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“I do.” Chase piped up.

“Maybe later,” I wanted to dance. "I can’t leave Amber alone at the raffle table."

“Break time.” Meg walked around Doug laughing as she said, “Go. I’ll help Amber.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey Chase, want to help me sell tickets?” Meg asked.

“Yes!”

Doug put him down, narrowly avoided getting kicked in the family jewels as Chase wiggled in his excitement.The world would be a better place if every kid had the love and support Chase does.

Doug held out his hand for me as I walked around the table.

“Have fun.” Meg waved, and told Chase so he’d do the same.

“We will.” Doug led me to the dance floor. The timing was perfect, since the DJ was playing a slow song.Did he planned this?I stepped in and wrapped my arms around Doug’s neck as he wrapped his arms around my back.

I barely heard the music as we swayed back and forth. My head on his chest, listening to the steadythump thumpof his heart. His cheek rested on my head.

I fought off the intrusive voices telling me I shouldn’t be dancing with another man at the fundraiser held in honor of my late husband. Would people judge me? Would they not want to give to the cause because I’d moved on?

The fundraiser isn’t for me. It hadn’t been since the first year. Even then, they’d raised so much money there was enough left over, after Phil’s funeral expenses were paid, to help a widower in Fort Worth.

No one was judging me. Everyone I’d talked to had expressed nothing but happiness at hearing I’d found love again.

Get out of your head!I forced my shoulders to relax.

“Everything okay?” Doug asked, his tone curious rather than worried.

He must have felt me relax after I kicked out all the negative thoughts. I pulled back a little, looked into his eyes and said, “Perfect.”

I glanced around as we danced and saw AJ and Ashley dancing.He didn’t waste any time. Good for them. According to Emily and Meg, they’d hooked up a few times but weren’t dating. I wondered if that’d ever change for them; stranger things had been known to happen.

The rest of the night was a blur of ticket sales, mingling, and dancing. By the time the last guest left, I was ready to take off my boots and put my feet up. But it’d have to wait. We had to pack up the raffle items and ticket jars, clear out the liquor, and get the dining room cleaned up and put back to normal. At least we can leave the decorations up since they wouldn’t interfere with business.

Mary and John would announce the winners on Sunday. It usually meant a busy day for Grannie’s since a lot of the prizes could be picked up and people grabbed a coffee and snack while they were there.

Chase offered to help clean up but fell asleep in a booth when he sat down to rest after telling me, “I’m sleepy, Mommy.”

Poor kid. It was way past his bedtime. He’d sleep in late tomorrow, and probably be a little crabby. But he would have been miserable if he’d had to miss out on the fun.

It felt natural seeing Doug carrying a half-asleep Chase as we said our goodbyes.

After we got home, Doug carried Chase upstairs to his room. I didn’t bother with making him change or brush his teeth before putting him to bed. One night wouldn’t kill him.

Then Doug swept me off my feet, literally, and carried me to my room.

He waited while I got changed and washed my face in my en suite, then massaged my feet for a few minutes before kissing me goodbye. Those five minutes were a little slice of happy feet heaven.

“Want me to walk you out?” I asked as I snuggled further into my blankets.

He chuckled. “No, I think I can manage.”

“Lock up when,” I covered a yawn, “you leave.” I’d given him a key to the front door the day before. It was a big step, but it felt right.

“Of course.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead before kissing my lips. “See you tomorrow, Beautiful.”

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