Brody and Lou danced a few more dances, Brody keeping her close by his side. He was the designated driver so he switched to Coke after that first beer.
Lou drank lightly but still had a serious buzz when it was time to go home.
Brody’s lips grazed her exposed shoulder. “Would you stop that?” she scolded. “We’re in public.”
“Stop what?” His mouth trailed up the side of her neck.
She shrugged him off playfully.
“Can we go home now?” he mouthed against her ear. She shivered.
“Uh huh,” she nodded.
“Now?” he asked as his teeth gently tugged her earlobe.
She stepped back from him slightly and took his fingertips in hers. “You go and get John and I’ll get Liz.”
Brody pouted. “Awwww. Do I have to? Can’t we call them a cab?”
“That would just be rude,” she replied as she marched off to find Liz. She finally found her in a dark corner, her head barely visible as she was overshadowed by Dave’s larger frame. Lou stepped close to them and coughed loudly.
“Uh, hum,” she coughed. Then she repeated it a little louder. Liz looked up, her eyes hazed with passion. Lou could see she was almost lost.
“Are you ready to go, Liz?”
“Go?” Dave and Liz both said in unison. But Liz recovered quickly, her eyes meeting Lou’s with a sparkle.
She disengaged herself from Dave’s embrace. “I do have to go, honey.” She patted his cheek softly as she stepped away from him.
“But, I thought I would take you home.” He gave her a knowing look.
She bent and kissed his forehead. “I wish I could, but I have to meet with a client tomorrow, first thing.” She winked at Lou. “Maybe some other time,” she threw back over her shoulder as they walked away.
She grabbed Lou’s arm and whispered, “Did I do okay?”
“You did great!” Lou whispered back, just as Brody caught them with John in tow.
Brody looked over at Dave, silently stewing in the corner, and laughed out loud. “Poor fella doesn’t know what hit him.”
Lou and Liz both laughed.
John said, “What did I miss?”
Liz pointed toward Dave.
“Poor sucker should have seen that one coming,” John said with a chuckle. For good measure, he put his arm around Liz as they went out the door.
****
Brody put the top down on the Jeep and Lou felt the wind blow through her hair. She removed the combs holding the hair piled on top of her head and let it fall freely over her shoulders. Brody took her hand and held it casually on the ride home. They dropped Liz off at her door and watched her until she was safely inside.
They drove slowly under the Western Skies arch at the end of the drive, Brody taking in the sights and sounds of the night and the farm with a deep breath and a glance around the property. His eyes met Lou’s and she smiled. He knew she felt the same way about the place as he did.
Brody drove slowly up to the house and cut the engine, hearing the creak of the gravel beneath the tires. Lou got out and met him at the front of the Jeep. She looked at him with affection and said, “Thanks so much for such a wonderful first date.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“Oh, no, you don’t. It’s not over until I walk you to your door.” He spun her around and patted her bottom. “Get a couple of bottles of water and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
Brody turned to John who lingered uncomfortably. “I’m planning on sleeping in Lou’s room tonight,” he stated directly. “Do you have a problem with it?”