Innocence Lost (Lone Mountain Ranch Book 1)

Chapter 12

A few other guests joined Kylie at the table and struck up a conversation with her. She felt so at home at the ranch. Everyone was so nice and friendly. She enjoyed the company of the other guests until it dwindled, and they ultimately moved on to the dance floor. The confidence Kylie found earlier started to fade. She tried to focus on something other than Jax and the bleach blonde woman he was talking with.

Kylie districted herself by watching the other guests and employees mingling at the party. The band was starting to pick up the energy and the Barbeque was smoking. The night was unseasonably warm, and she could hear the strange insects humming in between songs. It was a lovely evening. The fresh, country air was invigorating.

Kylie looked up and was amazed to see the sky so dark and clear. She could not remember the last time she saw so many stars, and she realized how much she missed them. Usually, the ambient light of the city blocked them from view. Kylie stared up and found the Big and Little Dipper in the glowing sky. She smiled inwardly.

Her attention came back to Earth, when the band played a song she recognized from the ride up. She tapped her foot to the music, happy she was getting back into the country music groove.

She kept scanning the crowd, trying to find someone to chat with. The guests floated right by and did not seem to notice her. Kylie was about to take another sip of her drink when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Excuse me, miss," the stranger said in a Texan drawl.

Kylie looked up and her eyes met a handsome gentleman with two big, beautiful blue eyes and a wide grin with straight, white teeth. Under his brown cowboy hat was short, blonde hair which accented his tanned skin. His face was so handsome in a polished, All-American way. He tipped his hat towards her and introduced himself.

"Hi, I'm Chase," he said while lifting his hat of his head and slightly bowing towards her. He put his hat back on before offering his hand out, trying to steady it. His hand was shaking, his whole body was. He had a premonition that Kylie was the one. He did not want his enthusiasm to dampen his good manners. He took a deep breath.

Kylie batted her eyes up at Chase trying to find the words to respond. Finally, she said, "It's nice to meet you, Chase. I'm Kylie."

She moved her hand towards his. Kylie's heart skipped a beat as their skin touched. Chase's did the same.

"Ms. Kylie, the pleasure is all mine," Chase said, flashing his million dollar smile. "I noticed you on the dance floor earlier and was wondering if I could have a dance with you?" Chase asked nodding his head in her direction. The movement was old-fashioned but came off as chivalrous.

His light blue button down with an embroidered arrow pattern running vertically through it was tucked into a pair of dark blue Wranglers. He was tall and slim, but you could still see the muscular definition under his shirt. His outfit was crisp and perfectly accessorized with a dark brown belt with a silver buckle and dark brown cowboy boots. He helped her up out of her chair. Kylie was thankful for his assistance since she felt a little wobbly from the booze or was it because of him? Chase escorted her to the dance floor, never releasing his hold on her hand.

"Ready?" he asked, squaring their position to each other.

"Ready when you are," Kylie said, with her smile and twinkling, brown eyes beaming up at him.

Chase placed his hand at the small of her back, and they were off. He led her in and out of the other couples. He had a little dip when he danced which was different from what she was used to. It took Kylie a few rotations around the dance floor before she got the hang of it. She enjoyed the personal flair he added to the dance. Chase was all style and charisma from his outfit to his moves.