Page 40 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

The time for the fundraiser had come. Brodie stepped inside Mom’s house, anticipating a reprieve from work and from protecting Londyn from Dustin Haack.

Londyn.

The thought of her caused his heart to gun into overdrive. He looked forward to spending time with her tonight at the adoption fundraiser at Jimmy’s , even if part of him remained wary. Holding her after Haack and Corker kidnapped her reminded him again how much he loved her.

And how he had no desire to be rejected again.

Mom reclined on the couch with a book. “Londyn should be ready soon.”

“Thanks.” He plopped on the couch beside her. “Are Roarke and Mila on their way?”

“As we speak.”

His knee jiggled as a flicker of apprehension flowed through him.

Mom honed in on it right away. “Brodie, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

“Oh? Are you all right?” Mom experienced another flare-up recently, causing everyone to be more alert about her health.

“I’m fine. It’s about Londyn.”

Brodie scanned the stairs, sensing an oncoming lecture. “Londyn?”

“You two really need to talk.”

“I know.”

Mom was giving him that look. The look that said, no, really. The look that said she was serious, with her lips pursed and her head tilted to one side.

“It’s not that easy,” he muttered.

“Of course, it’s not. Nothing worthwhile ever is.”

They hadn’t discussed what he referred to as “the situation” since she’d returned. Truth be told, they’d both been avoiding it. To be fair, she’d been too busy running from Haack, and Brodie had been too busy protecting her. “I’m not good at this talk stuff, Mom.” Emotional stuff gave him hives.

“It’s necessary. You’ve almost lost her to this crazy lunatic. You two need to clear the air, and I’m sure you’re wondering about why she left.”

“I am.”

Mom leaned toward him. “Talk to her, Brodie.”

“But what if…”

Mom shook her head in tandem with her index finger. “No what ifs. She’s worth whatever inconvenience you might feel at clearing the air between you two. Pray about it first, of course, but it needs to happen soon.”

Londyn walked up the stairs then, and as usual, the sight of her stole his breath. Today, she’d curled her hair and tucked it beneath a cowboy hat. She’d dressed in cowgirl attire—a fringed skirt, white boots, and a colorful western shirt. “Whoa.”

Mom smirked at him before turning her attention to Londyn. “You look lovely, dear. You two have a great time, and don’t worry about anything here. I see that Roarke, Mila, and Xander just pulled into the driveway.”

They bid Mom goodbye, and seconds later, Brodie opened the truck door and Londyn climbed in. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself.” She punctuated her sentence with a smile, and Brodie attempted to return his focus on getting them to the fundraiser.

“Are you planning on entering the pizza-eating contest?”

“Probably not. There’s no doubt in my mind I could potentially win, but there is something more desirable about enjoying the supreme with extra cheese instead of devouring it. Chief says he's going to enter for sure, but probably won't be line dancing afterwards.”

Londyn laughed, reminding Brodie how much he had missed her. When they arrived at Jimmy's, they parked in one of the last available spots. “And here I thought arriving a half hour early would be a good idea,” said Brodie.

“I think it would be if the entire town wasn't here. But this turnout is impressive. It will raise a lot of money for the adoptive families.”

That was Brodie's prayer. If they could help even a couple of families give a child a forever home, it would be worth it. That and the fact that the place was crawling with law enforcement, so Dustin Haack wouldn’t be an issue tonight.

Roarke, Mila, and Xander were at Mom’s house, along with a deputy, just in case Haack made an appearance there.

Several people played pool while others ate dinner, and still others bid on the silent auction items. The Pronghorns, a well-known popular band that played an assortment of Christian music as well as secular rock and country music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, drew an exuberant crowd, some of whom had perched in front of the stage and were clapping.

Would Londyn be willing to dance with him during the line dancing portion of the evening?

Brodie glanced her way. It wouldn’t be too difficult to forget the past months and believe everything was as it had been before he proposed.

Would he ever gather the courage to address the proverbial elephant in the room—to ask why she’d rejected his proposal?

During a break from the music, Jimmy stood at the front of the stage. “Welcome to our very special fundraiser. Here to give us more information are Sheriff Brenneman and Chief Neeley.”

Londyn admired Brodie. Not only did he take his role as sheriff seriously, but he also took every advantage to participate in important community events. His dad would be proud.

Brodie looked exceptionally handsome tonight in his snug t-shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. He dwarfed Chief Neeley, who, while broad-shouldered and with a little girth around the middle, was much shorter than Brodie.

“Thank you all for coming. Our goal this year is $20,000, and we are hoping to assist families seeking to adopt locally, nationally, or internationally.

As I'm sure is the case with all of us here, adoption is close to my heart.

Please don't be shy when bidding on the numerous items in our silent auction.” He listed off the items, including an Alaskan cruise, rifle, gift certificates, and a brand-new cowboy hat.

“Thank you to Jimmy, who is donating 100% of the cover charge, and for being willing to loan us the space in his fantastic alcohol-free business.” The crowd again clapped, and Jimmy bowed.

Chief Neeley said a few words before the band began to play. Londyn and Brodie joined several others at a booth for pizza and pop. It was just like in the olden days when they would meet with friends on a Friday or Saturday night.

After the pizza-eating contest, which Chief Neeley won, the band played some classic 80s rock, along with upbeat Christian tunes, before hitting the first notes of modern country music.

As if no time had passed between the last time they were there and now, Londyn and Brodie slipped right into dancing with the Overtons, Huangs, and several others.

Those on the sidelines clapped in time with the music as the singer crooned.

The two-step came next, followed by country swing, country waltz, and the cowboy cha cha.

Brodie held her hand and swung her, her skirt swishing as she moved in time to the music.

Other couples intermittently left the dance floor until only Londyn and Brodie were left.

The crowd that had lined up on the sidelines began to clap and chant their names.

The sounds grew louder, and Londyn glanced up at the TV screen and nudged Brodie.

Their names flashed across the screen in perfect time to the music, as he watched for any sign that she needed to take it slow due to still recovering.

Brodie’s eyes twinkled, and a smirk shone on his handsome face. “Should we take them up on this?”

They had won a dancing contest a few years before, and while this wasn’t a contest, it would be just like old times.

“I thought you’d never ask,” she teased.

The band performed a song that was perfect with a two-step mixed with a little country swing combination.

They moved in perfect time with the music. Brodie spun her around and dipped her. Londyn came back up, her face so close to his. She inhaled the scent of his aftershave, a pleasing smell she’d memorized. Their gazes connected, and for a moment, time stood still.

Her heart pinched. What she wouldn’t give for another chance with him.

Brodie parked outside Mom’s house. The lights were on inside, and he was glad Roarke and Mila were still there and that a deputy was keeping an eye on things. Brodie killed the engine, and he and Londyn sat in silence for several seconds.

Finally, Londyn spoke. “Thank you for the great time tonight.”

Brodie rested his arm on the steering wheel and faced her.

The porch light, combined with the bright moon, cast a glow on her beautiful face.

Was it possible to love someone the way he loved her?

To continually wish for and hope for a future, even when it wasn’t possible?

There was so much they needed to discuss.

So much left unsaid. “It was fun. Remember when we won the dance competition a few years ago?” They shared such a vast amount of memories.

“I do. We won a gift card to Jody’s Restaurant and movie theater tickets. I’m grateful we didn’t have to worry about Dustin tonight.” Her face clouded. “I hope we catch him soon.”

“We will catch him. It hasn’t been for lack of trying, but the guy has slipped through our fingers numerous times.”

“I wish I hadn’t been so foolish to believe he was upstanding.”

Brodie tapped his thumb on the steering wheel. “Unfortunately, Haack is cunning and experienced at charming people.”

“Charming is right. Everyone where I worked, including my boss and coworkers, believed him to be something he wasn’t.

He, Jasmine, and I hit it off right away.

I think it helped because our cubicles were right next to each other.

Unfortunately, through all this, Jasmine took Dustin’s side.

” Londyn blinked rapidly, and the pain in her voice told of her former friend’s rejection.