Page 114 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Cooper tapped Gavin on the shoulder. “My turn. Come on, little bug. You haven’t danced with me all night.”

She held out her arms. “Dance with Cooper!”

Gavin handed the girl over. “She might fall asleep on you. It’s way past her bedtime.”

“Not a chance.”

“Don’t drop me,” Emma told Cooper, then started giggling as he spun around like a top gone mad.

Laurel turned her attention to her husband and settled into his arms. He was so handsome tonight in his navy-blue suit andsilver tie. He’d recently gotten his hair trimmed, and his face was so clean-shaven she wanted to kiss his jaw just to feel the smooth skin against her lips.

“Better stop that, Jenkins.”

“Stop what?”

“Staring at me like that. A man’s only got so much willpower, and that dress alone is about to drive me mad.”

She batted her lashes. “This little ol’ thing?”

He pulled her closer, growling in her ear. “You’re a minx. And I’m going to make you pay later.”

“Promise?”

His warning chuckle sent a shiver down her arms. Emma was spending the night with Cooper and Katie again—the kid was in love with Scout, the puppy they’d adopted from the pound a few months ago.

Gavin held Laurel tightly as the chorus swelled around them. Laurel closed her eyes and just took it all in. The masculine smell of him. The strength of his arms wrapped around her. The whisper of his breath against her temples.

Sometimes she marveled that they were back together again. That they were so happy. She opened her eyes, gazing up at the dark sky, and thought of Mike and Mallory. Laurel hoped they could see them right now.

“What’s on your mind, Mrs.Robinson?” Gavin asked suggestively.

She chuckled. “Not what you think.”

He drew away and their gazes tangled together, his growing more serious. “What is it? Something wrong?”

“I was just thinking about Mike and Mallory. Us, and how we’re together again . . .”

His lips turned up at the corners. “Kinda crazy, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty crazy.”

“Crazy good.” He caught her chin and swept her lips with his.

The gentle touch turned into a sweeping kiss. In the wake of his efforts Laurel forgot everything around her. All she could think of was this man. This marriage. She was overwhelmed by the blessings in her life. Overwhelmed by the love of this amazing man.

He pulled away, their hot breaths mingling between them. The music faded to an end.

Just then a firework exploded. Then another. Brilliant blooms of red and white filled the sky.

“Oh, good grief.” Lisa called over the sudden hush on the lawn, “What have you guys done? Jeff! You know what happened last time!”

Gavin chuckled as he turned Laurel to face away from him, wrapped his arms around her waist, and set his head on top of hers to watch the display. Anotherboomsounded and a green bloom burst over the night sky.

“Exactly what did happen last time?” Laurel asked.

“Well, it involved Jeff, Cooper, me, a bottle rocket, and a trip to the ER.” He shrugged. “You know us.”

“What have I gotten myself into?”

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