Single-Dad Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Chapter Eighteen
Nell had never made a grand entrance in her life. But walking into the Choosy Moose on the arm of Zeke Lassiter while wearing a sexy outfit qualified. Maybe everyone in the room didn’t turn and stare, but many did.
“Hey, look at you, girlfriend.” Val came over from the bar, a drink in her hand and Teague right behind her. “Look at both of you. Did you coordinate your outfits?”
Nell laughed and shook her head. “Not exactly. I knew Zeke had a fancy black shirt with silver piping and I bought my outfit thinking it would be a fun matchup if he showed up in the shirt. And he did.”
Teague grinned. “I hope you’ve been practicing your dance moves. Folks are gonna expect a performance.”
“I didn’t think of that.” Nell grimaced. “You mean like Dancing with the Stars? I wasn’t trying to—”
“Nah, I’m just teasing you. You both look terrific. Come on over. We saved you a place.”
“In the booth?”
“The booth was maxed out when we arrived. They tried to squeeze us in, but since I knew you two were coming, I grabbed us a four-top right next to the booth. Sitting at a table will give us easier access to the dance floor.”
“Good idea, Teague. Thanks.”
“It’s a great idea,” Nell said. “I just want to take a minute to say hello to everybody.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Nell stepped over to the booth, Zeke by her side, his arm around her waist. Judging from all those smiling faces, the gang approved the matchup. “Hey, everybody.”
“Hey, yourself,” Isabel said. “Nice outfit!”
“Thanks. How’s Cleo Marie’s teething situation?”
“Better, thank goodness. You have to see this shot of her with Claire and Georgie. Henri gave them all train engineer’s hats.” She pulled out her phone and tapped on it before handing it across the table.
“Oh, my gosh.” In a large easy chair, Claire held the baby on her lap and Georgie snuggled next to her. They each wore a gray-and-white striped cap. “I love it. Look, Zeke.”
“Very cute. I’ll bet I have one on my phone. Henri said she’d text one to me once Cleo Marie was there.”
“Which reminds me,” CJ’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Why were you poking along the road into town like you were out for a Sunday drive?”
“I… um… promised Nell I wouldn’t speed.”
Her breath caught. Clearly he’d taken her request very seriously. She slipped her arm around his waist and gave a little squeeze as she murmured a quick thank you.
“Dude, nobody does fifty-five on that road. It’s—”
“He was keeping his promise to his lady,” Jake said, warmth in his voice. “My brother and I are big on keeping our promises, right, Zeke?
“Yes, sir.”
“Come to think of it,” Matt said, “So was Charley.”
“That he was.” CJ lifted his cider bottle in Zeke’s direction. “I stand corrected. Well done, Zeke.”
Jake lifted his bottle, too. “Here’s to you, little brother. I imagine you’re thirsty after that long, slow drive. I recommend you and your lady snag yourselves a cool one.”
“Will do.” His hand tightened on her waist as he started to turn around.
“See you all on the dance floor,” she called over her shoulder. Then she leaned closer to Zeke. “That was very sweet. I had no idea you’d take me that literally.”
“Couldn’t see a way around it. Anything over fifty-five is technically speeding.”
She glanced up at him. “I have the urge to kiss you right now.”
He smiled. “Nice to know. Hold that thought.”
Their table was only steps away. When they reached it, he pulled out her chair and helped her into it. That’s when the reality hit her.
She was on a date with Zeke Lassiter. He was hers for the evening—for dinner and for dancing. And for… her whole body flushed with anticipation.
“Nell?” He touched her hand where it rested on the table. “You okay?”
She met his gaze. “I’ve never been better.”
“Glad to hear it. When you didn’t answer me, I got worried.”
“What did you say?”
“I asked what you’d like to drink. The wait staff looks busy, so I’ll go to the bar and fetch it.”
She glanced at Teague and Val, who each had a glass of what looked like champagne. An ice bucket sat on the far side of the table “Is that what I think it is?”
Teague lifted his glass. “We felt like celebrating. If you’d like some, I’ll get us a couple more glasses and order a second bottle.”
She hesitated. It might be more expensive than regular wine. Probably was.
Before she’d made a choice, Zeke spoke up. “Is that the kind Ed likes?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go with it. If you like champagne at all, Nell, you’ll love this one.”
“I do like it, but—”
“Then it’s decided. Teague, I’ll head over to the bar with you.”
“Alrighty.” Teague pushed back his chair. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us.”
“Of course.” Valerie winked at him. “Gives us a chance to talk about you while you’re gone.”
Teague’s eyebrows lifted. “Women do that, too?”
“Smart-aleck.”
“Hey, it cuts both ways. Come on, Zeke. Let’s go talk about the ladies.”
“My favorite topic.” He touched two fingers to the brim of his hat.
After they left, Nell gestured to Val’s glass. “is that pricey?”
“I think it might be. It’s the best I’ve ever tasted, that’s for sure. Teague suggested getting a bottle and I love champagne, so I went along with it.”
“I don’t want this date to cost Zeke an arm and a leg.”
“If you want my opinion, I think he knows exactly what he’s getting into and is thrilled to do something special for you. Just like you bought a new outfit to look special for him.”
“I was inspired to go shopping.”
“Good. He’s a sweetie.”
“You have no idea. Did you hear the comments over there about his driving?”
“Sorry. I was absorbed in staring into Teague’s beautiful eyes. What did I miss?”
Nell filled her in.
“Sounds like you found yourself an honorable man.”
“Sure does. You seem very happy with Teague, too.”
“I like him a lot. He makes me laugh. Right off the bat he told me about his first love, an elementary teacher coincidentally named Miss Jenson.”
“That’s supposed to be funny? Bringing up a former—”
“He was six at the time.”
“Oh.” She grinned. “Okay, that’s funny.”
“And touching. He estimates now that she was probably in her thirties. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen except in the movies. He told her he’d marry her as soon as he grew up.”
“Adorable.”
“Especially the way he tells it. Have you noticed his dimples?”
“No, but it’s an excellent sign that you have.”
“That’s not all I’ve noticed. Can’t wait to find out if the guy has rhythm.”
“On the dance floor.”
“Yes, that, but…” Val leaned closer. “You know what they say. Dancing is foreplay with your clothes on.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “You’re already considering—”
“I know, I know.” She lowered her voice. “But the chemistry’s there, and…” She glanced toward the bar. “Here they come.” She straightened and picked up her champagne flute. “So I told him about the time a student proposed to me.”
“When was this?”
“A couple of years ago. Billy Harvey. He avoided me in the halls this year. I think he remembers, and now that’s he’s a mature eleven, he’s embarrassed.” She looked up as Teague arrived followed by Zeke. “Mission accomplished?”
“We have glasses and a second bottle is on the way.”
“I’m telling her about Billy Harvey.”
Teague smiled. “Your nine-year-old admirer.”
“One of your students had a crush on you?” Zeke set down both glasses and Teague filled them from the bottle sitting in the ice bucket.
“Yes, poor kid.”
“It never occurred to me that might happen,” Nell said. “How did you handle it?”
“I told him I was honored that he’d asked. But unfortunately, I had someone special in my life who would be upset if I accepted his proposal.”
“Did you have someone special?”
“My dad.”
Nell cracked up. “Good one.”
“Hey, it wasn’t a lie! Guaranteed he’d be upset if his daughter agreed to marry a nine-year-old.”
Nell looked over at Teague. “What did your Miss Jenson say when you proposed?”
His dimples flashed. “That I was very handsome, but she was looking for someone slightly older.”
“Aw. That’s good, too, but I’m gonna use Val’s line if the subject ever comes up.”
“You’re welcome to it, girlfriend. Just make sure you don’t laugh. Don’t even chuckle.”
“Val’s right. I was only six, but I was deadly serious. I would have been devastated if she’d laughed at me.”
A server arrived with the second bottle of champagne, uncorked it and tucked it in the ice bucket along with the first one. “Are you folks ready to order or should I come back?”
“We need a minute,” Teague said.
“Take your time. Give me a signal when you’re ready.” He tipped his hat and left.
Teague grinned. “I should come here with teachers more often. Best service ever.”
“All I know is that the service was wonderful during the party Ben threw for the teachers.”
“And that kid was assigned to us that night,” Val said. He probably remembers Nell and me were there and knows Ben wants teachers to be treated with TLC.”
Teague laughed. “Either that, or you have another proposal coming.”
“I’ll just tell him I’m taken.”
“By all means.” Teague picked up his menu. “Guess we’d better decide.”
Nell opened her menu and chose a medium-priced meal. Despite what Val said about Zeke wanting to treat her like a queen, she wasn’t about to add an expensive meal to his tab.
He glanced around the table. “Everybody ready?” When they all nodded, he turned toward the bar and started to lift his hand. Then he lowered it again. “He was watching for it. Teague, I’m with you. We need to bring teachers with us from now on.”
“Works for me.” Nell sipped from her flute. Whoa. Good stuff.
While they gave their order, she took another swallow. Very nice.
After he left, Val lifted her glass. “We need a toast. Here’s to a memorable night.”
Teague picked up his. “I’ll drink to that.”
“I’ll absolutely drink to that.” Zeke winked at Nell before raising his glass.
All four met with a soft click in the center of the table. As Nell put the glass to her lips, she met Zeke’s dark gaze. Slowly his attention lowered to her mouth. Her breath caught. How long before they could make their excuses and leave?
Not until after dinner, for sure. And they should dance a few times. She tipped the glass and drank. They wouldn’t be going out the door any time soon.
She’d best calm the heck down and shift her attention away from the sexy cowboy to her left. Taking another swallow, she gave Teague a smile. “This champagne tastes great. You said this was the kind your boss likes?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What is it?”
“Cristal.”
“Never heard of it. But I like it.”
Zeke reached for the bottle nestled in the ice bucket. “Then let me top off your glass.”
“By all means.” She held it out. “I’m ready to party.”
