Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-five
Alice
Phoebe was a blur of pink sundress, long, pretty hair, and easy laughter as Deke spun her across the little square of worn wood Joy’s generously called a dance floor.
The jukebox warbled out an old country tune, and the two moved in a way that spoke of lots of nights like this, not a single misstep between them.
I was still smiling at the sight when Caleb’s big hand slid over mine. “Come on,” he said, pulling me out of my seat.
“Caleb—” I dug my heels in halfway, but he didn’t even break stride.
“I want to dance with my girl, darlin’. Don’t deprive me of that,” he rumbled, pulling me against his chest.
How could I argue with that? Besides, I had known this was where tonight had been leading.
We’d shared dinner and drinks with Phoebe and Deke—our first real double date—and they’d told us all about the dance club they liked to frequent with their friends, Chris and Tilly.
Deke hadn’t been a dancer until he met Phoebe, but she’d converted him. And dang it, they were sweet together.
Phoebe’s laughter rang like church bells as Deke whirled her past us. I looked up at Caleb, panic fluttering in my stomach. “I can’t dance like that. I’ve only ever danced alone, in my kitchen, when I’m cooking.”
“I’ve seen you do that. I know you’ve got moves.” His mouth curved at the memory of walking in on me shimmying my hips and singing into my spoon a few nights ago. “All you have to do is let me lead you. I’m no expert, but I’ve got a few moves of my own.”
Before I knew it, he bent, nudging my shoes onto his boots until I was standing on his feet. I yelped, grabbing for his shoulders, but he only tightened his arms around me and straightened to his full height.
“Hold on,” he said, as if I’d ever let go.
We were off, gliding in a wide circle while Phoebe and Deke twirled like professionals in the middle of it all.
I clung to Caleb, laughing helplessly as the bar tilted around us.
For once, I wasn’t worried about who might be looking at me or what I was doing right or wrong.
How could I have thought about anything other than balancing on my cowboy’s boots and letting him carry me around the dance floor?
“I’m going to be so dizzy,” I cried into his chest.
“Good. I’ll have an excuse to carry you.”
My fingers curled harder into his shirt. “Like you’ve ever needed an excuse.”
He dipped his head to put his mouth beside my ear. “Why should you have to walk when I’ve got two arms and you fit perfectly in them?”
I rubbed my cheek against his. “You have a point.”
“Glad you finally see it, darlin’.”
After a while, the four of us took a breather at the table. Caleb and Deke got us fresh drinks, and Phoebe held hers up for a toast.
“What are we toasting?” Caleb asked, holding his glass against his sister’s.
“Lots of things,” Phoebe started. “To my brother having the best girlfriend ever.”
“Damn right.” He clinked his glass against hers and mine. “What else?”
Phoebe’s eyes lit on mine. “To Alice, who fits right in with all the crazy.”
I laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I’ll drink to it anyway.”
She winked. “It’s bad luck if you don’t.” Then she leaned toward her husband, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her since we’d sat down. “And cheers to us and the little cinnamon bun growing in my oven.”
It took a solid five seconds for Caleb to get it.
When he did, he shot to his feet, circled the table, bent down, and wrapped his arms around both Deke and Phoebe.
They were laughing, grabbing his arms as he kissed his sister’s head, congratulating them, telling them how happy he was for them and that he couldn’t wait to meet his new niece or nephew.
My heart swelled, and my eyes burned as I watched them. When Caleb finally let go, I got up and hugged Phoebe too.
“I’m so happy for you,” I whispered in her ear. “What a lucky kid you’re going to have.”
And when she let go, I went to Deke. We were still getting to know one another, but I couldn’t stop myself from throwing my arms around him too.
“You’re going to be such a great dad,” I told him, meaning it with all my heart.
“I hope so,” he mumbled.
“You will. Phoebe wouldn’t have chosen you otherwise.”
He jerked slightly, then said, “Means a lot. Thanks, Alice.”
Caleb was still standing, waiting for me, so I walked right into his arms. He squeezed me tight and buried his face in my hair, breathing heavily. When he finally loosened his hold, I looked up. The tears in his eyes matched my own, and I wondered how I ever thought I could get over this man.
Joy approached the table, going straight to Deke. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
He got up from his seat, started to lift his arms, then dropped them. “Yeah. Of course we were, Aunt Joy. You were next.”
She nodded toward his arms, loose at his sides. “Well, get those around me.” She sniffed, and I swore I saw a little wetness at the corner of one eye. “This kind of news deserves a hug.”
Phoebe let out a strangled sob as the two of them embraced. It was awkward—like two people who’d only ever seen other people hug but had never put it into practice—but they held each other hard and tight. Joy was saying something quiet, for only Deke to hear, and he nodded, his eyes slammed shut.
I had to wipe my own tears. There’d been no holding them back anymore—not with my stoic, tough Joy getting emotional.
It didn’t last long, of course. Joy had a reputation to uphold, and I imagined, between comforting me and now this, she’d reached her capacity for tenderness for the year.
She pulled back from Deke, gave Phoebe a pat on her shoulder and well wishes, then returned to her spot behind the bar like it had never happened.
I caught Joy watching us a little while later. Our eyes met, and an unspoken understanding passed between us. If she hadn’t pushed me to seek my own life, I would have still been a waitress with my trusty notepad, watching this scene from across the bar.
I mouthed, “Thank you,” to her, even though it wasn’t nearly enough. I knew she got it, though. She always had.