Curvy Girls Can't Date Cowboys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,96
we continued dancing, even though the song had long since changed. As I rested my head against his chest and he held me close, my heart felt whole. This, walking with Ray as a couple, his large hand covering mine, was perfection.
A squeal sounded from several feet over, and I saw Jordan coming toward us in her heels. “YES! I hoped you’d forgive him!”
“What?” I asked as the rest of my friends encircled us and the guys patted Ray on the back.
Rory grinned between us. “The second we came into the dance, he asked us where you were.”
“And of course,” Zara added, “we had to make sure he had good intentions for our girl.”
Callie smiled at Ray and me. “We approve.”
With a smile, I shook my head. “You guys are crazy.”
Carson snorted. “I’ve been telling Callie that for years.”
She whacked his stomach with a small smile on her face.
“Can we dance now?” Ryde asked, glancing around. “I look like a weirdo just standing around.”
For once, I agreed with him. “Fine by me.”
That earned an eyeroll from Zara, but I wasn’t about to miss out on dancing with my friends. We started bouncing along to the fast song, laughing at Carson’s terrible dance moves and stunned by Jordan’s fluid ones.
When the fast song morphed into a slow one, I was breathless, and I took slow, measured breaths to cool down.
Ray set his guitar on the stage and gently placed his hand on my lower back, sending tingles throughout my body. Now I was breathless for an entirely new reason. I tipped my head back as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and linked my fingers behind his neck.
He put his arms around my waist, holding me close to him. So far, he was making good on his promise to stick with me, and I hoped he kept it. Sure, a part of me was afraid he’d go back to his old ways, but part of me was brave enough to hope, too.
Ray rested his forehead against mine, and his minty breath poured over me. The song passed between us, and my heart swelled at the perfection of this moment, of the strength of my feelings, and of the guy holding me like his happiness depended on it.
“You know what I think?” he said, turning his head so his voice could reach my ears.
“What?” My forehead brushed against his cheek.
“I think things work out like they’re supposed to sometimes.”
“What do you mean?”
His lips pressed against my temple for a moment, and we weren’t dancing anymore, just standing and holding each other. “I didn’t want to take video, but Mrs. Bardot encouraged me to do it. And I didn’t want to go to the store that day, but then you were there. And I was afraid of us, but my mom knocked some sense into me. And when your parents came out with the marketing team to film our ranch, your parents said you were getting ready for the dance. It’s like all of my decisions just lead me back to you.”
His words lifted my spirits and my lips. “I’m happy you came.”
“I’m here. Always.” He held me close and kissed me slow.
“Okay, lovebirds!” Zara said, shimmying her shoulders. “Time to get your groove thang on, before Mrs. Bardot has to come break you up.”
I glanced over and saw her walking our way. Ray grinned at me, holding my hand. “Time for some fun?”
“I couldn’t think of anything better.”
“Or a better girl to do it with.”
As we danced with our friends, swaying to the music and laughing, I couldn’t help but think that being brave enough to love might be the start of my favorite adventure.
Seventy
My family’s minivan was not built for dirt roads, and my nerves were not built to see my parents at the Sadler Ranch.
The van rattled over the ground and came to a stop alongside the pickups in the Sadlers’ driveway. It was one of those beautiful spring days where the sun hit your skin just right and breeze barely lifted your hair. Everything smelled fresh, like new growth and possibility.
Ray popped up from the porch steps and came to greet us, shaking my Dad’s hand first and then giving the twins fist bumps.
“Ready to be big shots?” he asked them.
Tarra flipped her braid over her shoulder. “Already am.”
Ray met my gaze over the hood of the van, and his eyes smoldered with humor and heat.
My mom rubbed her hands together. “This will be safe, right?”