by Bobbi Smith
When the song ended, Faith and Mason returned to the side of the dance floor and watched as Rick escorted Abbie over to join them.
“Thanks, Rick,” Abbie said flirtatiously.
“Thank you,” Rick returned before moving off.
“There should be a social every weekend!” Abbie sighed happily.
“You’d love it, wouldn’t you?” Faith smiled, knowing her sister was in her element here at the dance.
“Oh, yes. It’s so much fun to get dressed up.”
“Well, you know you could wear that gown at home, if you wanted to,” Faith joked.
“I don’t think I’d do a very good job riding stock dressed like this.”
“You’d get a lot of attention if you tried it; that’s for sure.” Faith laughed.
“Tried what?” neighboring rancher Jake McCullough asked as he came up to join them.
Faith quickly explained to the tall, good-looking rancher what they’d been discussing.
“That’s right. You would,” Jake agreed, smiling. His dark-eyed gaze was fixed appreciatively upon Abbie. He thought both the Ryan girls were pretty, with their blond good-looks, but he especially cared about Abbie. “If the word got out that you were dressing like that to check on your herd, you’d probably have some ranch hands from my place riding over just to help you.”
Abbie smiled at the thought.
“Let me know when you’re planning to wear it, and I’ll tell the boys,” he went on.
“What about you, Jake McCullough? You mean you wouldn’t come and help me yourself?” Abbie challenged. She’d been secretly in love with Jake for what seemed like forever, but no matter how much she flirted with him, he always kept his distance.
“You know that if you ever need me, all you have to do is ask,” Jake told her seriously.
Abbie realized she was pushing the limits by being so daringly straightforward with him, but she didn’t care. “All right, I’m asking—let’s dance.”
“And it’s not even ladies’ choice,” he said with a grin.
“I know,” Abbie said, a twinkle of delight shining in her eyes.
He didn’t have to be asked twice. Jake took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor.
Mason looked at Faith. “I guess we don’t have to worry about Abbie being able to take care of herself.”
“She’s one capable woman,” Faith agreed.
“Faith, would you like to dance?”
Faith looked up to see Rick standing there. “I’d love to.”
Mason didn’t waste any time. He spotted one of the single girls on the far side of the dance floor and headed her way.
Trent drained the last of the whiskey from his glass and set it back on the bar in front of him.
“You ready for a refill?” asked Max, the barkeep at the Ace High Saloon.
“No. I’m done for the night.”
“Why? You heading over to the social?” he asked.
“I heard it was a good time.”
“You heard right. That’s why business is so slow tonight. Most of the boys are over there, but they’ll be in later when the dancing’s over.”
“I may just check it out.”
Trent left the bar, but stood there in front of the saloon, feeling relaxed and at ease for the first time in weeks. He could hear the music coming from the social and decided to take Cal’s and the barkeep’s advice and go see what was going on. He headed down the street and reached the site of the social, to find the outdoor dance floor crowded with couples. Brightly colored lanterns had been strung about, and a small group of musicians was playing a rousing tune that all the couples were enjoying. Trent joined those looking on as the music came to an end.
“All right, ladies!” a member of the band called out. “It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for!”
Trent had no idea what he was talking about, and he was even more surprised when a loud cheer went up from the women.
“Go grab your men, girls! It’s the ladies’ choice dance!”
All the women acted on his order immediately, racing off to select the men of their dreams.
Trent had just started to walk away when someone took his arm.
“Not so fast, young man. You’re not going anywhere just yet,” a woman ordered sternly.
He turned, puzzled, to find that he’d been claimed for the dance by an elderly, well-dressed, very proper-looking lady. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Like Johnny just said, it’s the ladies’ choice dance, and I’m choosing you.” She had no idea who he was, but she had seen him when he first walked up and thought he was a strikingly handsome man. Tonight was all about having fun, so she intended to do just that. Besides, who would dare to criticize her for being so bold at her age? Dottie realized there were some benefits to aging, and dancing with this good-looking man was one of them.
“I’m honored,” he answered as the music began, realizing there was no way out of dancing.
“My name’s Dottie, by the way,” she offered.
“And I’m Trent.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Trent. Let’s dance.”
Trent took her arm and escorted her out onto the floor.
“You’re a good dancer, young man,” Dottie complimented him as they circled the dance floor together.
“Why, thank you. So are you.”
“You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
“I’m just passing through.” He didn’t offer any more.
“Well, I’m glad you were passing through tonight.”
Trent squired her around until he heard the next announcement.
“Ladies! Change partners!”
Since it had been ladies’ choice, Faith had looked around and claimed Zach Martin for her partner. Zach owned the dry-goods store in town, and she knew he was a fine dancer. They’d been enjoying their dance together when the time came to switch. She and Zach parted, and she turned around to seek a new partner and found herself face-to-face with a complete stranger—a stranger who happened to be the best-looking man she’d ever seen, tall, lean, and darkly handsome. Her heartbeat quickened as she gazed up at him, and her reaction surprised her. Faith almost felt like a young schoolgirl. The music never stopped, though, so she had no choice. She knew she was going to be forced to dance with him. She smiled at the thought.
“Let’s dance,” she said.
“Let’s,” Trent agreed.
Faith realized Dottie had been his previous partner, and she wondered at their connection.
Trent said no more; he just took the green-eyed, curvaceous blond beauty into his arms. He’d enjoyed his dance with Dottie. Women like Dottie were rare, but this one made the whole trek to Coyote Canyon worth it. He didn’t know what he’d done to merit such luck, and he wasn’t going to question it. He was just going to enjoy his good fortune.
They began to move gracefully about the dance floor.
Excitement tingled through Faith at his touch. She gazed up at him, studying the lean, hard line of his jaw as he whirled her around. “Are you and Dottie friends?”
“You could say that,” he answered, thinking now that he was quite grateful Dottie had claimed him for the dance.
“My name’s Faith.”
“I’m Trent.”
“You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I just rode in today.”
“Will you be staying long?”
“No, I’ll be moving on soon.” He looked down at her, thinking how tempting she was, and how he might just stay around for a while if Coyote Canyon proved to be this entertaining. “I take it you live here?”
“Yes, my family has a ranch nearby.” She was sorry to hear he would be leaving, and was about to ask him more about himself when the announcement came again.
“Ladies! Change partners!”
Faith wanted to stay right there in his arms, but she knew she had no choice but to switch partners. Already, Cathie Fleenor had appeared out of nowhere and was all but th
rowing herself into Trent’s arms. Faith was shocked by the unexpected sense of jealousy that filled her as she watched Cathie flirting with the newcomer.
Faith turned away to find that Mike Stevens, one of Jake’s hands, was available, so she hurried to claim him as her next partner. As they danced, she kept trying, without being too obvious, to catch another glimpse of the man named Trent.
Trent made it through the dance with his new partner, who introduced herself as Cathie and didn’t stop talking the entire time they were dancing. She asked him question after question, and he tried not to look too excited when the call came to switch again.
Abbie saw that the handsome stranger her sister had danced with was free, and quickly claimed him for her own.
Trent was coming to understand why this was quite the social event in Coyote Canyon. Here he was, dancing with another pretty blonde. It wasn’t often a man got that pleasure. This one didn’t say much, so he never learned her name. He just enjoyed the moment.
Trent didn’t have much of a chance when the change came. Cathie had planned her strategy well. She had made sure her dance partner kept her close by the new man in town so she could grab him up again once he was through dancing with Abbie. Trent knew there was no way to escape, so he squired Cathie around, biding his time as he circled the floor with her. He thought the music was going on far too long.
CHAPTER THREE
Trent was glad when the music finally came to an end and he could take his leave from Cathie. She’d made it clear in no uncertain terms that she was interested in him, even though he hadn’t encouraged her in any way. If he’d been interested in getting to know any woman better that night, it would have been the one named Faith. Something about her had touched him. Not that he had time for any involvement with anyone, though. With the dangerous life he led, he couldn’t afford any personal commitments.
“Are you sure you don’t want to get some refreshments?” Cathie repeated one last time in hopes that he would change his mind and stay with her for a little longer.
“No. I have to go, but thanks for the dance.”
“I hope to see you again,” she called out, watching in disappointment as he walked off. When she caught sight of Mason Ryan, she put the stranger out of her thoughts and went after him.
Trent was about to leave when he glanced back one last time, wondering what had happened to Faith. He caught sight of her across the dance floor, standing with another man, smiling up at him. He let his gaze linger on her for a moment, thinking once again how lovely she was, and then he moved off and disappeared into the crowd. He was looking forward to returning to his room and getting some sleep.
“That was a pleasure,” Paul Davis told Faith.
“Yes, it was. I always like the ladies’ choice dance.”
Paul moved away, leaving Faith alone. She was smiling as she turned to look around. She hoped to see the man named Trent again, but there was no sign of him in the crowd. She thought it was strange that he’d seemed to appear out of nowhere and then vanished again the same way. She decided that she would seek Dottie out later and ask her just who he was.
During the ladies’ choice dance, Abbie had been thrilled to claim Jake again for her partner. They’d stayed together talking after the dance, and now as the music started up once more, he didn’t say a word, but simply led her back out to the dance floor.
Abbie was in heaven. She gave herself over to Jake’s lead, closing her eyes to lose herself in the joy of the moment as they moved about the floor as one.
Jake was considering just how lucky he was. He’d been thinking seriously about telling Abbie how much he cared for her, but he wasn’t quite sure of her feelings for him yet. He decided that maybe tonight was the night to take a chance with her. He danced them over toward the side of the floor, and when they got close, he stopped dancing and took her by the hand to lead her off.
“Jake? Where are we going?” Abbie was surprised by his move—and intrigued. She didn’t want to make a scene, so she didn’t resist as he drew her away.
He didn’t respond. He just led her outside to a dark, secluded corner in an alleyway nearby.
Abbie was thrilled. He was being daring and romantic. “Oh, Jake . . .”
“Don’t say a word, Abbie,” he said in a low voice as he loomed over her.
He backed her up against a wall and then took her in his arms and kissed her, his lips claiming hers in a hungry, passionate exchange. He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but until he was more certain of her feelings for him, he kept his own to himself.
Abbie responded eagerly to his kiss, excited by the forbidden quality of their embrace. She’d been kissed before by other boys, but she’d never known excitement like this. Abbie realized as she gloried in his embrace that this was no boy she was kissing—Jake was definitely a man. She lifted her arms to link them around his neck and pull him down even closer.
Her unspoken invitation evoked a low, sensuous groan from Jake, and he reacted instinctively. He crushed her even more tightly against him, loving the feel of her soft breasts against his chest. His lips left hers to explore the sweetness of her throat, and then he kissed her again, hungrily, passionately.
Feelings Abbie had never experienced before ignited within her. She arched to him in an unspoken offering, loving his kiss, wanting his closeness, wanting—
The sound of voices nearby jarred them both back to reality and forced them to break apart.
Abbie stood there in the shadows of the night, gazing up at him, stunned by what had just passed between them. It had been heavenly—pure ecstasy being in his arms.
“We’d better get back,” she breathed reluctantly.
“I know.” Jake realized she was right, but, in truth, he wanted to stay right there and keep her in his arms for the rest of the night. He couldn’t take the risk, though, for he didn’t want to endanger her reputation.
They emerged from their heated, passionate tryst, breathless and totally aware of each other’s nearness.
“I know Mason’s here somewhere,” Larissa Murray told her friend Katie.
“The way the girls are always after him, they’ve probably dragged him off somewhere.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Larissa moaned. She’d been waiting for this night for ages. Mason worked so hard out at his family’s ranch that she didn’t get to see him very often. Now that he was in town, she wanted to be with him as much as she could—but then, it seemed as if every other girl in town felt the same way.
“You’ll get to dance with him again; I’m sure of it.” Katie tried to cheer her up.
“But the ladies’ choice dance is over.”
“He’s going to ask you. I’m sure he will. You just wait and see.”
“I hope you’re right.” She sighed.
“Look! There he is!” Katie pointed him out to her friend. He had just moved into view with Cathie clinging possessively to his arm.
They both groaned at the sight. They knew how man-crazy Cathie was, and the way she was hanging on him, Mason would be lucky if he could get away from her at all.
“Maybe you should go help him out,” Katie suggested daringly.
“You think a man like Mason needs help? Maybe he’s enjoying himself with Cathie.”
Her friend gave her an exaggeratedly pained look. “With a girl like her? What do you think?”
“You’re right.” Larissa rethought her position. She had always considered herself a woman of action. When she wanted something, she went after it. She suddenly realized that Mason Ryan should be no different. She wanted him for herself, and she couldn’t let the poor man suffer at the hands of the notorious Cathie Fleenor. “You’re right, Katie. He does need me to rescue him.”
Just as Larissa started to go to them, a new song started up. She watched as Cathie continued to hold Mason’s arm so that he had to dance with her again or cause a scene. Now was the time. Cathie had had him long enough. It was time she learned how to shar
e.
“I’m cutting in,” Larissa announced, tapping Cathie on the shoulder in an outrageous move that, had her mother seen it, would have gotten her in trouble.
“But . . .” Cathie started to protest. She never got the chance to finish her sentence.
Mason quickly let her go and turned to his new partner.
In a huff, Cathie glared at Larissa for a minute and then stalked off.
Larissa knew she’d drawn a few stares with her blatant ploy, but she didn’t care. She was with Mason—at last.
“I didn’t know this was another ladies’ choice dance,” Mason said, giving her a quizzical smile.
“It wasn’t,” she responded as she looked up at him, careful to keep her expression innocent. “It was the ‘Larissa’s choice’ dance.”
Mason laughed out loud as they continued to dance. There weren’t many men in Coyote Canyon who could say they’d had women almost fighting over them. He was definitely enjoying himself this night.
Trent wasted no time getting back to his room. He was more than ready to stretch out in a real bed and get a good night’s sleep. As he settled in, he could still hear the music in the distance, and a vision of the woman named Faith lingered in his thoughts. She was a beautiful woman, and the man who ended up with her would be very lucky.
There were occasions when Trent regretted that he didn’t have a family, but mostly he kept too busy to have much time to dwell on such thoughts. Trent knew that what he did was important, and he found himself wondering what his next job would be. He finally put the thought from him and just allowed himself to relax. As he’d told Cal, he was going to take some time off.
Faith’s curiosity finally got the best of her, and the first chance she got, she went looking for Dottie. She found the older woman sitting with some other ladies, watching the younger couples dance.