Page 121 of Grumpy on the Mountain
"It's a compliment, baby," he grins, then turns back to our guests. "A year ago, I was perfectly content being a grumpy hermit. Then Molly showed up with a dead car, completely inappropriate shoes, and the audacity to order some pretentious coffee thing that made Betty question everything she believed about beverages."
"It was normal where I came from!" I defend, while Betty throws her napkin at me.
"Whatever the hell that was," Beau continues, "the point is, she crashed into my life like a beautiful disaster and suddenly I remembered what it felt like to actually live instead of just... existing."
His voice gets rougher, more honest and the entire town listens to every word.
"She taught me that love isn't something you earn. It's something you choose. Every morning, every fight, every moment when life gets messy and complicated." He raises his champagne flute. "So here's to choosing each other. Here's to beautiful disasters. And here's to the woman who saved my life by being too stubborn to let me hide from hers."
The crowd erupts, and I'm pretty sure half the town is crying, including Betty who's now full-on sobbing into her dinner roll.
The dancing starts with our first dance, and I swear half the women in attendance let out dreamy sighs as Beau leads me onto the floor.
"You know…" I whisper as he spins me in a twirl beneath his arm. "For a man who claims to hate crowds, you're awfully good at performing for one."
"I'm full of surprises, Mrs. Callahan," he rumbles against my ear, his hand sliding dangerously low on my back. "Wait until you see what else I can do when we're alone."
"Beau!" I laugh, swatting his chest even as heat pools in my belly. "We're in public!"
"Not for much longer," he promises, dipping me so low my veil trails across the dance floor. When he pulls me back up, his eyes are dark with promise. "I've been watching you in this dress all night, and I'm about five minutes away from carrying you out of here caveman-style."
"You wouldn't dare."
His grin is absolutely wicked. "Try me."
The song ends and other couples join us on the floor. I watch Sienna dancing with David, while Maisie twirls around the edges in her flower girl dress, collecting rose petals in her skirt.
"Aunt Molly!" she calls, bouncing over to us. "Can I dance with Beau too? Please?"
"Of course you can, princess," Beau says, immediately dropping to one knee so they're the same height. "But I have to warn you, I only know how to dance like a lumberjack."
Maisie giggles. "That's okay! I only know how to dance like a fairy!"
What follows is the most adorable three minutes of my life as Beau lets a six-year-old lead him around the dance floor, his massive frame following her tiny twirls with complete seriousness.
"He's going to be such a good dad," Sienna says, appearing beside me with champagne and misty eyes.
"Don't," I warn, already feeling emotional. "You'll make me cry and ruin my makeup."
"Too late," she grins, handing me a tissue. "But don't worry, you're one of those annoying people who look beautiful when they cry."
As the evening winds down and guests start to filter out with promises to help clean up tomorrow, Beau's hands find my waist, pulling me into the shadows at the edge of the meadow.
"Having fun, Mrs. Callahan?" he asks, backing me against one of the silk-draped trees.
"The absolute best," I breathe, my hands fisting in his tuxedo jacket. "But I have to ask, Mr. Grumpy… where on earth did you learn to dance like that?"
"YouTube," he admits with a sheepish grin. "Spent three weeks watching ballroom dancing videos. Nearly threw my laptop out the window twice."
"You bought a laptop?!" My jaw drops. "Andyou learned to dance for me?"
"I told you… I'm full of surprises. But baby, I'd learn to fly if it made you smile like that."
Suddenly, without any notice or forewarning whatsoever, he sweeps me up and tosses me over his shoulder in one fluid motion, making me shriek with laughter as my dress billows around us like a fluffy cloud.
"Beau Callahan! Put me down this instant!"
"Absolutely not," he growls, his hand firmly planted on my ass as he strides toward the parking area. "I've been patient all night, but I'm done sharing you with the entire town."
