***
She sighed. There was a line, alright. But it was ladies vying to dance with Caleb, not men wanting to dance with her. She pulled the paisley shawl closer and leaned against the wall behind the bench. The war had thinned out the number of men, leaving few to go around. There were a few younger men, barely grown, and that was about all there was to choose from in Chance. Most of the old soldiers were too tired or crippled to go around the floor more than once.
She had danced two dances with Major Jenkins, enjoying his old-fashioned charm and style of dance. Then, there had been a dance with Bob Holt. He must be about sixteen, she figured. He had stared down at his boots the entire dance, and she had practiced looking serious, else she would have laughed. Poor boy, he was as shy as a kitten caught in a thicket.
“I believe it’s finally my turn.”
She looked up to see Caleb’s handsome face, his hand extended out to her. She stood and took his hand, feeling his fingers tighten around her own. “I thought you’d dance this one with Nancy.” He had danced with three other women since his fiancé’s last turn.
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’ve already danced with her twice.”
Three times. Not that she was counting. He pulled her behind him to the floor. The fiddler played a few notes and he grinned. “I think this is going to be a slow one.”
He pulled her close, and they began to glide across the sawdust floor. Maggie closed her eyes as everything began to spin. Her heart beat out of control and her breathing was shallow and fast. As much as she wanted to be in his arms, it would be better to be far away from him. Away from Nancy.
“Are you alright?” He whispered in her ear, his breath soft on her face.
She shivered. “Yes,” she managed to say. Oh, please let this be over soon. It would be so easy to melt into his hold, lay her cheek against him. But he was not hers to love.
The music ended abruptly as a lantern was knocked from a table. Several men, including Caleb, rushed to extinguish the flames. The blaze was practically out before anyone arrived and chatter began again.
It was for the best, she thought, quietly slipping out the side opening. The night air was cool and refreshing. The lanterns and crowd made it stuffy in the barn. She leaned against the outside wall and stared at the night sky. The moon was still low and the stars were bright. She picked out the Big Dipper and North Star and considered the time. After ten, but not yet midnight. It was late enough for her to leave without seeming to rush away.
And maybe that would be for the best. Caleb would be making his big announcement. What would everyone think when he announced that he and Nancy would be going to Colorado? She couldn’t be there, couldn’t bear to see the disappointment on their faces. They had such hope for the town, now. Maybe, with the Sayers gone, the town council would be able to find another qualified man for the job. Whatever the decision, she would no longer pretend to stand in the sheriff’s boots.
Chapter 30
Wrapping the shawl tighter, she crossed over the empty street and began to walk down the sidewalk, her shoes tapping on the old boards. The saloon was open, but the new piano was quiet. Most people were at the dance.
She could see lamplight coming from the sheriff’s office window. By now, it might need more oil, she convinced herself. Within a few days, it would no longer be appropriate for her to take care of his office, or spend time in there, talking with him, loving his laugh, hanging on his every word.
The sharp clip-clop of horse hooves brought her back to the present. A lone rider was approaching from the west. She stopped and watched as he neared. Seeing her, the man pulled his horse to a halt.
He tipped his hat to her. Even in the low light, she could see a strong jaw and nice head of dark hair. “Excuse me, ma’am. I’m looking for a dance somewhere here in town.”
She smiled and relaxed. “You’re headed in the right direction, sir. Just on down around the curve. The music will be louder the closer you get.”
“Thank you,” he said, urging his horse on its way.
Maggie watched as he went by. Friendly. A nice looking man. He would be very welcome at the dance, she smiled, and picked up her walk.
The office was unlocked and she stepped inside, glad to be off the lonely street.
***
She had finished filling the last oil lamp when the door flew open and Caleb stepped inside. His expression showed surprise. “What are you doing here, Maggie?”
She put down the bottle of oil and carefully put the top back on. “I was a little tired, but thought I might tidy up in here before retiring.”
Caleb rubbed his chin with his hand and shook his head. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving? We didn’t even finish our dance.”
She carried the bottle to the shelf. She hadn’t meant to irritate him by leaving. “I didn’t think you would mind. I mean, I knew about the announcement, and. . .” What more was there to say? Did he want to hear her say congratulations?
He came closer and took her hand, pulling her back to the lighted area by his desk. His eyes searched her face. “Maggie, I told you that I wanted to talk to you tonight.”
She jerked away and folded her arms. “Caleb, you don’t have to tell me. I already know about Nancy.”
Confusion washed over his face. “Nancy? She told you? She wasn’t supposed to.” Irritation crept into his voice at the last.
“Well yes. When she came to pick up her. . .the wedding dress.”
He leaned against the desk and hooked his thumbs in his gun belt. “I don’t understand why she would do that. We had agreed–”
Maggie shrugged. “Don’t be too hard on her. She’s just excited about everything.”
“Then you’re not upset?”
He was going to make her cry before the conversation was over. How could he be so thickheaded about her own feelings? “Caleb, what you do is your own business. You don’t owe me any sort of explanation. I’m sure you and Nancy will be very happy in Colorado.”
He stood straighter, his head a slight tilt to the side. “Whoa there. Me and Nancy Rollins? What are you talking about?” He took a step toward her.
She might as well get it all out at once. He was going to take all night to tell her every little thing. “I know that you and Nancy are going to be married in another day or two. I’ve seen the dress.” No need to mention that she had actually tried it on. “And I know about the ranch you bought in Colorado. With the big house, and everything already in place. By the way, she’s very happy about it.”
Caleb’s eyes opened wide and a smile played at his lips. Then, he laughed. “You think I’m going to marry Nancy Rollins and go live with her in Colorado? Whatever gave you that idea?”
Now it was her turn to be confused. “Well, the two of you. I’ve seen you walking together, talking. And Nancy had Gram make the dress for her. Are you. . .are you saying you’re not going to marry her?
He grinned big and shook his head. “No. I’m not going to marry her. Never even gave it a thought.”
“Well, then. . . .”
Caleb stepped closer and grasped her hand, pulling it to his lips and kissing her fingers. “Nancy is getting married. But not to me. To a rancher fellow that just rode in. She’s been writing to him for the past few months. And the reason you’ve seen the two of us together is that I bought her ranch that’s situated out by yours. Which also has a nice house and everything in place. In case you’re interested.”
“Oh.” Her fingers tingled from his touch and she lifted her eyes to meet his. “You mean you’re not getting married?”
“As a matter of fact, I’d like very much to get married,” he said, letting go of her hand and putting his arm around her waist. He leaned his head down and drew her close, until their noses all but touched. His lips met hers and she swayed into him, this time letting her heart race at will, as his fingers caressed her chin and cheeks.
She pulled away from him and
stared at his face. “I guess I’d better hear who it is you want to marry before I go on kissing you,” she said with a shaky laugh.
He smiled, as he cupped her face and brushed her cheeks with his thumbs. “That would be you, Maggie Price. Will you marry me?”
Her heart pounded in her throat, and she swallowed hard. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Caleb Hatcher. Now, I think maybe you’d better kiss me again,” she smiled as she tilted her chin to him.
They strolled down the sidewalk, arm in arm, listening to the music still coming from the livery. “Should we go in and make our own announcement?”
“Why don’t we just let Nancy and her fella have this night for themselves,” she suggested. It would be nice, keeping her secret for another day or so.
“It’s kind of funny, isn’t it?” Caleb said.
Maggie laughed as she walked a little faster to keep up with his long stride. “What is funny?”
He pulled her arm tighter to him. “The way Nancy and the rancher met. Just writing letters to each other.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Seems more normal than tripping over a half-dead cowboy on a forest floor,” she teased.
He laughed and stopped, turning to her. “I guess that will be a good story to tell our children.” He pulled out his watch and checked the time. “Looks like we’ve been engaged for a whole fifteen minutes. I think that calls for another kiss.”
“I don’t have any objection to that,” she said as she sank into his arms, his lips on hers.
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Caleb's Rain Lily Bride (Texas Frontier Brides Book 1) Page 15