Chapter 5 #3
“Look at me, Mila.”
That commanding tone was quickly becoming her kryptonite, and her eyes raised without a moment’s consideration.
“I asked you to dance because I wanted to, not because I was trying to cock-block the pastor. I knew I needed to move fast, because I was tired of every other guy in the place getting to you before I could.”
He’d wanted to dance with her all night?
Pastor Joshua had been quick on the draw for the first slow dance, then Uncle Rex had been standing next to her when the second began, so he’d grabbed her hand.
The third dance was claimed by one of the brewery employees, Billy, who’d dated her sister Lucy back in high school—which meant he viewed her as a little sister and nothing more.
She’d hidden in the bathroom during the fourth slow dance, because Gracemont’s former mayor, Scottie Grover, had been heading in her direction.
And she’d rather boogie barefoot on a bed of red-hot coals than dance with that asshole.
“I’m glad you asked,” she said, her breathlessness a dead giveaway of her current state.
His eyes narrowed slightly, drifting to her lips when her tongue darted out to wet them. She wasn’t intentionally flirting—or at least, she didn’t think so—but she couldn’t help the overwhelming effect he had on her.
This was the closest they’d been physically since the day he’d saved her from her fall off the ladder.
“You look pretty tonight.”
She’d bought the flowy red skirt just for this dance, pairing it with a white blouse. “You look nice too.”
Boone was wearing khaki pants with a dark blue button-down shirt. He’d left the top two buttons undone, giving her a tiny peek of a hairy chest.
“I like your hair like this.” Boone brushed her hair over one shoulder, his fingers sliding through it.
Mila was typically queen of the ponytail, simply because she spent the majority of her days in kitchens and around food. Tonight, she’d taken special pains, curling her hair to achieve the waves that hung loose down her back.
Tucking her close again, Boone pressed his cheek against the side of her head, the two of them swaying in time to the music. When the chorus played, he gripped her hand, spinning her away from him the way he’d done the night they’d danced in the kitchen with Sadie.
Mila couldn’t help but giggle when he reeled her back against him, her breasts flat to his chest again. With one hand held tightly in his, she rested the other on the side of his waist awkwardly.
“Wrap your arm around me, darlin’. There’s no need to be shy with me.”
She didn’t have to be told twice. Sliding her hand around him, she rested it on his back, tempted to stroke him there, mimicking his caresses. The vodka was making her bold. Mila wished there weren’t so many clothes between them.
The song ended way before she was ready, and the lights that had been dimmed after dinner were raised again, signaling the party was over.
Mila reluctantly stepped away from Boone, instantly missing his arms around her. God only knew when she’d get the chance to be that close to him again.
“Do you need help cleaning?” Boone offered.
Mila shook her head. “The ladies have already taken care of most of it. Gretchen and I plan to tackle whatever’s left tomorrow.”
They walked back to the table where Remi, Kasi, her cousins, and several other friends had gathered. Mila wasn’t surprised to discover they were planning to move the party, none of them ready to call it a night.
“We’re heading over to the brewery, making our own private after-party,” Remi said to her and Boone as they approached. “You guys want to join us?”
Mila didn’t reply, waiting for Boone’s response. Truthfully, she was exhausted after rising early to cook and put the finishing touches on the decorations, but if Boone said he was in, she would find a second wind…somewhere.
Boone shook his head. “No. Sadie’s with Nora, and it’s way past time for her to be in bed. Weekend or not.”
“I’m going to say good night here too,” Mila replied. “It’s been a long day.”
“Ooookay,” Remi drawled, before playfully singing her party pooper song. “Every party has a pooper, that’s why we invited you.”
Boone chuckled, shaking his head, as Mila rolled her eyes, unoffended. Because she was usually the first one to cry uncle, she’d been subjected to Remi’s ridiculous song countless times before.
“I’ll walk you home,” Boone said to Mila, after they grabbed their coats and stepped out into the chilly winter air. “Since I’m heading your direction anyway.”
Mila nodded, thrilled by the opportunity to spend even just ten more minutes with Boone as they took the path toward her farmhouse. The rest of their gang headed in the opposite direction, making their way down to the brewery.
She shivered, pretending it was the cold affecting her and not Boone’s hand resting on the small of her back, steadying her as they walked.
Stormy Weather Farm had countless paths connecting the businesses to the homes and cabins.
A few years earlier, they’d lined every single one of them with solar-powered lights that made nighttime walking easier.
Prior to that, they were always stumbling around in the dark, using the flashlight app on their phones.
“Do I have you to thank for that delicious dinner tonight?” Boone asked.
Mila shook her head. “Not really. It was a group effort.”
He turned his head, looking at her too seriously. “And how much of that effort was yours?”
She lifted one shoulder. “The lasagna and the chicken parmesan. And the sauce for the spaghetti.”
“Jesus, Mila. That was practically the whole meal. There must have been over a hundred people there. You made all that food?”
“I’m used to cooking for large groups. Look at the size of my family,” she joked.
“Although, I have to say, I’m in no hurry to go back to the grocery store anytime soon.
Took me three trips over three days to get it all.
But to be fair, I didn’t cook the whole meal.
Kasi baked the garlic bread, while Aunt Claire cooked the spaghetti noodles and made that humongous bowl of salad.
She was chopping vegetables for hours. The rest of the ladies prepared the desserts. ”
“You made most of it,” he stressed.
“I didn’t mind.”
Boone stopped, his hand gripping her elbow so he could turn her toward him.
She blinked a few times as he used a finger to gently touch the spot just under her eye.
She’d pulled some late nights and early mornings the past few days, so she knew what he was looking at. Dark circles were hard to hide.
“I’ve watched you around the farm, Mila. Jumping from one task to another, taking on duties no one else wants to do. You work too hard,” he said.
She tried not to let him see how thrilled she was that he’d noticed her at all.
Of course, she gave herself away, revealing she’d been watching him, too.
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black.
You’re up with the sun like me every morning, and I’ve seen you walking home way past quitting hours more times than not since starting work here. ”
“I’m trying to prove myself worthy. There’s a lot to learn. Plus, winterizing a large vineyard takes time. However, we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you.”
“I’m fine, Boone. Now that the Valentine’s Dance is over, things should slow down a bit.”
He shook his head. “Why do I get the feeling you’ll get swept up in some other big project?”
She laughed but didn’t bother to deny it. Gretchen was already talking about organizing a St. Patrick’s Day celebration she wanted to host at Rain or Shine Brewery. She’d scheduled a meeting for the two of them Monday afternoon to discuss food ideas and decorations.
They started walking again.
“What TV show were Nora and Sadie so fired up about watching?” Boone asked.
“Oh God. I’m not sure you want to know.”
Boone paused once more, not that Mila was complaining. She’d stand out in the cold all night if it meant more time with him. “She said it was some reality show?”
Mila grinned. “They’re getting caught up on the latest season of Love is Blind. It’s this show where single people try to fall in love without seeing the other person’s face.”
Boone grunted. “Sounds ridiculous.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen it. I don’t watch a lot of TV. Spend most of my nights reading or crocheting.”
“Sounds like a better use of your time.”
She wondered if he’d feel that way if he saw the stack of steamy romance novels on her nightstand. She and her sisters—and now Gretchen—were constantly passing books back and forth, so much so, they’d discussed starting what Remi was calling their own “dirty book club.”
She and Boone glanced at the full moon shining through the trees. If it was just a little bit warmer, it would be a beautiful night.
“I appreciate you and your sisters taking Sadie under your wings. She wasn’t looking forward to moving here, leaving her friends. The transition has been a lot easier than I anticipated, thanks to you, Remi, and Nora.”
“Yeah, well, you might regret letting her spend too much time with us,” Mila said jokingly. “Lest we’re a bad influence.”
He grinned. “How so?”
“Well, Nora loves her reality TV. God help you when she exposes Sadie to Jersey Shore or teaches her the wonder of online shopping. It’s a rare day when there’s not a package delivered to our door.
You might want to hide your credit cards.
Of course, by comparison, Nora will be the better influence, because while Remi is teaching her to ride and care for the horses, she cusses like a sailor.
I’ve warned her to curb the four-letter words around Sadie, but half the time, I swear Remi doesn’t even realize she’s letting the F word fly.
And that’s the least offensive in her vocabulary, because she tends to get creative. ”
“Creative?”
Mila bit her lower lip as she lowered her head.
“You blushing, darlin’? Now you’re going to have to give me an example.”