Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) by Sherri Wilson Johnson Page B

as the band played a two-steppin’ song. She tapped her foot and slapped her hands on her knees. Her shoulders loosened a bit.
    “Justin, dance with me.” Clarice put her hand on her hip and popped her hip out, her usual stance. Clarice was an expert at working her charms on Justin. She moved across the floor, pulling him by the hand.
    “Matt, is Clarice dating your friend Justin?” Cora hollered over the loud music as she and Matt found a table in the smoky room.
    “No, I think she’d like to date him. But, then again, Clarice would like to date every man in this place.” Matt gave her a look Cora unmistakably understood.
    “One day she’s going to find herself in a terrible situation, pick the wrong man to flirt with, and end up getting hurt or kidnapped like I was.”
    “Hey, Cora.”
    Cora glanced up to see who had called her name. “Hey, Bobby. Matt, this is Bobby Millburn from town. Do you know him? He owns the car repair place near Ms. Lottie’s.”
    “No, I don’t know him.” Matt looked Bobby up and down. He stood and puffed out his chest, shaking hands with him. The difference between Matt’s soft, clean hands and Bobby’s rough, grease-stained hands represented the gap between two classes of people.
    “Nice to meet you.” Bobby squeezed Matt’s hand.
    “Same here.” Matt returned to his seat.
    “So, Cora, how are ya doin’?”
    “I’m doing fine. And you?” Should she invite him to sit down?
    “Good. How’s the car?” He stared at her through narrow slits, shadowed by thick, unkempt eyebrows.
    “It’s banged up a little bit from the accident, but it runs great. Thanks again for all you did.” Cora smiled. Why was he looking at her like that?
    “Sure. How are your wrists and feet doin’?” He stared at her hands.
    “Healing up nicely. Thanks.” Cora tapped her fingers on the table and quietly sighed.
    “Well, I’ll see ya later.”
    “Bye, Bobby.” Cora waved at him.
    “He’s a strange character.” Matt made a funny face at Bobby’s back, curling up his lips.
    “Be nice. He’s not so bad, Matt. He’s probably better with cars than he is with people. He seems a bit introverted.”
    “Whatever.” Matt shrugged. “Hey, you want to dance?”
    “No, I’ll just watch. You go ask someone else. I’m sure there are plenty of girls here you’d like to dance with, and any one of them would die for a dance with you probably.” Cora wiped peanut shells off the table and peered at where mounds of them rested on the floor. How strange and unnatural to have them scattered on the floor and underneath her boots. It almost matched the awkwardness being here with Matt trying to woo her.
    “Well, probably.” He stuck out his chest boastfully. “But the woman I want to dance with is sittin’ right here with me.” He winked at her.
    “Please, Matt. You’re just saying that.”
    “No, I’m not. If you don’t want to dance, I’ll stay here with you until you do.”
    “Really, you don’t have to sit with me. Go, have fun.” Cora shooed him with her hand, amazed at his vainglory.
    “I want to dance with you.” Matt got up from his seat and pulled Cora from hers. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the dance floor. He took her other hand and lead her in the two-step.
    The song they danced to ended about a minute later, and next a slow love song started. Cora laughed at the words, which said something about crying and leaving on a train. Matt released Cora’s hands and placed his hands around her waist. Great!
    Cora cleared her throat and put her hands on Matt’s upper arms. She moved in a little bit closer to him but kept a safe distance. “I really can’t dance very well. I don’t have much experience at it.”
    “I think you’re doin’ great. I’ve wanted to bring you here for a couple of weeks, just so I could hold you in my arms.” Matt stared into Cora’s eyes and swooped her up against him.
    Cora put her arms around his neck and placed her head on his