Page 53 of Brides and Brothers
“Hey, are you all right?” Emma put her arm around Camille’s back.
Camille waited until the moment passed. “My thyroid levels are off. I have an appointment next week.”
“I don’t have thyroid problems, but I didn’t know they caused nausea.”
“If the internet says it’s so, it’s so. Fatigue was my first clue, similar to when I was first diagnosed.”
“That’s awful. How about we find you a seat?”
She agreed, and they sat down in a row of folding chairs. Emma left her to get them both a cup of apple cider to drink. If Camille had to be sick at the party, at least she wouldn’t have to sit alone.
When the song ended, her friends and brothers, minus Easton, migrated toward her.
“Hey, y’all,” Amy drawled. “Sorry to rush out on the party, but homework waits for no one.”
“Homework always waits for me,” Daegan joked. “I think I might send it a Dear John and tell it not to wait for me any longer. I’ve lost interest.”
Macey groaned and slugged Daegan in the arm. “She won’t want to stay if you tell dad jokes all night.”
“Come on, Amy, you need some fun in your life,” Emma begged.
Cade chimed in. “Oh, let her go. Grant isn’t here, so there’s no one to entice her to stay.”
He was probably right about Amy’s real reason for leaving.
“Goodnight, folks!” Amy waved and swished her pioneer dress around as she made her way toward the exit.
Flynn and Sage started whispering, then laughed.
“Hey.” Camille motioned to them. “I could use a laugh. Anything you can share?”
Sage’s eyes twinkled in a way Camille had never seen before. In fact, her whole countenance radiated with happiness. “We thought it would be wicked awesome to have all of us pioneers dance with the cowboys Western style. This party needs some entertainment.”
“You’re right!” Camille laughed. “That would be funny. Though, I can’t imagine these boys knowing any country jigs.”
Flynn adopted a drawling accent. “On the contrary, we boys are the finest country dancers this side of the Mississippi.”
Easton sauntered up. “What are you bragging about, Flynn? You know I’m a better country dancer than you.”
“Want to fight about it?” Flynn flexed his bicep again.
Easton shook his head. “I’ll prove it on the dance floor. That is, if your sorry band can play any decent country music.”
“Is mylittlebrother begging to be impressed?” Flynn’s eyes danced. “I’ll be right back.” Flynn liked to rub in that he was taller than his older brother, but Easton grinned as Flynn strode toward his groupies on the stage.
Macey and Raina already had their arms linked with Daegan and Cade, claiming them for as many dances as they could hold on for. They made a dash for the drinks before the music could start.
Benson sat down on the other side of Camille and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “Are you going to be my partner, Millie?”
Camille chuckled. Since their last impromptu matchmaking session the week before, the boys had taken to calling her Millie, short for Millie the Matchmaker.
Easton stepped forward. “No way, Bro. Camille wants to dance with the best. Since Aiden isn’t here, that would be me.”
Emma put her arm around Camille in a protective manner. “As fun as that sounds, I don’t think Camille is feeling very well.”
Usually, Camille would have jumped at the opportunity to dance, but tonight Emma was right; she was in no condition to be spinning around. In fact, if she admitted the truth, she would have said she needed to crawl back home to her bed.
Benson’s eyes filled with concern. “I’ve been wondering the last few days. I assumed you were missing Aiden.”
