Page 85 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
“You look as if you just lost your best friend, and I know that isn’t true because we’re sitting right here,” Ben said, gesturing back and forth between him and Cole.
Andrew sighed. “I sort of feel as if I did.” He glanced toward Morgan. “I told Greyson that I’m leaving. I know you know this, but just to reiterate, he really is a great kid.”
Crazily feeling as if she were losing her best friend as well, she nodded. “Thank you.”
Morgan was saved from saying anything else by the toy soldiers making an appearance and blowing their trumpets.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce your wedding party. Claudia Bradley, Ruby Jenkins, and Matron of Honor Maybelle Kirby.” A round of applause went up. The soldier announced Lou’s groomsmen, then paused dramatically before saying, “And now for your groom and his lovely bride, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Hudson.”
Lou and Rosie came into the room. Everyone stood and clapped. A bunch of woot-woots that sounded loudly from Morgan’s table.
Rosie and Lou had their first dance, and then Bodie took Sarah’s hand to lead her onto the dance floor. Several other couples joined them, including Ben and Lisa.
Morgan smiled when she saw John ask Maybelle to dance and the older woman wisely said yes. He wasn’t doing any crazy moves, just slowly shuffling his feet back and forth, but he seemed steady and the look on his face at having Maybelle in his arms was priceless. How sweet.
Sophie gave Cole a look and cleared her throat. He grimaced. “I don’t dance.”
“Neither does Bodie, but look at him now,” Sophie pointed out with an expectant look on her face. Sighing, Cole got up and went out on the dance floor with her. His smile suggested that he might not enjoy dancing, but he liked the excuse to have Sophie in his arms.
Which left Andrew, Morgan, and Isabelle at the table.
“Hey, I want to talk to Carrie about how Sophie’s pet bandanas are selling at her shop,” Isabelle said, standing up, then pausing before she walked off. “Andrew, you should ask Morgan to dance.”
Then she left. Morgan sat there surprised by the suggestion from anti-romance Isabelle.
After a moment Andrew said, “Telling Greyson goodbye wasn’t easy.”
“I imagine not,” she admitted, staring at the dance floor to keep him from seeing the tears forming in her eyes. “He adores you. He was disappointed you weren’t there when we picked up his entry from the fire hall.”
“I still think his colored ornament was the best,” Andrew said, his gaze searching hers. What was he thinking? Was he wishing they could go somewhere and talk in private—or was she alone in longing for that? But even if they did go talk, what would they say? She wanted to beg him to stay, but she couldn’t do that, could she?
“You two coming out here or what?” Sophie called from the dance floor where she was lovingly wrapped in Cole’s arms.
Embarrassed at Sophie’s question, Morgan gave Andrew an apologetic look.
“Hey, Andrew, you going to show us some of your smooth dance moves?” Ben teased as he and Lisa sashayed in front of them.
“Maybe we should dance to appease them,” Andrew suggested. “Otherwise, they’ll just keep on.”
Dance with Andrew? Morgan swallowed. “I...” she paused. What was she doing? Andrew was leaving. This might be her last opportunity to touch him. “I’d like that.”
Her agreement seemed to surprise him, but he quickly stood and held his hand out to take hers. Her belly flip-flopped as his warm fingers clasped hers, feeling strong and capable and yet gentle as he led her out. They didn’t go far, stopping just at the edge of the dance floor.
He let go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist. “This okay?”
She nodded. It was. Beautifully, perfectly, okay as they moved slowly back and forth in rhythm with each other. His arms around her felt...right. Unable to resist, Morgan laid her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat. It pounded loud, strong, steady against her cheek.
“Greyson told me you cried the night of the fire.”
“I didn’t know he saw that,” she admitted, not looking up because she was afraid she might cry right here and now if she did.
“I’m sorry if I’m why you cried. I never want to hurt you, Morgan.”
“I...I cried for a lot of reasons that night, Andrew,” she admitted. “You were one of them.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
“Don’t be,” she said and meant it. Emotions overwhelmed her and she lifted her head to stare up at him. “I don’t want you to go, Andrew. You have to know that. But I’d never want to hold you back from going after your dreams.”
