Gage gave his friend a blank stare. “Proud of me for what?”
“For fakin’ the fall. I don’t know if anyone else could tell, but I knew what you were doin’.” He nodded.
Gage shrugged. “Well, a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do.”
The loud bell from the middle of town captured their attention. The afternoon event would be starting in a few minutes. This was a bidding war on picnic baskets...men blindly choosing a young woman’s basket and having lunch with her. He’d attended this event a few years ago when his family had come to visit. Excitement grew inside him as if it was his first time. “Come on, Clint. Let’s go.”
Clint chuckled. “Well, I’m not rightly a young’un any longer, and this picnic’s just for you young folks—and for men looking to get hooked up with a woman.”
“You’re just as available as I am.”
Clint’s brows creased. “Whatcha talkin’ about? You’re engaged, aren’t you?”
Gage hesitated, unable to confess what has transpired between him and Violet. Playfully, he slugged his friend’s arm. “You know what I mean.”
Clint nodded. “I suppose.”
Side by side Gage and Clint meandered to the grandstand. They stood by as the single adults gathered around for the auction. The advertised purpose for this year’s picnic was to help raise funds for the new church, but everybody knew the real reason was to match young couples together.
Gage studied the eager young women who’d baked and decorated their lovely baskets all morning, hoping to snatch a young man who would make the highest bid for their lunch. Twenty-five baskets displayed for auction and the same amount of giggling females stood sneaking peaks at the men who clustered together on the opposite side.
Out of all the young ladies, Gage’s attention held to one particular female. Adella couldn’t help but outshine the rest. Her hair had fallen completely out of her tidy coil and was pulled back with a rust colored ribbon. She looked prettier than all the others.
He figured this was probably Adella’s first year entering the picnic, yet she didn’t seem as eager as the others. Of course, she wouldn’t. She didn’t have a special man in her life to place a bid on her basket since Albert Owens was in Lewiston.
Inwardly, Gage cringed. He didn’t like the mayor’s son, and deep down in his heart, he hoped Adella would forget about Albert and move on with her life.
When the auctioneer picked a basket, the young girl who owned it blushed profoundly, easy to see which basket belonged to whom. Gage rolled his eyes over the girl’s childlike antics. Halfway through the proceedings, the auctioneer picked a basket whose owner didn’t turn red as a beet. Gage’s curiosity had been aroused and his gaze studied each of the remaining girls.
The auctioneer started the bidding. “Who’ll bid for this lovely basket? Do I hear ten cents?”
Clint chuckled softly then raised his hand. “I’ll bid two bits.”
Gage raised his brows. Lately, he wondered if his friend had a secret love. Clint was a handsome man, and Gage had witnessed his friend flirting with women. Yet Clint had never courted anyone. Sometimes Gage noticed a faraway look on his friend’s face...the kind of look that told him Clint was dreaming about a woman.
Gage’s interest sparked and he looked forward to discovering the lucky lady. Would she be here today?
Mr. Banks grinned. “Fifty cents? That’s a good bid, Sheriff Slade. Do I hear fifty-five?”
Another man in the crowd reached out his hand and waved. “I bid fifty-five.”
Mr. Banks’ smile widened. “Good, good. Do I hear sixty cents?”
Clint nodded. “Sixty.”
“Thank you, sheriff. Do I hear sixty-five? Does anybody want to go against Clint Slade?”
Gage laughed and nudged his friend teasingly, then shouted, “I’ll bid eighty cents.”
Gasps echoed throughout the crowd, and Gage realized everyone suspected that he would bid on Violet’s basket since they were engaged. This particular basket wasn’t Violet’s because she always decorated hers in the same material as her dress.
Clint glanced down at Gage and winked. “You think so, do you?” he whispered. “I bid one dollar,” he said louder.
Gasps exploded all around and Gage kept his attention on the girls, but he still couldn’t figure out who owned this basket.
Mr. Banks’ full smile showed his enthusiasm. “Oh, sheriff, that is an excellent bid. Remember men, we’re thinking about the funds for a new church. So let’s loosen our moneybags and dig in a little deeper. Do I hear one dollar and ten cents?”
“How about one dollar and fifty cents?” Gage called.
“One dollar and fifty cents? Do I hear more?” Mr. Banks asked.
“Two dollars,” Clint yelled.
“Do I hear two dollars and fifty cents?” Mr. Banks looked over at Gage.
Gage shook his head and held up his hands in surrender. As much as he wanted to tease his friend, he couldn’t embarrass Violet by winning another basket.
Mr. Banks ended the bidding as he smacked his mallet down on the small wooden box in front of him. “Sold to Clint Slade for two dollars,” he exclaimed and the crowd cheered.
Gage couldn’t wait any longer. He had to know what lady held his brother’s interest. “Who does the basket belong to?” he yelled.
Mr. Banks glanced at the name on the card, then his eyes widened. “It belongs to Miss Adella Lancaster.”
Immediately, pain gripped Gage’s stomach and all his excitement vanished. He kept his eyes on his friend as he joined Adella. The look of pleasure on Clint’s face explained he’d known the true identity of the basket’s owner all this time. Gage’s gallant friend drew Adella’s hand around the crook of his arm and escorted her to a spot just inside the trees. Both Clint and Adella wore wide grins.
Gage had never been jealous of another man...until now. He didn’t like it one bit.
ADELLA WELCOMED THE setting sun because it brought the cool night air, and for the barn dance it was certainly a refreshing treat. This would be her first dance since she was an adult, and excitement filled her when she thought about showing the town just how much she’d changed since they remembered her as a tomboy.
Although she tried to impress all the young men, there was really only one man she searched for at this moment, curse his hide. Since she couldn’t get Gage off her mind, she went about flirting with every man who danced with her, hoping to forget about the one who’d kissed her so passionately last night.
She felt so pretty in the new shimmering forest green dress that fit her bodice and waist perfectly. The sleeves drooped off her shoulders, showing off a fair amount of skin, trimmed with white lace along the edge of the bodice. The bustle even accented her hips. Instead of pulling her hair into a tight coil, she left it long, gently pulling back the sides and tying it with a green ribbon. She felt beautiful and very feminine. Of course, when most of the men fought over her to see who would be her next dancing partner or who would fetch her another cup of punch, it boosted her ego tenfold.
The gallantry of the young gentlemen almost took her mind off Gage—who danced with many girls and looked to be enjoying himself. His dreamy hazel eyes sparkled when he laughed at something his dance partner said, but Adella tried not to notice. She also couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t dance that often with Violet. In fact, for a man engaged, he wasn’t around Violet often enough.
Adella’s surprise expanded when Clint showered her with constant attention. She liked his focus only because it made the younger men try harder. Although she thought Clint handsome and sweet, she only wanted to be his friend. This afternoon during their picnic he made her laugh and flattered her constantly, but...he wasn’t Gage.
“My dear, Miss Lancaster.” Clint grinned and mocked a small bow. “Would you give me the pleasure of this next dance?”
She smiled and slid into a half curtsy. “Why certainly, you handsome devil.” She took his arm and strolled with him to
the center of the barn floor.
The dance was a quick, toe-tapping, knee-slapping rhythm, and the floor filled quickly. Clint’s capable hands led her around with ease. His accurate feet kept the beat and he didn’t step on her toes even once, which relieved her, since most of her dances were spent moving her feet from under her partner’s.
When the dance ended, she laughed from exhaustion. She followed Clint off the floor and to the water bucket. She accepted the water, almost wishing it was the punch, but it eased her parched throat and helped to cool her temperature.
“That was enjoyable.” He laughed and took another long drink.
After setting her cup down, she daintily wiped her moist brow with a handkerchief. “Yes, it was. You’re a really good dancer. Wherever did you learn?”
“I’ll never tell my secrets.”
“Confess, Clint. Do you leave broken hearts in every town you visit? Are there a string of women who wait for you to return? Could one of these lucky women be the one who taught you to dance?”
He leaned closer. “I’ll never tell.”
She swatted his arm playfully. “You’re cruel, absolutely cruel.”
“And you’re as cute as a bug.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her next to his side. “Would you like to go outside for some fresh air?”
She gave him a sideways glance. At first she thought he was teasing, but his eyes held a streak of seriousness. She wondered about his intentions. Hopefully, it wasn't the same reason most boys wanted to take girls outside in the dark. “I suppose I could use a little fresh air.”
Still keeping his arm around her waist, he moved them toward the barn doors. Just as they reached the opening, another man approached, moving in front of her and Clint. She didn’t react right away, but Clint did.
“Hello, Gage,” Clint greeted. “Are you havin’ a good time?”
Gage smiled at his friend, and a familiar ache grew around her heart, darn him.
“Sure am. Tell me one person who isn’t?”
Gage moved his gaze back to her and his eyes swept over her from head to toe. His boldness stirred her blood, and she trembled.
“Adella?” he asked. “Would you honor me with the next dance?”
His request surprised her...yet delighted her. She looked to Clint. “Is it all right if we take a walk afterward?”
Clint winked. “It’s allrightie by me.”
She cautiously slipped her arm around Gage’s elbow as he escorted her to the dance floor. Once the fiddle began singing, she realized this was the worst possible dance to have with him. Why did it have to be a waltz?
Gage curved his arm around her waist and cradled her fingers in his large hand. “You look mighty pretty tonight,” he said softly.
She blushed, but hoped he would think her flushed face was the result of the heat in the barn. “Thank you. And I think you look exceptionally handsome.” He did, too. He wore similar clothes like the kind he was wearing when she first met him in Lewiston.
His eyebrow rose, and he missed a step. “Oh, really? I didn’t think you noticed.”
“Why wouldn’t I notice you?”
“Because you’ve been too busy flirting with other men.”
Her eyes widened. “Have you been spying on me, Gage?” She shook her head. “Tsk, tsk. Shame on you. Don’t you know that it’s rude to ogle your fiancée’s cousin?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t exactly call it ogling, Duchess.”
“What would you call it exactly?” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Would you call it...lusting?”
His arm tightened around her waist and his stared pierced deep into her eyes. The heat from the barn had nothing to do with the rise in her temperature now. She realized how wonderful it felt to be in his arms, and she hoped this dance would last forever.
“Do you want me to lust after you?” His voice turned seductive, which made her heart pump madly.
What had she gotten herself into this time? Couldn’t she remember what it did to her insides? “That wouldn’t be a good thing to do to your fiancée’s cousin.”
“You’re right. It wouldn’t be a good thing to do at all.”
Straightening her posture, she concentrated on her steps, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep from staring into his dreamy eyes. Unfortunately, none of the other men could compare to Gage. The poor lost souls couldn’t even compare to Clint.
“Adella? Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Depends on how personal it is.”
His lips turned up into a lopsided grin. “I’m sure you’ll think it’s very personal.”
“Ooh, now I’m curious.”
Silence lasted a few awkward moments as he stared at her. “I want to know...well, shoot, how can I say this without sounding like some over-protective father?”
She laughed lightly. The look of agitation on his face told her of his discomfort.
He took a deep breath. “Why is Clint suddenly paying court to you?”
The question startled her, making her miss a couple of steps, but she quickly recovered. “How would I know? I thought you could tell me.”
“So, it’s true? He wants to court you?”
“I don’t think so. He’s being extremely friendly and he’s giving me more attention, but I think he just likes my company.”
“I think he likes it a little too much.”
She wrinkled her forehead. “Gage, just what are you implying?”
“The way I see it, Clint is flirting with you, and you’re flirting right back.”
“What’s so wrong with that?”
“Because, he’s...he’s...he’s older than you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not that much older. Why should age make a difference anyway?”
“It’s just not right.” His voice rose.
“Oh, but it’s all right for my cousin’s fiancée to flirt with me?”
She knew her voice was loud, but really didn’t care who overheard. Apparently, Gage did. He glanced around them quickly then glared at her as his arm tightened around her waist. “Adella, I’m not talking about me. I’m trying to figure out what my friend is doing and put a stop to it.”
She gasped. “That’s the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard. You want to put a stop to your friend’s fun? Do you want him to be as miserable as you?”
“What makes you think I’m miserable? I’ll have you know I’m having a heaping good time tonight.”
She shook her head slowly. “Oh, sure, with every woman but the one you’re engaged to. You can’t even put your arm around my cousin and show her a little affection.” She huffed. “Good heavens, Gage, you’re going to be married. Why don’t you start acting like a man in love?”
“I thought I said,” he bit out slowly and deeply, “that I don’t want to talk about me.”
“On the other hand,” she continued, strongly, “I happen to think this whole conversation is about you. I don’t know why, but I think you’re jealous of your friend. He is unattached and carefree. I believe you feel as if you’re drowning because you are about to get married. Yes, Gage, I do think this is all about you, but if you are so unhappy with Violet, why don’t you do something about it?”
The music stopped and she turned sharply on her heels, leaving Gage standing on the dance floor. Steam threatened to rise from her ears. Adella was suddenly in great need of some fresh cool air. Nothing and nobody was going to stop her from going outside with Clint now.
Chapter Fifteen
Gage’s mood declined the longer the night wore on. The heat from the inside of the barn warped his mind, which led him frequently to the refreshing breeze coming from the open doors. He scanned the shadows in the night, and when he couldn’t see Clint and Adella, his temper escalated.
He’d been counting the minutes since they left. So far it’d been twenty, and his patience thinned. He lingered by the barn doors, waiting for their return, but as each minute passed, his foul mo
od worsened.
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally emerged into the light. Gage quickly retreated back into the barn’s shadows before they noticed him. Anger surged through him, threatening to make his head explode. Perhaps he should simmer down before talking to them. He feared what words would tumble off his tongue if he said anything with him feeling this way.
Another cup of Charles Hires homemade concoction he called root beer would do the trick, Gage was sure. Hires said his brew was a drink made without alcohol. So far this evening, Gage had enjoyed the refreshing taste.
He marched to the table, filled his cup to the brim, and quickly gulped down the brown liquid. Within seconds, he refilled his empty cup. Gage shook his head. Why couldn’t he take control of the confusing jealousy running amuck through his system right now?
A movement from the corner of his eyes jerked him out of his thoughts. Clint walked toward him, but Adella wasn’t anywhere near. Gage breathed a sigh of relief, and then mentally tried to shake off his anger.
Clint reached Gage’s side. The grin on his friend’s face was a testament to what had probably happened outside under the moonlight. Gage’s blood boiled.
“How are you enjoyin’ the dance?” Clint asked.
“It started out fine, but it’s ending rather miserably,” Gage grumbled.
Clint’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong? Seems to me like any ordinary barn dance.”
Gage glanced across the crowd. “No, tonight’s dance is far from ordinary.”
“What’s so different?”
Gage turned away from his friend and leaned against the table with another drink in his hand. As his gaze skimmed the dance floor, he found Adella with another dance partner. Even through his jealous anger, he still thought she was the prettiest woman he’d ever seen. She smiled while in the arms of this particular man, and her eyes sparkled. Would she ever look at him that way? His heart dropped. Probably not.
Ignoring Clint’s last question, he quickly changed the subject. “So, what’s the story with you and Adella?”
Reach for Heaven Page 18