Page 16 of The Mountain Man's Irresistible Bride
I laugh, and even Elias’s mouth twitches.
“Guess we’re going,” I say.
* * *
The field behind the general store is glowing with strings of warm lights and paper lanterns. Hay bales circle fire pits, and the scent of wood smoke mingles with caramel apples and grilled sausages.
Dottie waves as we arrive. “You brought the whole Boone clan!”
I grin and link my arm through Elias’s. “Thought we’d give the town something to gossip about.”
He stiffens slightly, but lets me lead him toward the cider stand. Wren drifts off toward a group of teens hovering near the donut-eating contest.
Annie’s running the bakery booth, handing out hand pies and spiced cookies. She grins when she sees us. “You clean up nice, Boone.”
He scowls. I wink. “Doesn’t he?”
Annie hands me a cup of cider. “He let you dress him?”
“Not even a little,” I say. “But he shaved.”
“She’s a miracle worker,” Annie says, nodding solemnly.
Elias mutters something about escaping and disappears into the crowd. I sip my cider and mingle, chatting with the locals. They’re curious about me. About us. About how a bright, chatty city girl ended up with the town’s most reclusive bachelor.
I give vague answers and smile a lot. But the truth is, I don’t know either.
I spot Elias by one of the fires, talking to an older man I don’t recognize. The man claps him on the back, says something that makes him laugh—actually laugh—and I feel something warm bloom in my chest.
“Hey.”
I turn. Wren’s holding a sparkler, the light dancing across her face.
“Having fun?”
She nods. “This isn’t as lame as I thought it’d be.”
“High praise.”
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t leave. That, in itself, feels like a win.
The music kicks up. It’s a slow song. Couples drift toward the center of the field. I glance at Elias. He’s looking at me and my heart stutters.
He walks over slowly, eyes locked on mine. “Dance with me,” he says gruffly.
I blink. “Seriously?”
He holds out his hand and I take it. We move into the circle of lantern light, his hand settling on my waist, mine on his shoulder. We sway, the music low and sweet.
“You’re full of surprises tonight,” I whisper.
His jaw tightens. “Just trying to keep up with you.”
His eyes search mine. Something raw and open in them. He leans down and kisses me. It’s soft and so perfect…and public. When we pull apart, I hear a soft whistle from Annie’s booth, laughter, and Dottie cheering.
Wren is smiling, a real, open, happy smile. It’s the best thing I’ve seen all night.
We dance until the song ends, then he holds onto me for another. I’m dizzy with the lights, the warmth, and Elias’s arm around me like it belongs there.
