Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(37)

If he was under the impression I was going to turn back around and suck up to his friends while they mercilessly hit on me, his silver spoon was shoved too far up his backside. With that thought, and also with stubbornness taking over every inch of my fiber, I continued to glare at him as I slowly took a sip of my beer. I waited until his eyes glanced back, then widened in surprise, before I casually looked away.

Suck it! I thought. I was cranky, tired, and had too much of that guy’s crap. All guys, actually. Every one of them. So there.

Candace elbowed me. I hadn’t switched my facial expression, so she got a blast of the same stubborn, hard expression as William. Her face fell in shock.

“Sorry!” she said. “It is just that Georgie asked you to dance and I was getting your attention...”

“Oh sorry, Candace. That wasn’t directed at you--I was thinking about something else.” I stood up and faced Georgie.

He had a big grin on his face, like he won some sort of contest.

I was just about to say my apologies in the nicest way I could, and go find a corner to hide in, when Tom said, “Oh now Georgie, you may be the best bull rider around, save Ty of course, but you need to work on your manners with young ladies. Candace, Jessica--” He bowed to Candace and me in turn. “Would either of you ladies like to dance?”

“I would love to, Tom,” I said, winking at a relieved Candace. She didn’t want Tom to steal Ty’s thunder. I was happy letting him steal Georgie’s.

I took Tom’s arm for the second time that night. As soon as we got out of hearing he said, “Sorry to intrude, but it seemed like you were in a tight spot.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I am in your debt, sir. I was trying to think of the nicest way to say ‘buzz off’.”

He laughed. “You‘ll have plenty of time for that tonight. Looks as though Georgie has taken a liking to you. If I might warn you of one thing: he can be a rascal sometimes. He tries to be a gentleman most times, I think. But sometimes it isn’t as easy as others.”

“Spoken like a rascal.” I laughed as we made the scuffed planking that would pass beautifully for a dance floor.

“We all have to grow up sometime.” He faced me with a grin. “Do you know how to Texas two-step?”

“Texas two-step? Actually, no. I know the Fox Trot and Swing and a lot of ballroom dances, but not the two-step.”

“No matter. It’s easy to learn.”

I grabbed his hand and stepped closer, putting the other hand on his shoulder. He stepped toward me with a quick step. I backed up. He stepped at me with the other foot, also a quick beat. I backed up again, correlating feet with him.

“Step together, walk, walk. Step together, walk, walk,” he helped.

Being a dancer, kinda of, I caught on pretty quick. It wasn’t like there was much to remember. As soon as I got the hang of it, he went faster to match the music. Before I knew it we were headed around the floor with other people doing the same dance, going the same way. It was all very organized!

When we got back to the table there was a second round of beers waiting. Tom walked me to my seat, bowed his head a fraction, and said, “Thank you for the dance.”

Seriously! What. A. Gentleman!

I smiled and tilted my head like a dumb girl. As he walked away I looked around. It was then that I noticed two things.

One. Every woman in that place was eyeing my table. Usually they were staring at William or Adam, but Moose got quite a few looks as well. Sometimes the women would glance my way in indignation, as if I posed some sort of resistance just because I was at the table.

My spirits wilted as I realized Willie Davies could have any woman in this place. Hell, half of them would probably agree to double up with another woman to share him.

Two. Dusty was here. He was on the outskirts, loitering, keeping a low profile, but my face was often in his sights. He was here for revenge, that was certain. I just didn’t know how he was going to get it.

I had a strong urge to run for the door.

“Care to dance?”

Moose was standing behind me solemnly. In confusion, I accented, just to see why the frownie-face. And also not to be rude, of course.

We started the two-step, which seemed to be everyone’s dance of choice here, and I let my gaze travel up to the heavens. I couldn’t get over his size! It was like dancing with a Sasquatch. An attractive one with dark brown, liquid eyes that seemed kind and deep. He had a largish nose, but it worked with his face, which was broad and flat. Behind his easy smile was a set of white, straight teeth.

William had some good-looking friends. Birds of a feather, as they say…

The dance was quiet. Something was bothering him. Worried that it would be about William, or worse, he would ask me out, I didn’t press.

As we were walking back, he said, “If he gives you any trouble, you let one of us know, y’hear?”

“What?”

“Dusty. I saw him gawkin’ at ya. If he gives you any trouble, any at all, you let one of us know. He is from bad stock. We’ll sort him out.”

“Thanks, Moose. That guy seriously creeps me out. How did I find him cute when I first saw him?”

“Well, now, he’s good-lookin’. He’s got his sex appeal, and all the women fall for him one time or another. Especially with alcohol. He takes advantage. Women just don’t know those type of men are hangin’ around until you learn yer lesson. Then you steer clear.”