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“I would love that!” she said.
Aaron grinned. “I had a feeling you might.”
A few minutes later, they’d reached their destination. After finding a place to park, they went inside and were soon seated in a small booth against a wall of windows. The windows overlooked the wraparound porch andthe myriad assortment of hanging baskets overflowing with flowers and ferns.
Bluegrass music was playing faintly in the background beneath the rumble of diners’ voices. Every so often laughter would break out at a nearby table or from across the room. The aromas coming from the kitchen were enticing, and the ambiance of the whole place was like being at a family reunion without knowing all the relatives.
“I love this place,” Dani said as she opened her menu. “Thank you for bringing me.”
Aaron reached across the table and grasped her hand. “It’s pure selfishness on my part. I like being with you. And forgive me for changing the subject, but you have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re beautiful.”
She smiled.
“And the dimples are icing.”
“I cannot take credit for either of those assets,” Dani said. “I have my father’s eyes and my mother’s smile, dimples and all.”
“Then God bless the both of them for sharing,” Aaron said.
She laughed.
The conversation shifted to ordering food and then trading work stories while they ate. Two hours later, they were back in his car and headed to Trapper’s Bar and Grill.
They’d spent two hours on a meal that could have easily counted as foreplay, and once he got her outon the dance floor, he would have her right where he wanted her—in his arms. Where it went from there was anybody’s guess. Music was rocking out into the night as they pulled into the parking lot.
“Sounds like the party’s already started,” Aaron said, and held out his hand as they headed toward the entrance.
Dani grasped it and held on for all she was worth as they walked into Trapper’s.
One song had just ended as they found a table. The band struck a chord, then went into a slow Willie Nelson classic, “Always on My Mind.”
“I think they’re playing our song,” Aaron said as he slipped his arm around her waist, settled the flat of his hand against her lower back, and swung her out into the crowd of dancers.
Cheek to cheek.
Heart to heart.
Their bodies moving in perfect synchrony.
Waltzing her around the floor.
The next song segued into another old song by the Kentucky Headhunters called “Dumas Walker,” which called for a lively two-step. Half the people in the bar were singing along with the band, and the other half were dancing.
Three dances later, the band took a fifteen-minute break, so they returned to their table and ordered drinks. While they were waiting for their order, Aaron’s patrol partner, Bob Yancy, saw them and came up to say hello.
“Hey, buddy, introduce me to your pretty lady.”
Aaron grinned. “Dani, this is my partner, Bob Yancy. Bob, this is Dani Owens. She’s recently moved here and will be teaching at the elementary school this fall.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Dani. Welcome to Jubilee. My wife Jilly and I have kids in that school. One starting kindergarten, and one going into second grade.”
“I’m teaching first grade,” Dani said. “Maybe I’ll have your little one in my class next year.”
“Speaking of Jilly, where is she?” Aaron asked.
Bob pointed at the bar. “See those three women with their heads together at the end of the bar. Jilly’s the blond, and they’re plotting a baby shower for one of their girlfriends. When conversations go all girlie and every other phrase is ‘That’s so cute,’ I find something else to do.”
Dani laughed.
