Page 14 of The Alpha and the Baker

But then he was pulling me to my feet, and all thought fled from my head.

I wasn’t exactly heavy, but I wasn’t light.

I was particularly bottom-heavy due to genetics, a love of squats when I was younger, and all the natural squatting that came from maneuvering around the bakery, but Cas hauled me to my feet like I was lighter than a pillow.

“There you are,” he said once I was on my feet. “Here, let’s get you some water while they start the music.”

Water? When was the last time I actually had water?

“That sounds like an excellent idea!”

“I thought it might be.”

We walked to the drinks table, and grabbed a couple of water bottles, one of which I downed nearly instantly. Just like Cas said, by the time we were done, the music was playing.

A Celtic song played from a couple of speakers that looked like they were hooked up to way too long of an extension cord.

I watched the people dancing. Some were definitely doing a coordinated jig, but most of the others were just bouncing around and yelling “Hey!” at the top of their lungs at the right point in the song.

Even Arietty was in on it, hopping on her hind legs while her two owners held her paws.

Wasn’t that the most adorable thing I’d ever seen?

And it was enough to get me motivated to run out into the field a bit and start moving myself.

I wasn’t graceful, but that didn’t matter.

Especially when Cas and another enormous dog joined me.

What were they feeding these things? They were practically wolves.

More laughter, more breathlessness. It all blended together in a beautiful cacophony of joy. I was sure that when I sobered up, I would have lovely memories from the day to fuel me for several months.

Man, I wished my mom could have been here. She would have loved Gammy McCallister. And the food. Although her heart always remained in Malaysia, she loved American, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Italian food.

Then there were the kids. My mother was always proud of the path I took, but when she was at her sickest, she apologized to me for not being able to be there for whatever children I might have.

I told her she had nothing to apologize for, but still, I knew in her heart she’d longed to be a grandmother.

She’d never rushed me, had always been patient, but her journey just didn’t last long enough.

“Are you all right?”

“Huh?” I blinked, pulling myself out of my thoughts to see Cas just a breath away from me, concern all over his handsome features.

“You’re crying.”

“Am I?”

I touched my face, and sure enough, a couple of tears had managed to escape my eyes. When had that happened?

“I’m okay, just thinking about my mom.”

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, but I shook my head and tried to find my words. It was slightly easier than an hour earlier, yet still nowhere near normal.

“Nothing to be sorry for. She would have loved this.”

There was his smile again, so soft and inviting. Why was he looking at me like that? I wasn’t mad about it, and it did make me feel like nothing bad could happen. “You think so?”

“I know so,” I answered resolutely.

Cas looked like he might have had an answer to that, but the second lively jig in a row cut off, and something slower began to play.

Much slower. In fact, it was almost romantic.

A bunch of the kids groaned or outright complained only to be shushed by a nearby adult. The dogs also seemed less hyped about the choice and wandered to the sidelines to flop into the grass.

But as for Cas and me… Well, we were just staring at each other.

“Do you need to rest?” he asked, and I swore that something changed in his eyes. His gaze grew more intense. Grew hungry.

“I could.” I didn’t know where my bravery came from, but I took a small breath and looked up at him through my lashes. “But I could keep dancing.”

One of the corners of his lips curled up and his gaze grew even darker. “Could you?”

Oh my god, double-gulp in a cup. His voice had dipped lower, and I was not expecting that. It was like it rattled through my bones and vibrated right down into my soul. I didn’t think I’d ever had a physical reaction to someone’s voice before, but that was absolutely what was happening.

And I didn’t think I could blame it on the alcohol.

“I could,” I confirmed softly.

“Then let’s dance.”

Gently, oh so gently, he pulled me closer until we were practically touching, and his other arm slid around my waist. It was like the entire world around us crumbled away, leaving only our heartbeats and the music.

“Just follow my lead. I’ve got you.”

He most certainly did.

Mouth dry, heart thundering, I swayed along with him to the gentle lilt of the string music. We were just doing a two-step with a little spin every once in a while, but it felt like I was floating across clouds.

It was like a moment from those romance novels my mother used to read when she missed my father, and I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. Even though I knew I would likely never see the guy again, I would never regret this one perfect night.