The Last Kiss by Verna Clay

Author:Verna Clay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance, western romance, cowboy romance, small town romance, modern romance, romance series, romantic western, romance saga, rodeo star, western series romance
Publisher: Verna Clay

Chapter 16: Idea

Phoenix couldn't remember when she'd enjoyed a day so much. The chili cookoff, the parade, the doggie dress-up competition that Freckles won, everything was fun because of Justin. Now, as they strolled the pathways he waved to a man and woman Phoenix recognized from CD covers. Then he introduced her to Sean and Tessa Barfield. She was stunned. She loved their songs, especially Love on a Breeze that had won a People's Choice Award. She gushed her adoration. Tessa smiled and said to Justin, "Why don't ya'll meet us at Boot Bustin' Barn some time? We'll be in town for about a month."

Sean agreed, "Yeah. That would be great! Call and we'll set a date."

When the couple said goodbye Phoenix watched them until they were waylaid by teenagers asking for autographs. She grabbed Justin's forearm. "I can't believe I just met Sean and Tessa Barfield and we're going on a double date with them."

Justin chuckled and started to reply, but the sound of music coming from the center of the park interrupted him. He glanced at his watch. "It's six. Looks like the dance has started. Come on." He entwined his fingers with hers and they headed toward the gazebo. He said, "The band, Hell Raisers, is a local one that plays at Boot Bustin' Barn and they're really good."

Laughing, Phoenix replied, "I can't get over that name, 'Boot Bustin' Barn'."

"Yeah? Well, it's been around for forty years and still going strong. A few years ago it was sold to Charles and Sally Trotter when the current owner retired and moved to a houseboat in Florida. Sally was a waitress at the saloon for years and that's where she met Charles, who goes by the nickname Flatfoot."

Phoenix laughed. "This town should have its own TV show. It has more stories than the Empire State Building."

Chuckling, Justin continued, "Anyway, they did some renovations but kept the signature landmarks—a huge neon bull outside and a mechanical one inside that customers can ride. The club is a few miles outside of town. You'll love it."

They reached the gazebo with dancers already crowding the area and Phoenix suddenly had a vision of her mother and father playfully dancing on their small strip of grass to pop music blaring from a boom box. And in that moment, she didn't see the singlewide trailer or think about the secondhand clothes she'd worn. She only saw her parents dancing and making their children laugh. She got a lump in her throat.

Justin faced her. "Are you a dancer?"

She swallowed past the lump. "Not at all. I have two left feet."

Grinning, he pulled her toward the dancers. "Good. I like a challenge." He drew her into his arms and began showing her the basics of whatever western dance everyone was doing. Soon, she was laughing and stepping on his feet. By the third dance she was holding her own and having a blast. From the corner of her eye she noticed Lucinda in the background taking pictures, and when Justin twirled her, she saw Harris Brightman leaning against a tree watching Lucinda.

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