemed to be staring at her.
“Thought you weren’t coming with him,” Wade said.
She darted a glance at him, but he was looking over her head. “Thought you didn’t care.”
“I don’t.”
“Good.” So she was being childish. Why’d he ask her to dance if he didn’t want to? And why was he so mad when he didn’t want her for himself?
His hand barely held hers, and she could scarcely feel the weight of his other hand on her waist. It was like he couldn’t stand to touch her. It was a sharp contrast to the poignancy of his touch six days ago. But he’d made it very clear that he regretted it.
An ache started behind her eyes, and she bit her lip hard. She wasn’t going to cry. She was angry, daggonit. How dare he kiss her and then treat her this way. So he regretted it—did he have to be so mean? Rejection was bad enough without his passive-aggressive behavior.
It hurt that he’d ignored her, that he’d snapped at her for no reason. It had hurt all week, and she didn’t stop to question why until now. People didn’t have the power to hurt you unless you cared about them. The truth was, her feelings for Wade had gone deeper than she’d realized.
How deep?
She didn’t want to think about it right now. Didn’t want the L word to so much as enter her mind when Wade so clearly didn’t return those feelings, wasn’t even willing to pursue them.
But denial wouldn’t change the truth. The irritation she’d felt all week had only been a front to cover the fact that she was falling in love with him. She hadn’t fully admitted it until now, when being in his arms was more pain than pleasure.
From across the floor Maddy caught her attention and waved. Abigail returned it, trying for a smile and failing miserably. But Maddy didn’t seem to notice. She laughed as Dylan picked her up and spun her around.
Abigail fixed her eyes on the third pearly button of Wade’s shirt. What did her feelings matter anyway? It wasn’t like their relationship could go anywhere. Hadn’t she been over this a hundred times already? Was she that hardheaded?
The song began winding down, and Wade stepped away before the last chord struck. He ushered her off the floor, and Abigail tried not to care that he couldn’t seem to escape soon enough.
She took her seat as Wade disappeared into the crowd. Two women from the next table stared at her, and she resisted the temptation to stick out her tongue. Wow, Abigail, you really are childish.
The table was empty until Dylan returned a moment later and sat beside her. “Having fun?” he asked.
“A blast.” Abigail pulled her plate of soggy fries closer and dumped ketchup on the pile. She wanted to go home, but she’d come with Shay. And asking Wade for a ride would only defeat the purpose of leaving.
She bit into a cold fry and glanced over Dylan’s shoulder. A woman she didn’t know stared back. Abigail glanced around the room. “What the heck? Do I have ketchup on my face or what?”
Dylan followed her gaze, and his lips twitched. “You’re Moose Creek’s new Natural Wonder.”
She frowned. “What?”
“Wade hasn’t been on the dance floor since he’s been here— and not for lack of willing partners.”
The news was a warm injection in her heart. But what did she expect? He could hardly dance without touching—which he avoided at all costs. Although he’d come pretty close to it just now.
“They’re just jealous,” Dylan said. “And curious.”
“Well, they shouldn’t be. He was forced into it.” Abigail bit into another fry.
“Ha! Wade’s not forced into anything. If I know anything about him, it’s that.”
Wade reappeared, squeezing between tables with a soda in his hand. His eyes narrowed when he saw them. Then he set his jaw and walked deliberately toward them.
“Shoot,” Dylan said. “You did tell him I’m not your date, right?”
Abigail shrugged. “He didn’t ask.”
Dylan frowned at her, the dimple nowhere to be seen. “You’re as bad as him, know that?”