Page 77 of Quiet Chaos

Thank God for women. They do everything to make the sisters comfortable, and after a while, they look like they’re having fun. Suddenly, Louis Armstrong starts singingWhat A Wonderful World.I take Sky into my arms and swing her onto the dance floor. Her legs dangle while I hug her waist, swaying from side to side.

I give her a soft kiss and mouth the words,what a wonderful worldagainst her lips.

“I bet your parents are looking down on us with smiles.”

My nose rubs back and forth against hers. “You might be right, wife.”

She smiles on my lips. “I like the sound of that.”

“Good to know, because you’re Mrs. Briggs for the rest of your life.”

“And may it be a long one.”

The song ends and Reed cuts in and pushes on my chest. “Come on, you’ll have your time later. I want to dance with your pretty bride.” Reed sweeps Sky toward the middle of the dance floor.

I snort as Patsy comes up and takes my hand to dance.

“Cade, you two are good for each other. I knew it after she got here.” My body stiffens at the thought of how I stumbled upon Sky, but then I loosen. “And that girl has been pining after you for a long time.”

“You’ve been a great friend to her, Patsy.” She nudges me. “And to me.”

The song ends and somehow Sky and I go our separate ways. She talks to the sisters and women and dances a lot. And she thinks I’m unaware that she takes sips of my bourbon. My brothers and I do some shots, play a couple of rounds of bean bag tossing until Howler calls Sky and I over to the dance floor.

Howler announces, “We’re going to play a little game, or I should say, Sky and Cade will play the game.”

I shake my head, but Reed and Daredevil help me into one chair set in the middle of the dance floor, telling me to be a good husband and play along. Sky and I are sitting with our backs to each other.

“Now take off your shoes and give one to your spouse.”

“Howler.”

“Don’t be a party poop, QC. This won’t take long.”

I take my boots off and hand Sky one of them as she gives me her dainty ballet slipper.

“Some of us put together a list of questions regarding the two of you. When I ask a question, answer by holding up the person’s shoe. Do you understand?” We both nod.

Everyone’s standing around the dance floor, waiting to hear the questions. Squeezed next to Influencer and Handlebars are Sister Mary and Mother Corinne. I did not want to be sitting here, playing a ridiculous game, but it’s worth it seeing the sisters and my family mixed.

“First question. Who made the first move?” I hold up my shoe and turn to see Sky did the same.

“Okay, this isn’t one of the questions, but we need to know. What was the move?”

Sky’s hand reaches behind for mine and when she grasps it, she says, “Cade kissed me.”

There’s heckling and hooting as I shake my head at the crowd.

“Second question. Who said I love you first?” We both hold up Sky’s shoe.

“Figures.” Everyone laughs. “Third question. Out of the two of you, who cooks the best?” Again, we hold up Sky’s shoe. She looks over her shoulder. A shade of pink creeps along her face. She’s too cute. I want to eat her up, which I plan on doing later.

“You’re a pretty good grill man, though, Cade.” The group agrees. “Fourth question. Who apologizes first after a fight?” Again, it’s Sky.

“Poor Sky. You’re too damn stubborn, QC.” I roll my eyes. “I will save QC from anymore pain by asking the last question. Who do you love the most in this world?” We laugh as Sky holds up my shoe and I hold up hers.

The game ends, and everyone continues to drink, eat, dance, and talk. A little later, Sky comes over and asks if someone can drive the sisters and mother back to the hotel room and our house. I send a prospect to do it.

Seth approaches Sky and asks for a dance. They walk to the floor. She places one hand in his and the other on his waist. He bends so he can talk to her. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but she has a soft smile on her face.

---