Dinner over, dancing had begun with Robbie and Hope’s song, “By Your Side.” After that, couples packed the floor. Lynn stood at the edge of the tent, smiling as she watched Polly and Kevin dance, so happy and content. She said a silent prayer that all would go well with Polly’s pregnancy and the baby they wanted so dearly. Babies coming all over, she thought, wondering if that would ever happen to her.
His voice behind her shoulder startled her. “Would you dance with me?”
She turned to find Gus’s hand outstretched. “Sure, why not.” She took his hand, instantly comforted by his nearness and warmth.
“I’m a little rusty,” he said as he led her onto the dance floor.
“Where have I heard that before,” she said, smiling as he pulled her close.
“You look beautiful. You stunned me back there. I couldn’t breathe for a minute.”
“Is that good?” she asked, pleased and calm as they moved as one to Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall in Love.” Breathless herself, she could feel his arousal against her.
“More than good. I’ve missed you.”
“I hear you have company.”
“Yeah, Laurie got in last night.”
“And?”
Before he could speak, a sultry, unfamiliar voice came from behind her. “May I cut in? This was one of my sister’s favorite songs, wasn’t it, Gus?”
Lynn turned to spy a cute blonde in a slinky green satin cocktail dress and strappy silver heels, her hair pulled back in a loose chignon.
“I’m Jeannie, Gus’s sister. May I?”
Shocked, Lynn dropped her arms and stepped back.
The bulge in Gus’s pants was not lost on his “sister.” She frowned, hands on hips. “Gussie? Aren’t you gonna dance with me?”
“Lynn, this is Jeannie, my sister-in-law. She’s visiting with Laurie.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Lynn said, extending her hand, which the blonde ignored.
“Later, hon. Gussie, let’s waltz!”
Gus gave Lynn an apologetic look as he allowed his sister-in-law to drag him off. Shaken and confused, Lynn walked to the edge of the dance floor, where Polly joined her. “I sent Kev to find Jasper,” she said. “We’re leaving soon. I saw that. Rude doesn’t begin to describe it.”
“Have you met her?”
“No, who is she?”
“I believe she’s Gus’s wife’s sister.”
“Well, she seems pretty bitchy to me.”
“Come on,” Lynn said, still shaken. “I’ll help you find Jasper and walk out with you. I’ve had enough of this.”
“Are you sure? I’m certain Gus’ll come find you.”
“I don’t want to be found tonight. Let’s go.”
“Not before I have a dance,” Tom Jacobi said. “May I?” He extended his hand, and Lynn took it. Why not? Two could play at this game!
As she and Tom danced to “Can’t Get Enough,” Lynn spied Gus, Cal in his arms, headed for the far door of the tent. Laurie, his sister, held Dulcie by the hand and her friend trailed along in their wake. As he reached the door, Gus turned and gave her a wistful look just as Tom swung her around and she was lost in the sea of dancers. After several turns with Tom, Buck Foster asked her to dance. Spark’s son was a mystery to her and most Valley people. Sophisticated and elusive, he slipped in and out on frequent visits to his dad’s estate. He had been incredibly helpful and supportive of Harriet Winthrop the previous winter as she dealt with ghosts from her past. His calm urbane presence as he took her hand helped Lynn steady her frayed emotions.
“Rough night?” Buck asked as they danced to Etta James’s “At Last.”
“Weird, would be more accurate,” she said. “This band is really good, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, Robbie found ’em. They’re regulars in Sedona. You look fantastic, by the way.”
“Thanks, it’s the dress.”
“Don’t downplay your beauty, Lynn. So you’re not a swizzle stick like so many women today. Thank God. I’ll take a full-figured gal any day. Maggie Morgan’s a goddess to me, and so are you.”
She smiled. “Now I know you’re kidding. So what about you? We never hear anything about you and a lady friend.”
He shrugged. “They come and go. No one special yet, but I keep hoping.”
“Look around us. So many loving couples. It does give one hope that it’s possible.”
“Good role models,” he said as the elder Morgans danced by.
“Sounds like your mom and dad were happy.”
He nodded. “Just like Ben and Leonora. It’s a hard act to follow.”
“Think anything will develop with Helen?”
“Doubt it. They both say ‘friends,’ and I believe ’em. Sounds like she had a rough marriage, then a few years of happiness with a long-lost love. And Dad always says he’s had the love of his life and nothing will ever touch that.”
“Looks like Richard… Dickie may be starting something up with Lucy Winthrop,” she said as she glimpsed the couple dancing.
“I know, he swooped on her the minute he arrived, or I might have tried my hand. She’s an amazing woman.”
“What’s stopping you? I doubt she and Dick are getting married next week.”
He made a face. “Complications. I hate complications. And she lives three thousand miles away.”
“What’s geography when it’s true love.”
“Uh-oh, another hopeless romantic.”
“Hard not to be around here.” Lynn gazed across the dance floor and saw Amy Barnes looking in their direction. “I think your sister may want your attention.”
“That’s right. I told her and Jeb that I’d take my nephew home. Toby must be getting tired.”
“Me too,” Lynn said. “Have a good night.”
“You have a great night too. You know he’s crazy about you, don’t you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Casey. He seems to have his head up his ass at the moment, but I know love when I see it.”
“Now who’s the hopeless romantic?” she said, waving her hand.
“Mark my words. I’ll be hearing good news about you guys by the end of the summer, or my love barometer’s broken.”
Lynn laughed. “You’re crazy, Buck Foster. Good night!”
After saying her goodbyes and congratulating Robbie and Hope one more time, Lynn headed for her car, smiling. Buck Foster’s love barometer hasn’t come up with the likes of Jeannie Olsen, I’ll wager.