Page 73 of Coming Home Country
Stopping before I made her too dizzy, I propped her on my hip instead of setting her on her feet. My heart melted when she dropped her head onto my shoulder, letting out a sigh of contentment.
The weight of her felt perfect, and I squeezed her tighter, imagining what it might be like to someday have my own daughter take the place of Colt’s in my arms. I rocked us gently, savoring the moment, knowing that all too soon, she’d be wiggling, begging to be let down.
A hand slid between my shoulder blades, and I peeked back to find Bex with her eyes fixed on Aubree.
“She’s out like a light.”
I tried to maneuver my head to catch a glimpse of Aubree’s face, but it was turned away from me. “Seriously? She was jumping around like a lunatic five minutes ago.”
“Don’t tell her mama, but I saw her and Barrett sneaking more than their fair share from the candy bar. Looks like the crash after the sugar high finally caught up with her.”
“That tracks. I was wondering how she had so much energy this late at night.”
I shifted my hold on the sleeping beauty in my arms and turned to face Bex.
She squeezed my elbow. “Harper’s inside the house feeding the baby, but Colt’s got this one’s partner in crime passed out on his chest at the head table.”
We began walking in that direction, but Daisy intercepted us. “I’ll take her.”
I raised a doubtful eyebrow. “You sure? Her dead weight’s heavier than a sack of potatoes.”
Daisy placed both hands on her hips. “I may not be a spring chicken anymore, young man, but I carried Tripp to bed until he was nine. I think I can handle it.”
I bit back a chuckle at learning that little tidbit about Tripp. Not that I could say anything, seeing as I’d favored my mother over my father growing up too. Country boys loved their mamas.
Gently, I eased Aubree into Daisy’s arms. The mother of the bride smoothed a hand over the girl’s dark hair, and the softest smile graced her face. She was a natural-born caretaker, which had made her an excellent teacher before she transitioned into the role of principal at Rust Canyon’s one and only school.
“She’s itching for grandbabies,” Bex mused as we watched Daisy walk away.
“I’m sure it’ll happen soon enough.”
Her head dropped onto my shoulder. “You’re probably right. Mac was born to be the ‘fun dad’.”
“Yeah. It’s gonna drive Aspen nuts.”
Bex sighed. “Maybe, but I think she secretly loves his particular brand of ridiculous.”
“I should hope so.” I chuckled. “Considering she just married the guy.”
The band shifted gears, slowing it down and causing the older couples in attendance to leave their seats since this was more their speed for dancing.
My arm automatically curled around Bex’s waist, and I spoke against her temple. “We never got to finish that dance the other night.”
She leaned into my side. “No, we didn’t. Suppose that means I owe you.”
“Seems like the perfect time to collect that debt, don’t you think?”
Craning her neck, she peeked up at me. “Would you dance with me, Tucker Grant?”
The smile that stretched across my face couldn’t be contained. “Thought you’d never ask.”
Bex linked our fingers together, and we walked side by side onto the dance floor. Weaving between pairs of swaying bodies, we found an empty space right in the center, not too far from the bride and groom.
Over the top of Aspen’s head tucked to his chest, Mac’s eyes found mine. He dipped his chin in acknowledgment, and I did the same.
Longing filled my chest, desperate for someday to have these positions reversed, with Bex being the one dressed in white and Mac the man standing by my side. Flashes of a new future in which two sets of best friends married each other danced before my eyes. It was even more beautiful than the original dream, made better by the inclusion of those closest to us.
Those mental images were so vivid, so real, it almost felt like I could reach out and touch them.
