The Trouble with Patience

by Maggie Brendan

  “I’m glad to see you made it back with a woman by your side, Cody,” John remarked with a grin at his newly hired ranch hand.

  “Yes, sir. I wouldn’t miss this dance since it’s been said on good authority it’s the best in these parts.” Cody placed his hand at Patience’s back. “Shall we go inside?”

  “There’s plenty of food and dancing. I hope you young folks enjoy yourselves tonight.” Judith motioned them into the barn with a wave of her hand.

  “I’m sure we will,” Cody replied. Patience quickly caught sight of Monty and Emily dancing and smiled at Emily as she whirled by. The smaller guests were running about the perimeter, entertaining themselves with a game of hide-and-seek, and older ladies managed the refreshment tables, keeping the long tables inside and out filled with an array of delicious food and desserts.

  Cody swept Patience out onto the floor. “The food can wait until we kick up our heels, right?”

  Patience had never had much opportunity for dancing, but she gamely tried to keep up with Cody. Several dances later, a gentleman with white hair and a big smile stepped over to the little group of fiddlers and called for the crowd’s attention.

  “Folks, Mac here will rosin up his bow and start to fiddle us a quadrille. Now grab your partner’s hand, and let’s make up four couples into a square.”

  “I don’t know how to do this dance,” a young cowboy called out.

  The older man laughed. “You’ll get the hang of it—learn as you go.”

  Patience wasn’t sure herself what was about to happen, but Cody led her to a group of three other couples and they all formed the square. Maybe Cody has done this before, she hoped. He saw her questioning look and whispered, “Just follow my lead.”

  Patience heard lots of laughter and clapping from folks standing off to the side, cheering them on. Soon everyone was having a good time just trying to figure out the next steps—or the next “call,” as Cody explained to her.

  Jim, the caller, slapped his thigh in time to Mac on the fiddle. “Bow to your partner! Now prom-e-nade your partner, boys,” he sang out while all the couples stepped around the two lines they’d formed.

  “Now swing your partner, round and round,” Jim called out in rhythm.

  The couples finished the move exchanging partners. Patience found herself holding the new partner’s sweaty palms, but she was sure she was more nervous than he was.

  “Now allemande left,” Jim called above the fiddle’s music and the laughing couples who either went the wrong way or fumbled catching their next partner’s hands. But Jim smiled and kept right on going. “Do-si-do . . . now back to back.” Patience was getting dizzy, overly warm, and confused, but found herself laughing along with the rest of the dancers. She was enjoying herself until she looked across the room and spotted Jedediah. Millie, who was in a bright red dress, was laughing gaily as she held tightly to his arm. She was sort of pretty in an unusual sort of way. Jedediah locked eyes with Patience for a moment before the next dance move required their full attention.

  Jedediah was clothed very differently than his usual attire. Tonight a black frock coat and tie, with his hair all slicked down, made him seem rather genteel compared with the rough-and-ready marshal she was used to seeing. Patience missed a step and turned back to Cody and the dance.

  Jim was calling out, “Allemande right. Now swing your partner down the middle,” as the fiddler kept up the tune. “Now pass through,” Jim instructed, grinning at the dancers, and the couples crisscrossed the floor, arm in arm. “Circle right. Now prom-e-nade your partner.” Patience enjoyed his singsong style. Despite her nerves, this was the most fun she’d had in a very long time.

  After all that, to Patience’s surprise the couples ended up with their original partners, and Jim then called the whole dance all over again. After the second set, she and Cody agreed they were both out of breath and in need of a break and something to drink.

  Millie kept a firm grasp of Jedediah’s arm throughout the evening, even while they were getting their refreshments, and it made him wonder if she was afraid he was going to abandon her. He didn’t care all that much for a woman clinging to him tighter than a bat in daylight—seemed too desperate for his liking. Millie might be attractive, but he was beginning to think there wasn’t much going on in that space between her ears. All those heavy curls piled nearly to the beams of the barn probably took all her concentration to keep upright. He almost chuckled out loud at the thought.

  “What are you smilin’ ’bout, Jedediah—or can I call you Jed?” She leaned closer and looked up at him with a come-hither expression.

  “Aww, nothing. Just thinking how we were all stumbling around out there on the dance floor. I do hope I didn’t step on your toes too much. And, yes, you may call me Jed. Most folks do.”

  “Oh, I was hopin’ it could be my special name for you,” she said coyly. When he didn’t respond, she added, “Why don’t we go have somethin’ to eat? Most of the food tables are outside, and it won’t be so crowded—”

  “Sounds like a good idea to me,” Jedediah agreed quickly and escorted her through the crowd. They walked straight into Patience and Cody, coming close to upsetting their plates of food.

  “Excuse us,” Jedediah said, reaching out to steady Patience’s plate. She gave him a smile, then glanced at Millie. Wonder if Patience is admiring or comparing. Jedediah wasn’t sure.

  “No harm done,” Cody said. Jedediah noticed the other man’s eyes sweep the length of Millie, and he thought she gave the man a friendly smile.

  “This is my friend Millie. Millie, these are other friends of mine, Patience and Cody.”

  “How do you do.” Patience nodded without offering a hand since she was holding apple cider in one hand and a plate in the other.

  If Jedediah hadn’t been on his best behavior, he might have stood stock still at Patience’s appearance. Her gown was a lovely green—Her best color with those eyes, he thought—trimmed in black at the demure bodice, with black embroidered swirls circling the skirt like feathers. But unlike Millie’s more revealing gown, Patience’s had long sleeves and an appropriate neckline for both femininity and modesty, as well as nights that were always cool when the sun went down.

  “Hello. I enjoy meeting new people,” Millie said, barely glancing at Patience but taking the moment to throw Cody a broad smile.

  “Are you from around here?” Cody asked. “I don’t recollect seeing you in town, Miss Millie.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m here working as a companion to Mrs. Brock for the time being or until something better turns up.”

  “Millie, why don’t we get out of the way and let these folks settle down with their food?” Jedediah started to move away.

  “Would you care to join us?” Patience asked. “We’re going over to sit with Hannah and Joe.”

  So Hannah came through for old Joe, Jedediah mused with a little smile.

  Millie waved her hand. “No, that’s all right. You go on ahead. Jed and I already have a place picked out, right, Jed?” She looked up at him with a coquettish smile and drew his arm closer.

  Jedediah could see Patience’s lips press together, and as he passed her, he whispered, “Save a dance for me.” Patience flushed with pleasure, making her even more appealing.

  Jedediah found he didn’t mind at all when a tall cowboy asked Millie to dance. In fact, he was relieved. Cody was nowhere in sight, and after the cowboy had left, he noticed Patience talking to Emily. He’d spoken to Monty and Emily earlier, and it was obvious they made a handsome and lively pair.

  Now or never, he decided, and walked up to the two ladies as the announcer hollered out that the next dance would be a waltz.

  “I see you’re without a partner for the waltz, Patience. How about we give it a whirl?”

  “It’s the one dance I’m familiar with, Marshal.” He saw her give a quick glance around, no doubt for sight of her errant escort. She turned to Emily. “You don’t mind if I excuse myself, Emily?”


  “Of course not. I’ll watch you two and wait for Monty.” She smiled at them both.

  Jedediah held out his arm, and Patience laid her hand on the top of his as he led her onto the crowded dance floor. He knew how to waltz, but not as deftly as Patience, apparently. They twirled this way and that, and soon the steps seemed as smooth as a Vermont maple syrup. Emily waved and smiled as they swung by her.

  This was the closest Jedediah had been to her since he’d carried her into the house from her collapse on the boardwalk. Ever since, he’d felt like putting his arms around her again—at least most of the time, he amended with a quick grin. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds under the lights, along with the jeweled combs holding her dark hair in a fancy upswept style—just the right touch for her green gown. He caught a whiff of her scent as they swung around.

  His throat felt dry as he searched for something to say. “Are you enjoying the dance, Patience?”

  She tilted her head back to look up at him. “Yes, Jedediah, I am . . . or should I call you ‘Jed’ like Millie does? But maybe you’re saving that for your closest friends?” There was a twinkle in her eyes.

  He hurried to correct her. “For one thing, she is not my closest friend by a long shot, just someone I asked to the dance since—well, since my first choice was already taken,” he said meaningfully. “But I’d like it if you’d call me Jed.”

  “Then I will . . . Jed. It’s strange, but when I was a child my mother only called me Patience when she was angry with me.”

  “Is that so? Then what was your nickname?”

  “It was . . . well, it was ‘Patty.’”

  “Would you like me to call you Patty?”

  “Actually, no. When I’m special to someone, I’d rather that person decide on a nickname for me.”

  Jedediah was quiet for a moment, knowing they weren’t special like she meant. But given the chance, something might develop, he thought hopefully. “I hope you don’t mind if I tell you how . . . well, how different you look tonight.”

  “And that’s a good thing?”

  “Oh, absolutely! With your hair done up . . . and no apron and work dress on . . .” He stumbled around for the right words. “I hardly recognized you. You do look very pretty,” he managed to choke out, surprised he’d been able to say it at all.

  “Why, thank you, Jed. That’s not a word I’m used to hearing. I’ve never expected much of my appearance, whether dressed up for an occasion or not. My mother wasn’t one to waste a compliment.”

  “I don’t mean to offend you, Patience, but sometimes a mother can be wrong. Beauty is external, but don’t underestimate the inward qualities that can make one beautiful. And you have both.”

  Her face flushed, and then she said, “I must say you look rather handsome yourself.”

  Me? The woman must be nearsighted. The thudding in his chest had finally slowed before he admitted to himself that she was the first woman he’d been attracted to in years. Holding Patience this close made his hands tremble and his legs feel like they’d turned to jelly. He hoped she didn’t notice, and took a deep breath to steady himself.

  He sure did wish she’d come to the dance with him, but unfortunately he was stuck with Millie, at least for this event.

  But then again, maybe not. He saw Cody and Millie standing near the barn door. Cody leaning against the wall, and Millie bending closer each time he said something. She’d laugh, and he would smile back. Mutual flirting, Jedediah determined, and fine with him.

  “Your escort seems to be having a good time with Millie,” he finally worked up nerve to say as Patience swung about with the rhythm of the waltz.

  “Mmm . . . I noticed that too, and now they’re dancing. I wonder if he’ll have to provide transportation home for two women tonight.” When she laughed merrily, Jed joined in, assuring her that she needn’t worry about it.

  When the waltz ended, he escorted her over to Emily and Monty, and the four stood and watched Hannah and Joe dancing the next waltz. Jedediah was amazed how well Joe had cleaned up. He’d obviously bathed and washed his hair, trimmed his beard, and pressed his worn but clean pants and stiff white shirt for the occasion. He’d even added a string tie—from where, Jedediah had no idea. He watched the little miner moving stiffly about, holding Hannah around the waist while they danced, but she was all smiles. Guess I’ll have to eat my words—looks like she’s actually giving the man a second glance.

  When Hannah and Joe walked over to the little group, Hannah gave Patience a quick hug. “My, but you’re a fine dancer, Patience. I saw you out there, turning and twisting and swinging back and forth.”

  Patience laughed. “Thank you, but you should have seen me on the earlier dances. I had two left feet.”

  “Have you met Joe?” Hannah nodded to her partner.

  “No, I haven’t. Nice to meet you, Joe.”

  “Likewise, I’m sure.” The six stood talking for a while, Joe standing next to Hannah with a grin on his grizzled face. At a lull in the conversation, he pulled her back onto the dance floor. “See y’all later,” he said around another grin. Jedediah couldn’t help but smile at this highly unexpected development.

  “I don’t see Cody anywhere,” Jedediah commented when he saw Patience looking around. She seemed embarrassed that her escort was nowhere in sight. “Guess we’ll have to dance again,” he said lightly, offering his arm.

  “But what about Millie?” she asked as she slipped her arm through his.

  “I don’t want you to feel bad, Patience, but I figure the two of them are probably off together someplace. Millie can take care of herself though.”

  “And I can’t?” she cocked an eyebrow at him.

  He shifted his feet. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I feel Millie knows her way around men, if you know what I mean.”

  “I see. Then I’d rather get some fresh air, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” he said, turning her toward the door.

  They strolled away from the barn and onto the immaculate stretch of lawn, lit only with occasional lanterns and a partial moon. They soon found themselves away from the other guests and in a fragrant rose garden.

  “How lovely!” Patience exclaimed. “Judith must enjoy gardening. I’d love to have some roses like these.”

  They paused in front of the bushes, Patience inhaling the scent from the different varieties, and Jedediah was amazed at how much Patience knew about them all.

  “Oooh. I love these pink ones,” she breathed as she lowered her head to the beautiful bloom.

  Jedediah pulled out his pocketknife, reached over her, and snipped the rose to place in her hair. “Looks better there.”

  In the moonlight, he wasn’t sure if she blushed or not. Her eyes seemed all soft and glowing, her lips the color of the pink rose, slightly parted and tempting him. Before he knew what he was doing, his arms had circled her in a swift embrace. Heat filled his face, and his heart pounded so hard he was sure Patience could hear it. Would she let him kiss her?

  But she was already pulling away, visibly shaken. Her fingers touched her hair, patting it into place, and her eyes, large with surprise, looked into his, then quickly away. “I . . . Jed . . . I think we’d better go back inside and join the party.”

  “I’m—I’m truly sorry, Patience. I don’t know . . . I’m not sure what came over me just now. It must be the moonlight and the roses.” And you, he said only to himself.

  14

  Patience could still feel the warmth of Jedediah’s arms around her as his hand pressed the small of her back, guiding her inside the barn. She felt quite flustered and looked around the dance floor in a daze. She noticed Cody come off the dance floor with a young woman, and Patience saw him return her glance while he continued to talk with his most recent dance partner. Not Millie, I see. I’m glad he was far too busy to miss me, she told herself with a little shrug.

  Cody said something further to the woman, then strode over to them. “W
here have you been?” His eyes narrowed. “I was looking all over for you.” He looked from Patience to Jedediah.

  “Just getting some fresh air—it was getting rather close with all these people in the room.” Patience caught Jedediah’s eye.

  “I probably should go find Millie,” Jedediah murmured. “If you’ll excuse me.” He bowed and walked away.

  Before Cody could say another word, Harold Osborn, the clerk from the mercantile, joined them. “Please, Miss Patience, may I have this next dance?”

  Patience almost said no, but feeling slightly sorry for the awkward young man, said, “Yes, you may. Excuse us, Cody.” She nodded, and Harold took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

  She held herself erect as Harold tried to pull her close. I sure don’t want him to get any ideas into that red head of his. She sighed in relief as the dance ended. He thanked her, led her back to the side of the room, then reluctantly left when she purposefully turned away.

  Cody finally had the opportunity to spin Patience around the dance floor with a waltz. “So how do you like your new job, Cody?” Patience asked.

  “It’s all right . . .” He paused a moment, then added, “John’s a good man. I hope someday to be a rancher’s foreman so I can quit having to wander from place to place, depending on the season.”

  “Are you sure you can’t find that around here?”

  “Nobody trusts a stranger in these parts. I can’t blame them—I don’t trust anyone either. Too many road agents left bad reputations, so folks don’t want to get burned.” His jaw clenched, his lips forming a tight line.

  “Sounds like you’ve been misused before.”

  She felt his body stiffen. “Let’s just say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he finally told her. “Someday, I’ll find the vigilante who had it in for me for no good reason.”

  “Why? Were you in trouble? Maybe jailed by him?” She was getting curious about the reason for his anger and mistrust. It wasn’t the first time Patience had observed that faraway look, usually when he thought no one was looking.