Read Countdown To A Kiss (A New Year's Eve Anthology) Page 44
Chapter 9
Leo had made the decision to come to Henderson fully aware that he didn’t give a damn that Grace worked for the FBI. He’d been telling the truth when he said his head––his intellect––hadn’t been taking the lead role in processing the shoot-out in New York. Emotion had been leading him through a crazy guilt dance––two steps forward, one step back, then do-si-do and start again. So in a way, it made perfect sense that it was emotion that pulled him out of that repeating pattern and gave him some perspective. The emotion he felt for Grace had been growing slowly, from attraction to friendship to this, without him noticing. What was between them felt strong and clean. She felt strong and clean.
Grace led the way through the ballroom and came to a stop as they reached the edge of the dance area. Leo stopped just behind her, her back almost against his chest, close enough to breathe in her fragrance.
Harry and Jody Devine stood in the middle of the empty dance floor, facing each other. Diamonds of light reflected off a large mirrored ball and swirled across the floor in a slow waltz, as if inviting the couple to join in. Harry leaned down and whispered something in his wife’s ear. She laughed and shook her head at him.
Grace’s hand tightened in his. “My parents always open the dancing on the last set before midnight. The song is always the same. It’s my dad’s favorite.”
The band began to play the opening notes of the Etta James classic “At Last.” Harry Devine took his wife in his arms and pulled her close. His eyes never left her face as he danced her around the floor.
“Your dad is a romantic,” Leo commented as he watched the couple. Physically, Grace was a mix of both her parents. She had her father’s lean athleticism and her mother’s cheekbones and wide mouth.
“He still buys Mom flowers for no reason and whisks her out to dinner when he knows she’s had a busy day. You know what I remember from when I was little? Every morning before he left for work, he’d kiss her.” Grace turned her head to glance at him, leaning back against his chest. Her body swayed gently to the music. “Not one of those rushed pecks on the lips, but an I-have-all-the-time-in-the-world-to-enjoy-this kind of kiss. Then he’d always say, ‘You are my divine Devine.’” Her voice held a hint of wistfulness. “Of course, all of us girls would groan and make gagging noises.” She paused and her brow wrinkled. “Or maybe that was just me.”
“I guess it’s too late to take him out back and give him the Man Talk.”
She gave him a light punch on the arm. “This is the song Dad requested the night he asked Mom to marry him.”
Leo studied the man who looked with open adoration at his wife. “The Devine women should all come with a ‘Romantic Father’ warning label.”
“You think he set our expectations too high?”
“Hell, yes. Normal males can’t compete with that man.” Good thing he liked a challenge. “My parents don’t have a special song. I don’t think they even celebrate their anniversary.”
“They don’t celebrate their anniversary? My parents plan theirs weeks in advance.”
“My father says every day is a celebration of their marriage.”
“Nice line,” Grace allowed, “but a cop-out.”
His mom said the same thing. He searched his memories for something romantic his overworked father had done. “How about this. Every Mother’s Day, Dad would take all five of us kids out for the day. We’d go to the zoo, fishing, or sometimes over to my abuela’s. Dad would say this was Mama’s one day to do exactly as she pleased.”
“Yes, that’s definitely romantic,” Grace said softly. “What would your mother do on that day?”
Leo grinned. “Boring stuff like taking a bubble bath and reading a book. Once I heard her tell Dad that she sat on the couch for a whole hour and just listened to the silence. I thought we were being mean, leaving her at home all alone.”
He released her hand and let his arms circle her slim waist. He leaned down to murmur in her ear. “How does someone show you that you’re special, Grace? Do you want wine and roses, or would you prefer a bath and a book?”
“I don’t know.” She looked at him, then quickly back at the dance floor. “I guess I’d like the wine and the roses set up beside the bath.”
He was silent a moment, imagining the scene. He pulled her back, fitting her more closely against his body. “Does a book have to be part of the scenario, or will you accept a replacement?”
She didn’t answer.
Other couples had begun to join the Devines on the floor. He lowered his face and felt the silk of her hair against his cheek. Without another word, he turned her to face him.