Sparks Fly(Divine Creek Ranch 11)(39)
Charity cackled. “I can handle singing some Michael Martin Murphey tonight. Just let me get another glass of sangria.”
“Right on!” Justin hooted.
When she sang that song it made him horny. They might not make it to the lake after all. Charity grinned when Seth Carter moved to one of the outdoor loveseats as Jayne spoke softly to Duke and took the microphone he offered.
Jayne looked around and then located Seth in a seat much closer to her. Charity could tell by the blush in Jayne’s cheeks and the emotions that played over her face that the action meant something to her.
* * * *
Seth got comfortable on the loveseat as the familiar guitar opening began to play, and Jayne opened her mouth. The soft vocalization was shaky for the first few seconds, but then she closed her eyes and sang the opening verse.
Chills rushed over Seth’s skin as her clear soprano gathered strength after the first two lines. She sang the song like she’d lived it. He’d asked her to sing the song for him, but he had a feeling the song had a deeper meaning for her, and he almost regretted his words because she was forcing herself to share something with all of them she might not have wanted to.
Duke gestured to Eli Wolf, and Seth watched as the tall guy left Rachel’s side and took the mike Duke offered. He sang the background vocals flawlessly for Jayne and Seth heaved a sigh of gratitude that she wasn’t up there alone anymore.
When the song was done, it was quiet for a few seconds, and then everybody burst out with applause, causing Jayne to blush some more and bow as though she felt awkward. Seth noticed Grace and Charity both brushed tears from their eyes.
Jayne walked away but then realized she still had the microphone in her hand. She blushed even hotter and turned back to give it to Duke and then came to Seth and smiled when he patted the spot beside him.
Charity took the spotlight as “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey began to play.
Seth put his arm around her shoulders as she settled and whispered close to her ear, “That was really something, Jayne.”
Jayne peered at him. “They remembered that I was a big fan of that song a few years back. It was nothing.”
Seth shook his head again. “Let me restate. That was beautiful. You sing like an angel, Jayne.”
She crossed her forearms over her chest, rubbed her upper arms, and smiled. “Thank you.”
“You cold?”
“No, not at all. You?”
The last thing he was at that moment was cold. “Were you still planning on going to the fireworks at the lake?”
“Yes.”
“Could I interest you in a moonlit ride out to the lake?”
The setting sun glinted off the red highlights in her hair and illuminated her ivory complexion as her full, pink lips curved into a beautiful smile. “Yes, you could.”
A little while later, after karaoke was done and it was time to ride out to the lake, Jayne excused herself to change back into her street clothes.
“Hey, Seth.”
He was drawn from watching Jayne as she walked away, her hips swaying hypnotically with her steps, and turned to look at Buck Turnsell and Chad Jordan.
“Yeah, man.”
“Jayne is special,” Buck said and offered his hand.
“Oh, you noticed that too, huh?” Seth replied with an easy grin as he took Buck’s hand and shook it, then Chad’s.
“Yeah. No hard feelings?”
“No, of course not. I would’ve competed just as hard for her if she’d been into either of you. Or both of you.”
Buck nodded. “Good, because I want to come and see you about getting tattooed sometime. I saw the way the ladies were eyeing yours and Clay and Del’s, which I heard you’d done as well. You did a nice job on Lily’s, too, not that I was ogling her or anything.”
“Right,” Chad muttered. “That Del Cook is a jealous son of a bitch.”
“And rightfully so, Chad.” Seth chuckled, recalling how territorial Del had been when he and Lily had first visited him to see about having her tattoo redone. “I’m glad you like my work. Come see me anytime.”
Jayne rejoined him, and he escorted her around to where he’d parked the bike earlier.
“Seth?”
“Yeah?”
“Grace invited us to come out to The Dancing Pony afterward. There’s a big celebration going on there too. I’ve never been there before. Do you think you might like to go?”
“Sure…But I’m kind of raggedy for a nightclub.” He gestured at the holes and rips in his jeans before handing her the helmet to put on.
“That’s what is so great about it. The party has a beach theme. They knew lots of people would go out to the lake tonight and they want everyone to come as they are for the lake or beach.”