The Chocolate Garden (Dare River Book 2) Read Free Page B

his friend, who was dancing with Abbie, the love of his life. “J.P. here says you don’t think I have any more wild in me.”
    “That’s about right,” Rhett shouted back and dipped his woman, causing her to laugh and clutch his jacket.
    “Tame as a pussycat, am I?” Rye leaned into John Parker. “You should see the sexy apron I got my wife for the honeymoon,” he whispered, but not quietly enough. Tammy heard every word.
    Mrs. Augusta’s advice flashed to mind: When men are being inappropriate around you, ignore them.
    John Parker cleared his throat and glanced at Tammy like he knew it was totally inappropriate to talk that way in front of a lady. No doubt he did. “Well, you did originally meet when she became your cook. I still can’t believe she agreed to cook for you again on your summer tour.”
    “We didn’t want to be apart. Plus, she loves it. Now that she’s newly graduated with her PhD, she can use the time to finish her cookbook like she’s always wanted.”
    “She’s going to make a mint with that cookbook,” John Parker said. “No one cooks better than that girl.”
    “Don’t I know it?”
    John Parker set his beer and Tammy’s champagne on a silver tray as a waiter went by. “Tammy’s going to design some gardens for me.” And he winked at her, making her heart do the quickstep.
    “You don’t say,” Rye said.
    She caught the look they exchanged, something male and secretive.
    “That’s wonderful, especially since she’s starting her own business,” Rye continued. “And hey, your place sure could use a facelift. The man’s got nothing but grass, trees, and bushes. Boring. Right, Tammy?”
    “Trees and bushes can give a garden structure, but you need to include variety and color for all four seasons.”
    Rye’s mouth twitched as he nudged John Parker with his elbow. “Variety and color? Did you hear that, J.P?”
    His friend elbowed him back hard like they were two brothers fighting for no good reason. “Yes, I heard. Now about that dance, Tammy…”
    Rye put a gentle hand on her back. “My friend here’s a great dancer, and being a preacher’s kid, he’ll respect the three inches between partners rule we grew up with. Remember how Mrs. Hays used her ruler to measure the space between couples?”
    “She never had to with me,” Tammy told him.
    John Parker laughed. “I’ll bet you pushed that line, Rye.”
    “Every chance I got. I always said I didn’t know how much three inches was. Now go on and dance, honey. You’ve been working too hard.” He pushed her forward a few steps.
    The dance floor was packed with guests, some twirling, others doing a simple two-step cheek-to-cheek. When John Parker crooked his arm gallantly at her, Tammy had no choice but to slide her arm through his. Okay, she did have a choice, she reminded herself. She just didn’t want to be rude and say no.
    Rye darted over to the band, and suddenly the music changed to a dreamy, romantic number.
    Her handsome companion pulled her closer and fitted one hand in hers while wrapping the other over her shoulder blade in a nice ballroom frame. She didn’t— couldn’t —raise her eyes when she placed her hand lightly on his shoulder. She could feel the muscles there and smell his cologne of forest and spice.
    The first chords of a waltz rolled over her, and John Parker led her effortlessly. He was such a good lead she closed her eyes for a moment as the magic of the music, the familiar steps, and the comfort of her new life washed over her. Dancing on a cloud must feel this way.
    His gaze was heated when she finally opened her eyes and looked up at him, and she struggled to think of something to say.
    “You’re awfully good at this,” she managed to say, her throat parched now.
    “I was always my sisters’ practice partner.”
    His intense blue eyes had her pulse tripping. She missed a step, and his hold tightened, moving her closer to his body.
    Sometimes she felt a spurt of life inside