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“I don’t… I haven’t really danced in years.”

Cami stuck a piece of hay in her mouth, grinning at him. Okay, maybe she was flirting a little. But hey. It was a hayride! “You haven’t danced in years? Which is why you absolutely should at the wedding. Dancing releases endorphins, which is clearly the best reason to do it.”

“Endorphins, huh?”

She nodded, sprawling backward on the hay to stare up at the night sky. “I don’t know about you, but I can use all the endorphins I can get.”

He rolled back beside her, staring up at the stars. “How would your plus-one feel about parting ways for a dance with me?”

“My—Oh, no. I’m a plus-zero for the night. I’m not dating anyone. I don’t date. Honestly, who would put up with me? Between my teaching, the ranch business, the pageant, and now the baby…”

“I find that hard to believe.”

She felt her cheeks color a little more in the cold. “Believe it. Anyway. I’m content. Mostly,” she added. “Lolly coming into my life, though, does put things into perspective.”

“Yeah? In what way?”

“I guess… I’m feeling grateful for what I have. What we can give her. What her mama clearly didn’t have.”

He gave a little snort of agreement. “I know that feeling. Kids do keep you grounded.”

“Oh, they do. And I know twenty-eight third graders who prove that theory to me daily.”

And simultaneously left her feeling wanting.

It wasn’t so much that she felt something was missing from her life. Maybe it was just FOMO. The classic fear of missing out. Watching first Will, then Shay, pair off one at a time and seem ridiculously happy had made her acknowledge that there might be more to life than what she had settled for. More than simply running from one project to the next without allowing herself time to feel her feelings. To explore what would make her really happy. To consider her loneliness.

And she was. Lonely. For companionship, for the kind of love she’d always imagined might be out there for her. Maybe that was why she’d so eagerly, and without thinking too much about the consequences, taken Lolly in. Maybe Lolly was the missing piece in her puzzle, or at the very least,amissing piece.

She glanced over at Gus who was intently watching the night sky, an arm crooked under his head. A twist of longing wound through her. Or maybe it was just lust. Maybe there were other missing pieces she hadn’t considered for a long, long time.

They reached the round barn—lit up with white Christmas lights that they might just leave up all year-round they looked so pretty—then turned the team back toward the house. By then, they were all getting a little cold, and most had scooted close together for warmth. She and Gus were sharing a generous, soft blanket and she could feel his heat up against her side.

“You never did say if you would save me that dance,” she reminded him. “At the wedding.”

“Ah-hh.And I was this close to a clean getaway.” He turned and smiled at her. “Yes. Absolutely. If you don’t mind the peril facing your toes—”

“Oh, come on. It can’t be that bad.”

He laughed. “I have witnesses.”

“Hmph.We’ll see, Dr. Claymore. But anyone who handles horses and cattle the way you do every day can surely find his way around a dance floor.”

“We’ll see. But then, I also have a favor to ask you.”

She perked up. “A favor? Ask away!”

He leaned closer and for just a moment, she thought he meant to…kissher. But instead, he said very quietly, “Remember that gift for Ella I was mentioning earlier?”

She nodded. “The one you just figured out?”

“That’s it. I could use some help picking one out.”

She glanced at Ella who was completely distracted by the stars. “One what?”

“One of… what I want to get her.” He held his forefinger to his lips. “I could use your opinion. I know you’re busy, but then at least I’d have the chance to buy you dinner to thank you for tonight. It really means the world to Ella coming here like this. And me.”

She felt the need to clarify. “So… not adate.”