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noted that he hadn t taken his eyes off Gabby. It was her turn to smile.
Reid looked over at her as if seeing her for the first time. He licked his lips. I
was just picturing Gabby in an apron.
Amanda put her hand on his arm. Oh no dear, not an apron, not the kitchen. I m
afraid that she d not too& too well acquainted with cooking.
Reid grinned. Guess we ll have to hire a cook then. Then blushed at what he d
just implied.
That would probably be the wisest course of action, Amanda told him before
turning back to the singing. I wonder if he realizes how badly he s fallen for my
daughter? Amanda thought to herself. She couldn t wait to talk to T. J. later tonight after
they returned home. They both liked Reid and would be pleased to see him become a
member of their family. Of course, that all depended on Gabby. This should be an
interesting summer.
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Autumn McCullah
The music for Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy had just begun as Brie and Franklin
danced out in front of singing trio. The girls began their song as the two youngsters did
the boogie-woogie. For such young children, they were pretty good. Everyone in the
audience was smiling. Reid glanced over at Amanda and saw her eyes mist. She placed
her fingers to her lips but he could tell she was grinning. T.J. was laughing and it was
plain that he was proud as punch of his grandchildren.
When the song ended, the audience was on their feet calling for more. So they
did the number once again. After that John came back out to announce that the official
dancing hour had begun.
Reid stood to go find Gabby. When he finally located her, she was with John in
front of the gazebo. They were dancing to a swing number. And could those two dance!
John swung her over his head and then down between his legs. Then they were twirling
and strutting to the beat. Reid moved closer to the dance area. When this dance ended he
intended to claim the lady for the night, or a goodly portion of it anyway.
Gabby was breathless when the dance ended. She was laughing at a comment
John had made when she heard Reid s unmistakable drawl. I believe this dance is
mine.
I did promise you a dance, didn t I, Gabby said thoughtfully. As if she didn t
remember.
Have fun kid, John said relinquishing her to Reid. He walked away whistling.
I like him, Reid said nodding at John as the younger man disappeared into the
crowd.
He s a great guy. I think he likes you too or he wouldn t have walked away like
that, Gabby admitted. Sometimes John could be just as protective towards her as her
brothers.
Reid took her hand lifting it to his lips for a whisper light kiss. Shall we dance?
he asked pulling her into his arms. She held herself rigid at first but then he felt her relax
as they began to move to the music. It was a ballad, soft and slow. He pulled her close,
his arms going around her to clasp behind her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her
head savoring the feel of her much softer body pressed close to his, and the sweet clean
smell of her hair.
Gabby gave herself up to the feel of the music. She tried not to pay any attention
to the feel of Reid s hard body pressed so close to her, but it was a lost cause. With each
slow step her thigh brushed against the hardness of his. The feel of his arms around her
created a warm haven that she hadn t known could exist anywhere on this world. He
hummed softly to the music as they danced, and to her surprise, he was pretty good. She
smiled against the front of his shirt. She d make it her job to see how well he could sing.
Then she d see about getting him into one of the shows. Maybe not this summer, but
next would be fine. She almost stumbled when she realized that she was including him in
her life, accepting him into her inner circle so to speak. When had this come about? This
was moving much too fast for her peace of mind. She d be leaving the end of August for
Madagascar and would be gone for at least three weeks if not longer. This would give
her some space to think about Reid and what, if any position he would have in her life.
When that dance ended, Reid claimed her for the next and the next. After four
dances it was time for a break. Gabby didn t hesitate as Reid led her off to the side where
they could get a cold soft drink.
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Autumn McCullah
She took a long drink before pressing the cold bottle to her cheek. Reid grinned
down at her. Her eyes were shining and she was obviously having a good time. To his
surprise, he found that he too was really having fun. And fun was something that had
been missing from his life for a long time now. Work had been the beginning and end all
of his existence since before and after his father had died. And especially since the end
of his engagement to Marla. But now, he was slowly learning that there was more to life
than work. And it was definitely better to share that fun with someone special.
Have you always had this much energy? Reid asked as he watched Gabby take
another drink. He had an incredible urge to lean down to taste the soft drink on her lips.
But, of course, he didn t act on it.
According to mom and dad I have. Dad says that when I was just a little over a
year old I learned to crawl out of my crib onto the dresser. I couldn t get the bedroom
door open, but I sure had fun getting into drawers and the toy chest. He said that they
moved the dresser and it slowed me down for a while.
Why do I have a feeling that you learned to crawl over the side of the crib and
get to the floor? Reid chuckled.
It took me a couple of months from what they tell me. I ve always been excited
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