than that.” Leslie’s gaze still on Tag, she continued, “It’s like there are babies waiting at that sperm bank. Babies who are relying on me to realize the dream Randy and I had for children.”
“If you have those children,” Ava said, “you run the risk of complicating any other relationship you hope to have with another man. After all, it’s hard for a man to accept the children of another man.” Ava added quickly, “However, since Tag was a close friend of Randy’s, wouldn’t he be more accepting of Randy’s children?”
Leslie didn’t get the chance to answer that question, but Ava’s observation rolled around in her mind. How would Tag feel about raising Randy’s children? Was it fair of her to ask Tag to raise Randy’s children?
Tag arrived at the table and set the two beers down in front of her. “You must be thinking some very heavy thoughts,” he said.
“Why do you say that?” Leslie asked.
He brushed a thumb across her forehead. “You’re frowning.”
She focused on smoothing her brow. “Is that better?”
“It’s a start.” He held out his hand. “Ready to dance again?”
Emma grabbed Coop and dragged him toward the floor. Sean plucked Ava from her chair and joined them. Moose and Jane were next. Gage and Fiona followed. Even Emma’s brothers found waitresses to dance with. Everyone hurried to the dance floor for a line dance.
She glanced up at Tag, feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. “I don’t know this dance.”
He smiled. “It’s the Cupid Shuffle. It’s easy. I’ll help you.”
“I don’t know,” she said, her thoughts roiling with everything she and Ava had discussed.
He held her hand tight in his, refusing to let her backslide into herself. “Come on, darlin’. One more dance.”
When he put it that way, how could she resist?
She couldn’t. Leslie let him pull her to her feet and out onto the dance floor.
Within moments, she was holding his hand, laughing and dancing along with the others. For a brief time, she could forget everything and enjoy the few minutes she spent with Tag.
When the song was over, she tugged his hand. “Take me home, please.”
His brow furrowed. “Are you feeling all right?”
No. “Yes. I’m just tired, and tomorrow will be a long day.”
He nodded. “Let’s say our goodbyes and hit the road.”
After hugging Emma and Coop, and waving at the rest of the group, Leslie and Tag took their leave and left the saloon, pushing through the crowd waiting outside for the doors to open to the public.
Leslie was glad they were leaving before the saloon was overrun by the usual Friday night crowd. She had a lot to think about, and a crowded room would only make it harder.
They’d been in the truck driving toward Austin for ten minutes before either one of them spoke.
Tag broke the silence with, “The wedding will be nice tomorrow. Coop and Emma make a great couple.”
“Emma deserves all the happiness,” Leslie agreed. “I’m honored to be a part of it.”
“Your wedding to Randy was much smaller,” Tag noted.
“We didn’t know a lot of people at the time. We had those who were important to us there.” She smiled across at him. “You were there.”
He nodded. “I’m happy for Coop and Emma, but I think I’d want a different kind of wedding.”
“Yeah?” She studied him from her side of the cab. “What would you do differently?”
“I’d have it at my ranch, surrounded by family and friends. A quick ceremony to tie the knot, and then a barbeque and music. No fuss. Not a lot of work.”
Leslie laughed. “Even that would be a lot of work. You’d want to have a photographer present to take photos of you and your bride. Someone would have to contract a DJ or band for your music. The barbeque wouldn’t happen on its own. Someone would have to cater to bring it in and clean up afterward. And you’d have to schedule a preacher, JP or someone certified to perform the ceremony.”
Tag’s lips twisted. “Wow. And I thought it would be simpler.” He shook his head. “I guess that’s why Coop and Emma hired Marjorie.”
“I talked with Emma when she started planning the wedding. That’s when we found Marjorie.” Leslie smiled. “She’s good.”
“I guess I’d have to do that as well. I wouldn’t expect my bride to be stuck with all the planning.”
“Unless she wants to do it,” Leslie murmured, thinking about the other dates BODS had matched him with. What if one of them was the future Mrs. Bronson?
Her chest tightened. She wanted