The Dance

Chapter 186A Shy

Dear Readers,

Chapter 186 didn't seem to publish correctly so I am republishing that chapter as 186A.

Polaris1401

Ami and Billy had finally made it back to Browntown to meet their newest addition to the wolf pack. Colton was a fussy baby and had his days and nights reversed. Needless to say when his grandparents arrived, he was sound asleep looking as peaceful as ever. Jill, on the other hand, was worn out. Motherhood with a new baby was quite the challenge for her. Lucas was a terrific helper and enjoyed being a big brother to Colton. He prided himself on being called the baby whisperer by his dad. Jill on the other had was a frazzled mess. She never expected such a tiny baby to be so demanding of her full attention.

"Ami, I don't know how you raised all those boys at once. I can't seem to manage a shower most days." Jill wiped her shoulder realizing that she had baby spit on her shirt.

"Jill, why don't you and Matt take a break tonight and we will watch the boys? As a matter of fact, why don't you call Lila and Billy and I will watch the Brownies too."

"Really?" Jill wasted no time in calling her sister-in-law who readily accepted the offer. Lila called Red and Bear who were eager to have an adult night. The girls met up at the sawmill informing their husbands that they were having a date night.

"We have too much work to take off early." Bam was insistent they stay on schedule but a few minutes alone with Lila saw an agreeable change in his mind.

It didn't take much to convince Bear and Matt to call it an early day. "Hey, what about me and Noah?" Gabe sounded disappointed that the invitation didn't include them. He especially wanted to be included. He saw how happy his brothers were with their wives and growing families that he felt left out. Everyone seemed to be making head way except he and Noah but Noah's was by choice.

"You're invited also. Maybe we can work some magic on the two of you and find you wives as well." Lila loved the idea of finding a perfect match for Gabe. Of all the brothers, he probably was the kindest and sweetest of the five. Although he rocked a white buck and jeans like no other brother, when it came to girls he was quite the shy one, usually resorting to humorous imitations of his favorite actors which didn't always translate well with the ladies. He had a James Dean sort of smile but what Lila loved most about him was his gentleness with her children always stooping to their level to speak with them or picking them up to his eye level to see them better. He was by all definitions a gentle giant of a man.

"We're going to town for a little pampering. Lucy is going to bring some sandwiches around lunchtime for you from the bakery." Red had made arrangements for a picnic basket drop off including Bear's favorite chocolate cupcakes. She also knew that Gabe had shown an interest in Red's baking assistant although Lucy hadn't quite figured out that Gabe wasn't just coming by the bakery to visit Bear.

Red asked Gabe, specifically, if he would keep an eye out for Lucy. The girls departed for the local salon and left the brothers to finish up their workload quicker than usual. As the lunchtime hour, Bear reminded Gabe about Lucy. Gabe walked in the direction of the sawmill and spotted Lucy lugging a huge lunch basket with both hands. "That's a pretty heavy looking load." He offered to carry the basket the remainder of the way.

"I think Red wanted to make sure you guys didn't go hungry."

Gabe held the door to the sawmill open as she asked him where she could set up lunch. He motioned to a table. She proceeded to cover it with a cloth from the bakery and he helped her with the setup.

"Did you make any of this?" Gabe tried to keep the conversation light. 

"I baked the ham and cheese croissants. You should eat one while they're still warm."

She handed him one in a napkin and he woofed it down in two bites. "I like a man with an appetite." She giggled and handed him another one. "You might want to call your brothers before you eat their lunch too."

Gabe felt the red rise on his cheeks and made a hasty departure to gather his brothers as Lucy finished setting up the lunch.

Bear greeted Lucy with a bear hug. "Smells great. Did you pack me some cupcakes?"

"Red didn't forget." Lucy flipped the top of a bakery box open and revealed a dozen cupcakes. "That's why I love that girl."

"I guess I'll head back to the shop. When you're done, give me a call and I'll come back for the basket." Lucy was just about to leave when Bear asked if she was busy tonight.

"We're all going out tonight. Would you care to join us? Gabe is flying solo tonight but I think he would have more fun if you came along."

Gabe flashed a smile at Lucy.  "I would love to have you join us."

Lucy couldn't say no to those pretty blue eyes and agreed to be Gabe's date for the evening. He walked her to the edge of the property. "I'll see you tonight. I'll just come with Red and Bear."

"Great. It's a date." Lucy gave him a peck on the cheek and he watched her disappear back down the path.

As Gabe walked back in the office to finish his lunch, Bear announced, "You can thank me later, bro."

"I was going to ask her out." Gabe shot back.

"Dude, this is Alaska. You blink and someone else swoops in for the kill."

"Yeah, whatever. I was just waiting for the right time." Gabe was secretly thankful that Bear wasn't shy.

Jai Waetford-Shy