Page 170 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Corbin chuckled. “Because Dee has the art of persuasion down to a science, that’s how.”

Delaney’s eyebrow shot up. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” he countered, placing his arm around her waist, drawing her close. “I believe someone promised me a dance,” he murmured in her ear.

She turned and looked up into his eyes. “It would be my pleasure.”

“Excuse us, Addie,” he said, sweeping Delaney into his arms and pulling her onto the dance floor. He loved having Delaney this close, marveled at how petite she was. She was an excellent dancer, moving in perfect step with him. Despite his misgivings about safety, he was suddenly glad they’d come. If all was going according to plan, Sutton and his guys were moving in on Hugh right about now. Hopefully, by the time Corbin and Delaney returned to the cabin, it would all be over. Corbin had been tempted to tell Delaney all that was happening, but didn’t want to cause her additional stress. It was better to let things unfold, then tell her when it was over.

He pulled her closer, then leaned in and nuzzled her ear. “You’re so beautiful,” he uttered. He lowered his mouth to herearlobe, planting a light string of kisses down her slender neck. She melted into him, resting her head on his shoulder. The song ended all too soon. Corbin hoped the band would play another slow song, but they played a fast one instead. Delaney pulled away from him. “Do you wanna dance to this one?” He wasn’t in the mood to fast-dance, but would if Delaney wanted to.

She shrugged. “We could … or we could go back and talk to Addie.”

“Let’s catch up with Addie,” he said quickly. They walked to where they’d last been standing, but Addie wasn’t there. Delaney pointed. “She’s dancing.”

Corbin spotted Addie with a tall, dark-haired guy that he’d never seen before. Her smile was a mile wide, and she was dancing her heart out. She waved when she realized they were watching her.

“Your sister’s spunky,” Delaney said admiringly.

“Yes, she is,” Corbin chuckled.

“She looks very pretty in her blue dress.”

Did she? Corbin looked. Yes, Addie did look good. Corbin had been too consumed with Delaney’s fantastic looks to pay attention to anyone else.

“Well, well, didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” a deep voice rumbled.

Corbin turned as Sheriff Cliff Hendricks approached. The old sheriff had gone gray and developed a paunch since Corbin had last seen him, but he still wore the same disapproving scowl Corbin remembered.

The Sheriff’s bushy brows bunched. “What’re you doing here, Spencer?”

The hair on Corbin’s neck stood. There had never been any love lost between him and Sheriff Hendricks. In the Sheriff’s eyes, Corbin had always been a loser. “Hello, Cliff.”

Sheriff Hendricks frowned like he didn’t appreciate Corbin using his first name. He looked at Delaney. “Who are you?” he asked bluntly.

Delaney arched an eyebrow, her eyes sparking. “The name’s Dee,” she shot back. “And who might you be?”

Corbin laughed inwardly when the man’s face went red. It had taken all of two seconds for Delaney to put the old geezer in his place.

“I’m the sheriff,” he blustered.

She didn’t back down an inch. “Do you have a name?”

He blinked rapidly. “Uh, Cliff Hendricks.”

“Nice to meet you, Cliff,” she said.

The sheriff turned to Corbin, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t want you causing any trouble.”

Irritation scorched through Corbin. He tried to think of a rebuttal, but Delaney reacted first.

She laughed lightly. “Are you always this friendly to guests? Corbin told me how nice the people of Birchwood Springs were, but he might have to retract that statement.”

The sheriff’s eyes bulged.

“From where I’m standing, the only one causing trouble is you,” she continued. “We were minding our own business until you came up.” She flashed a cheery smile. “If you’ll excuse us, we were going to get some punch. It was nice meeting you, Cliff.” She let her voice hang a little on his name as she lifted her chin in the air and walked regally towards the refreshment table. It was all Corbin could do not to hoot in the old sheriff’s face, as he hurried to catch up with her.

“Wow, that was incredible. You cut ole Cliff down to size. I would give anything to have that on video.”

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