Waiting on the Rain by Claudia Connor

4

Luke moved slowly, doing his best to be mindful of Ava as they made their way to the dance floor. “I can see why you’d need a guide. This is a minefield.” He pushed a chair in that blocked his path so he could lead her around the one in hers. Her shoe caught on something and her grip tightened on his arm.

“Hold up.” He bent, saw her heel——the type designed to make a man beg—was caught on a chain attached to a small purse. The hem of her dress hit just above her knees, and he patted her calf, felt the firm, smooth skin there and— Get a grip, Walker. “Lift up. Okay, got it.” With the danger averted, they continued. “Diaper bag straight ahead,” he said, steering her clear.

Finally, they stepped off the carpet and onto the wood of the temporary dance floor. “Made it,” he said, turning to face her.

She angled her head up toward the sound of his voice. “We did. Thank you.”

“Now it’s your turn.” He waited for her to make the move, noticing every detail while he did. The way the silky fabric hung from the narrowest of straps and draped over her breasts, leaving the pale skin of her chest bare. Not nearly as revealing as some and twice as sexy. He watched her chest rise and fall just above the edge of her dress, bare except for a small silver heart on a delicate chain. Small diamond studs sparkled at her ears.

She reached out slowly until her hand touched him just below the center of his chest. There was power in her delicate hand, he thought, as she slid it slowly up his chest and it was suddenly hard to breathe.

“You’ve lost your choking tie,” she said, her unseeing eyes following the path of her hand until she found his shoulder.

“Yeah.” He took her right hand in his, slid his other around her waist over cool slippery fabric. Then farther until he felt the warm, smooth skin. With the slightest pressure on her lower back, she moved into him. Her face was turned so that just a little more, a little closer, and she’d be resting her cheek against his chest.

Hard when I can’t see them. The words replayed in his mind.

She couldn’t see.

He knew guys who’d lost eyes to roadside bombs. Had seen bloody faces, charred skin. His concept of blind was so completely at odds with the woman in his arms. She wasn’t injured, wasn’t broken. And right now he didn’t want to think about anything other than how it felt to dance with her. And it felt pretty damn good.

Her body was soft against his, her scent fresh and sweet and utterly female.

She turned her face toward his chest, squelched up her nose just a little and sniffed. “Do you have a baby?”

He groaned. “I know. I stink.”

“Not stink. Exactly.”

“My nephew barfed on me and of course my brother thought it was hilarious.” Looking up at him, she smiled again and even without seeing, there was laughter in her eyes. Was it wrong to stare when she didn’t know he was staring? He hoped not because he couldn’t stop himself. Without a pause, the band moved right into another slow song for which he was grateful, because he wasn’t quite ready to let her go.

Ava felt his hand,firm and warm on her lower back. She felt the buzz along her skin at the feel of his big, hard hand gripping hers and the rise of muscles in his shoulder under her other. Each sway of the music brought them closer together.

Luke’s fingers curled around hers and he brought their joined hands to his chest. There was strength and competence in the way he’d led her to the dance floor and in the way he held her now. Close, but not too tight. He made her smile. Surprising given the way she’d felt about men the past year. And even more surprising was the hot, little thrill that skated up her spine at the feel of his hands on her skin.

He certainly didn’t seem to have two left feet as he’d alluded to. Of course the kind of dancing they were doing was probably more a reflection of how the man moved off the dance floor. Not where her mind needed to go.

The tempo picked up but he made no move to leave. Instead he took both of her hands and stepped back, until her arms were straight out.

“Interesting song choice,” he said, and she heard the laughter in his voice.

He pulled her back in and they both sang the chorus about a couple with suspicious minds. He had a low, smooth singing voice.

“You lied,” she said. “You do know how to dance.”

“Well, I haven’t smashed your toes, so that’s something. But then you can’t see me.” He turned them in a circle. “I could be horrible.”

She laughed. “True.”

A new song started up and from the murmurs around her the crowd approved.

“And…. that’s my cue to vacate the dance floor,” Luke said.

“What? Why?”

“Oh, um. People are lining up like they’ve all practiced this one and I definitely have not. Want a drink? Or we can go back to the cookies?”

“A drink’s good.”

With Ava’shand tight in his, Luke started to lead her between the first and second line of dancers toward the bar. He hadn’t gone more than a couple of steps when he felt her resistance and looked back. Her brow was furrowed and the hand he wasn’t holding was out to her side as if she was feeling her way in the dark. Because, damn it, that’s exactly what she was doing.

“Sorry.” In the span of one dance, he’d already forgotten. He backed up, slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side effectively steering her through the crowd toward the bar. He pulled a stool out at one of three high tops situated between the dance floor and the bar. “What’ll you have?”

“Um… A beer? Something light?”

“Got it.”

He was back in less than a minute with two cold bottles. “They were out of cups. Sorry.”

“No problem.”

Luke watched her reach out, feeling for the bottle. She found it before he could apologize for just clunking it down on the table for her to search for.

“This guy bothering you?”

Luke didn’t bother turning to look at the voice behind him, just hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “My brother, the groom, and his idiot firefighter friends.”

“I take offense to that,” one of them said. “Why don’t you introduce us to your friend?”

Before he could, his sister was there.

“Ava! I’m so sorry!”

Hannah slipped an arm around Ava’s waist and they gave each other the quick and easy hug of girlfriends. If his sister was shocked he’d actually asked Ava to dance, she covered it well.

“I told you I’d be right back and then Will needed a change and I couldn’t find his bag. I didn’t want to ask Nora or Zach and—”

“It’s fine. Really.”

“I guess you found someone else.”

“Yeah. Or he found me.”

“Rescued you,” Luke said.

Ava rolled her eyes, and lifted the beer to her lips.

“I think you should know,” Zach said, leaning in. “My brother here is ugly as a troll. Uglier.”

“Really? Well, that changes everything.”

She turned her head in his direction and when she smiled he felt a clutch in his gut. He was still staring when Mia walked up.

“Nice to meet you, Ava,” Mia said. “Hannah’s mentioned how much you’re helping her with camp preparations.”

“Oh, not much,” Ava said, turning the bottle in her hands. “Just answering a few questions.”

“Are you kidding? You’ve been a lifesaver, but we’re not talking about that tonight. I’m on a break from all things stressful.”

“Where’s Will now?” Mia asked.

“Nora’s friend from work took him. She’s changing his clothes, bless her. Hey, you guys should hit the cookie table.”

“We did,” he and Ava said in unison.

Hannah gave him a curious look. “Well, make sure you fill a to-go bag, or two. The McKinney women are obviously used to baking for an army. Please don’t make me haul all those cookies to my house.”

“Why doesn’t Zach haul his own cookies?” Nick asked.

“Because he and Nora are leaving on their honey moon tonight. But,” Hannah held up a finger. “I could stash all the leftovers in their freezer instead of mine. Then Nora can gain twenty pounds instead of me.”

Nick shook his head. “Why are women always worried about gaining weight? You can put cookies in my freezer any damn time.”

“Mine, too,” Zach said.

“Thank you both for your sacrifice. But still,” she said, turning to Ava. “Please, make a few bags to go. You could take one to your dad.”

“Thanks, he’d love that.”

The group chatted a few more minutes, before he and Ava were left alone to finish their beers. The band leader announced it was time for the tossing of the bouquet and called all single women. There were laughs and squeals as some women rushed to the dance floor and some were pulled along. The band leader called again, cajoling all the women to get up and get out there.

“You’re not going for that?” Luke asked.

“Ha. My hand eye coordination isn’t the best.”

“Sorry.”

She waved it off. “You wouldn’t catch me out there even if I could see.”

“Why is that?”

“Because getting married is the last thing I would ever do. And if I want flowers, I’ll buy my own.”

He’d bet there was a story in there somewhere. He heard it in the tone and in the words she didn’t say. He was tempted to press on that, dig for answers. Not smart for a man who didn’t want anyone digging into his.

A dark-haired woman walked swiftly up to their table. “Hey, Luke, Ava. Sorry to interrupt but have you seen any kids by chance? About this high, she held her hand at hip level. Blond hair? Probably into mischief?”

“You might check under the cookie table.”

She sighed. “Not again.”

“Hey. You didn’t hear that from me.”

“Thanks,” she said and went off in that direction.

“Was that Abby?”

“Uh…I’m not sure of her name. Married to my sister’s brother-in-law, Matt. You know her?”

“I’ve met her. She brings her daughter out to ride.”

And she remembered by the sound of her voice. Luke wondered how many people he could pick out by their voice alone.

“I should make those to-go bags before I forget.” She reached around her, then froze. “Shoot. My cane is at the table.”

Luke took Ava’s hand, wrapping her fingers around his bicep so that she walked beside him much like an escort. Her steps were tentative and hesitant and he slowed his pace to meet hers.

“Would it be better for you to walk behind me? Tuck your hand into my belt?”

He instantly imagined her small fingers slipping into the band of his pants and… “Never mind. I’m not asking you to put your hand in my pants.”

Her lips twitched. “Sounds like you were,” she said, her voice light and teasing.

They filled two bags for her parents then Luke led her back to her table where they’d left their cookies. And funny thing, he felt lighter, freer, with her on his arm than he had all day.

“Luke! Hey.”

One of his brother’s groomsmen approached him and Ava back at her table. Big guy, with a head of thick, wavy black hair. Bull, he thought his name was Bull.

“We need you outside, man. Nick said you had more stuff in your trunk.”

“Right.” And in the past thirty minutes he’d completely forgotten about his responsibility on the finishing touches for the bride and groom’s car. “Well…” He scooted his chair from the table, hesitated.

“Go,” Ava said with a wave of her hand. “Please. I’m sure your brother will appreciate the ‘stuff’ you have for him.” She grinned knowingly, then gestured to her cookies. “More for me.”

“Don’t eat them all.”

“I make no promises.”

As soon as Avawas sure he was far enough away, she dropped her forehead into her hand and took a deep breath. Wow. The man was… potent. And he was her friend’s brother. She shook it off and felt for her bag on the table. Finding it, she pulled her phone.

It had to be getting late. She’d gotten a ride with Hannah from the wedding to the reception, and had tentatively accepted a ride home though she wouldn’t put her friend out. She probably had a million things to take care of and she’d been sure she’d be ready to leave well before that. Though after meeting Luke she wasn’t as ready as she had been.

Ava barely had time to check the time on her phone before Hannah was beside her.

“Ava! Hey. Come on.” She leaned down, a hand on her shoulder, obviously primed to drag her out. “We’re doing the whole send off thing.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’ll just hold down this table. And hey, I was actually about to call for a ride. You don’t need one more thing to do tonight.”

“What? No, don’t do that.” Hannah sat in the seat Luke had just left. “Nora’s and Zach’s co-workers have volunteered to hang til the end and make sure all the gifts are loaded. My sole responsibility is to get their son home and tucked in without noticing they’re gone. No small task, but we’ll be heading out soon. And come on, you can’t miss this! It’ll be fun!”

It might be, she thought. But it would also be a mass of people moving through doors and over curbs, all anxious not to miss something that she couldn’t see anyway. “I’m good where I am. Honest.”

“I could guide you through it.”

“Thanks, but no. I was just about to check on my dad.” She smiled at Hannah’s sincere offer, knowing she meant it. “Go! You can’t miss seeing them off.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I am. When she was alone again,” she asked her phone for the time, then the weather for tomorrow. She started to google a place nearby where she could do some indoor swimming for exercise. She loved the horseback riding and would be forever grateful to her sister-in-law for setting that up, but she needed to get in some real cardio.

She could do a local search with voice commands, no problem, but it was still a little loud in here to be getting directions so she dictated a quick text to her best friend, Maddie, instead.

Eating cookies. Wish you were here.

Luke stepped backand took an approving look at the finished product. The crowd was gathering, ratcheting up the noise around him with festive chatter and laughing.

“He’s going to kill you when he gets back,” Hannah said, coming beside him.

“Worth it.”

“Okay.” Hannah looked around. “I’m going to give the girls a few more minutes to pass out their petals and then give the signal for Zach and Nora to come out.”

Stephen joined them with his arms full of toddler. “Damn, sorry I missed the finishing touches.” He had Nora and Zach’s son Will on one arm and his own son Mitchell sleeping on his shoulder.

“Where’s Ava?” Luke looked around, realizing she wasn’t there and that he’d expected her to be with his sister.

“She didn’t want to come out. I tried,” she added firmly.

“I’ll get her.”

“I don’t think she wanted to fight the crowd,” Hannah added with a hand on his arm.

“I’ll fight it for her,” he said, already heading back inside.

“Well,” was all Hannah said, sharing an equally curious look with her husband.

There were only a handful of guests still inside. Two women holding babies, a younger man standing over a kid in full out melt–down mode. And Ava. He wasted no time making his way over.

“Show’s outside.”

Ava jumped at the sound of his voice and he cursed himself. He’d often been told he moved like smoke. “Sorry.” He dropped into the seat beside her. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Come on. I don’t want you to miss this.”

“It’s okay, really—”

Nope, it wasn’t okay. And he couldn’t really say why it bothered him so much to see her sitting alone but it did. “Come on.” He stood, pushing his chair all the way in, making sure it was out of her way. “They’ll be coming out any second and I don’t want to miss the look on my brother’s face when he sees his truck.”

“Then you should go. I can’t just run out there. You’ll miss it.”

“Neither of us will miss it. Trust me.” He wrapped his hand around her upper arm, gently, just to give her a nudge.

She stood, feeling around for her cane. He picked it up, held it to her left hand and put her right hand around his arm, again like an escort. He led her faster than she might have liked but time was of the essence. “I’ve got you. I promise. There’s a clear path to the door. I’ll tell you when we get there.”

He pushed out the swinging doors and the cool night air rushed at them. The volume had risen with the anticipation and the crowd had split to make a path down the center for the bride and groom.

“Nice job,” someone called out to him with a nod to Zach’s truck.

The onlookers had split into two sides, leaving a path for the bride and groom. He led Ava right down the center of it and to the left, taking a spot at the end between the decorated truck, and Nick and Mia.

“They’re going to kill you,” someone else said.

“I take it your work was a success,” Ava said.

“I’d say so. I’m particularly proud of the giant, blow–up penis on the roof. And I might have filled his suitcase with condoms, after I zipped–tied them closed.”

“Nice.”

“Yeah. Oh, and we’ve got these.” He reached into his pocket for the paper cone he’d snagged for her, a bit smashed now. He gave the opening at the top a quick reshaping then touched the flower filled cone to Ava’s hand. “It’s rose petals. To throw at the happy couple, I’m told.”

She took it, sniffed and smiled. “I’m not sure I’ll hit the mark, but thank you.”

He looked around at the boisterous crowd, most had come out with drinks still in their hands. “You’ll do as well as anyone here. I’ll tell you when.”

She turned her head, and hit him with a smile so sweet he missed his brother’s initial exit. But the crowd whooped and cheered and Zach and Nora jogged hand in hand under a shower of pink and red petals.

“Okay, now!”

Laughing, Ava flung out petals, missing the happy couple by several feet.

“How’d I do?” she asked him.

“Perfect.”

Zach paused at his truck, threw out some good-natured curses when he saw what had been done, then scooped his bride up into his arms and stuffed her into the front seat. With a wave and a couple of laughing threats aimed at his groomsmen, he rounded the hood, joined his bride and they were off.

“Whew!” Hannah said. “Good times, but I’m exhausted. We need to get these little party animals to bed.” Mitchell was now awake and crying a pitiful, weary cry.

“Okay,” Ava said. “I’m ready. I just need to get my purse.”

“I can get it,” Hannah said. “I’ve got to grab the boys’ bags.”

“I’ll get the car.” Stephen strode off.

Hannah touched Ava’s arm. “You want to come with or wait here.”

“Um…” Ava shifted, brushing her arm against Luke’s. “I’ll wait here.”

Hannah’s eyes met Luke’s, silently confirming he’d wait here with Ava and he nodded. Weird, he thought, to be silently communicating with his sister.

“Okay. I’ll be back in five and Stephen will be here with the car. Need anything else?”

“I don’t think— Oh! The to-go bag of cookies. They’re on the table.”

“Got it.”

Luke watched his sister, a mother, a wife, walk swiftly back inside and felt a wave of pride. Then he turned back to Ava and felt something else. She shivered beside him and he angled his body to block hers from the wind. “I should have gotten your coat.”

“I didn’t bring one. Didn’t expect it to be this cold. Guess I should have.”

It’d been a warm day for early March but it had to be in the fifties now. If he’d still had his jacket on he’d have given it to her. “You sure you don’t want to wait inside?”

“No. It’s fine. By the time we get in there it’ll be time to come back out.”

They were so close. Almost as close as they’d been dancing, but they weren’t touching.

“Thanks for the dancing and the cookies,” she said. “It was fun.” Her lips curved a little, but her eyes still focused just beyond him.

“Yeah. It was,” he said, surprising himself that he meant it. He wasn’t even touching her, and his pulse was pounding. Her lips were so rosy, looked so soft. He wanted to find out if they were as soft as they looked. He wanted to taste her.

“And thanks for hanging with me,” she said. “And saving me from looking so pitiful your sister felt she had to babysit me.”

“Me, too. All of it. The hanging, the looking pitiful.”

She breathed out a little laugh and smiled. “I doubt you ever look pitiful.”

“You’d be surprised.” His heartbeat ticked off the seconds. The urge to touch her was so strong, he stuck his hands in his pockets. This was the most he’d felt in way too long. Well, make a plan, Walker. If you want to see her again, make a plan and make it fast.

“Ava!” Hannah yelled.

Luke nearly groaned, nearly suggested they should go for coffee, or… He didn’t know. Couldn’t think of anything that felt quite right. Then Hannah was doing a light jog up to them in her heels.

“Ava. I’m so sorry but I forgot about the extra car seat and we took out the back row so we could help with the gifts.” Hannah handed Ava her purse, phone, and two bags of cookies.

“Oh, that’s okay,” Ava said, completely unruffled. “I’ll call an Uber. I do it all the time.” She already had her phone out.

“I feel awful,” Hannah said. “I really do. Why don’t you let Luke take you home?”

“Oh, no. Really. My parents live ten minutes from here. It’s not a big deal.”

“I’ll take you,” Luke said.

They went through the dance of you don’t have to and I don’t mind, with Hannah there thanking Luke and encouraging Ava to accept.

“I totally vouch for him,” Hannah added.

Ava wasn’t worried about that. Not really. She’d been with him for a while now and he seemed perfectly nice. Definitely wasn’t drunk. And it’s not like she didn’t get into cars with strangers all the time. But she didn’t need him to.

“Please,” Hannah said.

“Okay.” She might not need it but Hannah obviously did. “Well,” she said turning to Luke. “Guess you’re taking me home.”

“I guess I am.”