I pull her to me for a hug, and she almost falls off her chair. I laugh as she yells at me.
“Let’s go dance.”
Abbie and I join the others on the dance floor, and immediately Penny shows me the new dance she learned. Pride fills her face as she teaches me the hand movements the same way Sutton had taught her.
I look over Penny’s head toward Sutton and catch her eyes. The corners of my lips lift gratefully before I look back at Penny when she says I’m doing it wrong.
Sutton could be really good for us, great even. She could be the saving grace I’ve been in denial about.
Sutton
The sock hop was a blast yesterday, and my feet are still throbbing from all the dancing I did in my new saddle shoes. I should’ve broken them in around the house before wearing them. The pain was well worth it, though. Not only did we put on a great performance, but I got to spend the evening with most of my friends. I also got a call from Kelsey, confirming that she’ll be visiting next week.
Locking up the house, I jump in my car, which thankfully arrived a few days ago, along with my belongings and head toward the town center. I pull into a parking spot and begin to walk around. It’s a beautiful day, finally feeling spring weather, and if my feet didn’t hurt, I’d have come walking from the house.
Priorities in place, I step into Cup-O-Joe and order the biggest cup of coffee they offer. The entire town is still buzzing about yesterday’s event. I love that all ages were present. It’s charming to watch the entire town come together.
I take a seat to enjoy my coffee, and a few people congratulate me on yesterday’s performance. I smile and thank them in between sips of the warm deliciousness.
The only plan I have today is to walk around town, maybe a little shopping, and stock up my house with food. A lazy Sunday is exactly what I need. I settle back on the cushioned chair, twisting the white quartz on the end of my long necklace with my free hand. I smile to myself as I observe the people that come in and out of the coffee shop as well as those sitting at tables.
People watching has always inspired my music. I create stories based on my observations and write songs about them. Other songs are personal experiences, but sometimes it’s more fun to seek inspiration from outside of myself.
My head lifts when someone new walks in, and a small smile betrays me. Gavin tips his hat toward me with a crooked smile and waits in line until it’s his turn to order.
I keep my eyes on him. So many songs can be written by the careful observations I’ve made of him. It was interesting to hear about a different side of him yesterday. I never would’ve guessed that at one point, he wasn’t the reserved man he is now, but I understand that life changes people. While I still don’t know exactly what happened between him and Penny’s mom, I can only imagine it was something that impacted him greatly.
“Hey.” Gavin smiles, standing before me.
“Hey. Do you want to sit?” I point to the chair next to me.
“Yeah.” He nods and takes a seat.
“Where’s Penny?” I ask as I drink him in. He’s wearing a plaid button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The muscles on his arms are hard to miss, and it’s clear he works hard with his hands. The first few buttons on his shirt are undone, and a smattering of chest hair is visible. I take a deep breath and look at his face to stop myself from ogling.
His hat shadows his dark eyes, but I notice humor reflecting in them.
“She’s having breakfast with Abbie and her sisters.”
“Oh, cool.”
Gavin sits back, crossing his ankle over his knee and taking a drink of coffee. There’s something different about him today.
“I was actually coming in for a quick cup of coffee, and I was going to call you,” he nonchalantly says as if we spoke on the phone every day.
“Oh?” My eyebrows lift, and curiosity clouds my mind.
Gavin’s deep laughter warms me. I like seeing him this way—relaxed and happy.
“No need to worry. I guess it’s best to ask in person. I was wondering if you were free sometime this week? To go out,” he adds afterward in case I didn’t catch on to the meaning of his question.
I bite down my smile and lift his hat a bit so I can get a better view of his eyes. I lean forward, staring into those chocolate orbs. “What are you doin’ right now?”
The most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen creeps on his face.
“Let’s go.” He stands and holds his hand out to me. I smile and reach for it, allowing him to lead me out of Cup-O-Joe.
Without question, I follow Gavin to his truck and climb in when he opens the door for me. I watch as he walks around the front, typing something on his phone. When he sits on the driver’s side, he looks over at me with a smile and slides his phone on the dash.
“How long’s it been since you’ve been on a horse?”
My eyes widen, and I clap my hands. “Too long. Come on!”
Laughing, he puts the truck in reverse and heads out of town center.
“Did you have fun at the sock hop yesterday?” Gavin asks as he focuses on the road that winds us toward the ranch.
“Yes. I can’t remember the last time I danced that much.”
“I think Penny was doing that hand jive in her sleep. She woke up practicing, too.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I’m glad she liked that. That’s something that should be passed down generations.” Growing up, we’d always do the hand jive when older songs came on. Penny’s face lit up when she saw it,
