Page 279 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

“You really wouldn’t have… would you?” she asked, her voice hushed.

He found it amusing that she still seemed to think he was insincere. This was as good a time as any to remind his little minx of the way their future would go. She needed to understand that while he enjoyed playing poker, there were certain things he would never consider bluffing about. “Yes, Betsy, I most certainly would,” he assured her. “I want to dance every dance with you, and if you turn your ankle carrying these boxes through the grass in those pretty heels, well, I wouldn’t be able to hold you in my arms and twirl you about that dance floor.”

Her smile reappeared and the two soon had the cookies placed onto platters. Hand in hand, they moved toward the bandstand where Mayor Henderson was taking his place.

Jack didn’t miss the fact that Betsy was blinking back tears as the mayor asked them all to bow their heads in prayer for the families of those who had given their lives for their country. He squeezed her hand a bit harder and offered up that prayer, as well as another thanking God for his blessing in keeping him safe and bringing him home to his Betsy.

As a pretty woman took the stage, Betsy whispered, “That’s Jane.” The crowd placed their hands over their hearts as she sang the national anthem. This time, Betsy wasn’t the only one with tears on her cheeks.

Jane approached after graciously accepting compliments for her performance. “You found her, I see?”

“Yes, and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done to ensure that I did,” Jack said, leaning forward and kissing Jane’s cheek.

Jane laughed and reached up to give him a hug. “You can thank me by promising to keep my best friend happy.”

“That’s a promise I plan on spending the rest of my life fulfilling,” Jack said, pulling Betsy a bit closer.

“Bets, I think you and Mr. Bossy are going to be just fine.” Jane smiled as she gave them a final wave before walking off.

Jack looked down as Betsy giggled.

“Mr. Bossy?”

“It’s her silly nickname for you. And, well, you have to admit you can be just a teensy bit bossy.” She gave a small gasp as his hand slid down to pat against the back of her skirt.

Her eyes met his and he saw desire filling their depths. Sending another prayer of thanks heavenward, he bent to whisper into her ear. “I’m going to thoroughly enjoy being your Mr. Bossy, my dear.”

She smiled, giving a small moan, and he watched her face flush when he gave her another pat.

He kissed her again and then took her hand and led her onto the dance floor that had been constructed next to the bandstand. As the band began to play, Betsy turned to face him and placed her free hand on his chest.

“Jack! That’s the song they play in the movie, One Girl and Two Boys! It was so good. My feet were tapping throughout the whole film!”

Jack laughed and, placing both hands at her waist, lifted her and swirled her around. “My girl will only have one boy,” he said, setting her down and continuing. “But, lucky for you, your boy loves to dance.”

“Are you sure your leg will be all right?”

He grinned. It was just like his gal to worry about someone else’s comfort. “Darling, I promise that even if my leg still hurt, which it doesn’t, that wouldn’t keep me from dancing with you. Come on, let’s go cut a rug and show them how to do the Lindy Hop.”

Betsy’s laughter rang out as he pulled her into him, and she forgot to be embarrassed wondering if she were doing all the steps correctly. Finally in the arms of the man she had fallen in love with through the written word, she no longer had to clasp an envelope to her breast and imagine what it would feel like to have him holding her. She smiled as he spun her out from him only to pull her back to spin her around again and again. She squealed when he lifted her into the air until she laughed, not even caring that her skirts flew up.

When a slower song began, she sighed as Jack pulled her close. Pressing her cheek against his chest, the sound of his heartbeat had tears filling her eyes. This man had come back to her and despite his words at the car, she found she was not afraid. If she were honest, the very thought had her heart beating a bit faster. Even if one day she did find herself hauled across his knees, she knew that would be exactly where she belonged.

Other couples joined them until the entire floor was full of swirling women and smiling men, everyone’s faces flushed from exertion and pure happiness. Those not dancing stood around the perimeter of the floor, watching, hooting and clapping for all they were worth.

It had been a hard few years, with rationing of everything from gasoline to sugar, and it was time to party as soldiers returned to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Chapter Nine

Spying her parents standing with a group of people, Betsy and Jack took a break from dancing. “Mom, this is Major Novak; Jack this is my mother, Mavis.” Betsy shook her head and was slightly embarrassed when her mom flung her arms around Jack and squealed that it was so wonderful to finally meet the man who made her precious baby girl so happy. Her father, far less flamboyant in his greeting, shook Jack’s hand and welcomed him home.

“Jack, you must come to services with us tomorrow,” Mavis Riddle said, “and then out to the house for lunch. I’ll make a nice pot roast.”

“Mom, I’m sure Jack is exhausted—”

“Not too exhausted,” Don countered. “I’ve been keeping my eye on you two and I don’t just mean that I’ve seen you tearing up the dance floor.”

“Daddy…” Betsy began, only to look down as she felt a tug on her skirt. Sally Morgan peered up at her with big green eyes.

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