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Gramps laughed, but didn’t respond other than to push Easton aside and wrap me into an equally warming hug as Grams.

Easton took after his grandpa in so many ways. Their eyes had the same sparkle, their stature was the same, and I could tell Easton had inherited his charm.

“I’m Gramps.” He pulled back from our embrace and held my shoulders to look at me. “Easton can’t dance.”

His abrupt statement made me burst into laughter again while Easton gently pushed his grandpa to the side. “I can too.”

“Youcannot. You’re Grams spent a whole week trying to teach you to dance before your prom and you broke the poor girl’s little toe.”

“Rory isnota poor girl,” Miles snorted, shaking his head. “She’s?—”

“Not important,” Easton cut his brother off, eyeing him with mirth. “And I can dance, I justdon’tdance.”

“Yeah whatever,” Miles glanced down at his watch and then nudged Linc. “Time to go.”

They said quick goodbyes and then Grams turned back to me. “We’d better go too. It was great meeting you, Dear. Hope to see you again soon!”

“Same for me!” And I genuinely meant that. Easton’s grandparents were special. The kind of people that could tease you and make you feel welcome all at the same time. My kind of people.

“Watch out for your toes,” Gramps hollered as he grabbed Gram’s hand and led her off.

“Don’t. Dance,” Easton emphasized loudly. “Can dance, but I don’t. Her toes will be fine.”

I continued to laugh as they walked away, until Easton and I were finally alone. Max was still hiding in Easton arms from all the people that were around, but lifted his head with a smile when the coast was clear.

“He gets a little nervous in crowds,” I whispered, rubbing his back as I explained to Easton.

“Well, Buddy,” Easton spoke directly to Max. “You say the word and I’ll take you home. But I hope we get to dance a little first.”

“You don't know how,” Max poked Easton on the cheek and smiled. Just like every other time Max spoke more than a few words, my heart exploded and I had to take a few breaths to calm down.

“You gotta teach me.”

“I don’t dance,” Max laughed. “Mommy dance!”

“She will have to teach us both, then!”

Easton took my hand and led us to an open spot in the field where there was a stage set up. I had no idea who was performing, or what I was in for, but it seemed as though the whole town had congregated for the event.

When we found the perfect spot, Easton laid a blanket down and set Max on top of it. Then he helped me down as well before settling with us.

“Loxley Adams is performing. Ever heard of her?”

“What?” I yelled, taken off guard. “I love her! She’s here?”

“Yeah,” Easton nodded. “Every year a country star headlines the Harmony Haven festival and she’s this year’s performer.”

“Wow! She was in Atlanta last year and I wanted to go so bad, but I had just lost my mom and there was no one to watch Max.”

“Well that makes this date even better.” Easton licked his lips and reached up to tuck a stray strand of my hair behind my ear.

My rosy cheeks gave away how special Easton’s attention made me feel. No matter how bad of an idea it was to get tooclose to him, he was impossible to resist. Just a graze of his fingers along my ear and down my neck made me want to go home and put Max to bed. If just the tips of his fingers could make me feel that good, I couldn’t imagine what other parts of him could do to me.

“Brooks!”

A deep voice pulled both mine and Easton’s attention away from each other. Easton immediately stood and held my hand, helping me up as well.

“Captain Reed. Good to see you out here tonight.”

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