Page 86 of Bountiful
After Dave and May brought back the drinks, Zachariah gave a short but funny speech about Griffin as a grumpy bachelor. There were several adorkableStar Warsreferences. And then everyone in the tent raised a glass to Griffin andAudrey.
“Tonight, enjoy the music and the cider,” Zach urged. “Here’s to the only couple I’ve ever met who made their own hooch for thewedding!”
There were cheers and catcalls as Audrey and Griffin kissed. But my eyes were on Dave as he tasted the cider. “Goddamn,” he said immediately. Then he took a second sip, his throat working. I used to suck onthatneck…
I cleared my throat and looked away. “I know, right? This cider is their prizewinner. It’s called ‘Audrey.’”
“It’s amazing.” He put his nose over the glass and inhaled. “I may have underestimated your favoritefarmer.”
“Don’t tell him,” May said. “My brother’s ego is alreadyunmanageable.”
“It’ll only get worse,” Daniella slurred. “He got his wife pregnant. That’ll make ’im beat on hischest.”
“Shhh!” Mayhissed.
“Wow, already?” Dave said lightly, pretending to check his watch. “The manworksfast.”
I gave him a good-natured kick under the table, and he smiled at me over the rim of his glass. And that smile was potent. “You know,” I teased him. “This cider is rumored to have specialpowers.”
“Mmh?” heasked.
“What do you think ittasteslike?”
He closed his eyes. “I’m not sure. It’s muskyanddark.”
“Sexxx,” Daniella said. “Griff’s cider tastes like a long night ofdirtysex.”
Dave didn’t say anything. But the smile he gave me said,No wonder I like itsomuch.
I drank deeply of my glass, too, enjoying its heady aroma. I wasn’t going to nurse again tonight, so I was free to enjoy a glass. It was, as always, delicious. But I couldn’t vouch for its aphrodisiac powers because I’d basically wanted to jump on Dave since the moment he’dappeared.
Outside, a dance floor had been laid on the lawn. The band kicked into a swing tune. Guests began to clap as Griffin and Audrey took the first dance. No silly slow dance for them—Griffin whirled Audrey around, and I wondered how her stomach washoldingup.
“Wow,” Daniella said. “I wouldn’t have guessed Griff coulddance.”
“He used to be fun, too,” May saiddrily.
More to the point, he used to be a football player before he became a farmer. The man could move. I knew this from ogling him at high school dances my whole life. The crowd cheered when he dipped his new bride. It was quite thespectacle.
After their two minutes of solo fame, the music slowed by just a hair as other couples took thefloor.
“Let’s go!” May said to her girlfriend. “I love swingmusic.”
Daniella wrinkled her nose. “You go ahead. I’m notfeelingit.”
May’s face fell, and I had to bite down on my tongue from wondering aloud who was the fun one in their relationship. I’d give Daniella a piece of my mind in a heartbeat, but I didn’t want toembarrassMay.
“Then I’ll dance with you,” Dave said, standing up and offering his handtoMay.
“Really?” She grinned upathim.
“I love swing.Comeon.”
She took his hand with an apologetic glance at me. “Is it okay if I steal your date for a fewminutes?”
“Of course it’s okay. You kids have fun.” The chance to watch Dave swing dance? I’d pay cash money to see that any day oftheweek.
And I wasn’t disappointed. Holy hell. The moment Dave stepped onto the makeshift dance floor, I couldn’t stop staring. His stance loosened as he took May’s hand, his hips beginning to move with the tempo. He gave my friend a nod and a smile and then guided her into a basicswingstep.
