a tightening in his groin. Staying clear of Alonsa was probably a warning he should heed, but not for the reasons Linney had stated. He just wasn’t up to dealing with the emotional entanglements of dating a woman who’d been grieving for two years, especially a woman with a kid.
When the dancing duo righted themselves, they headed for the edge of the dance floor. Linney waved them over. “You two were magnificent,” she raved. “It was like having a filming of Dancing with the Stars right here at the Double M.”
“Alonsa makes any man look good on the dance floor,” Esteban said.
She gave a mock bow. “A woman is only as good as her partner.”
That might be true about some things, but Hawk figured Alonsa would look good dancing with a battery-operated frog. Her gaze met Hawk’s for the briefest of seconds and he was mesmerized by their dark mystic depths.
The band hit up a version of “Crazy.”
“I love this song,” Linney said, looking up at Esteban as she started to sway.
“Would you care to dance?” he asked.
“I’d love to.”
They disappeared onto the dance floor, leaving Hawk alone with Alonsa.
“I think we’ve been set up,” Alonsa said.
That wouldn’t get any complaints from him, but…“Actually, I was warned by Linney to stay clear of you.”
“I got the same warning. I suspect it was to make certain we noticed each other.”
“Ah, the old reverse psychology.”
“Afraid so. Linney’s been back in Dobbin less than a year but already her matchmaking schemes are infamous. I guess it’s understandable, though. She’s so happy with Cutter that she wants that for everyone.”
“Then I guess we should at least dance,” Hawk said. “We don’t want to disappoint our hostess.”
“I’m afraid she’s doomed to disappointment with me.”
“Why is that?”
“Nothing personal, but I’ve adjusted quite well to not having a man in my life.”
“I asked for a dance, not matching towels.”
She reddened a little. “In that case, I accept the offer.”
“Don’t expect any fancy footwork,” he cautioned. “Unlike your previous partner, I’m your basic shuffle and snuggle kind of dancer.”
“Just don’t stamp on my toes. These shoes are painful enough as it is.”
“And worth every throb.” He took her hand and led her onto the floor. Her fragrance was intoxicating, kind of like a sunny summer morning after a hard rain. He pulled her into his arms. He was tall enough that even in her nosebleed heels, she fit in his arms just right, cheek to cheek, hip to hip, thigh to thigh. Arousal coiled around his insides like a corkscrew.
She put her mouth to his ear and he felt the heat of her breath on his neck. “You are a much better dancer than you admitted,” she crooned.
“Like your boss said, you’d make any man look good.”
“I had a lot of practice,” she admitted. “I took lessons for most of my life and danced on Broadway for years.”
“From Broadway to Dobbin, Texas. That’s some detour.”
“It happens.”
She didn’t offer more and Hawk didn’t push. He didn’t intend to be manipulated into a relationship by Linney, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy having a beautiful, sensual woman in his arms.
Alonsa’s small, satin bag was buzzing against the table when they returned. She reached inside and grabbed her vibrating cell phone. He heard just enough to know that the call concerned her son.
“I have to find Esteban,” she said as soon as she broke the connection.
“What’s wrong?”
“That was my babysitter. My son fell and hit his head. She doesn’t think it’s serious, but it’s bleeding and he’s crying. He’s only three. I need to check on him.”
“No need to find Esteban. I can drive you if it’s a ride you’re looking for.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“It could be. Esteban’s car may be blocked in. My truck isn’t.” He’d made sure of that just in case he decided to sneak out early. He didn’t usually last more than an hour or so at fancy shindigs like this one.
Alonsa scanned the parking area. “Surely the parking valet could get Esteban’s car out.”
“You’d save time if I drive you, but hey, it’s your kid. Your call.”
That seemed to resonate with her. “If you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Wouldn’t have offered if I did.”
“Then I just need to let Esteban know so he won’t look for me later.”
“There’s Cutter,” Hawk said, nodding toward his former SEAL buddy and new boss, who was standing nearby talking to a couple of local ranchers. “We’ll tell him. He’ll see that Esteban gets the word.”
She nodded and in minutes they were on their way to her place. It hit Hawk about five miles down the road that with the help of a bleeding kid, he had played exactly into Linney’s matchmaking scheme.
BRANDON SALATOYA’S injury turned out to be no more than a bump on the head and a slight cut across the top of his right eye. The rambunctious preschooler had reportedly been running up the stairs for his bedtime story when he’d tripped over his dog, a short-tailed, mixed-breed mutt with soulful eyes and a yappy bark.
The boy had settled down quickly when his mother arrived and was now drinking chocolate milk and marching a plastic dinosaur over a mountain of sofa cushions. He’d gotten a reprieve from bedtime until Alonsa was certain there was no aftereffect from the bump to the head.
The sitter, a rawboned rancher’s wife named Ellen, who smiled often and had graying, slightly frizzed hair, had gone home, greatly relieved that she hadn’t allowed a serious injury on her watch.
Alonsa had disappeared with the promise to be right back. The dog, Carne, short for Carnivorous as the precocious youngster had explained, was lying by the fire in the massive stone fireplace, carefully keeping at least one eye on Hawk.
Had Linney been able to spy on them, she’d no doubt be pleased at the cozy, familial scene. But looks were deceiving. The coziness went no further than the visual effects. Once Alonsa was reassured her son was fine, having Hawk around had seemed to become instantly awkward for her.
He’d half expected her to push him out the door with the babysitter. Instead she’d
