Frowning, Tess hurried to keep up.
Savannah remained in the doorway. She stood frozen, paralyzed by self-consciousness.
Jeffie was across the hall. Their gazes met across the crowd. Her heart seemed to stop beating. She twisted her hands together to keep them from shaking.
He pushed through the people and came to a stop in front of her. "Hi, Vannah." Her name was a high-pitched squeak. "Uh. Sorry." He cleared his throat. "H-How are
you?"
Savannah swallowed thickly. "Fine."
He cleared his throat again. "You look ... pretty."
"I do?"
His voice fell to an earnest whisper. "I never seen anyone so pretty. You wanna dance?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I ... I mean yes, I would."
He reached for her hand. She hesitated only a heartbeat, then slipped her hand in his. It felt warm and nice.
He led her to the middle of the dance floor. All around them people were stomping, laughing, and dancing, but neither of them noticed. They stood there, staring at each
other.
Jeffie cleared his throat. "I ... I'm gonna put my hand
here ... on your back."
"Okay."
As he pulled her into his arms, Savannah cautiously moved her hand to the center of his back, just as her daddy had taught her. The flannel of his shirt felt soft and slightly fuzzy against her damp palm.
They moved stiffly at first, each mentally counting.
299
One, two, three. One, two, three. Gradually they became more comfortable together. They picked up their pace, swirling in a huge clover pattern across the wooden floor.
Savannah felt giddy and trembling as he twirled her around the floor. The room blurred, became a hazy world of golden light and shifting shapes. She felt like a fairy princess.
All too soon the dance ended. Savannah and Jeffie stopped dancing. She looked up; he looked down. His fingers tightened around hers; his gaze narrowed and slid down to her lips.
He's gonna kiss me. Right here in front of everyone!
Savannah's breathing quickened. Her heart pounded so loudly, she thought for sure he could hear it. Anticipation made her lean ever so slightly toward him.
He bent his head.
She tilted hers just a little.
His lips touched hers in a feather-stroke.
She drew in a shaky breath and kissed him back. When they drew back, they were both grinning.
Tess watched Savannah and Jeffie twirl awkwardly around the dance floor. A mother's pride filled her heart to overflowing. She smiled, fighting back tears.
Jack moved closer. She felt the heat of his body alongside hers. Gently he withdrew Caleb from her arms and handed the baby to Minerva. "Let's dance," he whispered in Tess's ear.