As Edward walked into the diner a bunch of persons started saying hi to him.

"I was wondering when you would be back. I thought I might have scared you off the first time you came in" said Zelda as she poured him a cup of coffee.

"Nice to see you again Zelda"

"You too Edward. Now we still don't serve those fancy things you asked for last time but I promise you we have something to feed you. What will it be?"

"Breakfast sandwich and a large ice coffee please"

"Coming right up love"

He chukled as she walked away to get his order.

"Hey there sonny. You came back!" Said old man Frank walking into the diner.

"Yes sir. Couldn't stay away"

"Good to see you. I hope we'll see you at the town's dance later this evening"

"Town dance?"

"You really need to come into town more boy. Zelda get the man a flyer"

The waitress quickly returned with his drink and placed a flyer next to it.

"Be right back with your sandwich"

"Thank you"

"Read the flyer and come out. I've been going all my life. Ever since I was in my mother's belly. Actually I think I might have been conceived at one if those dances"

Edwardus choked on his drink as he took a sip. He turned surprised eyes to the old man who had gone to sit at his usual table.

"Now Frank you've done gone and let the young man choke. Will you just be quiet. I'm sure he will be there. I know Rose will be there"

With that she placed his sandwich on the table and sent him a wink as she walked over to Frank to pour his drink. While the two started bickering he picked up the flyer and started reading. Knowing that Rose would be there definitely spiked his interest.

"I hope I'll see you there" he heard someone say next to his ear.

He turned to see Emily. The young woman he had sat beside in church on sunday.

"I'm thinking about it"

"I'll save you a dance then"

He sent her a polite smile as she walked away from his table.

"The ladies sure do love you" he heard Frank comment before he chuckled which turned into a coughing fit.

Edwardus smiled and went back to his breakfast.

Later that evening when Edwardus got to the town square where the dance was he was starting to regret his choice of outfit. He had gone with a night at the club look while everyone else was sporting a western look. He parked and walked inside and stood to the back as he observed everyone.

"Edward! Nice to see you out tonight" said Martha as her husband twirl her by him then away to the other side I the room.

"Hey handsome!" Said Zelda as she walked by in her way to the bar.

"Edward! You made it! Wanna dance?" Asked Emily

"Umm.." Just as he was about to respond his eyes landed on Rose. Out on the dancefloor.

"So are we dancing or not?"

"Not right now" he replied without looking away from Rose.

Edwardus stood in the corner across the room watching her every move. Jealousy clenched is stomach when he saw her smiling up at the man she was dancing with. He wanted to be the only one to receive her smiles.

Leave her alone Edwardus, you know she deserves to be happy. You can't offer her what she deserves.

His hands clenched and unclenched at his side as he fought the need to go to her. When she threw her head back in laughter as she hopped around the room to the beat of the two steps dance he held his breath when he saw the transformation of her face.

She really is so beautiful.

For more than half the night he stood in a corner watching her. He was begining to feel like a creep standing here meaning against the wall with his eyes following her every move.

"Are you just going to watch the girl all night or go and get her?" He heard Frank say

He turned to see the old man staring up at him.

"Its complicated" he grumbled in response.

"Life is complicated son. You just have so saddle up and jump each hurdle as they come. If you start jumping hurdles before you reach them that's when you start looking crazy"

"She deserves better"

"Well give her what she deserves"

"I wish I could"

"Then leave her alone"

"I wish I could"

"Then go to her. Let tomorrow speak for itself"

Just then the music changed to something a little slower and more intimate. He saw her glancing around the room as if searching for someone. She shook her head at her dance partner indicating she didn't want to dance anymore. As she turned and started walking off the dancefloor Edwardus found himself walking towards as as soon as the lights dimmed.

He grabbed her hand and heard her gasp as she looked up at him. He could tell she felt the tingle flowing through them too. He pulled her back to the middle of the dancefloor just as the music for the nightclub ten steps started. They kept their eyes on each other with every step they took and when he had to hold her and pull her to him, each time they came together he managed to pull her just a little closer.

After about seven minutes of the nightclub two steps the music changed yet again to something else. They found themselves thrown into the country swing and he could see the surprise on her face when he didn't miss a step.

"I didn't know you were such a great country music dancer" she said to him.

"Neither did I"

He smiled as the laughter bubbled right on up out of her. When he dipped her his face was slow close all he had to do was move in an inch move and kiss her. He brought her back to a standing position and kept his arm around her. She had a flush look on her face but there was no missing the desire blazing in her eyes.

"Stop looking at me like that" he ordered

"How am I looking at you?"

"You know how and if you don't stop I won't be able to control myself"

"Good. I was wondering when you would loose control"

He clenched his teeth and tried to step back her next words had him stand in place and almost floored him.

"Don't run away from me. You're not the only one that's scared. I'm not, I don't want to run anymore alright? You've awoken something in me that's been very much dormant for the past few years and I don't want to ignore that."

"Rose" he placed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "You have no idea how much I want to just claim you for myself right now, but I just can't promise you forever"

"If now is all you have to offer...I'll take it"

He was shocked to say the least. He searched her face for something anything that would tell him she was bluffing but he found nothing.

Without a second thought he took hold of her hand and lead her off the dancefloor, through the crowd of people and outside into his Mercedes. He only left go of her hand to help her into the car but as soon as he climbed in next to her he reached for her hand again and held it as they drove along the empty roads to the beach house. Lucky for them there was no traffic thanks to almost the whole town being present at the dance tonight.

"Now is the time to back out if you want to"

"I don't want to. I want you"

He groaned and pressed down just a little harder on the gas as he raced back to the beach house.