“Thank you.” I smile at Race. Cole takesmy hand and we dance. I rest my chin on his shoulder, letting my mind wander.Why didn’t he want me to shake the mayor and the rest of those people’s hands?I know he has a reason. Was it because the mayor helped get me out of that jailfiasco? There’s always a purpose to Cole’s madness. I wish he would share itwith me once in a while instead of making me walk blindly along. All the menseem on edge and over protective tonight. I wonder if they heard something fromMartins, something very bad.
“Kate, did you hear me?” Cole leans back,so he’s looking at me.
“Hmm?”
He shakes his head. “What on your mind,baby?”
I lay my head in the crook of his neck.“Oh, nothing.” I feel Cole’s laugh.
“Don’t lie, Cookie.”
“I was wondering what you’re thinking,and what is really going on.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh. Sorry, what was it you said?”Cole turns us on the dance floor to see Olivia and Preston standing at theentrance to the tent.
“I said my dad’s here. Is that the dressyou and Olivia fought over?”
Olivia’s sparkly dress stretches snugglyover her thin figure. She’s beautiful in the blue sparkly dress. But nottwenty-two thousand dollars beautiful. “Yes.” I sigh.
“It’s not that pretty,” Cole remarks.Kissing my temple. “You look ten times more beautiful than she does.”
Resting my chin on his chest, I peek upat him. “I love you. I’m so lucky.” My voice cracks. I’m suddenly overwhelmedby everything.
“Kate, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just want you to knowhow grateful I am for you. I wouldn’t change one second of our life. Not eventhe baby scare.”
“Oh Kate, me either. I love you. I don’tregret a thing. You don’t need to worry everything will okay.”
“Everything is more than okay because Ihave you.”
“Oh baby, and I have you.” Preston isstanding on the edge of the dance floor and he gives Cole a head nod. “Wouldyou like to keep dancing?”
“No. Where are the guys? I’ll go sit downso you can talk to your dad.”
He nods his own head to the left.“They’re over there, but I’ll walk you over.”
I try to break away, irritated that Ican’t even walk a hundred steps by myself. “It’s okay.”
Cole gives me a beautiful smile. “I wantto.” He wraps my arm around his and we walk towards our table.
Luke, Kit, and Race are sitting aroundthe table talking, but it goes silent when we get close. Luke stands, holdingout his chair. “Thanks Luke.” I sit glancing around the room. “Where are Oliviaand Cooper?”
Race laughs but then covers it with acough. “They’re dancing.” He points to them. Cooper looks like he’d rather bedoing anything other than dancing with Olivia.
“I see what you mean,” I say.
“Here’s your drink.” Kit sets my wineglass in front of me.
“Thanks Kit.”
Cole leans over, giving me a light kiss.“Easy on the alcohol tonight, baby.”
“Always.” I tilt my head at him andsmile, but I’m a bit annoyed. I thought we were going to have a good time.
“I’ll be right back.” Cole winks at me.He and Luke take off toward Preston.
