Page 29 of Stealing Kisses

Song written and performed by

Chris de Burgh (1986)

They compromised.

Teddy grabbed two boxes and a large trough-like bucket, leaving one box of popcorn for Baylin to carry into the high school gym.

She arranged the clear cellophane snack bags — which she’d tied with skinny strips of fabric matching the colors and prints he’d seen in her quilt — in the galvanized-metal tub. While he carried the empty boxes out to the truck, Baylin went to hang her coat on a temporary rack set out in the gymnasium foyer.

When he returned, he spotted her across the basketball court-turned-dance floor. She had no clue how incredible she looked, no idea how she lit up a room.

Teddy knew. The ever-present warm, thrumming weight in his chest refused to let him ignore or forget the effect Baylin had on him.

The sensation cooled a few degrees when a guy — tall, athletic build —led her to dance under the strobe lights and disco balls hanging from the rafters.

“That youngest Crockett boy is quite a looker,” a none-too-sweet voice scratched in Teddy’s ear. “Been chasing after Baylin since I had them both in the preschool Bible class at church…years and years ago.” She emphasized theyears and years.

“Good evening, Judge Roberts,” he said, granting the ol’ biddy his most gracious expression. “Miss Sadie, it’s nice to see you again,” Teddy added, facing the second woman with a genuine smile.

“Doesn’t the gym look festive?” Miss Sadie asked, waving a hand at the massive balloon arches, the twisted crepe streamers, and the umpteen thousand construction paper hearts dangling above their heads.

Before Teddy could comment, Judge Roberts piped in with a sarcastic grunt, followed by, “It’s astonishing how cheap tissue paper jazzes up a place.”

“I think it’s great,” Teddy said. “Reminds me of attending prom at my high school.”

“I can just imagine,” Judge Roberts weighed in, judgmental sarcasm dripping from every word. “Fancy boy like you and all.”

“Ignore her,” Miss Sadie said. “If she’s breathing, she’s instigating,” she added with a dismissing wave toward her friend.

“Just testing the waters,” Judge Roberts muttered under her breath.

Baylin and her dance partner saved Teddy from having to curate a reasonable response. They finished their dance close to Teddy and his two elderly companions as the deejay transitioned into a new song, stepping away from the crowd of kids taking over the dance floor for an überpopular line dance Teddy also remembered from his own high school days.

Some traditions never die.

“Miss Sadie, Judge… You’re both very lovely tonight,” Baylin said, hugging the former and bestowing a beautiful smile upon the latter. Slightly out of breath from the upbeat Texas two-step she’d just danced, a warm flush bloomed across her cheeks. Had exertion caused it…or interest in the man at her side? Did Judge Roberts know more about Baylin’s love life than Teddy did?

Of course she did.

It was a tiny town, and Teddy’d been there for what amounted to the blink of an eye. Everyone in that building knew more about Baylin, her history, and her boyfriends than Teddy did.

The thought soured his stomach.

“Teddy, this is Michael; a friend from— well, forever,” Baylin said. “Michael, this is Teddy; he’s renting the barn apartment while Jax repairs his car.”

The two men sized up one another, each on one side of Baylin, who didn’t seem to notice the ridiculous, testosterone-filled byplay.

Yet another guy, a little shorter than Teddy and Michael approached. He, too, appeared to have a longtime friendship with Baylin.

“Hey, Traise,” she exclaimed.

“Happy almost-Valentine’s Day,” he said, hugging Baylin. “Hi, guys,” he added with happy eyes and a jubilant smile. “Come on, let’s swing,” he said, holding out his hand to Baylin. He didn’t waste time with introductions.

Neither did the constant stream of boys, teens, and men of all ages eager to dance with Baylin.

Teddy growled but managed to keep it quiet and to himself.

“Having fun?” Miss Sadie asked, joining Teddy on the edge of the dance floor where he stood brooding. They’d been there twohours, and Baylin had been cutting a rug the entire time…and not with him.

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