[[ wheelsy, south carolina // saturday night, henenlotter's saddle lounge ]]

[justdidntseeit]

[ "we can't cancel, can we?" ]

She threads her fingers with Bill's as she takes his proffered hand.

(Convincing him had been easy; a simple, "It's your last weekend as a free man -- let's go out on Saturday" had gotten an immediate smile and a nod of agreement. The hard part was assuring him they should stay in town instead of driving to Columbia for a night out.)

Gravel crunches beneath her heels as she slides from the cab of the truck.

"S'pretty crowded tonight," he says with a glance around the parking lot.

"Let's hope there's not another rodeo on," she teases, squeezing his hand. She ignores the tight feeling in the pit of her stomach and doesn't let herself double-check for June's car as they cross the gravel lot.

Bill holds the door for her and she ducks inside; the four-piece band stops warming up and the lodge buzzes with the hushed hum of nearly a hundred people.

When Bill steps in beside her, the house lights flash.

"SURPRISE!"

Resisting the urge to bite the inside of her cheek (and stifling a laugh at the hand-painted Welcome Back Sherr Sheriff!! banner), Kate turns to give him a hopeful smile.

Comments

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"I still say it's me who's the lucky one, but we already agreed to disagree on that one."

He gives her a warm, fond smile and offers his hand.

"So, how 'bout it, you wanna dance?"

[justdidntseeit]

"I think I could make some time for you."

She folds her hand in his, and the light behind his blue eyes is almost enough to make her forget she doesn't want him back on duty, and that he still doesn't know how upset June is, either.

You can go ahead and get married, and this will be our secret thing
I won't tell a soul except the people in the nightclub where I sing

I don't want to get you all worked up
Except secretly I do

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He gives her hand a squeeze then leads her out to the dance floor.

Settling into a slow dance with her he couldn't drop his smile if both their lives depended on it.

"Wanted t'say thank you for settin' this up, Kate. Was a real big surprise."

He's not exactly sober, his cheeks are warm and his smile is almost silly, but that doesn't affect his steps any as he keeps time with the music.

[justdidntseeit]

He wasn't lying when he told her he's a decent dancer -- in fact, he's really good.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have designs on you
I'd be lying if I said I didn't have designs on you

"You're welcome -- but you need to thank Sarah, too," she says as she moves with him, following his steps with ease. "She had a huge hand in this."

They draw more than a few appreciative glances and even a drunken, "Git 'er done, sheriff!" that causes Kate to bury her burning face in Bill's shoulder.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"She's been feedin' me desserts all night, so I've thanked her a time or two."

Reaching up he brushes a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Means somethin' different with you, though, 'cause I didn't know how-- "

The 'Git'er done' interupts him and he laughs, raising his hand to Kate's shoulder to try and help her hide her embarrasment.

"Am I gonna hafta drag you out an' kick your ass, Clint? 'Cause you know I'll be more'n happy to."

[justdidntseeit]

She laughs into Bill's shirt as he shields her from most of the onlookers.

Clint's slurred backpedaling, complete with an apology, makes her shoulders shake slightly; her cheeks are still pink when she lifts her head and clears her throat.

"Didn't know what?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He's rather proud of himself for running off Clint and looks it when she lifts her head.

"Hmm?"

He looks at her blankly a moment then snaps.

"Oh, I was just... I was sayin' I wasn't quite sure how you felt about all this. Me goin' back, I mean. I know we didn't talk about it a whole lot before, an' I was worried... "

He stops that sentence before it goes anywhere and gives her a smile.

"What I wanna say is, I'm glad you understand. This means a lot t'me, an' it helps knowin' I got your support."

[justdidntseeit]

Her stomach twists, tight and sharp, but she keeps her steps smooth and her smile in place.

"I'm really glad you're having a good time, sweetheart."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"I am."

He nods before his smile turns a bit embarrassed.

"Bit too good, actually. I hope you don't mind doin' the drivin' when we head back."

[justdidntseeit]

She grins and holds up the keys she'd eased from his pocket when they first started dancing.

"Way ahead of you."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He looks at the keys and his hand goes to his pocket.

"Hey," He laughs.

"Looks like she got you, sheriff." Pete jeers as he and Christy slow dance close by.

Bill gives Pete an unamused look that turns into a grin when he sees the twigs and bits of leaves sticking out of the other man's hair.

"That reminds me," Christy says, jabbing Pete in the side. "Where's your keys? You better give 'em t'me now."

"But, butter-muffin," Pete whines.

Leaving Christy to handle matters Bill turns his smile and attention back to Kate.

[justdidntseeit]

Biting the inside of her cheek, Kate fits herself closer to Bill.

(All the better to whisper in his ear.)

"'Butter-muffin'? If we ever sound like that ... "

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill let's out a loud laugh at Kate's words before catching himself.

"No, I think I'll stick with darlin'."

His arms go around her and his cheek rests against her hair.

"Or maybe-- mom?"

For the first time he misses a step and it's because he's looking over Kate's shoulder, grinning at June who's standing on the edge of the dance floor watching them.

[justdidntseeit]

Kate mostly stifles a wince when his foot connects with her shin; she turns in Bill's arms, nearly bumping into Pete and Christy as she searches out June.

Her stomach knots, hope and apprehension warring for top billing.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill looks down at their feet then to up to Kate's face.

"Sorry."

Taking Kate's hand he maneuvers them out of the way of the other dancers then starts over towards June.

"Hey, mom. You been around all night?" Bill smiles brightly at her.

"Didn't wanna interrupt your dance," June says, glancing at Kate then back to Bill; wearing a smile, hesitant, but there. "I just got here, sorry for bein' late."

Her last words are directed at Kate, and there seems to be a little more to the apology in her eyes.

[justdidntseeit]

The final chords of the song are fading as Kate shakes her head, giving June a careful smile while she smooths a hand down her pencil skirt.

"No, don't apologize -- it's great to see you, Mrs. Pardy."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

June nods, throat working quietly, then looks back at Bill.

"Quite a big party they're throwin' for you, Bill."

"Yeah." Bill grins and glances around the lodge, "Ain't it great? Kate helped organize it 'long with Sarah."

"She invited me." June nods again, eyes on the 'welcome back' banner.

[justdidntseeit]

"I'm glad you could make it."

(And she is; June's attempt at a genuine smile -- for this, for Bill -- is putting a lump in Kate's throat.)

She turns to Bill and gives him a gentle nudge with her elbow.

"Hey, Mr. Life of the Party, why don't you ask your mom to dance?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill throws Kate a big smile then holds out his arm to his mom.

"Sure, how 'bout it?"

June hesitates, glancing between Kate and Bill.

"Oh, I dunno, Bill. I was just stoppin' by an'-- "

"Come on, mom. Please?" His hopeful, imploring smile wins her over and she takes a hold of his arm.

"Okay."

He grins at her then looks over at Kate while heading back out to the dance floor.

"I'll be right back."

[justdidntseeit]

"Take your time," she says softly, a small smile curving her lips while she watches the two of them weave their way toward an open spot on the floor as another song starts.

I been down, I been down too far to care
I keep getting in my car but I'm not going anywhere
And I been had, well, at least that's how it looks
And it's not funny like on TV
And it's not smart like it is in books

And I wonder, yeah, I wonder how the world keeps spinnin' 'round
Where's a boy with bad intentions gonna settle down?

And I don't know what you've been told
But the streets of where I'm from
Are paved with hearts instead of gold

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"M'glad you're here," Bill says as he and June move together with the music. "Was wonderin' if they forgot to invite you."

"No, I just... " She moves her hand along his shoulder to smooth the collar on his button down shirt.

Bill tilts his head at her and she studies him, his smile and bright blue eyes and he's so happy. She shakes her head barely and swallows the words admitting her reservations about him going back.

"I was out in the yard again today and overdid it a bit, laid down for a nap an' next thing I know, it's already late."


Off the dance floor Rudy steps up to Kate, two beers in hand.

"Hey, where'd Bill go? Was gonna beat him again when y'all were through."

[justdidntseeit]

Kate glances over and smiles at Rudy.

"His dance card's a little full."

I recall when I was twenty-three
Wondering how anyone could fall in love with me

She takes the full beer from Rudy and reaches for his free hand.

"But mine's not."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"You know you can call me when y'need help around the house," Bill tells her and she nods.

"I know. It was just a little gardenin' that I got carried away with."

She gives him a reassuring smile and after studying her a moment he gives in and nods.

"Alright, but I'm here if you need me."


Rudy watches the beer transfer to her hand then looks at her, blinking in surprise.

"You wanna dance?"

[justdidntseeit]

"I do," she says, swallowing a quiet laugh at Rudy's gobsmacked expression. "C'mon -- let's see if you're better at Xbox and dancing than Bill."

Now I'm old
Hell, I'm well past twenty-five
And I can't seem to fall in love no matter how I try

Setting their drinks on a nearby table, Kate leads Rudy out to the floor, pretending not to notice the redness in his cheeks when he puts a hand on her waist.

And I wonder where I'll wind up but I'm headed west I know
Wind my way through Texas and into New Mexico

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Well, actually-- " Rudy starts to tell her about his two left feet that folks say he has, but then they're already out on the floor.

After a while of watching his feet and not stepping on her he starts to relax and lifts his head to smile at her.



As the song continues June and Bill go quiet, focusing on the steps instead of words.

There's still the deep fear coiled around June's heart and insides about Bill going back, and she can't imagine what in the world she'd ever do without him. Right now, though, she sets it all aside to let him have his night.