Page 63 of A Rancher's Bride
Oh,really? Luke was doing some math and coming up with intriguing information.
Dimitri excused himself. “Your father promised to introduce me to someone. Come join us as soon as you can,Cara Mia.”
Jack wandered off after offering Luke a particularly meaningful glance. Penny wavered, unsteady on her elegant heels in a way he’d never seen in all their years together.
He glanced toward the door, wondering again where the hell Kelli was. “Congratulations. I wish you and Dimitri well.”
Happily, he meant it. It was good to feel no lingering animosity toward her.
Penny slid sideways to get his attention. “This might sound stupid, but I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for helping us come to our senses and calling off our engagement.”
He shrugged. “You’re welcome.”
She rushed on, fidgeting on the spot as if she were eager to leave but determined to have her say. “I’m glad you’re with Kelli. I’m glad to know you have someone who makes you happy. Because I know I wasn’t it. And the situation might look bad, but I really am in love with Dimitri. Our relationship is different than what you and I had. Maybe that’s why it’s so good to see you’ve found the same thing. With Kelli.”
“You can tell that from just five minutes and a couple lines of conversation?” He didn’t mean the comment to come out so blunt, but so be it.
Her lips twisted into a smile. Something far more genuine than he remembered seeing over all their years together. “I could tell from the first minute. You’re a lot happier than I’ve ever seen you, Luke. And I’m glad. I wish you the best.”
Penny laid her fingers on top of his arm and stepped closer, leaning in to kiss his cheek. She could’ve vanished, because at that moment, the doors opened and Kelli walked in.
Lights shimmered off her cream-coloured dress. Like usual, her hair was pulled back from her face, but this time instead of the long length lying over her shoulder in a braid, some magic held it high on her head like a crown.
Their gazes met, and he couldn’t look away. It wasn’t only that she was beautiful, though she was. So much happiness shone in her eyes, his kneecaps turned to jelly as he walked forward to join her.
She moved slowly, sliding across the floor as if she were sneaking up on a newborn foal. Her hips swayed under the dress, fabric sparkling as she moved. The neckline swooped downward, lying in a half circle that exposed the top swells of her breasts. Demure and yet sexy as sin.
They met in the middle of the room, and he caught her fingers in his. “I’d kiss you, but I don’t want to mess you up.”
Kelli grinned. “I like it when you mess me up, but yeah, considering how long it took Diane to put on my lipstick, maybe you should hold back for a minute.”
It would take a lot more willpower than she might realize. “You look incredible.”
She twirled on the spot, the skirt flaring from her thighs, her cream-coloured cowboy boots the only somewhat-familiar part of her outfit.
“It feels weird, and yet really, really good.” She turned back and smoothed a hand up his lapels. “And wow. Shiny man.”
He pulled out his phone and slid an arm around her. “Smile,” he prompted.
She laughed and leaned against him as he took a selfie.
“Hold still,” someone else ordered, lifting a huge camera to indicate what was going on. “I’m taking official shots for the gala.”
Luke put his phone away, and they posed for a bit before the man handed them a card. Luke slipped it into his pocket before guiding Kelli to the dance floor.
Holding her against his body as they slid into a slow dance was near perfection.
“Did I see Penny?” Kelli asked.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her lips. “I guess.”
She laughed, the sound seeming to roll all the way up from her toes before bursting over both of them like bright sunshine. “Good answer.”
“Not that I want to spend a lot of time talking about her, but FYI, she’s engaged to someone she met this past summer.”
Kelli’s eyes widened then anger rolled across her face.
“Shush. Don’t look so indignant. She and I are over and done. I just thought I should let you know.”
