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The kids quietly answered and Lori repeated her question telling them to answer more loudly. The cheering caused some of the other adults to turn around in their seats and watch the show.

Lori began to play the guitar and sing the words to the silly song, getting the kids to cheer and clap and laugh and scream at the appropriate times. Even the adults were joining in and having a good time. When the song ended, everyone cheered and the kids asked for more.

* * * *

Dante was surprised by Lori’s natural ability with the kids. She seemed to be enjoying herself just as much as they were. She was only twenty-one, but she acted older, more mature, and he wondered about her. He noticed immediately how his brothers Trevor and Charlie noticed her, too. Charlie hadn’t taken his eyes off of her and he looked downright pissed off. That was a sure sign that he was feeling something, but what? Charlie was tough and had a shell made of Teflon. There wasn’t anyone or anything that could break through that wall he built up. Dante released an uneasy sigh. Who am I to analyze? I’m just as happy being left alone in misery. So why can’t I stop staring at Lori? What is it about her that has my heart racing and my dick harder than I remember ever having?

Lori sang another five songs and on the final note Andrew saved her from further entertaining by announcing, “Who wants ice cream?”

The children went running toward a large, long wooden table set with everything a kid could want to make a sundae with. Dante wished he could go back in time and truly savor in his childhood. What he would give to feel that excitement over music, over ice cream, and swinging on a swing somewhere again?

* * * *

“You were great, Lori. That spider song was funny, I never heard it before,” Matt said.

“That’s because she made it up. She has a bunch of them,” Maggie added as she headed toward the table to help Ben and the other kids.

“You’re full of surprises, Lori. That was nice of you to do that,” Andrew added.

“Yeah it was really great. You have a nice voice, too,” Charlie said from behind her, and Lori turned, caught off guard by his closeness.

Matt and Andrew walked away leaving Charlie and Lori at an awkward moment.

“It was nothing really. I like kids. That’s all,” she said with her head down, catching herself feeling shy, almost blushing in front of Charlie. He caught onto her uneasiness and took the opportunity to apologize to her.

“Listen, I think we started off on the wrong foot and I’m sorry if I’ve been kind of rude. There’s no excuse for it.”

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t owe me an apology really.” She looked up at him directly into his eyes. They were a beautiful brown color, which matched his hair. He was tall, standing at about six feet two or so with broad shoulders, large biceps, and long, muscular legs. He had shaven today and he looked handsome. But she also liked the way he looked unshaven as well.

She locked gazes with his eyes. His facial expression grew darker. She felt it to her core immediately. She was so transfixed in his eyes and the anger, the pain and sadness she saw in them that she jumped as Michelle interrupted.

Michelle came over to introduce Lori to Carl Monroe. He owned a bar in town where different bands came to play on the weekends and during the week. In the summertime the place was packed. It was located right on a large lake with a boat dock and Tiki bar all set up for its patrons.

“I heard you were looking for a job and that you know how to bartend?” Carl asked Lori.

“Yes, I am and I do.” Carl looked her over as he released her hand after shaking it. He smiled.

“Well, why don’t you come down to my restaurant tomorrow around noontime. I’ll show you the place and see what you can do,” Carl told her, and Charlie looked really annoyed. He was giving Michelle a dirty look.

“That sounds great, Mr. Monroe. I’ll come by tomorrow.” Lori held out her hand to shake Carl’s.

He pulled it to his lips instead, kissing it and telling her to call him Carl. Then he walked away.

“Thanks so much, Michelle, you didn’t have to do that.”

“No, she didn’t.” Charlie sounded kind of sarcastic.

“Actually I didn’t. Mr. Monroe came up to me and asked a few questions about Lori. I mentioned her looking for a job and he asked me to introduce him to you.”

“Well thanks anyway, Michelle. I think I’ll check out the place. It sounds cool and I sure can use the money.”

Lori excused herself and headed toward her sister to tell her about the potential job.

* * * *

Charlie watched her walk away. It wasn’t his business where she worked so why was he so aggravated? Charlie and Michelle headed toward Matt and Andrew who were helping to clean up the tables. Charlie couldn’t help but think about Carl’s place.

Carl’s place was a local hangout during the summer months. It had an open view of the large lake and a small boat dock around it. Many boaters went tubing and sometimes during the summer there were water skiing events, too. Anyone who had a boat could just pull up to Carl’s for lunch, dinner, or just a drink then head back out to the lake. It was always crowded, filled with plenty of partying people, and was a great place to pick someone up. Charlie and his brothers would go there sometimes and Carl always lined up some cool and talented entertainment. Everything from reggae to rock and roll.