Maddie’s face held mutiny, but slowly, she lifted her gaze. The hurt he saw there touched him.
“We know the truth, you and I. What does it matter to you, when you’ll be leaving? They’re just a bunch of country people who will never set foot in one of your restaurants. Why do you care?”
Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. “I care. For the sake of my father and grandmother, I care. They would have cared. These were their neighbors. They would have been mine, too, if—”
Boone stroked her jaw. “No, they wouldn’t have. If Dalton had stayed, you wouldn’t have been born.”
Maddie glanced away, her head shaking slowly from side to side. “I don’t belong here,” she whispered.
He knew that, only too well. But he had to do something to ease her pain. “I’ll make them understand, Maddie. I’ll make sure they know what your father gave up.”
She turned a look on him so luminous and grateful that Boone stood, transfixed. For a long moment, she studied him as if trying to understand him.
“Why would you do that?”
“It’s only fair.”
“I’ve caused you a lot of problems. I know you’ll be glad for me to leave.”
Tempting words stuck in his throat. You don’t have to leave. You could stay. If only he didn’t know better, know what it would cost her in the long run.
“You didn’t make this situation. Neither of us did.”
She smiled sadly. “A few more weeks and it’s over.” She sounded relieved.
Boone dropped his hand and stepped back. “Yeah. Not that long.” Not long, hell. Eternity. When viewed through the glass of time spent trying to resist Maddie, the days stretched out forever.
Twenty-five days of too much…and not nearly enough.
She turned away and watched the dance floor, where the band was tuning up again. She drew in a deep breath, then shuddered, seeming to arm herself.
Finally she spoke, her voice wistful. “Did you mean that about the next dance?”
The last thing he needed was to hold Maddie in his arms, but he’d just have to hope the next dance was a fast one. No matter what he knew was smart, he couldn’t refuse her. “Sure.”
Her smile blinded him. “You like to dance?”
Boone shrugged. “I get along.”
Some of Maddie’s sparkle flared. She grabbed his hand and pulled. “Well, come on, cowboy. Let’s dance.”
Despite his better sense, Boone gripped her hand and headed for the dance floor. When the band struck up a quick two-step, he wasn’t as happy as he should have been. But it didn’t take long to start enjoying himself. Maddie was a graceful dancer and quickly fell in step with him. Soon they moved together as if from long experience.
“You ever done this before?” he asked.
Maddie shook her head, eyes shining. “No, but I love it.”
“Hick music not too boring for you?”
She batted his shoulder. “Don’t be a snob, Boone.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. I know Helen was from the city and I’m sorry she didn’t like it, but you think the only people who can appreciate this place are those who were born here?”
Boone stopped where they stood, not caring that other dancers bumped into them, complaining. “Don’t try to tell me you like this place.”
“I do like it.”
“But you won’t stay.”
Maddie met his gaze. “I don’t have to stay to like it. I’d—I’d like to come back and visit sometime.” Her gaze turned hesitant. “Would that bother you?”
Hell, yes, it would bother him. Saying goodbye to her and knowing she might pop back in, anytime she pleased? That he’d get used to having her around, then she’d disappear whenever the mood took her?
She saw his reaction. Her face reflected her disappointment. “That’s okay,” she said casually. “It was just an idea. I probably won’t get much time, anyway. I usually try to make it to Europe once a year to keep up on developments there.”
Dancers around them were complaining loudly because they were holding up progress. Boone shot glares all around, but began to move across the floor once again. He didn’t look at Maddie as he answered. “I hadn’t thought about it. It might be all right.”
Maddie shook her head, then studied their feet. “Please—don’t be so enthusiastic.”
“Hey, I never thought about it, all right? I don’t know how I feel.”
She glanced up. “Do you ever let yourself really feel, Boone?” she asked, her eyes soft and searching.
The music slowed and segued into a waltz. Boone found himself reluctant to take her off the floor and let her go. Instead, he moved into the new steps and Maddie moved effortlessly with him.