Bend To His Will(26)
“No. I’ll meet you at the dance.” He leaned down with the intention of kissing her, but she pulled back. If he touched her now she wouldn’t be able to stay strong and keep him at arm’s length.
He didn’t say anything else as he jumped in his truck. Sandy took a deep breath and continued to head home.
Chapter Twelve
Friday night rolled around leaving Sandy without seeing Neal for the remaining few days of the week. One could consider their time together her worst relationship yet if it started and ended within seven days. She stood at the bar as people boogied on the dance floor. Couples and families crowded the hall wanting to enjoy the fun of the weekend. The summer always brought the cowboy dance followed by a fair, which would be setup on Saturday. Free beauty contests took place Sunday offering prizes from the salon.
She noticed the Haney crew, including Cheyenne, walk in. The one time the poor girl actually gets to go out for a little fun, only to be surrounded by her brothers.
Luke made his way over to her after she waved.
“Hello, stranger. How are your doing?” he asked.
Sandy gave him a cuddle and glanced over at the rest of the family.
“He’s running a little late. Is everything okay with you two?”
“I don’t think there will ever be anything between me and Neal.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve seen how happy he’s been this last week. He loves you, Sandy.”
“No he doesn’t. I heard him on the phone. Don’t know who he was talking to,” she mumbled.
Luke took her face between his hands. “I hear that sound to your voice. Sandy, trust me on this. Neal loves you. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Why would you think I’d do something stupid?” she asked.
“Because I know you. Speak of the devil. Here he is now.”
Luke moved out of the way in time for her to see Neal ambling toward them. No other man mattered when he entered the room.
“Give him a chance,” Luke whispered, leaving them alone.
She saw Neal glare at his brother, then turn to her.
“What did he want?”
“To make sure I’m okay. He’s one of my friends.”
“I’m your friend.”
“Are you?”
He didn’t answer the question. Instead he wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her flush against his body.#p#分页标题#e#
“I’ve missed you.”
“Have you missed me or missed smacking my ass.” She smiled even though she didn’t want to.
“Both.”
Sandy burst out laughing.
“Will you dance with me?”
With a nod of her head, he led her onto the dance floor. In his arms she could forget about her troubles. She could be happy with him. Nothing mattered. Not their future or their relationship. The here and now counted most.
Neal spun her around. She laughed as people made room for their dancing. She turned her head in time to see her family show up—her mom and dad, her sisters with their husbands. She ignored them all, happy to be with the man she loved.
In those moments she felt as if she could conquer anything.
As the night wore on she didn’t dance with anyone else. Neal stayed by her side. Any disapproving vibes from her family were thwarted when he took her to where his brothers and sister sat with their parents.
When Neal went to get beer she sat next to Cheyenne who’d been eyeing the dance floor.
“You want to dance?”
“I’m not allowed. My parents would freak out. It’s not worth the hassle.”
“I bet I can think of a guy who’d be more than happy to dance with you,” she said.
Cheyenne blushed and turned her head toward the bar. Rory had come in, leaning against the bar with Neal. “I doubt it.”
“Come on. How about you dance with me?” Sandy got up and held her hand out.
The younger woman shook her head.
“Come on. I promise to not do anything stupid that could make you fall down. Trust me.”
Cheyenne stared at her hand with so much fear and wanting, it broke Sandy’s heart. She knew about the heart defect the girl suffered but surely her parents would have gotten the problem under control by now. The years since her birth medicine had changed so much. Cheyenne should be able to live a somewhat normal life.
Sandy took Cheyenne’s hands and led her to the dance floor. They swayed in a slow circle together, even though the song was fast paced. Sandy refused to speed up no matter how much she wanted to. Offering to take Cheyenne was worth every price of her smile.
“I can’t believe I’m dancing,” Cheyenne shouted over the volume of the music.
“Believe, honey. You look fantastic.”