Page 28 of Love and Other Trials
“Right.” Ariel took her phone out and started typing in a note. “No offense, but my sister is particular. Thanks for that reminder. We’ll figure something out.”
His huge head barely moved when he nodded, making Dax wonder if he had a neck. Then he noted his hands. They were like giant bear paws. “You ever play football?” he asked.
The old wooden floor shook when Bubba dropped down into a defensive stance. “Way back in the day. For the Gamecocks. Tight end. Although my missus says it’s less of a tight end now and more like a plentiful tush.”
When he grabbed his backside in both hands, Ariel squeaked out a laugh. “Go Cocks.”
Bubba made a fist and extended his thumb and pinky before waggling it a little. Ariel did the same and they shared a smile. She turned to Dax and said, “That’s ‘Spurs Up.’ We fans love our Cocks.”
God, the jokes he wanted to make. But he lifted his hand playfully and mimicked the gesture. “I’ll get the hang of it.”
“You planning on doing anything for the Cocks at the wedding?” Bubba’s massive jaw transformed when he grinned. “I had a few buddies get a Cocky cake for the groomsmen’s cake. Nothing like having our team’s mascot present when you’re getting hitched.”
“Unfortunately, the groom is from out of town and my sister doesn’t follow sports, so no, we’re missing Cocky at the wedding,” Ariel told him. “It’s totally our loss because Cocky is awesome.”
“Betcha.” He scratched his beard. “Hang on a sec. I’ve got something for y’all.”
He disappeared into the back, and Ariel looked over and batted her eyelashes at Dax. “How’re y’all doing over there?”
He gave her his best eyelash batting technique, hoping it didn’t trigger an eye twitch. “Mighty fine. Yourself?”
“Stupendous.” She tucked her curls behind her ear. “Any idea what a posh water can looks like?”
He tapped the side of his jaw. “Would those cute watering cans women like to water their plants with work? My mother has a couple from a flea market.”
“Good one!” Ariel plucked her phone out of her pocket again, prompting him to take another slow inventory of her legs. She had nice ones, the color of warm honey. He couldn’t wait to run his hands over them.
“That might work.” She tapped on her screen, her brows knitting together. “We’re at the budget ceiling for incidentals, but we need something to put the sparklers in. I should probably buy aloe vera or burn cream and some Band-aids too in case of any issues. But God, I really hope nothing happens.”
So did he. The last thing anyone needed at a wedding was a medic. “You’ve got lighters or something to ignite them, right?”
She nodded, still typing. “Ah…I was hoping you and the other groomsmen would be amenable to lighting them and handing them out. I need responsible people in charge of the sparklers. The Three Tornadoes actually suggested putting my nephews in charge of that.”
Dax started laughing. “Do they know nothing about young boys? When I was that age, we used to fire bottle rockets sideways. Hell, one time my cousin and I took down a pegboard from my dad’s toolshed and stuffed the holes with about twenty rockets. Dropped them onto a bonfire and boom. Everything exploded. Idiots.”
“Boys,” Ariel summarized. “Sounds like fun.”
“You a tomboy back in the day?”
“In secret.” She put her finger to her lips and wentshhhin the sexiest way. “I was the girl in the pretty dress running off to climb trees and bait fishing hooks so I could catch something.”
“A closet tomboy.” He gave her a considering look. “Sexy.”
“I try.” She wiggled her hips with a little flirtation in her eyes, making him want to take her by both hands and kiss her soundly. When they finally got around to it, their first kiss was going to be out of this world.
“Maybe you can show me how you bait your hook sometime. I’ll need a new fishing buddy.”
Of course he could go with his Navy buddies, but he also liked the thought of going with this sweet little woman who’d captured his interest. Good way to get back to fishing. Plus, they could pack a picnic. Have a little romance on the side.
“I’d like that.” She turned her head toward the door when heavy footsteps sounded, signaling Bubba’s return.
The giant man came through the doorway with a black T-shirt in his hands. “Here. I want ya to have this. I thought it would be fun to have some made up. Cocky and sparklers go together in my mind. Might be a bit large on ya, but you can wear it as a nightshirt.”
He held out the black T-shirt and handed it to Ariel. There was a cartoon rooster on it with giant yellow feet with the words STAY COCKY and giant fire sticks exploding outward. She fitted it to her body, and sure enough, it ran to her knees. But she was grinning, and Dax had a strong urge to see her in that and nothing else. Perhaps later…
“I love it!” She clutched it to her heart. “Thanks, Bubba! I’m hoping to get to a game this fall, and trust me, I plan to wear it.”
“Does me proud to hear it.” He tapped his chest, ruffling his beard. “I’ll see y’all Saturday morning to set up. Holler if you need anything else in the meantime.”
