Rolling Like Thunder. Vicki Lewis Thompson
“Some people had to subject us all, including our guests, to ‘Ghost Drinkers.’”
“I see.” Pete rubbed a hand over his face as if hiding a smile. “Chelsea and Finn, I’d like to say that was an aberration, but I’m afraid things like that go on all the time around here.”
“I hope so,” Chelsea said.
“But not while you give your presentation.” Jack patted her shoulder. “You have my word that we’ll behave ourselves tomorrow afternoon.”
“But once everyone leaves, all bets are off.” Nick winked at her. “I have a feeling you can take it.”
“Oh, she can.” Finn felt compelled to alert them. “She can also dish it out, so watch yourselves.”
“I figured as much,” Jack said. “But didn’t you say you were starving, Chelsea? We’d better rustle up some grub. Then we can dance while we wait for it.” He glanced over at Finn. “I assume you dance?”
“Depends on your definition.”
“Hmm.” Jack didn’t look impressed by the response. “I hope you’re not into salsa.”
“Only with my chips.”
“That’s a relief.” Jack returned his attention to his menu. “Don’t know why I bother looking at this. I know it by heart. Give me your order, everybody. I’ll relay it to the cook.”
“I can call Heather over,” Josie said. “You don’t have to play waiter.”
“Heather’s running herself ragged tonight. I know the menu, probably better than she does. I can do it.”
Finn decided that he liked Jack. The guy had a sense of humor, but he also wasn’t afraid to pitch in when necessary. Finn had done the same many times at O’Roarke’s Brewhouse. Josie was the owner here, but Jack obviously tried to lighten her load.
After he disappeared with their order, Sarah cast a glance at her remaining sons and daughters-in-law. “I checked on the kids before we left and Cassidy seems to have everything under control.”
“Good,” Josie said.
“Thank God for Cassidy.” Morgan looked over at Chelsea and Finn. “My youngest sister. She’s the ranch housekeeper and she babysits the grandkids, although now that she has a boyfriend we have to make sure we plan ahead.”
Jack returned and pulled his wife out of her chair. “I have a plan. I finally have a night out with the woman of my dreams. Let’s hit the floor, lady.”
“I like that idea a lot.” Gabe offered his hand to Morgan. “Dance with me?”
“As long as you don’t sing in my ear.” But Morgan looked happy as she joined her husband on the floor.
Nick and Dominique followed, and Pete stood and held Sarah’s chair. He paused when Finn and Chelsea didn’t immediately leave the table. “How about you two?”
“We’ll be out there in a minute,” Finn said.
“You’re sure?” Sarah hesitated. “We don’t want to leave our guests sitting all alone.”
“We’re right behind you.” Finn grabbed his beer bottle and glanced at Chelsea. “I don’t know about you, but I need some Dutch courage.”
“I’m with you.” She took several swallows. “Okay, let’s do this thing.”
Finn didn’t feel ready, but Chelsea was on her feet. He pushed back his chair. “I don’t know a lot about dancing, but that looks like what they call country swing. It’s fairly popular around here.”
“Whatever you say. I’m pretty much clueless.” Chelsea studied the participants. “Lots of twirling and fancy footwork. But we might be able to fake it.”
“My specialty is standing in one spot and shuffling around.”
“That’s not going to work, Finn. They’ll run you over.”
“Should we reconsider? After all, you do have on sandals. If I don’t squash your toes I’m liable to place you in serious danger from somebody else. We could sit and drink beer, instead.”
“No, we need to try it. Maybe if we spin around a lot nobody will notice we don’t know what we’re doing.”
Finn sucked in a breath. “All right. Let’s go.” At the edge of the dance floor he grabbed Chelsea and began madly twirling her around the perimeter. He stepped on her a couple of times, but she didn’t yell, so it must not have hurt too much.
On his second circuit, Jack showed up beside them and grabbed his shoulder hard enough to stop the twirling. “What the hell is that you’re doing?”
Finn decided to brave it out. “The same thing you’re doing.”
“I think not.” He gently set Chelsea aside. “Stay right here, sweetheart. I’ll bring him back in a few minutes.”
“Hang on.” Finn stepped back, both hands raised. “Whatever you have in mind, I’m not doing it.”
“Work with me, O’Roarke.” Jack grasped his hand.
Finn pulled free. “I’m not dancing with you, Jack.”
“You weren’t dancing with Chelsea, either. You have two choices. You can continue to look like an idiot out on the floor or you can let me give you a quick lesson.”
“Three choices. I can head back to the table and drink.”
“You’re a quitter? Is that what you’re saying? I didn’t peg you for a quitter.”
Those were the magic words. Finn sighed. “Tell me what to do.”
“That’s better. Put your hand around my waist. Pretend I’m Chelsea.”
“She doesn’t have a five o’clock shadow.”
“And she has way fancier hair and I’m sure she smells better, too. Just focus on what I’m telling you. The idea is to describe a box with your feet and turn at the same time. Now go.”
“You do realize this will look ridiculous.”
“It’s no worse than the hot mess you were a bit ago. Come on, now, you built your own business. That takes cojones. This is just a little dancing.”
Finn could have used more beer, but if Jack was willing to make a fool of himself, then, what the hell? Might as well go along. Good thing nobody he knew was here except Chelsea. Having her watch was bad enough, but at least she’d admitted that she wasn’t very good, either.
Then he caught movement on the far side of the dance floor and realized Josie was dancing with Chelsea. “Hey! Your wife is dancing with my...” He trailed off, unable to come up with a proper title for her.
“Your what?” Jack exerted pressure on Finn’s shoulder to keep him moving in the right direction. “I’m no expert, but I feel a vibe between you two.”
“She’s my business associate.”
“Yeah, and I’m Elvis. Tell me another one. And lead with your other foot. There. That’s better. Good.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“Anybody who owns a hat like yours should be able to dance the two-step. I think you have the basics. Josie’s coming around again with your business associate. We’ll trade partners.”
And just like that, Jack thrust him into Chelsea’s arms and the momentum kept them moving around the floor. Miraculously, they were even doing it in a synchronized fashion. “I’m not sure what just happened.”
“I think it was the fastest dancing lesson in history.”
“Embarrassing as it is to admit,