“Maybe we should check before we go,” Maggie said. “It won’t take long and—”
“He’ll be fine—don’t you worry.” Mrs. Carey shook her head at both of them. “I know how to take care of a baby and if I need you, I’ll call your cell.”
“You’ve got the number, right?” Maggie asked, digging in her small cocktail purse to drag out her cell phone and make sure it was on.
“Of course I do, you’ve given it to me three times just today.”
“My number’s programmed on your phone, too, right?” Justice asked, patting his pants pocket to assure himself he had his phone, as well.
“I have your number, too. And the police,” Mrs. Carey said, herding them toward the front door. “And the hospital and probably the National Guard. Go. Dance. Have fun.”
Frowning a little at the bum’s rush they were receiving, Justice took hold of Maggie’s elbow and steered her onto the porch. “We’re going, but we’re only a few miles away and—”
“I know where Stevenson Hall is, Justice. Haven’t I lived here most of my life?” Mrs. Carey shooed them off with one hand. “Go on, have some fun, for heaven’s sake. The baby’s fine and he’s going to stay fine.”
“If you’re sure…” Maggie didn’t sound at all pleased about leaving now and her gaze was fixed on the smiling baby.
“Go.”
Justice took Maggie’s wrap from her, draped it over her bare shoulders, then took her arm and threaded it through his. Giving his housekeeper one more look, he said, “She’s right. Jonas will be fine, and if we have to, we can be back home in ten minutes.”
“All right, then,” Maggie said unenthusiastically. She looked at Mrs. Carey. “You promise to call me if he needs me?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “Drive safe.”
Then she closed the door and Maggie and Justice were standing on the dimly lit porch all alone. Her scent drifted to him and the heat of her body called to him—and Justice could only think he’d never been less interested in going anywhere. It wasn’t worry over the baby making him want to stay home. It was the idea of having this elegantly dressed, absolutely beautiful Maggie King all to himself.
But he had an obligation to the charity the King Ranch funded, so he would go. “We don’t have to stay long,” he said, leading her down the porch and across the drive to where one of the ranch hands had parked the SUV.
“I know.” Maggie threw one last glance at the house behind her, then turned to look at Justice. “Jonas is probably fine, and besides, I want a dance with a handsome man in a tux tonight.”
His mouth quirked slightly. “Anyone I know?”
She laughed as he’d meant her to, then said, “Maybe Mrs. Carey is right. Maybe we should try to relax and enjoy the night.”
“Maybe,” he said, sliding one hand down her arm. “But for God’s sake don’t tell her that.”
Maggie laughed again as she swung herself inside the car after he opened the door for her, and Justice told himself to enjoy what he had while he had it. He knew all too well just how quickly things could change.
The charity ball was a huge success.
The banquet hall at the local art center was packed with the county’s movers and shakers. A band was playing dance music on the stage, and formally dressed waiters moved through the crowd carrying trays of appetizers. Helium-filled balloons in an array of colors filled the ceiling and occasionally fell limply to the floor below. Women dressed in jewel-toned gowns swirled in the arms of tuxedo-clad men, and Maggie was left to visit with friends instead of dancing with her husband as she wanted to.
She spotted Justice across the room, standing in a knot of people. Even from a distance, her breath caught in her chest just watching him. He was magnificent in a tuxedo. She knew he hated formal wear, but even in a tux, his raw strength and sensuality bled through until most women would have had to fan themselves after a peek at him.
Maggie frowned when she saw him rub idly at his thigh. She probably should have put her foot down about attending this dance, but he was so damn proud. So reluctant to be treated as if he needed help. And the truth was, he was well on the way to being one hundred percent again, so a small ache or pain wasn’t going to stop him anyway.
The men clustered around Justice were no doubt asking his advice on any number of things, she thought, while absentmindedly keeping track of the conversations around her. But that was how it had always been. People turned instinctively to Justice. He was a man who somehow gave off the air of being in complete control, and to most people that was simply irresistible.
She was no different. She looked at Justice and knew she wanted him with every breath in her body. He was the one. The only one for her. Sighing, she turned her head and smiled at the still-speaking woman beside her.
So when Justice came up behind her a moment or two later, she was so startled she jumped as he laid one hand on her back. Heat spilled through her as his fingers caressed her spine with a delicate touch. She closed her eyes, sighed a little and took a breath, hoping to regain her balance. Then, looking up at him, she asked, “Having a good time?”
He dipped his head to hers and murmured, “Hell, no, but it might get better if you dance with me.”
Maggie smiled, then asked, “You sure you’re up to it? Your leg, I mean.”
“The leg’s fine. A little achy.” He held out a hand. “So? A dance with the guy who brought you?”
“Oh, honey, if he was asking me to dance, I wouldn’t hesitate.” A few chuckles resulted from that statement by a woman old enough to be Justice’s grandmother.
“Mrs. Barton,” Maggie said with a teasing laugh, “you’d better be careful. I’ve got my eye on you.”
As Justice led her through the crowd to the mobbed dance floor, Maggie felt a swell of pride inside her. There were any number of women in this room who would give anything to be on Justice’s arm. And for tonight, at least, that woman was her.
She went into his arms as if it was the only place on earth she belonged. When he held her so tightly to him she could feel the strength of his body pressing into hers, Maggie nearly sighed with pleasure. Then he turned her lazily in time to the swell of the music, and she smiled, enjoying the moment. All around them, couples swayed in time and snatches of conversations lifted and fell in the air.