Page 54 of Brides and Brothers
Camille gave him a small smile. “I need to have my thyroid medicine adjusted. Until then, I feel a little like the walking dead.”
Easton must’ve done some quick thinking, because he bowed to Emma and offered her his hand. “Want to partner up, then?”
It was clear Emma didn’t want to be anyone’s second choice, but she didn’t have an excuse like Camille’s sickness ready, so she accepted. Even if there wasn’t a potential romance, she would still get her dance for the night.
Benson hummed in his seat.
Camille nudged him. “What lucky woman will you pick to dance with you?”
Benson shrugged. “I’ll keep you company.”
She gave him a half smile. “That’s kind of you, but someone out there will be disappointed.”
Daisha and Derek came up next to them, each carrying a plate of food. Daisha’s consisted of vegetables, while Derek had sweets.
Camille might not have been feeling the best physically, but her mind still worked. She needed to think of a way to get Benson and Daisha together for at least one song. It would mean trouble, but hopefully it would be worth it. “Daisha, you missed all the excitement.”
Her friend perked up. “What did I miss?”
Camille pointed toward the stage, where her brothers and her old roommates gathered to talk. “They’re playing acountrysong next.”
Daisha’s reaction was exactly what Camille had hoped for. “Sweet, then this will be a real dance.”
Derek took a large bite of dessert to avoid the subject.
“Don’t worry, Derek,” Camille said, “we won’t make you participate.”
“Come on, please?” Daisha squeezed his arm. “I love country. Dance this one song with me, and we can go.”
Derek shook his head adamantly. “You know I hate that kind of music. I’ll dance the next three with you, but please, nothing country.”
Benson missed his window to speak up, so Camille did it for him. “Oh, well, you can sit with me, Derek. I’m not feeling well. It’s too bad since I was going to be Benson’s partner for this song, but unless someone wants me puking on their shoes tonight, it isn’t going to happen.”
“Too much white flour, probably,” Daisha assessed out of concern. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Benson is insisting on keeping me company, though I know he loves country dancing as much as you do.”
Daisha measured Benson with one look. “Is that true?”
Benson gave her a half smile and wiggled his eyebrows. “Why do you think we Petersons are dressed like cowboys? We dress like this when we go to the dances at the college too.”
“I’m glad there are still guys out there who appreciate this kind of stuff,” Daisha said.
“If you enjoy it so much yourself, why don’t you join me? It’s a cowboy and pioneer thing as it is.”
Daisha smirked, staring down at her calico-printed skirt. “I knew there was a reason I dressed like this tonight.” She looked at Derek, who avoided her eyes as he dug into his food. “Derek, do you mind taking care of Camille for a few minutes?”
This was an interesting development. Daisha hadn’t even asked Derek if he was cool with her dancing with Benson.
Derek must’ve thought so, too, because he watched with mixed surprise and exasperation as Benson led Daisha to the dance floor as the music started.
Flynn grabbed the microphone and in his drawl announced, “My dear ole friends, may I present some dee-lightful entertainment. Put your hands together for some real fine country dancing.”
The group immediately started clapping to the beat. Amused, Camille watched her friends’ bafflement as her brothers-in-law pulled them into a partnered line-dancing routine. Together they moved fluidly, spinning the women and ushering them in a promenade. The girls’ pioneer dresses billowed out as they spun in circles, like a scene straight from a black-and-white movie. At the end of the song, to everyone’s surprise, the boys lifted their partners in their arms. It was hilarious to everyone in the room... but Derek.
Camille took the conclusion of the song as the perfect note to end the night on. She sought out Benson and Daisha as they crossed back toward where she’d been sitting next to Derek. “Hey, guys, you were amazing!”
Daisha laughed, still breathless. “That was the most fun I’ve had in years!”
