An Inheritance

Chapter 21

Making a path around blankets and ice chests, Sam led Lauren up to the grassy area in front of the band stand being used as the dance floor.  The hard-packed dirt under the grass made it evident that many dancers had twirled around this area for many years.

Sam leaned in to Lauren’s ear, “There really aren’t any definitive steps to any of this, just follow what I’m doing, we make it up as we go along.”  With patience, he showed her some steps to follow and Lauren found herself stomping around as though she knew what she was doing.  In some respects, the dancing was similar to jitterbugging, but slowed down a bit. 

One song led to the next without really any break in between and Lauren was laughing as hard as she was dancing.  At one point, an older man in blue overalls stepped between Sam and Lauren and whirled her away.  Looking around his beefy arms, Lauren saw Sam being twirled around by a woman she could only guess was the man’s wife.  For the next several songs, Lauren was fairly whisked around by an array of older men, and the better the dancer, the better Lauren danced.  They knew how to touch their partner’s back or arm in such a way that she knew which way to lean or step, it was an experience Lauren hadn’t had before.  She felt like she was really dancing.    

Out of breath and about ready to beg off the next dancer to engage her, Lauren was taken by the shoulders and gently turned around until she saw Sam’s large brown doe-eyes looking down at her.  The first slow dance of the evening started to play and she melted into his chest, swaying and moving as though they were one.  Her heart was pounding wildly and Lauren knew it had nothing to do with the exertion of the dances.  She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to draw in the deep woodsy scent of his aftershave.  Sam nuzzled the top of her head and it was all Lauren could do to keep an upright prone position; her legs had turned to spaghetti.

When the song finally ended, Sam pulled away and with that wicked half-smile said.  “I don’t know about you, but I think I’d like to wait the next ones out.”  Lauren nodded her agreement.

Back at their own little patch of ground they bypassed the chairs, and sank down on the blanket.  Sam leaned into the basket and pulled out the peach tea, pouring them both the remainder equally.  Catching Lauren looking at him quizzically, he laughed.  “Being in a family of six kids, it was always important to make sure we all got exactly the same amount of everything, or bloodshed would commence.  It’s a habit I can’t seem to grow out of.”

Lauren was lying on her side with her head in her hand, propped up by her elbow.  She smiled and reached out for the plastic glass, brushing against his hand.  A jolt went through Lauren’s body, all the way down to a place that hadn’t seen any sparks in quite a long time.  Controlling her actions not to pull her hand quickly away, Lauren searched Sam’s face to see if he had felt it too, but he had turned his face to watch the band, and except for that half-smile, his face was expressionless. 

Gathering her composure, Lauren sat up and took a long drink of tea.  What the hell was that all about?  I know I haven’t been with a man in a while, but I don’t quiver like some little school girl just because a guy touches me.

As they sat and listened to the music, people were walking around, stopping and chatting with friends or acquaintances.  Lauren was introduced to several couples that had come by to say a few words to Sam.  By now it didn’t surprise her to find many of the people knew her grandmother and that she was staying at the cottage.  Jerry Washburn stopped by with a young petite woman who he introduced as his wife, Annie.  Her sweet smile and genuine warmth belied the biker-gal image she projected with her leather vest, ear piercings and neck tattoos. 

Teenagers, obviously students of Sam’s, walked by and waved to him.  One of the boys eyed Lauren and gave Sam a ‘thumbs-up’ and sly smile.