Page 41 of My Not So Wicked Ex-Fiance (My Not So Wicked 2)

Emma and Sawyer showed up hand-in-hand to support me and to dance the night away. It was here in this very barn while dancing under the twinkle lights that Sawyer had popped the question. Both of their smiles when they entered said they remembered that night. I was lucky enough to have been invited for their special evening. As romantic and beautiful as it was, though, I would have never traded the private proposal I’d received—and managed to throw away. I could kick myself, but I was determined to get it back. To wear his ring again that I had hidden in my nightstand drawer.

Emma hugged me, all smiles. “You look very Shelby tonight.”

For the occasion, I wore my turquoise embroidered cowboy boots with snug jeans. “Ryder bought me these boots,” I confessed. He said every girl from Georgia needed a pair, and it was a shame I didn’t have any. It wasn’t a pair I would have picked out, but I loved them because he loved them and they’d come from his heart.

“Nice touch,” Emma responded.

Sawyer brushed Emma’s lips. “Looks like there will be a good crowd tonight.”

“Music to my ears.” Emma took Sawyer’s hand. “I like to see happy guests.”

I looked around and everyone seemed to be in a good mood so far. It was hard not to be with the spread on the serving tables. There was everything from Frankie’s famous lemon-raspberry-filled cupcakes to homemade apple pie. Throw in some punch and a keg of beer, and it was a party.

Grady’s band began warming up, making the crowd gravitate toward the raised stage at the back of the barn. I looked around, but still no Bobby Jay or Ryder.

“Shelby,” a familiar voice called.

I turned to see Jaime, the man who was running backpack excursions for the Ranch this summer, coming toward me. He gave me a warm smile. He seemed like such a nice guy. I hoped Macey was giving him some serious consideration, even if he was shorter than her. In my opinion, he was handsome. He had a baby face, though I knew he was older than me, but it exuded goodness, which made him all the more attractive.

“Hey, Jaime. How are you?”

He did a scan of the barn before answering. “I’m great. Have you seen Macey?”

“I haven’t, but if I see her, I’ll send her your way.”

“Thanks.” He ran his hands through his coarse brown hair.

I turned to look for my own somebody, but then Jaime asked, “Do you want to dance?”

I faced him, surprised by his invitation. It was cute how red his face burned. “I’d love to.”

He took my hand and pulled me out onto the makeshift dance floor. “Try and keep up.”

Grady’s band was playing a lively country tune. Several couples joined us on the dance floor, including Mr. and Mrs. King, who decided to make this a slow dance. They swayed close together on the edge of the crowd.

Jaime plunged us right into the middle and before I knew it, he was twirling me around like this was some sort of dance contest. When he pulled me back to him, he wore the biggest grin. “You’re a dancer, Shelby.”

“I was on the dance team in high school, and in college I was part of their dance company.”

“In that case, let’s show off. Do you know the Lindy Hop?”

“Yes, sir.”

He didn’t waste a beat and we went right into the rock step, triple step. He was a pro and even threw in some more advanced moves. He had perfect timing and made the most of swinging me out and in with a flair all his own. I had forgotten how much fun the Lindy Hop was. Several other couples joined in, following our lead.

By the end of the dance I was smiling and breathing harder than normal. Several in the crowd cheered for us. Jaime raised our clasped hands up. It was then I realized Bobby Jay had made good on his word. Ryder stood on the edge of the floor, eyes focused on me. More like eyes focused on the hand that was holding mine up in the air. I couldn’t get a good read on his emotions, but whoa, did he look good in his tight jeans and white T-shirt that spoke of how defined his body was.

I didn’t get a chance to really gauge his emotions, good or bad, or admire him. Before I knew it, I had several men lined up asking me to dance. I could hardly say no, so I accepted an invitation from Ray’s son, Morgan, who was also a ranch hand. He was probably all of twenty, but his too sweet smile made it easy for me to accept. He hardly said a word to me as we danced a slow song, except when he apologized for stepping on my feet.

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