Page 13 of Sweet Surprise (Honeysuckle, Texas #2)
Carson followed her gaze and chuckled. “That’s Mildred McEntire. The bling queen of West Texas—unofficially, of course.”
“Of course.” Jess chuckled alongside him.
For the next few minutes, Carson pointed out a few other town characters.
“That over there is Iris Hathaway. If you want news spread faster than wild fire or the Associated Press, she’s the one to talk to.
If you have something to hide, better steer clear of her.
That woman could get a rock to spill the beans. ”
Jess laughed a little harder. “I’ll remember that.”
The dance floor cleared and as the next song started, folks began filing onto floor, lined up in multiple rows. The lively tune had people stepping and turning in surprised synchronization.
Setting his plate aside, Carson stood and extended his hand. “Shall we?”
“That depends on how badly you want me to make a fool of myself.”
“Not possible.” His hand remained fixed, his smile so genuine, so warm, that Jess found herself placing her hand in his before she could think of another excuse.
The dance was simpler than it looked—lots of stomping, turning, and clapping that had everyone laughing rather than worrying about precision.
Jess did her best to keep up. At one point she was supposed to turn left and spun in the wrong direction, crashing into Carson.
His strong hands grabbed her arms before she could tumble backward.
For just a split second, everything in the world felt oddly right.
The music shifted to something slower, couples began pairing off, and Carson’s hands settled naturally at her waist.
“Our first dance as husband and wife,” Carson said softly. “We should make it look good.”
“For appearances’ sake,” Jess agreed, though the warmth of his hands through the fabric of her dress made it hard to remember this was all for show.
They swayed together, the space between them gradually shrinking until Jess could feel the steady beat of Carson’s heart against her own.
It felt natural, comfortable in a way she hadn’t expected.
In a way that brought memories crashing back of so many years ago.
A time when she’d had hope that things were going to be better.
That same feeling had returned full force.
And just like before, Carson Sweet was at the root of it all.
When she looked up, she found Carson watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He smiled, but there was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite read. “Just enjoying the moment.”
She couldn’t help but wonder if Carson’s thoughts were also taking him back to another place and time.
As the night wore on and the party showed no signs of winding down, Jess found herself relaxing into this new reality.
The friendly hugs, and echoes of congratulations, continued at every turn.
Folks finally began to slowly slip away.
At first folks with young children, then some of the older neighbors.
Finally, with only close friends and family left, the band played the last song, and clean up began.
In the far corner, Mason had fallen fast asleep, curled up around Brady.
“How long do you think he’s been there?” Carson asked.
Jess shrugged. “No idea, but the kid did party hard.”
“He was a bigger hit than the bride and groom.”
“Okay, you two,” Alice came up beside them. “Go put your son to bed. We’ll finish cleaning up.”
“We’ll be back to help.” Carson took a step in retreat.
“No.” His mother turned to face him. “No bride and groom clean up after the party, they go on a honeymoon. And since y’all aren’t taking a honeymoon, you can at least go enjoy the rest of your night. Alone.”
Jess was pretty sure her cheeks were flushing bright red. Alice’s implication was quite clear.
“Well, uh.” Carson cleared his throat. “I’ll get Mason.”
Even as a toddler, Todd had never carried Mason with such ease and caring as Carson did from the back barn all the way to the house, up the stairs, and then into his new room.
She reached for one boot and Carson the other.
While he went to retrieve her son’s pajamas, she tugged off the boy’s jeans.
They worked in surprising unison as if they had been tucking in a sleepy child all of his life.
How could that be? How is it that they slid into the parenting role so flawlessly? Could anticipate the other’s move, need? Was this a magical byproduct that came with all marriage licenses?
With Mason changed and tucked in, they each gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek and turned, quietly latching the door closed behind them.
Slightly down the hall was the master bedroom.
The one that had been Alice and Charlie Sweet’s, then Preston and Sarah’s, and now, her and Carson’s. Oh, boy. Now what?
“I, uh,” Carson stood just inside the doorway, “spoke with Preston and Sarah. They said that, the king size bed made sleeping arrangements pretty simple.” He shuffled to one side. “If you, uh, would like, I could, you know, put a bunch of pillows or something down the middle.”
“Like in that old movie?”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
“I’m sure there are extra pillows in the linen closet.” He spun around. “I’ll be right back.”
She grabbed hold of his arm. “That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll be fine. I sleep in one spot.” No point mentioning Todd liked his space and she’d learned to not inch over or accidentally bumping Todd wasn’t much different from waking a sleeping bear.
“Yeah, okay, so do I.” His gaze slid from her eyes to her lips and then back. Clearing his throat, his hand reached for hers.
For just a moment she thought he was going to propose a totally different arrangement. And for another moment, her heart racing, she considered what the heck would she do. Except the decision was made for her when Carson leaned over, kissed her gently on the cheek, and softly uttered, “Thank you.”
Nodding, she somehow managed to spit out the same. “Thank you for giving our son a brighter future.”
He nodded, let go of her hand, and took a step back. “You can have the bathroom first. I’m going to go get a little fresh air. I won’t be long.”
Standing in place, she watched his back leave and once again wished she hadn’t been such a fool all those years ago.