side of her glass to get everyone’s attention. “Looks as if we all have champagne.” She glanced around. “Many of you in this room helped make Thunder Mountain Academy come to life, but there are some who couldn’t make it here tonight. I raise my glass to all of you and anyone not present. Herb and I love you all and we’re so...” She swallowed and looked at Herb.
“We’re so grateful,” he finished in a husky voice, putting his arm around Rosie. “So very grateful.”
For a split second the room was silent, and in that moment, Whitney understood what an emotional impact this project had on everyone—Rosie, Herb, the foster brothers and everyone who had been a part of this ranch for years.
Then cheers and whistles erupted and they all lifted their glasses and drank. Whitney promised herself that she’d drive out here next week, tour the facility and see if there was anything she could do to help.
She’d gathered from Rosie’s stray comments that without Thunder Mountain Academy, she and Herb might have been forced to sell the ranch. Whitney wasn’t clear on the reason for that and she’d ask Ty on the way home. She’d just thought it was a good idea that needed to happen. She hadn’t realized the implications for Rosie and Herb if it hadn’t become a reality.
She didn’t know exactly how she could help other than her degree and a general knowledge of running a business. Rosie and Herb probably had all the advice they needed, but if not, she’d make herself available. Rangeland Roasters had taught her quite a bit and she’d be happy to share.
After the toast, the party kicked into high gear. Rosie hauled out an ancient stereo and a few country CDs while the men moved the furniture to the edges of the room. Rugs were rolled and tucked away. Apparently she and Ty would end up dancing, after all.
Lexi and Cade started it off, but before long Ty pulled her out on the makeshift dance floor.
“What if I can’t dance?”
“Too late.” With a grin, he spun her around and they were off.
Fortunately she could dance, although not as well as Ty. But she’d been an athlete all her life—volleyball, tennis and skiing. Dancing was simply another form of athletic movement, right? Or maybe not. With a partner like Ty, dancing was foreplay.
Until now, she hadn’t understood the erotic nuances of a two-step. He created just enough bodily contact to drive her crazy, but not enough to satisfy her craving for his touch. Maybe a slow dance would come along, but no. This was a celebration and everyone wanted movement and laughter.
She loved the energy in the room. This was her kind of celebration, although she’d never attended such a party with a man as sexy as Ty. The more champagne she drank, the better she danced. The better she danced, the more she lusted after her tall dance partner. By the time he drew her aside and suggested they might want to head back, she had a good buzz going and was thinking how nice a round of hot sweaty sex would feel.
They retrieved their coats and her purse. She said goodbye to everyone, which included plenty of hugs and promises to get together again soon. She’d made more friends in one night than in five months of living in Sheridan.
Once out on the porch, she sucked in the cold air and told herself to settle down. She wouldn’t be having sex with Ty, no matter how seductively he danced. Digging in her purse, she eventually found her keys and handed them over. “Great party.”
“Rosie and Herb always throw great parties.” He looped an arm over her shoulders as they walked across the crusty snow to the car.
“Does everyone usually dance?”
“Not so much. If you really want to know, I think Rosie engineered that because she wanted us to dance together.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. She wants us to become a couple and she’s proud of the way I dance. She’s hoping you’ll be swept away, so to speak.”
“I am.”
“You are?” He
“We’re so grateful,” he finished in a husky voice, putting his arm around Rosie. “So very grateful.”
For a split second the room was silent, and in that moment, Whitney understood what an emotional impact this project had on everyone—Rosie, Herb, the foster brothers and everyone who had been a part of this ranch for years.
Then cheers and whistles erupted and they all lifted their glasses and drank. Whitney promised herself that she’d drive out here next week, tour the facility and see if there was anything she could do to help.
She’d gathered from Rosie’s stray comments that without Thunder Mountain Academy, she and Herb might have been forced to sell the ranch. Whitney wasn’t clear on the reason for that and she’d ask Ty on the way home. She’d just thought it was a good idea that needed to happen. She hadn’t realized the implications for Rosie and Herb if it hadn’t become a reality.
She didn’t know exactly how she could help other than her degree and a general knowledge of running a business. Rosie and Herb probably had all the advice they needed, but if not, she’d make herself available. Rangeland Roasters had taught her quite a bit and she’d be happy to share.
After the toast, the party kicked into high gear. Rosie hauled out an ancient stereo and a few country CDs while the men moved the furniture to the edges of the room. Rugs were rolled and tucked away. Apparently she and Ty would end up dancing, after all.
Lexi and Cade started it off, but before long Ty pulled her out on the makeshift dance floor.
“What if I can’t dance?”
“Too late.” With a grin, he spun her around and they were off.
Fortunately she could dance, although not as well as Ty. But she’d been an athlete all her life—volleyball, tennis and skiing. Dancing was simply another form of athletic movement, right? Or maybe not. With a partner like Ty, dancing was foreplay.
Until now, she hadn’t understood the erotic nuances of a two-step. He created just enough bodily contact to drive her crazy, but not enough to satisfy her craving for his touch. Maybe a slow dance would come along, but no. This was a celebration and everyone wanted movement and laughter.
She loved the energy in the room. This was her kind of celebration, although she’d never attended such a party with a man as sexy as Ty. The more champagne she drank, the better she danced. The better she danced, the more she lusted after her tall dance partner. By the time he drew her aside and suggested they might want to head back, she had a good buzz going and was thinking how nice a round of hot sweaty sex would feel.
They retrieved their coats and her purse. She said goodbye to everyone, which included plenty of hugs and promises to get together again soon. She’d made more friends in one night than in five months of living in Sheridan.
Once out on the porch, she sucked in the cold air and told herself to settle down. She wouldn’t be having sex with Ty, no matter how seductively he danced. Digging in her purse, she eventually found her keys and handed them over. “Great party.”
“Rosie and Herb always throw great parties.” He looped an arm over her shoulders as they walked across the crusty snow to the car.
“Does everyone usually dance?”
“Not so much. If you really want to know, I think Rosie engineered that because she wanted us to dance together.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. She wants us to become a couple and she’s proud of the way I dance. She’s hoping you’ll be swept away, so to speak.”
“I am.”
“You are?” He
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