AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As he held her hand to help her from the truck, the electricity he felt at this small touch sizzled up his arm. He shivered slightly but couldn't process it because his mom came around the front of the truck. "I've heard all good things about Porter's."
"Did everyone at the HOG fill you in today?"
"They sure did." She hugged him briefly. "Everleigh, you are stunning." His mom leaned in and hugged Everleigh as he watched. They looked natural together. He filled his lungs with air and turned to his dad and hugged him. "How are you, Henry? We didn't see you much today."
"I'm good. I'm sorry I didn't have more time with you."
"We understand completely. Let's go catch up."
His dad held his arm out toward his mom, and she gracefully swooped into his fold. They sauntered into Porter's casually chatting, his dad's hand on the small of his mom's back. He chuckled to himself.
He turned to Everleigh and held his hand out to her. Her lips turned up into a beautiful smile as she laid her hand in his. As they reached the door to Porter's, he opened the door, then ushered her in with his hand at the small of her back. He liked it there better.
"Do you have reservations?" The hostess asked.
Henry stepped forward. "Yes. Delany for four."
The hostess glanced at her book, then nodded. "Right this way, please."
She ushered them to the outdoor patio where he and Everleigh had eaten yesterday. As he held Everleigh's chair out for her, the hostess informed them, "We have a special guest tonight. Mr. Zachary Malloy is in town and he's agreed to come in and play for us. If you've never had the pleasure, he's amazing! He's a one-time local, but now he travels around singing for his supper."
His mom giggled. "That sounds lovely."
They were handed menus and as they looked the menus over, a man in a cowboy hat and new jeans sat behind a microphone and pulled a guitar over his shoulder.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Zachary Malloy, and I'm honored to entertain you this evening."
He strummed his guitar and sang a song Henry had never heard before. The waitress came by and took their drink and food orders. They settled in to enjoy the evening when their drinks were delivered. Henry's mom held her glass up.
"I'd like to congratulate Henry on the purchase of his new farm. Zander and I managed to email back and forth today, and Mr. DeWitt has signed your offer. Since you don't need to obtain financing, we've arranged for you to take possession on Friday. We'll still have paperwork to complete at a later date once the title company has managed their due diligence, and paperwork. But Mr. DeWitt has agreed that you'll rent it from him until final paperwork is completed in about three weeks. Rent is one dollar."
His heartbeat sped up and he momentarily lost the ability to speak. His dad raised his glass as did Everleigh. In unison they said, "Congratulations."
He tapped his glass to theirs. "Thank you all so much. Mom, seriously, thank you for managing all of that. It's incredible."
"I'd do anything for you Henry. And Stella of course."
Mr. Malloy started singing “Tennessee Whiskey” and his dad stood. He held his hand out to his mom, "Luna. Dance with me. I've loved this song since I first heard it. I've loved you since I first saw you. It's fitting."
Her smile radiated love. He watched them glide to the dance floor, which was nothing more than a small space cleared out in front of Mr. Malloy.
Everleigh smiled. “Why does he call her Luna?”
He stared at his parents as they moved together like two pieces of a puzzle. “My mom’s grandfather called her Luna because her light-colored hair and her soft demeanor reminded him of the moon. My dad loved the story so much, he began calling her Luna immediately.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet.”
He turned to Everleigh, "Would you like to dance?"
She laughed. "I'd love to."
He stood and held his hand out to hers. They glided to the floor and the instant he turned and pulled her into his arms, it was as if fireworks went off in his head, and his body. He struggled for clear thoughts for a few moments, so he pulled her in tightly and swayed with her to the song. He'd never hear this song again without thinking of Everleigh Hayes.
18
Her stomach was a jumbled mess. Her fingers shook and so did her knees. She had an incredible attraction to Henry Delany. This man, he was turning her head. She no longer thought only of her next job, but of him. She went shopping to buy an outfit for him. Well, it was for her, but to impress him. Now, here she was on the dance floor with him, his beefy arms wrapped around her body and pulling her in close and she was grateful to just be here. She didn't try to talk to him because she honestly couldn't form words right now. If she had to think of something to say, something stupid would pop out of her mouth for certain. How incredibly embarrassing that would be. She was a top-notch negotiator, she couldn't ever be heard saying something stupid. She'd never get another job.
Henry's head dipped down. His lips were near her ear, and when he whispered, had he not been holding her, she certainly would have melted in a puddle.
