Page 56 of A Rancher's Bride
Utter shock struck when Luke pulled her forward with him, and for a second she just stood there, staring at him in confusion.
He laughed as he slipped their fingers together, using the hand on her hip to pull her against his body. “Were you really looking for a dance partner?”
“Old habits die hard,” she offered as an excuse. “Maybe we can’t dance,” Kelli teased.
The heat in Luke’s eyes deepened. “Darlin’, we’ve been dancing. We’ll do just fine.”
He whirled her, and he was right. There was no awkwardness, no uneasy steps. It was as if they were made for each other. Kelli relaxed into his arms and let him take control.
They’d gone around for a half-dozen songs before he motioned to the side. “Break time.”
“I need some water,” she agreed, “and a pit stop.”
He pointed toward the ladies’ room. She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek before heading off. A quick glance over her shoulder showed he was staring at her ass, a smile stretching across his face. Kelli wiggled her hips a little harder as she sashayed away.
Top of the world, that’s where she was. Absolutely top of the world.
She stepped into the bathroom, whistling happily then jerking to a stop as a woman snapped back from her position in front of the mirror.
Warning signals went off in Kelli’s head. She moved slowly, ignoring the bathroom stalls as if the only reason she was in the room was to check her makeup—which was a bit of a stretch considering she wasn’t wearing much more than lip balm.
Her charade must have been convincing enough because the other woman didn’t bolt.
Kelli played a little with her hair, tucking a few lose strands behind her ears before oh-so-casually glancing in the mirror to check out her neighbour. The woman had been cleaning up tears. Possibly applying extra makeup to a bruise.
This was bullshit. While she had to say something, Kelli knew to move warily. “Sometimes it’s easier to ask a stranger for help than your friends.”
The woman blinked, startling like one of the deer in the snow field earlier in the week. “What?”
Kelli turned slowly, lifting a finger toward her own face. “Sometimes accidents happen, and I get that. But sometimes we need a helping hand.” She took a deep breath and tried to make eye contact. Leaning over to make herself look as small and unintimidating as possible. “You need a hand, honey?”
The woman hesitated as she looked Kelli over. Her mouth opened and closed.
Then finally, the smallest dip of her chin. “I could use a ride home.”
Kelli’s mind raced. A ride was definitely doable. If she had to pay for a taxi, so be it. “Is that going to be enough to keep you safe?”
Another thoughtful nod. “I’ve got roommates. They won’t let anything else happen. I just met him a few weeks ago, and he was really nice until today.”
“They’re all really nice until they aren’t. The assholes, that is.” Kelli moved in closer. “There are good ones out there. Hey, I’m Kelli.”
“Gina.”
“Is he out in the bar waiting for you?”
Gina nodded.
“How much longer do you think he’ll wait before he comes looking for you?”
The woman shrugged. “He’s drinking. No idea.”
Okay. This might go easier than she thought. “Can you stay here while I get some help?”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Don’t call the cops.”
Sometimes that was the right thing to do, but Kelli was more worried about getting Gina out of there in one piece. “I won’t, but I have to get my fiancée. He’s one of the good ones I told you about. We’ll get you home.”
Gina hesitated, or at least she did until she glanced in the mirror. She grimaced. “Don’t know why you’re willing to help me, but I’m not about to turn you down.”
