She’d worked at the Mountain Mug for several years, and he’d chatted with her whenever he stopped in for a coffee after skiing or snowboarding. They were two of his favorite activities, but ones he hadn’t had much time for since taking over his father’s company.
The girls quieted down as the best man’s spoon clinked against his glass.
Gage ran his index finger along the edge of his water goblet. He’d somehow made it to thirty-seven without a serious girlfriend. A problem that wasn’t easily solved. Glancing around, he took inventory. There were no unmarried women in his age bracket in the room save his sister.
Laughter and applause filled the banquet hall, but he couldn’t recall a single thing said during the toast.
Once the dancing started, he found a quiet corner from which to people-watch. A few grown men attempted the chicken dance, teasing a grin from him. Carly pulled him out on the dance floor for a slow dance, and he obliged with a groan. “You know I hate dancing, munchkin.” He also knew that her boyfriend, Tom, was working the event, so there wouldn’t be any dancing for the couple, and he felt sorry for his little sister who loved to dance.
The music changed from Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” to something with a faster pace that he didn’t recognize, so he stepped back, earning a frown. He lifted his hands palms up and shrugged his shoulders. To say he had no rhythm would be an understatement, and he wasn’t about to make a fool of himself in front of half the town of Freedom.
Gage laughed softly at Danny wandering around, checking on everything. He was supposed to be a guest, but couldn’t turn off his restaurant manager persona. His old buddy was a workaholic. It was a good thing that his wife didn't mind.
The mother of the bride brushed past Gage, and he fought the urge to wave off the cloud of perfume that remained in her wake. Bryce sidled beside him and jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow. “Having fun?”
Gage glanced at his watch face. “I’m ready to roll. A storm is brewing out there.”
“Just be glad they’re only calling for a few inches. Avalanche season is right around the corner.”
“Don’t I know it? You sticking with C-RAD this year?”
“I would’ve lost Sabrina and Darren if it hadn’t been for C-RAD. I’ll remain on the team as long as I can do the work.”
Gage had dated Sabrina shortly before the avalanche nearly claimed her life, but in the end, she’d chosen Bryce. He harbored no ill feelings toward either of them. Sabrina had survived the ordeal. Not everyone who got close to Gage could say the same.
Gage considered the possibility of remaining on the team indefinitely. He had a lot of good years left in him, and no desire to leave but hadn’t thought of it as a long-term thing. If he ever had a family, as unlikely as that prospect was, he figured he’d quit so he could spend time with them, but Bryce had a good point.
The band finished playing their rendition of “How Sweet It Is,” and an announcement came over the loudspeaker calling all the single ladies to the floor for the bouquet toss. They were always good for a laugh, so he positioned himself near the end of the dessert bar to observe.
The bride grinned before turning around and beginning the countdown. “Five, four, three, two, one.” The bouquet took flight and a few calla lilies fell to the ground as it soared over the dance floor. The blonde from his table went airborne and snatched it. Her body twisted away from the dessert table, and he stepped left simultaneously. Her body slammed into his. The force of the impact knocked him off his feet. He collided with a table laden with confections.
The girl clutched the bunch of flowers like they were a trophy. He looked down at her knee, and she removed it from his stomach with an apologetic look. She stood and reached for his hand. “Are you okay?”
He ignored her hand and pushed himself up from the floor, wiping cream filling from the seat of his pants as he stood. Several guests hurried to right the table, but Gage’s focus remained on the woman before him.
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, at the raspberries stuck in her fancy updo, but he fought not to let his amusement show. He wouldn’t want her to think he was laughing at her. She released a full-out belly laugh, and he chuckled.
“I assume you didn’t bring a spare suit.”
“No.” He kept a spare at the office for emergencies, but never dreamed he’d need one at a wedding reception.
Grabbing a handful of napkins, she swiped at his suit jacket. “I’m such a klutz. I can’t believe myself sometimes.” He took the napkins from her and wiped the cream from his hands.
***
Gage’s intense blue eyes bore into Casey’s and her hand stilled. For a split second
|