by Emily Woods
“Yes, Ma,” he joked, taking the clothes and heading back to his room.
The shirt fit across the shoulders, but he did have to roll the sleeves. After putting on the vest and buttoning it up, he felt a bit better about his appearance. Amanda even smiled in satisfaction when he reappeared.
“Much better. Now, let's go or we'll be late.”
She carried a large dish of something or other, her contribution to the meal, and the three adults and four children piled into the wagon that Carl had waiting.
“I see you brought your banjo,” Jacob commented to his brother. “I hope Austin has his accordion too. That along with Brett on the harmonica, we'll have some good music.”
“Yes, but all the good music in the world won't make you a good dancer, brother,” Carl joked.
Amanda gave her husband a playful poke in the ribs. “You shouldn't tease, husband. There's a very good reason you like to bring your banjo even though there are two other men who can play.”
This set the children laughing along with Jacob.
“Yeah, it's true. The Bowman men have two left feet,” Carl admitted with a grin. “Too bad you never took up an instrument, Jacob. Then you'd be lucky to count yourself out of it. As it is, my wife will need a partner, and there's no one I'd trust more.”
Jacob shook his head. “There'll be plenty of good men lining up to dance with any and every woman there,” he stated evenly. In his mind, he was sure that meant he wouldn't have the opportunity to talk to Rosa, but he could hope. “But if you are of a mind to teach me, I'd be willing.”
Laughing, Amanda nodded. “I've always admired a willing student,” she said, patting her husband's arm affectionately. It was well-known that Carl hadn't been much of a reader until the local teacher, now his wife, had taken him under her wing. Now he was almost always found with a book in his hands in the evenings.
“I'm not sure if I'll prove to be as good of a student as my brother, but I'll do my best.”
“We're here!” the children shouted gleefully, jumping down from the wagon before their father had even stopped it completely.
Jacob took in the sight before him. The owners of Triple Range had permitted the use of their barn for the event, and it was now lit up with numerous lanterns, giving it a rather festive atmosphere.
“Yeah, we're here,” he mumbled, his heart racing. “No turning back now.”
It only took a few minutes to unharness the horses and hitch them to the paddock fence. The Winstons had kindly put out some feed and water for them, so Jacob and the others were able to leave the horses without worry.
Upon entering the barn, Jacob was taken aback by the merriment underway. There were fewer than ten women in the area, but each one had turned up in a display of color. As much as he tried to resist, his eyes searched for Rosa. She was easy to find. She and Elise were standing by the long table that was laden with all kinds of food. Jacob wanted to rush over and claim a dance with Rosa, but there was already a bevy of men around her.
In fewer than ten minutes, the band was assembled and started playing lively music. After directing her children to play with the others, Amanda grabbed his hand and pulled him to the edge of what he presumed was the dancefloor.
“This is a two-step,” she informed him. “Traditionally, the man leads, but I'll help you figure it out. Let's begin. Start off with two slow steps, and then two quick ones.”
With a lot of bumping and near-falls, he bumbled through the dance. If he'd been more concerned about his image, Jacob would have opted out, but he discovered that enjoyed himself immensely. After two more turns around the perimeter of the dancefloor, Jacob felt he'd mastered it, and Amanda confirmed that supposition.
“No matter how hard I tried to teach your brother, he could never catch it,” she said with amazement. “If there weren't so many other men waiting to dance, I'd be your partner all night.”
As it turned out, she'd just helped him learn the polka when another man came to ask if he could have the next dance. Jacob relinquished her and headed over to the refreshment table for a drink.
“Jacob!” Elise exclaimed. “I didn't know you could dance so well. You must teach Rosa.”
It was a good thing he didn't have anything in his mouth at the time or he would have choked.
“You, uh, want me to teach your sister how to dance?” He glanced at Rosa, who quickly dropped her eyes. “I'm not really the right person to ask.”
“Oh, but you were doing so well with Amanda. Rosa isn't familiar with American dancing. Isn't that right, sister?”
Rosa nodded, but kept her eyes averted.
“Well, as I said, I don't really know what I'm doing, but if you want...”
He extended his hand and hoped that the next dance would either be a polka or a two-step. Thankfully, it was the latter.
“Uh, well, for this dance, you basically just walk around the floor, two steps slow and two steps fast,” he instructed, repeating what Amanda has said to him less than twenty minutes earlier. He held out his arms, well aware of the heat that flooded his face as she obediently stepped into them. Despite all the lanterns in the barn, it was still somewhat dim, but he thought he saw color rise in her face as well. “I'll do my best not to step on your toes, but I'm not really sure what I'm doing.”
“Then I suppose we learn together,” she murmured.
When she placed her hand in his and the other on his shoulder, Jacob thought his heart would stop. How lovely she looked in the simple yellow dress that complemented her dark coloring. He wished that he'd gone into town to buy some new clothes, but he just couldn't bear to part with his hard-earned money, not even to look good for her.
“This is right?” she asked after they had gone around the floor once.
“Uh, I think so.” He kept his eyes on her, but she looked over his shoulder. Every so often, when they got close to one of the lanterns hanging from the rafters, he could see a rosy hue to her cheeks. It was comforting to know that she was possibly feeling as awkward as he was.
When the dance was over, he returned her to her sister.
“How was it?” Elise asked, her eyes flitting between the two of them.
“It's no tarantella or salterello, but it was very nice,” Rosa replied.
Jacob didn't rush away, but instead asked, “Are those Italian dances?” When she nodded, he inhaled deeply and took a chance. “I don't suppose you could teach them to me? This music probably doesn't match.”
Rosa squinted up at him. “Really? You wish to learn?”
He nodded, hoping that his vulnerability would endear him to her and that he wouldn't end up looking like a fool.
“Well then, I will teach. This music is not Italian, but it can work.”
It was hard to talk with so much noise and commotion, so they moved nearer to the door.
“First, you must know that in this Italian dance, there is not always so much, uh, touching. The man stays close to the woman, but his arms are up in the air or behind his back. The couple, they dance more around each other than together. Here, I will show you.”
He watched in utter fascination as she executed a few steps, bouncing up and down and twirling.
“Now, you lift your arms like so.” She showed him what he was supposed to be doing, and in that moment, the rest of the people disappeared. He saw only her. “And your steps, they are like mine. I hold my skirt and you keep your arms to the side.” He imitated her, and she gave him a little smile. “Yes, bene. Good. Now, hop a little, back and forth like so.” Again, he copied her movements and was rewarded with an even bigger smile. “You may also put your arms behind your back like so or even over your head. Now, we change our feet position to go back and forth.”
The music did seem to go with the dance, and before long, he felt as though he understood what to do. Very naturally, they moved closer to the music and began to dance. Suddenly, Jacob was aware that the others had stopped dancing and were watching the two of them. His self-conscio
usness rose several notches, and he stumbled a little.
“You are very good,” Rosa encouraged him. “Now try like this.” She showed him another step, and he copied her. The praise from her mouth fortified him, and he was able to ignore the others for the most part. It seemed that they had resumed their dancing, but when his eyes flickered up, he noticed that many of the partners were imitating the two of them.
When the music ended, everyone applauded, first the band, and then the two of them. Jacob noticed that several of the men looked at him enviously, and he fought to stay humble.
“Thank you for teaching me,” he murmured close to her ear. “It was a lot of fun.”
“Si, very much fun.”
“I'm afraid that all the other men will want to dance with you now.” He was loath to release her and was glad when she replied in the negative.
“The tarantella is very tiring. I must sit now. You are thirsty?”
He never had gotten his lemonade, and his throat was truly parched.
“Yes. Please have a seat, and I'll bring us something.”
It was hard to stay humble while fetching refreshment for the most beautiful girl in the place, but Jacob kept his head low as he walked toward the table.
“You gonna let us have a chance with Elise's sister?” one man from Crawford Ranch asked him as he passed.
He eyed the man coolly. “Hey, George. How are ya? I guess that's up to her, isn't it? Elise asked me to show her how to dance and then she offered to teach me an Italian dance.” As the words came out of his mouth, he realized it sounded as though he'd been cornered into both dances. He didn't want to make it seem as though he was chasing the woman, but he didn't like the way George's face lit up at his words.
“Well, then, you won't mind if I bring the lady a drink, will you? Sounds like you had enough of her for the night.”
Before he could say another word, George snatched the cups out of his hands and made a beeline for where Rosa was sitting. Part of him wanted to knock the man to the ground, but that would ruin the party, and he didn't want Rosa thinking he was violent. He thought about rushing around George and beating him to where Rosa was waiting, but that might appear childish.
No, he would just wait for another opportunity to talk to her and explain what happened. That would be the most gracious and mature thing to do...even if it was the least desirable.
Rosa had been pleasantly surprised by Jacob's willingness to learn one of her country's traditional dances. It had been kind of him to teach her the two-step, but she found it rather boring. He'd danced somewhat awkwardly with her to the tarantella, but she admired his vulnerability and openness to learning. Perhaps she would try to show him another dance after their refreshments.
However, when she looked up, a man she'd been introduced to earlier in the evening was heading toward her with two cups in his hands. The grin he wore was that of a man who had won the biggest prize at the fair. Just behind him, Jacob stood with a scowl on his face. What was going on?
“Hi there, pretty lady,” the man greeted her. “Looks like you worked up a thirst out there with that jumpy dance. Jacob sent me over with the drink.” He extended one of the cups and then boldly sat beside her.
Shifting away from him ever so slightly, Rosa took the cup. “Thank you. I am sorry. Your name again please?”
“George,” he replied, nodding and grinning. “Maybe you can teach me that dance? Or I can teach you one of ours. It's less bouncing and more holding, but I think you might like it.”
Although the man was not repulsive, and indeed might even be considered handsome with his slicked back hair and reasonably good teeth, Rosa felt terribly let down.
“Oh, well, I am a little tired. I think I will not dance right now.”
He didn't seem too put out by her refusal. “That's fine. We can just sit here for a spell. So, how are you liking America?”
They chatted for a few minutes about banal things like the weather before she stood, hoping that she'd put in enough time not to be considered rude.
“I should find my sister now. Thank you for the lemonade.”
George was not about to be dissuaded so easily. “I saw her over by the band. I'll walk you. I wanted to say thanks to Carl and the others for playing anyway.”
She could hardly decline, so the two of them walked together. At one point, George put his hand on her back as though to guide her, but she pulled away from him rather sharply. He frowned but then nodded as though apologizing.
“Just worried you were going to bump into that other couple dancing is all,” he informed her by way of excuse.
Once she reached Elise, she turned to George. “I hope you enjoy your evening.”
“Oh, I am,” he replied easily, misunderstanding her dismissal. “And I'll enjoy it more after our dance. Think you’ll be alright in about ten minutes?”
How could she politely decline?
“Ah, I am not sure if I will dance again. My ankle is a little hurt.”
He frowned now. “Seemed right enough when we walked over.”
“She'll be happy to dance with you in a few minutes, George,” Elise interrupted. “Maybe you can teach her the quadrille?”
George scowled a little but then nodded. “I'll be back.”
“That sounded more like a threat,” Rosa declared in Italian, then turned to scold her sister. “Why did you say I would dance with him? I don't want to.”
“If you only dance with one man, rumors will start. Not only that, but George is a nice man. He's helped us out a lot when we needed it. You should dance with at least three other men tonight. You don't have to marry any of them. It's just meant to be friendly.”
Rosa wasn't sure who she was more annoyed with, her sister for forcing her to dance with other partners, or Jacob for abandoning her. When she looked around to see if she could spot him, Rosa was disappointed to discover that he had disappeared.
12
Jacob thought it would be wise to take a walk rather than watch George paw at Rosa. That man thought he was terribly desirable with women, but he had yet to secure a wife. Rumor had it that he'd written an advertisement to find one, but Jacob suspected there weren't too many women eager to leave their homes and marry a ranch hand.
He would have chided himself for his snobbery, remembering that he'd just risen in position not very long ago, but his feelings for the man superseded common sense. Of course, he'd never had much of a problem with George before tonight, but now he had a reason.
“What are you doing out here?” a voice asked.
He turned to see Alex and Christina emerging from the barn.
“Getting some air,” he answered. “Same as you, I suspect.”
Christina smiled at him, her eyes lighting up. “I never would have guessed you could dance like that. Jacob Bowman, you are a surprise.”
Since he liked the woman, he decided not to take any offense. “It depends on the partner,” he replied cheekily.
The two of them laughed at that. “Well, Rosa is beautiful,” Christina acknowledged generously. “I think more than one man realized that tonight.”
His gut clenched at the comment, but he kept a smile on his face. “It's not hard to see,” he admitted. “But to most men out here, nearly any woman would be considered pretty.”
The dearth of women in the West rendered every female attractive on some level. Not too many women who came to their area single stayed that way for very long.
“Well, she'll have her pick, I'm sure,” Alex commented. “John will have to beat them off with a very big stick now that they've met her.”
“Who's to say she'll want any of them?” Christina returned spiritedly. “She may choose to remain single.”
“She'll have a hard time of it,” Alex retorted. “It'll take more than a polite refusal to convince most men she's happy alone.”
Jacob didn't really want to be part of this conversation. It was depressing him more than he already was.
�
��Well, have a good walk,” he said to them. “I'm going back inside.”
He didn't tell them, but his only reason for going back inside was to tell either Carl or Amanda that he was going to leave. He'd done his due diligence in showing up. There was no need for him to stay longer. Although he had a competitive side, he wasn't about to do battle with twenty other men.
The music greeted him as he reentered the room, but it was no longer the pleasant distraction it had been. Now, he found it grating.
In the darkened room, it was hard to see who was who, especially since a few of the lanterns had gone out.
“Help me,” a soft voice appealed to him as he walked around. When he looked down, the beautiful eyes of Rosa pleaded him to stop.
“Are you okay?” he asked, leaning over her with concern.
“No, I am not. My sister insists I dance with every man in the room, but I cannot. Most of them are not dancers, and some of them are too... How can I say? Familiar?”
His blood turned hot when he understood her meaning. “Of course I’ll help you,” he murmured. His large frame easily blocked hers from the view of others. Jacob could see that various men were scanning the room, probably looking for Rosa, so he increased his pace. “Let's walk towards the door.”
One step at a time, they made their way out of the barn. Once outside, he expected her to thank him, but she frowned instead.
“Why did you leave me with that man? You tell me that you are getting a drink and then he gives it to me!”
He didn't expect her anger and stepped back, holding up his hands in front of himself defensively.
“Sorry. I was getting the drinks when he grabbed them from me. I didn't want to punch him in the face to get them back, so I let him go.”
She didn't accept his excuse. “There are other ways to stop a man. You did not try.”
Part of him wanted to laugh, but he knew that wouldn't be wise. Instead, he opted for the better way out.
“You're right. I should have thought of something, but I'm not that smart.”