Page 30 of Stealing Kisses

“A blast,” he replied. His tone implied the extreme opposite of his answer. “Now I understand what Judge Roberts was warning me about yesterday: every male in town is in love with her.”

“Just inlike,” Miss Sadie said. Her kind voice drew his attention away from the object of their discussion, the woman in red from whom he couldn’t seem to look away. “Baylin’s special. But you already know that.”

“And they don’t?”

“Oh, I’m sure they’d each welcome a chance to take her on a date…to dinner or a movie a time or two. Who wouldn’t? Baylin’s smart and funny and strong and independent. And she’s stunningly gorgeous,” she added with a sparkle in her eye. “She could’ve snagged any of those potential suitors anytime she wanted. Baylin’s holding out for someone who wants more than that, for someone who sees more than that when they look her way.”

Miss Sadie let that sink in while the two of them watched Baylin, another nameless fellow, and half of Green Hills twirl and prance to the music.

“What doyousee?” she asked. But she didn’t wait for an answer before calling out to a friend and moving on to her next conversation.

One thing Teddydid not want to see for another second was Baylin in that guy’s arms.

He found a trash can for his lemonade cup and made his way to the center of the dancing throng. As he reached Baylin, the deejay took the tempo down several notches.

Her back was to him, so Teddy leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Let’s dance.”

His hand came to the small of her back. As she turned toward him, Baylin twirled into his chest. Teddy lifted her arms to his shoulders and held her close.

They danced just like that, with Baylin’s cheek laying against Teddy’s heart and Teddy’s cheek resting on the crown of her head. He luxuriated in the silky feel of her hair and the intoxicating scent of her perfume.

As that song ended, another began, and Teddy never released Baylin.

The third song— maybe the fourth… Teddy had lost count. Whatever the number, it moved at a quicker pace. He ignored the tempo for a moment, reluctant to loosen their embrace. Then, as the tune reached its chorus, Teddy lifted his head and took one of her hands, adopting a closed partners position typical to ballroom dancing. She giggled at his quick switch to such a formal posture. Then she giggled with glee as Teddy answered with a wink and led her into a traditional foxtrot.

They skipped and swooped and flowed around the floor. Teddy maneuvered them around other couples, maintaining the lock his eyes held with hers.

Yes, Miss Sadie, I see her. And I desire her in every way. I’m pretty certain I already love her.

Instead of making him falter, the acknowledgement bolstered Teddy’s confidence to new heights. Those other guys had been around, wasting time and missing their chances…not Teddy’s problem.

It was his turn to show Baylin what love could be.

13

Coming together is a beginning;

keeping together is progress;

working together is success.

Edward Everett Hale

Baylin’s nerves tingled and her heart filled with hope on the drive home from the Valentine’s Dance.

Best one ever.

Teddy in that suit, the way he watched her all night long…

Yes, she’d noticed.

His signature smile had turned so grave that no one had even approached him to talk or dance the entire night, which was saying a lot in Green Hills, where a newcomer attracted lots of attention and a young, good-looking newcomer set the proverbial grapevine on fire.

The more she had enjoyed herself, dancing and chatting with friends, the more ominous his countenance had become. She’d delighted in every second.

But then he’d had enough, had stepped in to claim his dance…to claim her heart.

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