Part 11 (1/2)
Will slid into the seat beside her. He resisted the temptation to slip his arm around her. Progress was made in small steps, not huge leaps. The latter he left for his heart.
”Is that a tired sigh or a contented sigh?” he asked her.
She took a deep breath and let it out again before answering. No sense in letting him know just how happy she felt right now-although she had the uneasy suspicion that he already knew. Looking straight ahead of her, Denise said, ”Both. I've been so busy trying to make ends meet, worrying about maintaining the crew and the equipment that I overlooked the real reason the carnival exists in the first place.”
Will leaned forward to see her face. They'd taken in every ride twice and he'd plied her with pink cotton candy and hot dogs. ”So you're having fun.”
Denise could feel her mouth curving. She just couldn't help herself.
”Yes, I'm having fun.” Her hair rained over her face as she leaned forward, tilting her head. She looked at him. ”Isn't it obvious?”
He laughed softly. All around them, twilight was tiptoeing in like a reluctant adolescent, wanting to eke out just a few more minutes before curfew. Will gave in to temptation and slipped his arm around her shoulders.
”Nothing about you is obvious, Denny. That's why I ask questions.”
For just a moment, Denise allowed herself to enjoy the contact and laid her head against his shoulder. She glanced up toward the sky. Was it her imagination, or were the stars coming out already? ”It was nice of your mother to look after Audra tonight and your father to run one of the booths.”
”I come from nice people.” His breath feathered along her hair.
If only there was a way to bottle moments and capture them forever. This was the one she'd pick. The one she'd keep and take out to look at on those occasional evenings when she was feeling lost and alone.
”They really are,” she agreed. ”Your whole family's nice.”
He laughed and she raised her head to look at him. ”You haven't met Hank and Morgan.”
”No, I haven't.”
And it bothered her that she probably wouldn't. It bothered her even more that when she moved on, she was going to remember this man.
And miss him.
That wasn't good. Not in the long run. But maybe caring a little about one man would prevent her from ever fatally falling for another.
A smile teased the corners of her mouth as she thought about it. It was like getting a tiny bit of the flu to act as a vaccine against coming down with the disease in earnest.
Will felt her smile more than saw it Sliding his knuckles against her cheek, he turned her face toward his. ”What are you thinking about?”
”Flu vaccines. And you.” The latter admission slipped out.
He shook his head. ”I won't ask the connection. Something tells me I'd rather not know.” In the distance, he heard one of the bands starting a set. He rose, coaxing her to her feet. ”So, what's next?”
”Next?” We've been going on rides for the last three hours.”
The music was growing louder. He could feel it in his body, making his toe tap. ”We've hardly scratched the surface. The shows are going to start now.”
Denise had seen the flyer. There were at least fifteen different programs, from the 4-H Club to a senior citizens' quartet singing songs from the Big Band era, slated for the evenings.
”Ah, yes, the local talent.”
He raised a bemused brow. ”Do I detect a note of sn.o.bbery?” he teased.
She'd had to endure some pretty dreadful performances in her time. Even if she wasn't watching, she could still hear. ”Well...”
Will began drawing her toward the nearest stage. ”Hey, all talent has to be local to somewhere. Tell you what, if the show's bad, we can leave and find another one to listen to.”
”And if I said no?” she challenged, not because she wanted to be stubborn, but just because she wanted to hear what he'd say.
”I'm bigger than you are,” he deadpanned. ”The sheriffs my brother. You won't say no.”
She was being charmed again and she knew it. But knowing still didn't help her resist. She shrugged goodnaturedly. ”Then I won't.”
He kissed her cheek quickly. ”Love a cooperative woman,” he said before drawing her to the first stage.
She could feel the outline of his lips far longer than she knew was safe.
The first show he lured her to was a ventriloquist act She found herself laughing and willing to suspend disbelief long enough to enjoy the wise cracks of the wooden partner on the performer's knee.
There was a singing group on the second makes.h.i.+ft stage and a band playing bluegra.s.s music on the third. She was more than willing to listen to it, but when Will began to lead her to where other couples were dancing, she dug in her heels and hung back.
Will looked at her quizzically. ”What's the matter?”
”They're dancing,” she stated needlessly.
”Yes, they are.” He waited for her to say something further. ”So?” he asked when she didn't. And then suddenly he knew. ”You don't dance, do you?”
If he laughed, she was going to hit him. ”Never exactly had time to learn.”
”You've got the time now.”
She stiffened, ready to turn on her heel and walk away at the slightest hint of the wrong answer. ”You're not going to-”
”Yes, I am.” Refusing to take no for an answer, Will held her hand firmly and drew her toward the other dancing couples.
The evening had gone too nicely to cause a scene now, but she didn't want to dance. ”No, really, I've got two left feet.”
He spared her a glance. The appraisal in his eyes sent a silent s.h.i.+ver through her.
”The last time I looked, everything you had was in exactly the right place, in exactly the right proportions.” He saw the resistance in her countenance. He bent his head. ”Remember,” he whispered against her ear, ”you owe me-”
Denise tried not to react to his breath on her skin. ”So do your brothers.”
He laughed, not about to be talked or coerced out of it. ”They can't dance worth a lick.”
Her chin shot up. ”Neither can I.”
”Maybe,” he allowed amiably, ”but you're a lot softer to hold than Quint is.”