The Barn-Dance (8 page)

Still.

This wasn’t about last night. It was about last night and the last six years and six years ago. All of it. He could get angry, defend himself. But she didn’t need that.

He took a step toward her. “I’m sorry, Mindy.” He put a hand on her trembling arm and continued. “I’m sorry for six years ago, for not telling you I loved you. I’m sorry for yesterday, for being so worried about what my dad thought, for not fighting for you.”

She tried to stay stiff and distant, but he could see her resolve melting. That quiver of her beautiful lips, the nervous bite at the bottom one to stop it. “And last night, I wanted to stay with you. Not for sex. For you.”

Mindy’s big eyes stared at him, wet with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”

Leo exhaled a short laugh and put his hand into his pocket. He could feel the ring between his fingers. “I had a big plan for tonight.”

She nodded. “The barn dance.”

“The barn dance.”

“I see.”

“You did promise to go with me, after all.” Leo’s mouth curled into a smile and he coaxed a small one from her as well. There it was, she cracked.

Mindy’s arms relaxed. “I do owe you.”

“No.” Leo pulled her toward him and slid his arms around her. She didn’t touch him, but she didn’t stop him either. “I don’t want you to go because you owe me.”

“Then why would I go?”

He smiled, his cheek resting against her forehead. “Because you love me. You can’t live without me.” He exhaled through the pressure that built around his heart. “Like I love you, and I can’t live without you.”

Mindy laughed. He hadn’t expected that. “One night, Leo. We had sex one time, one night, and suddenly you’re in love with me?”

Leo pulled away and held her chin so she’d have to meet his gaze. “I’ve been in love with you for so long. I just couldn’t tell you.”

Her face softened and she breathed into his fingers, closing her eyes. “If you were in love with me then, why did you let me leave?”

“I was young and stupid.” Leo tugged on her chin again, trying to get her eyes to open, but she wouldn’t open them. He leaned down and kissed first one, then the other.

When she finally looked at him, tears ran down her face. “You never came after me.”

“You didn’t invite me.”

She laughed. “You didn’t want to leave your precious ranch.”

“That’s not true. You left for the city and never looked back.”

Mindy averted her eyes, a sad expression crossing her face. “I looked back all the time. But you weren’t there.”

Leo leaned down to catch her lips with his. “I’m here now,” he breathed into her. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

He pressed his kiss deeper, waiting for her to respond, but she held back. He backed her up against the car and pushed his tongue between her lips. Mindy’s mouth opened and her tongue met his.

She slipped her arms around his neck and held him to her, prolonging the kiss. When he finally pulled away from her, there were more tears on her cheeks than before.

Leo swiped at the tears with the back of his finger. “Don’t cry, love.”

Mindy laughed. “Love? I just don’t know if I can trust that.”

He kissed her again. “I know I messed up six years ago, but I’m not the same man I was then. I’m not going to lose you again.”

She relaxed her arms. “I’m not the same woman I was six years ago.”

“You’re exactly what I want.” He leaned down toward her mouth, but something inside wouldn’t let him go all the way. He hovered above her, their faces almost touching, and waited. “I love you, Mindy. I’ve loved you since I was a kid.”

“That’s less hot than it sounds, honey.” Min laughed against him, the vibration thrumming through his body.

“Well, it’s true.”

She didn’t pull away. Mindy looked into his eyes and waited. “What if I tell you that I love you too?”

Leo smiled and studied her lips. He wanted to taste them again, but more than anything else, he wanted her to cross the distance between them and show him that she forgave him, that she trusted him, that she loved him back, still.

“What if you do?”

She moved the slightest bit toward him. “Would you believe me?”

“Depends.”

He was teasing her now, and he knew she knew it. A wry smile spread across those luscious lips and she pulled him down to her. This time, Mindy sought out his tongue. Leo growled deep inside and pressed harder against the car. He wanted to take her right here.

But he didn’t want to repeat last night, either. That had been too fast. From now on, it would be long and slow. And she would come many times before he did. And with him. And after him. He wanted to make her come over and over again, maybe forever if he could manage it. She was so beautiful in her orgasm.

Who was he kidding? She was beautiful all the time.

“Do you believe me?” she asked, smiling coyly.

Leo stepped away from her and held out his arm like some old country gentleman. “I think we’re missing our barn dance, love.”

“Love,” she repeated. She took his arm and dipped into a deep curtsey that would have galled him if he hadn’t been able to see straight down her shirt when she bent over. “I could get used to that.”

Leo scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to his truck. He couldn’t wait to get her to the barn dance and show her off, but first, he was going to spread the blankets in the back of the truck, put up the tailgate, and make love to his Min, right and proper this time. Lots of orgasms, then dancing and rings and proposals.

“You’d better get used to it, love. You’re gonna be hearing it for the rest of your naturally long life.”

Leo’s Buns

This is a recipe my grandmother taught me, and the inspiration behind this story. It’s also the same recipe that Leo walks Mindy through to help her save her job. I guarantee this: Leo’s are the best buns you will ever put in your mouth. ~Camryn

1 qt. milk

2 pkg. yeast

¼ c. lukewarm water

1 tsp. sugar

3 eggs (beaten)

1 c. sugar

3 tsp. salt

1 c. oil

13 c. flour

3 tsp. baking powder

KITCHEN NOTES FROM LEO: Sift your flour and baking powder, very first thing. Then boil 1 qt. milk or use 4 c. water or potato water. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve 2 pkg. of yeast in ¼ c. lukewarm water and 1 tsp. sugar. Let stand while yeast proofs—it should bubble and froth; kinda smells like beer when it’s ready.

Put milk, water, beaten eggs, oil, sugar, salt, and proofed yeast into a big bowl and beat hard until bubbles come up. Put enough flour in to make a mixture that isn’t too thick, because you are going to beat this until bubbles show. Let sit 10 minutes.

Then add more flour and the baking soda. Stir in all dry ingredients a little at a time until you have a ball of semi-sticky dough. Spread flour on the table and place your dough on the floured surface. Cover with your bowl and let rest 10 minutes. Then knead for a few minutes.

Grease the bowl and the top of the dough after you put it in the bowl. Let rise for 1 hour, then beat it down. Let it rise again (covered) for 1 hour, then form into buns and put buns on greased pans. Let the buns rise for 2 hours in a warm place. Bake at 375 on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen dinner-roll size buns. Good luck! I hope these buns bring you the happiness they brought us.

~Leo Fortiss

Biography

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