Page 7 of Beautiful Unity

Fingers crossed, I can make that happen!

Love you lots,

Darcie

Three

DARCIE

The honky tonk bar wasn’t crowded, so when the five of us entered, everyone turned and took notice. A lick of fear ran up my spine, and I worried Bubba had been right. I didn’t want to hear “I told you so” the rest of the night, so I sauntered up to the bar, acting like the carefree girl I pretended to be.

“Hey, darlin’.” The older gentleman leaned across the bar, his eyes swooping over me. “You’re not from around here, are you, sweet thing?” I could hear the men at my back bristling at his words. I needed to stop this pronto before our night ended with us in jail.

“There’s nothing sweet about me, mister.” I smiled, but it wasn’t kind. “How about you take my drink order and quit playing around like you don’t know damn well we’re not from here?”

The man bristled for half a second before showing off his gapped-tooth smile. “Damn, suga’. You know how to put a man in his place.” He laughed. “What you having?”

“A bucket of long necks.”

He nodded, respect entering his eyes as he moved to fill our request. I wasn’t sure if it was standing my ground, knowing some lingo, or if I’d ordered a drink that couldn’t be tampered with, but the man seemed to soften.

Turning, I assessed the bar. Now that the show was over, the rest of the patrons had returned to their beers and conversation. Grayson smiled at me, leaning against the bar next to me.

“Every time I think you can’t get sexier, you go and surprise me, Sunflower.”

Grinning, I turned toward him. “You haven’t even uncovered half of my sexiness, Pretty Boy,” I purred.

Grayson’s eyes heated, and he leaned closer, groaning. “You’re the sweetest torture.” His eyes dropped to my lips, and I leaned in to take the kiss he offered. Before our lips touched, a bucket was placed between us and we jumped apart.

“Twenty bucks,” the man gruffed, and Grayson handed him a few bills.

He grabbed the bucket and my hand, pulling me to the circular booth the others had grabbed. Bubba and Maddox stayed on the outside, pushing Brooks, Grayson, and me together in the middle. Grayson handed out the bottles, and we all sat with them as we took in the bar.

Now that we weren’t the focus, it seemed like the standard hole-in-the-wall. The floors were scuffed, the posters faded, and the jukebox had seen better days. It kept playing the same three songs, and I couldn’t determine if it was stuck or if someone really liked those songs. Despite the rundown look of the place, the people were vibrating with energy. They might not have as much as others, but they took care of themselves and enjoyed the life they’d been dealt.

I learned that early on in Nashville. Some people were never happy, no matter how much money they had in their bank account, while others who had less were always the first to help, even if they needed it themselves. Respect those people, and you’d have an ally for life.

“I want to dance,” I said, swaying to the music.

Bubba glared, but Grayson ignored him and shoved Maddox out of the way. He turned back to offer me his hand, and I giggled. Giggled!

I took it and let him hoist me into his arms. Grayson spun me around, the smile on his face wide as he carried me to the dance floor. It didn’t matter that no one else was dancing. Anytime I was with Grayson, he always made me feel like the only girl in the world.

When the song switched, I whirled around at the jukebox, surprised that Bubba leaned against it. He smiled and nodded, and I turned back to the handsome man in my arms as Morgan Wallen’s “Spin You Around” played.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Grayson whispered.

“What’s that?”

Our cheeks were pressed together, one hand in the back of my hair and the other wrapped around my back. I could feel every beat of his heart, inhale of breath, and smile as it grew against my cheek.

“Bubba in love.”

“You underestimate him then. He’s the most loving person I know.”

Grayson pulled back. “You misunderstood. He loves with everything he’s got. But he rarely allows others to love him back. So, to let himself be loved and fall is new. You’re good for us, Sunflower.”

“Oh.” I smiled, my cheeks heating at his words. Grayson grinned wider, spinning me out and then back. He led me in a two-step, and we easily moved around the bar. By the time the song finished, we’d drawn a crowd, and a few other couples had joined us. So when a faster song came on, I broke our hold and slid right into my old role of line dancing instructor.