LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Chapter Ten

"Kate Deltona."

"H-hello, Josh." Lord, he cleaned up nice. "Actually, uh, it's Kate Washington again."

"Interesting piece of news." He smiled as he nodded at the dance floor. "You looked good out there. Dance with me?"

She started to decline politely but Krista poked her hard in the ribs. "Ow...damn, Krista." She glared at her sister then looked at Josh. With a small sigh, she said, "Okay."

Josh took her hand and pulled her on the floor as Waitin' on a Woman started to play. "It's not a firing squad, Kate. I won't even step on your feet."

She couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Taking her in his arms, he moved her around the floor with confidence and surprising grace for such a large man.

Seeing her reaction, he offered, "Lots of sisters, remember? I was their practice dummy."

"How have you been, Josh?"

"My life is pretty much the same, mostly good." He tipped her face up so he could meet her eyes beneath her hat. "I reckon it's been about a year since I saw you last. I'm thinking a lot happened during that time for you." She nodded. "How have you been, Kate?"

She waited a moment to gather her thoughts before answering but she didn't break eye contact. Because she'd met this man the night she recorded her husband cheating, Kate and Josh shared an unusual history. She didn't know him but it felt like she did.

It was a strange situation.

"The first month was the hardest, I think. Things were confusing for my son for a while. He had no idea why we weren't in the same house anymore. He's four...the concept of divorce is alien to him."

"I bet. How are you both adjusting now?"

"Caleb's enjoying the novelty. He spends a week with his dad where he gets anything and everything he wants. Brian is actually a good dad, despite his other flaws. Then he spends a week with me for structure and veggies."

Kate took a deep breath. "For me, it's hard to cook so little food. I have leftovers like you wouldn't believe. I also can't believe how little laundry I have to do now. Little things...it's the little things that get you at odd moments."

Josh nodded. "When my wife left and moved to LA, I found one of the hardest things was not having her shampoo in the shower or her toothbrush beside the sink. Signs of someone living in my place other than me. One coffee cup in the morning seriously sucked."

Sighing, Kate murmured, "I get that."

Josh held her a little tighter against his chest. "Miranda left three years ago, so I can tell you it does get better." Pausing and giving her a serious look, he asked, "Can I make a suggestion without you thinking I have ulterior motives?"

She nodded despite a kernel of apprehension.

"Don't isolate yourself. I did for a long time and it made getting back out in the world worse. Do more of what you're doing tonight. If your family hadn't dragged you out, you'd be reading in a silent house, huh?"

"Wow, where are the cameras hidden?" Kate asked with a snort.

His crooked smile showed the dimple on one side of his mouth. "I was there. Let me be your friend, Kate. Absolutely no expectations."

"My son..." she started to say.

"I'll be a friend. No strings. No conditions. I wouldn't ask to meet your little boy unless you felt comfortable. I'm sure that'll be hard for you - it might never happen."