A/N This chapter has been read over and edited for quality reading, by my wonderful BETA Addicted2ItAll, thanks again. I got a bit of inspiration from my darling sister. Thanks sis, I hope that you enjoy what you've helped me to create.
Please enjoy Chapter 10 Dancing around the truth
After all of the work was done for the day everyone returned to their bunk houses, apartments, and homes for much needed showers to scrub the layers of dirt, sweat, and grime from their tired bodies. While the men and women who were involved with the cattle drive were busy getting cleaned up, Susan and Clayton ordered their farm's employees to help prepare the nights post round-up feast that would be enjoyed before the party started.
Half of the women took over the kitchen in the large dining hall where everyone would be eating, while the other half took charge of decorating the indoor arena for dancing. Under normal conditions they would have simply set up outdoors, but the weather was forecast to turn nasty by the time the party would get under way, and they were not taking any chances.
When Draco and Lucius entered the dining hall they were shocked to find that almost every man that worked at Yellow Rose Farm was sitting with a female dressed in western style dresses, skirts, and blouses. The only ones who seemed to be dateless and desperate were, Carter who was sitting surprisingly alone in one corner with a nasty expression plastered on his face, and the Malfoy's who had just entered the room.
Draco saw Hermione sitting beside Anna and her boyfriend Johnny, and rushed over to take a seat with her. Lucius looked around the room for Grace, but was brought out of his musings by Clayton who, grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into a seat. "If you are looking for Pamela, she likes to make an entrance, much like someone else we know," he said nudging Lucius in the ribs with a grin.
"I'm not looking for Mrs. Avery. I'm looking for someone else," said Lucius as Pamela and Susan entered the dining hall.
"Sure, you just keep telling yourself that, buddy," said Clayton rolling his eyes as his wife took a seat. Pamela Avery took her place at the front of the main table, and raised her water glass tapping it lightly to get everyone's attention.
"Firstly I'd like to congratulate everyone involved on the fine work that you all did during this weekend. Secondly I would like to thank my darling sister-in-law and her family for their help and that of the fine and lovely ladies whom were kind enough to make this feast and party happen. Raise your glasses to a successful round-up and a great party," she said raising her glass with a smile.
"To a successful round-up and a great party," almost everyone echoed in unison.
"Well what are you waiting for, eat," she said as she took her seat beside Susan.
After everyone had eaten their fill, they all walked over to the indoor Arena just as the sky's opened and the rain began to fall. As the music played everyone started dancing and laughing with joy. Lucius stood in the corner and watched proudly as Draco swept around the arena floor with Hermione in his arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As he watched the dancers out on the arena floor he noticed Carter's eyes light up, and a perverted smile spread across his face. He turned around and smiled as Grace stood in the doorway between the arena and the barn with a bright smile on her face. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail that hung over her shoulder, and her bare shoulders sparkled with rain droplets from the storm that was now raging outside.
"Grace, you look lovely tonight," he said as he approached her.
"You're just being nice, I'm drenched," she said as she wrung out the hem of her long burgundy skirt.
"Considering that I haven't seen you for far too long, I still think that you are the most beautiful woman here," said Lucius holding his hand out to her. "Perhaps a few spins around the dance floor will help dry you off," he said with a smile as she took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
As they took to the dance floor the song switched to guiding light by Muse. Despite the fact that until that moment Lucius had never danced to muggle music before, he glided around the dance floor with Grace held close in his arms feeling his heart pound with every note. In the corner Carter watched with rage building with every step and every movement of Lucius' hand on Graces dancing body.
Abet and Brumby also noticed how well the pair danced together and started to wonder if everything that they had done to the man and his son was really worth all of the trouble that they had helped to cause. "I see that your sister has changed persona's again. Do you think she'll tell him the truth tonight," Clayton asked his wife as they danced together?
"I'm not telling you anything," smirked Susan not wishing to spill the beans on her sister-in-laws plans.
"Not even if I do this," said Clayton as he dipped Susan causing her to shriek in shock?
"NO, you drop me and your sleeping on the couch tonight," she laughed.
After a while the D.J. left the stereo and the band took the stage. The music went from what the kids like to good old country music. The band started playing,"Ain't going down till the sun comes up, by George strait, and the women from both farms hit the floor to make the men feel ashamed of themselves and have fun. Lucius and Draco laughed when all of the red heads in the crowd took their hair down and shook their heads laughing gleefully.
"Is there always a live band when Mrs. Avery has parties," asked Draco as he watched the band play?
"It's been a long while, since the band has gotten back together. Maybe if we're lucky their leader will actually sing tonight," said Clayton clapping his hands as the women finished their dance and the band started playing the next song. Lucius was puzzled by Clayton's comment, but before he could question it Anna and Susan turned and gave Grace big puppy dog eyes begging her to do something that he couldn't hear.
The next thing that he realized Bradley came running over with Grace's guitar in his hand and gave it to her, as he proceeded to drag her toward the stage. "We have a special treat for everyone tonight. In honor, of the successful round-up and the fact that my family won't take no for an answer, for this one night only, Lone Star Angel is back on the stage," said Bradley as he pulled Grace up onto the stage.
"If my vocal cords survive this, I'm going to throttle you when this is over," she whispered as she placed her guitar strap over her neck and took her place in front of the microphone to rowdy applause and chanting of her name and the words do it, do it, over and over again.
"You want me to sing? Fine, 1, 2, and 1, 2, 3, 4," she called out as she began to strum her guitar and the band joined in.
"Katie's sittin' on the old front porch,
Watchin' the chickens peck the ground,
There ain't a whole lot goin' on tonight,
In this one-horse town,
Over yonder comin' up the road,
In a beat-up Chevy truck,
Her boyfriend Tommy, he's layin' on the horn,
Splashin' through the mud and the muck,
Her daddy says he ain't worth a lick,
When it comes to brains, he got the short end of the stick,
But Katie's young and man, she just don't care,
She'd follow Tommy anywhere,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
And even if they have to run away,
She's gonna marry that boy someday,
Katie and Tommy at the drive-in movie,
Parked in the very last row,
They're too busy holdin' on to one another,
To even care about the show,
Later on outside the Tastee Freeze,
Tommy slips something on her hand,
He says my high school ring will have to do,
'Til I can buy a wedding band,
Her daddy says he ain't worth a lick,
When it comes to brains, he got the short end of the stick,
But Katie's young and man, she just don't care,
She'd follow Tommy anywhere,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
And even if they have to run away,
She's gonna marry that boy someday,
Her daddy's waitin' up 'til half past twelve,
When they come sneakin' up the walk,
He says, "Young lady get on up to your room,
While me and Junior have a talk,"
Mama breaks in, says, "Don't lose your temper,
It wasn't very long ago,
When you yourself was just a hay-seed plow boy,
Who didn't have a row to hoe,"
My daddy said, "You wasn't worth a lick,
When it came to brains, you got the short end of the stick,"
But he was wrong and honey you are too,
Katie looks at Tommy like I still look at you,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
What's meant to be will always find a way,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
She's in love with the boy,
What's meant to be will always find a way,
She's gonna marry that boy someday,
She's in love with the boy,"
The song ended and the arena erupted into applause and cheers. Grace sang a few more songs and then left the stage with her throat feeling sore. "Grace, you were amazing", said Lucius as he offered her a soothing drink of water for her throat.
"Thank you , Lucius, but it's been too long since I've sang and I'm going to feel it later," she said as she took a seat at the table and glared daggers at Clayton and Susan whom were wearing cat like grins on their faces.
"I know, I know, pay back is a red headed bitch," said Clayton earning an elbow to the ribs from both Susan and Grace at the same time making him cough.
"I need some fresh air. Susan, you should really do something about your husband's mouth when you get home," said Grace as she got back to her feet when Carter walked up to the table looking like he wanted to start something. "Lucius would you mind coming with me. I need to have a private word with you about something important," she asked as she waited for him to join her?
Susan and Clayton watched as Carter attempted to follow the couple out of the arena, and Clayton decided to have a little fun with their stalker. He narrowed his eyes and flicked his wand under the table making Carter's pants drop to the floor exposing his boxers which were covered in pink and red lips. Everyone started laughing and pointing at carter, and before he could even get his pants back up, Clayton stepped between him and the exit with a satisfied smile on his face.
"You really need to look into buying a new belt. It doesn't look like the one you have already is working very well," he said flicking his wand again behind his back making the man's pants fall again this time taking the boxers down with them. Anna and Hermione buried their faces in Draco, and Johnny's chest to save their eyes from being permanently damaged, while the other women and men laughed even harder. Susan shook her head and covered her face with embarrassment.
Lucius followed Grace into the barn and stopped when they entered the feed room in confusion. "Grace, I," he started, until she opened the secret door that only Hermione and Draco knew about so far. "Hold on, was that always there," he asked in shock?
"Yes, now get in here. I have something I need to show, and tell you, I just hope that you aren't too angry when you find out the truth," she said closing the door behind him.
"Grace, I'm in love with you. There's nothing that you could say that would make me change my mind about that," he said wrapping his arms around her and breathing in the familiar scent of apples and vanilla.
"You say that now, but you need to sit down while I explain a few things to you," she said gently removing his arms from around her waist. Lucius sat on one of the sofas and pulled her down on the cushion beside him so that he could look into her eyes.
She sighed deeply mentally searching for how to begin what she had to say. "Firstly Lucius you need to know that I love you just as much as you love me. It is for that reason that I can't and won't continue lying to you like this. I just don't want to hurt you," she said as she looked down to where she was distractedly playing with the end of her belt in her lap.
"Secondly, when I volunteered to help you and your son, earn back your lives and your wands, I never expected for this to happen, but it did, and I'll understand completely and totally if you decide that you no longer want anything to do with me once this whole thing is over," she said as she got to her feet and walked over to the large desk in the center of the room and leaned on it heavily weighing her choices before she acted.
"Grace, what are you talking about? Mrs. Avery is the one who is helping us rehab and earn our freedom," asked Lucius feeling uncomfortable?
"Lucius forgive me, but my name is not Grace Terry, and it never has been. All of this was done to help you learn to live with and to trust muggles, and now I feel like I've ruined it all for you," she said as she carefully removed the brown contact lenses from her eyes and held them in her hands with tears flowing freely down her cheeks and landing on the desk in front of her.
Lucius got to his feet silently when he noticed that she was shaking with silent sobs, and walked up behind her. "If your name isn't Grace, than perhaps, my dear, you would let me take a wild guess on what your real name is," he said making her turn to face him? She couldn't bear to look into his silver eyes, and see the hurt that she believed to be there so she just placed the contacts into his hand and moved away from him fearing his reaction.
"Pamela Grace Avery, Stop," he ordered in a calm tone sending his wandless magic in her direction to lock the door so that she couldn't open it. She tried to open the door and was about to panic when she felt his firm grip on her shoulders slowly turning her around to meet his gaze. The expression on her face was that of complete and total shock, the tears were still slowly flowing down her cheeks, and he tenderly wiped them away.
"Yes, to answer your question, I know your name. I have known the truth ever since the day that you were riding in the arena and I smelled your shampoo and that intoxicating body spray that you are always wearing. After that your every move gave you away, my darling woman," he said making her look into his eyes.
"I understand, very well, why you chose not to tell us the truth, and it doesn't bother me. You've done nothing from the day we met, but help us. I'm a new man because of you. Come and sit with me. You look as if your legs are about to give out from under you," he said as he gently guided her over to the nearest sofa and made her sit.
"Nothing has changed between us, unless you wish to go no further with our relationship. It hasn't been that long since John's death after all," said Lucius with a soft smile on his lips.
"Lucius, the fact that it hasn't been long since John's death doesn't mean anything to me. John and I have been divorced since my nephew was a student at the Niagara Falls school of witchcraft and wizardry," said Pamela in a calmer voice.
"Isn't your nephew twenty three years old," asked Lucius curiously?
"Yes, I've been a single woman for the past six years. John and I divorced because I wanted a family, and he didn't, not to mention the fact that he just couldn't be with me because of his allegiance to the Dark Lord," said Pamela.
"I'm sorry about that, Pamela, but you don't have to worry about that any more. As you know my ex-wife was being unfaithful throughout my entire marriage with your ex-brother-in-law Archer. Does anyone else here know the truth about you and Avery," asked Lucius thinking about Susan and her famous temper?
"If, you are asking if Susan knows the truth about me and her brother, I can assure you that she has known ever since our relationship fell apart. I have nothing to hide from her," said Pamela as she gazed into Lucius' silver eyes.
"Well, my dear sweet Pamela, should we return to the party," asked Lucius with his hand outstretched?
"Why not, if we stay away too long, Clayton will find his mind in the gutter, thinking that we've been rolling in the hay or something," laughed Pamela as she took Lucius' hand and exited the hidden office with her arm tucked into his and a large smile on her lips.
When they got back to where Clayton and the others were, Lucius noticed that Carter was gone. "Where's Carter gotten off to," he asked getting worried?
"Don't worry yourselves about him. Clayton here let his wand hand slip a few times. Needless to say, everyone here thinks that he is a fool that can't keep his pants up," said Susan with a devilish grin on her face.
"So Lucius, did you get lucky," asked Clayton picking on Lucius and Pamela?
"Weather or not I got lucky, as you call it with Pamela is none of your business old friend. I'll ask you only once to keep your big nose out of my private life," said Lucius getting angry at Clayton's remark.
Pamela could feel Lucius' hand getting hot in hers and knew that he was fighting to keep his temper in check. Fearing what his accidental magic outburst would do and the effect that it would have on the muggles that worked for both her and Susan, she did the only thing that had never failed to quell her ex-husband's temper in the past. She reached up and wrapped her arms around Lucius' neck and kissed him for all that she was worth, for all to see.
As soon as her soft lips touched his Lucius melted into her arms and all of the anger that he had felt toward his friend's intrusion on his private life melted away as if it were never there. As they kissed the sounds of cheers and whoops sounded through the arena. Father, please, that's sick, at least take her somewhere private if you're going to snog her brains out," said Draco making Hermione laugh.
"As if you could talk Draco, you're just as bad as he is if not worse," she said before pinching him on the butt and running through the crowded arena floor laughing.
A/N thanks again my darling readers for taking the time to read my creation. Please leave a review if you feel like it, and enjoy chapter 11 That's NO Accident! to come next.