AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It will be. There’s something I’d like to run past you. That big step to get in Hope Harbor isn’t a problem for me or Boss, but I thought it’d be nice for your future tenants if I built a front porch for an outside living area.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You aren’t asking. I offered, and it’s self-serving. Boss and I don’t like being cooped up inside. Unless you don’t mind us continuing to crash your peaceful evenings here.”
She eyed him as he grinned at her.
“It’s not a big deal. My team does construction projects all the time. Quarters for us or to make inroads with the locals. I’ll do up a sketch to show you what I have in mind. I’ve got the time.”
“Include an estimate on cost.”
“I got it.”
“I’llcover the materials.” She sprinkled the spent blossoms onto the mulch around the shrubs as Ariana and Wren approached. “I’ll be ready in a minute.” She ducked inside to wash her hands.
John kept on surprising her. Identifying a need and offering to do something generous. Not telling her what he was doing. She shook the water from her hands but couldn’t dispel the off-balance effect he had on her. Of course, he was probably on his best behavior. If he were sticking around longer rather than moving out of The Oasis and to Florida, she’d get a glimpse of what was hidden beneath his attractive exterior. If something or someone seemed too good to be true, they usually were.
She slung her purse over her shoulder, determined not to let John dominate her thoughts. However, after Wren and Ariana ceded the front seat to him, it was hard to ignore his looming presence in the passenger seat of her car for the drive to the VFW Hall.
Butterflies in her stomach were barely noticeable this time when they pulled into the parking lot. None of the older veterans she had met here reminded her of her father, and line dancing did not involve any physical contact with anyone, other than the occasional bump when somebody missed a step.
The lot was half full with trucks and sedans, many sporting a variety of military decals or bumper stickers. She parked a few spaces over from where the instructor, Darrin, unloaded his equipment.
John exited her car and hustled over to Darrin. “Let me give you a hand.” He picked up the speakers.
“Thanks. I can grab one, though,” Darrin said.
“No worries. I’m balanced this way.”
“You’re invited back anytime.” Darrin pulled the cart with his other equipment to the building as Elizabeth followed with Ariana and Wren.
“Sorry I’m running late, folks. Ran into traffic from an accident,” Darrin announced once inside. “You guys flirt with the pretty ladies to give me a minute to set up.”
Tables were pushed to the left side of the room. Elizabeth led Ariana and Wren to an empty table next to where veterans crowded around two adjoining tables.
Wearing the bored expression akin to a teen dragged to an event by her parents, Ariana shifted on the wooden chair and eyed the men at the next table, most of whom were two or three decades older. Once the dancing started, hopefully Ariana would have fun. Elizabeth had been nervous to the point of nausea her first time here until the dancing started. She’d forgotten how fun and freeing it was, at least when no touching was involved.
John set the speakers on the small stage, then joined the table of veterans next to theirs, shaking their hands or clasping them on the shoulder. Within a minute, he was seated and laughing while Darrin set up and did a sound check. From what she could hear of the neighboring conversation, John thanked the older vets rather than espouse on his own service.
Two of the regular couples in their fifties came in, trailed by Air Force veteran Buck Holland, who was alone. He beamed at Elizabeth and Wren and headed straight for them.
“You ladies look lovely tonight. Got a first timer with you, I see. Welcome. I’m Buck.” He smiled at Ariana.
“I’m Ariana.”
“You’re new too.” He eyed John, who introduced himself.
“Buck is quite the dancer,” Elizabeth said.
“Had to be. When you’re my size, you need to stand out another way to win the ladies. At the USO dances, I was more popular than the big handsome guys who just sat there.” Buck wasn’t more than five-foot three, but he still grinned at John as if issuing a challenge.
“Where is Jean?” Elizabeth asked.
“She’s at Myrtle Beach for a ladies’ golf tournament. I wasn’t invited. Did I tell you my wife uses the promise of sex as a way to get little jobs done around the house.”
Ariana’s mouth hung open as she stared at Buck.
“She does not.” Elizabeth chuckled.
