Page 47 of One Kind Soul

Squeezing him closer, Nicole focused on this moment right now. No need to think about leaving yet.

They danced until the time for Tessa and Donovan to cut the cake arrived then they devoured their own slices before dancing some more. The DJ was in charge now and the old school dance tunes were pumping. Nicole had a blast grooving with Christian, Tessa, Aliza, Landon, Donovan, and the youngest Henley brother, Jackson, whom she’d met last night at the rehearsal dinner. It was a fun circle to dance in, but most of all she liked knowing she was part of a pair tonight. The fact that the pair was with Christian made it even better. He knew everyone at this wedding and yet, he never left her side. He spent all his time with her.

And he’d given Jackson dagger eyes when the guy had asked if she’d wanted a drink. Christian had shooed his younger brother away so fast. “I can get her a drink, little bro. Off you go.”

He’d also taken the time at last night’s dinner to formally introduce her to his parents who had flown in from Ireland to attend the weekend’s festivities. While Maggie and Donald Henley had been lovely, they’d looked at each other as if they’d never met a woman Christian was interested in before.

Perhaps they hadn’t.

“I’m married!” Tessa shouted at Nicole now as they bounced around together to bass-heavy dance music.

“Mrs. Tessa Henley, everybody!” Nicole clapped and everyone around them joined in. Pulling Tessa in for a hug, she said, “I’m so happy for you.”

“I think I should be happy for you too.” Tessa looked around then pointed to Christian who had broken away from the group a few minutes ago to talk to his parents. “I’ve never seen Christian stick like glue to a woman before.”

“Construction adhesive,” Nicole said.

“What?”

“We used construction adhesive. Much better than regular old glue.”

Tessa laughed. “Well, whatever you used, it’s working.”

“It could also be that he’s scared of what you’ll do to him if he screws up with me.”

“A reasonable thing to be afraid of, but so far, I like what I’m seeing.”

Nicole angled her head and studied Christian in his suit. “Me too.”

They continued dancing, Christian coming back to join them until—after a slow song dance that could have been considered foreplay—he tugged her off the dance floor.

“Please tell me you’re ready to leave.” He clasped his hands and rested them under his chin, looking downright adorable.

“Totally ready for some different dancing.”

“Loving the way you think, Nixen.” He grabbed her hand. “Loving it.”

They said quick goodbyes then he ushered her outside to his truck. “I have a surprise at the farm.”

“A surprise?” She climbed into the cab after he opened her door. “What kind of surprise?”

Christian shook his head. “No hints. No clues. You’ll see the surprise when we get there.”

She pouted and that earned her a kiss. “Drive fast,” she told him after he slid into the driver’s seat. “But not so fast as to endanger your sweet ride.” She ran her hand over the dashboard.

“I only endanger trucks when I go to The Big City.” He patted the steering wheel. “I’m treating this girl like royalty.”

“I don’t think you can call driving it on some of these Vermont roads treating her like royalty.”

“True.” He started the engine and backed out of the parking spot. “Did you have fun tonight?”

“Absolutely. It was a beautiful ceremony, great reception, and seeing my best friend so happy makes me happy.”

“Yeah. I didn’t think I’d ever see Donovan slow down at work enough to find himself a wife.” He pulled onto the main road. “I’m glad he found Tessa. They are a great match.”

“They really are.” She smoothed her dress, thinking. “I always wonder about the choices people make that lead them somewhere, you know? Like, what if Landon and Aliza never convinced Donovan to take that trip by himself to Kauai? What if that bozo never made Tessa fall and bust her ankle? What if Donovan hadn’t been there to pick her up and carry her off to get medical attention?”

“Yeah. Isn’t it crazy how all of those things and more had to happen for them to end up married right now?”