Nancy Robards - My Fair Fortune

They swayed to the strains of “Unforgettable” and kept dancing close through a couple of fast songs, until the band decided to mix things up with a country-rock medley, and an overzealous guest, who was dancing with a beer in his hand, tried to demonstrate his John Travolta moves and upended it on the dance floor.

“Okay, what do you say we take a break?” Brodie suggested. “How about if I get us something to drink?”

“Actually, I could use some fresh air,” Cait said. “It’s a little stuffy in here.”

With the number of people dancing and drinking in the confines of the renovated barn, it was a bit close. It was unseasonably warm for February. In fact, he’d heard his mum and aunt Jeanne Marie say it was as if spring had graced them with an early visit, which was undoubtedly fortuitous for the four couples who had said their vows.

“That sounds like a great idea,” he said. “Wait right here. I’ll get us some refreshments to go.”

He tipped the bartender fifty dollars and was rewarded with a chilled, unopened bottle of champagne and two flutes. On his way back to Cait, he plucked a long-stemmed red rose out of one of the many free-standing floral arrangements.

He took the bounty back to where he’d left her, but she wasn’t there. As he made a three-hundred-sixty-degree turn, it dawned on him that it probably hadn’t been a brilliant move to leave her alone. He hadn’t been gone that long, but if she really had wanted to leave, this would’ve presented the perfect opportunity for her to make her getaway. His gut tightened at the thought, but then he sobered. Really, if she had decided to go, it was for the best. He was set to return to London in two days. True, Cait of the magical lips had an unnerving ability to knock him void of all common sense, but really, what would they do two days from now when he boarded the plane to go home? The likelihood of him traveling to Chicago anytime soon was slim. Business was booming at his company, Hayes Consulting, the management consulting firm for which he’d sacrificed everything. It had been a struggle even to find time to come for the wedding. If truth be told, he wasn’t happy about taking time off for four cousins he barely knew. It had only been a couple of years since his mother had discovered that she was adopted and had three siblings who had so many grown children that it seemed to be necessary to marry them off in bulk. Still, it had been important to his mother that he attend this affair. She was the one woman in the world for whom he’d drop everything. Plus, it was a chance to catch up with his brother Oliver.

All the negativity drained away when he turned and saw Cait with her wrap and handbag, making her way toward him in the crowd. She was still here, and suddenly nothing else mattered.

He handed her the rose.

“This is beautiful,” she said, bringing the flower to her nose. “How romantic, sir.”

Her eyes glinted and at that moment, Brodie was sure she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever had the privilege to set eyes on.

“And what else do you have there?”

“A spot of champagne. What do you say we get out of here? There’s something I’d like to show you.”

He started to offer her his arm, but his hands were full with the two glasses and the bottle.

“I’m intrigued.” She laughed. “May I carry something?”

“I’ve got this.” He set down the bottle and tucked each of the champagne flutes into his suit coat pockets.

“Let’s try that again.” He offered her his arm.

She accepted, and he led her out of the noisy reception.

Once they were outside, it was quiet, except for the faint sound of the party going on in the barn behind them. A few people milled about. A line of golf carts, which were there to drive the guests back to their vehicles after the festivities ended, waited at the ready several feet in front of the barn. The cart attendants sat at tables, playing cards as they waited.

Brodie and Caitlyn walked from the barn toward the pond on the east side of the property. The night was unseasonably warm for February, but despite the midfifty-degree temperatures, he thought he felt Cait shiver. She’d put her coat on over that fabulous red dress.

Still, priding himself on being a gentleman, he said, “Is it too cold out here? We can go back inside...or I’m happy to give you my jacket. You could drape it about your shoulders.”

She shook her head. “Thanks, but no. Actually, the cool air feels great after being inside. With everyone dancing and all that romantic energy in there, it was a little bit warm. Besides, I wouldn’t want to take a chance on breaking one of those glasses that you worked so hard to steal for us.”

“I didn’t steal them. The bartender graciously gifted them to us. He thought we looked like such a lovely couple.”

“Oh, really?”

“That’s what he said.” Brodie winked and took a great deal of pleasure watching the color spike in her ivory cheeks.

“So you’re an honest guy?” she said. “Does that mean I can trust you to lead me out into the darkness? You’re not some deranged serial killer, are you?”

Brodie stopped, unsure for a moment if she was serious. “Well...no. Of course not.”

But really, could he blame her? They didn’t know each other.

She assessed him for what felt like an eternity.

“Where are we going?” she asked. “What is it that you wanted to show me?”

“There’s a meteor shower tonight. Out here, away from the city lights, the waning crescent moon coupled with the clear sky provides excellent viewing conditions.”

Her brows knit together, and she cocked her head to the side as if she didn’t understand.

“A meteor shower,” he repeated. “You know, shooting stars? I thought it would be...romantic.” He rocked back on his heels.

“I know what a meteor shower is.” She smiled. “What I didn’t realize was that you’re an astronomy nerd.”

The light from the tiki torches that lined the path caught the teasing sparkle in her green eyes, turning them an alluring shade of jade, and it took everything Brodie had to keep from leaning in and kissing her again.

“I’ve been accused of being a lot of things in my life, but I must say tonight is the first time anyone has called me a nerd...or a serial killer. However, if you like nerds, that’s exactly what I’ll be tonight. Just for you.”

“Just for me? What about serial killer?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Sorry, that’s not in my repertoire.”

“Good to know,” she said. “Call me crazy, but for some reason, I believe you.”

Suddenly, she looked away and pointed toward the sky. “I think I just saw one. Was that a meteor?”

“Indeed.”

“What are we waiting for?” she said. “Let’s go where we can see better.”

She grabbed his hand, and he led her toward the open field by the pond.

When they stopped, they turned their attention up to the sky.

“This is a rather slow shower,” he said. “There may only be four or five meteors per hour.”

“What should we do to entertain ourselves in the meantime?” Her voice was low and raspy. There was something in her tone that made him want to suggest all kinds of inappropriate things. She seemed to read his thoughts because she reached out and ran her thumb over his bottom lip. He was still holding the champagne bottle and the glasses when she leaned in and brushed a kiss over his lips.

“If you want to do something like this,” she said, “I wouldn’t object.”

Before he could stop himself, he caught her bottom lip between his teeth and teased it with his tongue.

“How about something like that?” he asked, his mouth a breath away from hers.

“That? Oh, yes, definitely that . And more, I hope. But first I’ll need a glass of champagne.”