She was the happiest she’d been in a long time, then she glanced around and saw Juliette Cramer looking at her as if she couldn’t believe Lance Gentry would lower himself to dance with a cripple. Juliette’s sun-colored blond hair was piled on her head in a mass of curls, and her blue eyes sparkled. She was wearing a beautiful blue silk dress. Probably something from St. Louis. Of course several men were swarming around her, but her eyes told Grace there was only one man at this dance she wanted attention from. That man was Lance Gentry.
Involuntarily, Grace stumbled. Lance caught her and pulled her a little closer to him.
“I’m sorry. Maybe I should go sit down,” she mumbled. She wanted to get away from Juliette’s piercing eyes.
“You’re doing fine, Grace. Relax.” Lance grinned at her and danced her to the other side of the floor.
Relax. How can I relax? He’s holding me too close and everybody is watching. I’m sure they’re waiting for me to stumble and fall, and make a fool of myself. Still, it feels so good in his arms. I’ve dreamed about dancing with him ever since he kissed me. Now that I finally feel those strong arms around me again, I wish this dance could last forever.
But the dance ended and she looked up at him. “Thank you for putting up with me.”
“I enjoyed it. We’ll dance again, but first let’s get something to eat. I went to make my rounds in town before I could eat and now I’m hungry.”
“I’m a little hungry, too.”
They went to the table and picked up plates. “This fried chicken seems to be calling my name.” Lance put a piece on his plate. “Want one?”
“Yes. I think that’s the chicken Effie fried up this morning.”
He laid a smaller piece on Grace’s plate and put another one on his. “Good. You know how much I love Effie’s fried chicken.
They were dishing out green beans when a heavyset woman on the other side said, “Why, Lance Gentry. I didn’t know you and Grace were a couple.”
Grace almost dropped her plate, but Lance said calmly, “Grace and I have been friends for years, Mrs. Cramer.”
“Oh, I see. I thought maybe you were more serious,” Marjorie Cramer said.
Lance chuckled and winked at Grace. “Well, we’re not engaged or anything, but we sure do like each other.”
Before she could answer Lance put his free hand on Grace’s back and eased her toward the next table where there were several drink choices. “What would you like?”
“I’ll take lemonade.”
“I’ll have that, too.”
They got their drinks and turned toward the crowd. Grace spied Wilma waving to them. “Wilma has some extra places at her table. Would you like to sit with her and Stanley?”
“Sure.”
“If you want to sit someplace else, I’ll go join them.”
“Why would I want to sit someplace else?”
“I don’t know, Lance. I just suggested…I mean, well, Juliette’s been eying you ever since we got here.”
“I don’t want to sit with Juliette, Grace. Come on, let’s join Wilma and Stanley.”
“Hello, you two,” Wilma said when they reached her table. “We’ve been saving seats for you and the Wainwrights.”
“We appreciate that,” Lance said. “I was never very good at eating with a plate on my lap. For some reason I always spill it.”
“I’m the same way,” Stanley said.
“Grace, I love your dress. Did you have Miss Purdy make it?” Wilma asked.
“Yes, but it was damaged, and Elizabeth Donahue re-did the top for me.”
“Well, it’s lovely.”
“Thank you. Yours is lovely, too.”
It wasn’t long until Amelia and Jed joined them. They sat their plates of food on the table and thanked Wilma for saving them a seat. ‘
“This food looks great,” Jed said. “I was getting hungry.”
“Honey, you’re always hungry.” Amelia gave him a playful swat on his arm and he winked at her.
“He looks pretty healthy to me,” Lance said. “He must be eating well on the Circle 2.”
“Oh yes, Delores sees to that. She has him spoiled rotten.”
Wilma laughed. “I remember when I’d visit you, she’d make us all behave, but she was so kind and so generous with the snacks that we didn’t mind.”
Before anyone else could speak, a man on the makeshift bandstand yelled for attention. When all was quiet, he said, “Folks, by request this next dance will be a lady’s choice number. Now girls, if there’s a handsome man out there that you want to get next to, this is your chance.”
People began to couple up and move to the dance floor. Amelia turned to Jed. “Honey, I want to dance with you a little later, but I think I want to finish my meal right now.”
He grinned. “I hoped you’d say that.”
“See what I mean about him liking his food?” Amelia rolled her eyes.
Juliette Cramer rushed up to their table. “I’ve come to get you to dance with me, Lance.”
Lance didn’t look too enthusiastic, but he stood and said to Grace, “Don’t let Jed eat my food when he finishes his.”
She laughed, but she noticed the snide look Juliette gave her. It was as if she was saying she knew he’d rather dance with her than any other woman at the party.
Gertrude Ellsworth, the preacher’s mother, tapped Jed on the shoulder. “Jedidiah, I may be an old lady, but if Amelia doesn’t mind, I’d sure like to take a turn on the dance floor with a big handsome cowboy like you.”
“Why, Mrs. Ellsworth, there’s not another women in this town I’d rather dance with than you.” Jed pushed back his plate.
“Except that pretty lady beside you.” Gertrude Ellsworth smiled at Amelia.
“Of course her, but since she’s a married woman we won’t count her.” Jed touched Amelia’s shoulder then led Mrs. Ellsworth away.
Everyone at the table laughed and continued to eat.
“Looks like there’s a woman after your man, Amelia,” Wilma said.
“She told me one time if she were a few years younger, she’d fight me for him.” Amelia laughed. “I think she met him soon after she came here from Savannah to live with her son and his wife. Jed thinks the world of her.”
“I’m surprised they took to each other. She looks so prim and proper that I’d never guess she’d make friends with a cowboy.” Grace watched them walk toward the dance floor.
“I think it was because she reached out to him when he brought his last bunch of criminals to town. He said he was dirty, unshaven, and probably smelled to high heaven, but she didn’t seem to notice. And she definitely didn’t seem to notice his Lakota heritage or if she did, it didn’t bother her.” Amelia shook her head. “Would you believe some people still have a hard time accepting him because he’s half Indian?”
“That’s a shame. Jed’s a fine man,” Stanley said.
The announcer’s voice interrupted them again. “This is your last chance folks. Now don’t be shy girls. Go get that handsome cowboy by the arm and let’s get ready for a good time on the dance floor.
Grace knew Wilma was dying to ask Stanley to dance, but was too shy. On impulse, she gently nudged Wilma’s leg with her foot.
Wilma looked surprised but must have gotten the hint, because she turned to Stanley and blurted, “Will you dance with me?”
He turned red, but nodded.
Grace smiled as they walked away. “Do you think if he doesn’t move to Chicago with his mother that he and Wilma will ever manage to get over their shyness long enough to fall in love?”
“I don’t know, but I have my doubts. I thought when Wilma went to work in his father’s store that they’d be a couple by now.”
“So did I, but you just never know about people.”
“That’s for sure. Who would have thought when I got my first good look at that six-foot-four husband of mine that I’d never look at another man?”
“You sure surprised us all when yo
u married Jed, but it looks like you made the right decision, Amelia. Everyone can tell how much he loves you.”
“I love him just as much, and speaking of love, now that I’m married and Nelda seems to be deliriously happy with her Major there in Colorado and Wilma is at least talking to Stanley, when are you and Lance going to admit you love each other. My baby is already three months old and will soon need a playmate.”
“It was a nice dream, my friend, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll probably end up the old maid in the group. Ever since we visited on your ranch, Lance has kept his distance. That tells me he’s not interested.” Grace looked toward the dance floor and changed the subject. “Boy, a lot of girls decided to drag men out there didn’t they?”
“Yes, there are a lot of them dancing and don’t try to avoid the subject. You know a beautiful woman like you will never end up an old maid. And no matter what you say, Lance has been eying you with interest this evening. You may not think he’s interested, and he may not realize it himself, but he is.”
“Lance is being nice because he feels sorry for me after the run-in with Kemp Newton’s friend.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Why not? Look at the way he’s holding Juliette Cramer, and he’s looking down at her as if she’s the most beautiful woman he ever saw, which she very well may be. He’s also hanging on to every word she’s saying to him.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re jealous of Juliette Cramer.”
“Oh, Lord, Amelia, please don’t…”
Amelia touched her arm. “Don’t worry, my friend. You know I’d never betray a confidence.”
“But…”
“All right, Grace. If you want to deny it, go ahead, but I’ve been through it, remember? And I’ll admit that Jed still makes my heart race. I get excited and all jittery inside whenever I hear his boots on the back porch when he comes in from work each evening. He may smell like the cows he’s been working with all day, but it doesn’t matter to me. I can’t wait for him to take me in his arms and tell me he loves me.”
“Even after being married for a year?” Amelia’s words had surprised Grace.
“Oh, yes. I think when you love somebody the way I do him, it will last a lifetime. I’m planning on it to get even better as we grow old together. He says he is, too.”
Grace didn’t comment. All she could think of was that she hoped it would happen for her someday, but she knew in her heart it never would.
She glanced again at Lance and Juliette. They were holding each other close and he must have said something that pleased her because she leaned up and kissed his cheek. Yes, Amelia had to be dead wrong. There was no way in the world that the handsome six-foot-two sheriff would ever be interested in her now. He’d given his heart to Juliette Cramer who threw herself at him until he gave in.
The dance ended and everyone headed back to their places. Everyone except Lance. He’d led Juliette to the side of the dance floor, and they were in what looked like a deep conversation.
Jed returned and reached for his plate as he sat.
“Did you enjoy that?” Amelia smiled at him.
“I did. Mrs. Ellsworth is quite a dancer. She told me she always enjoyed a nice cotillion when Mr. Ellsworth was alive.” He chuckled. “Of course I was in a hurry to finish eating.”
“If she was younger, and you didn’t have such a predictable appetite, I’d be jealous.”
“Maybe you should be anyway. She likes me, you know.” Jed grinned at his wife.
Amelia laughed and punched him playfully in the stomach.
Charles Fielding walked up to their table. “Hello, everyone.”
They spoke and he went on, “I thought your mother would have come with you, Amelia. I was planning on asking her to dance.”
“She’s at the hotel with Aaron. He had to take a nap and she volunteered.”
“I see.”
Amelia gave him a smile and suggested, “If you have the time, why not go tell her Jed and I will be coming soon. I don’t want her to miss all the festivities.”
His face brightened. “Thank you, Amelia. I think I’ll do just that.”
Grace couldn’t help being a little jealous of Elizabeth Donahue, although it wasn’t because the banker was interested in the older woman. Everyone in town knew that he was courting Elizabeth Downey before Rafe Donahue came along and stole her heart. Some people suspected that was the reason Charles had never married. Now that Elizabeth had been a widow for over a year, why shouldn’t she and Charles have a second chance at happiness? Grace’s jealously stemmed from the fact that the woman had someone interested in her, while Grace was heading toward spinsterhood.
Her eyes automatically wandered to Lance and Juliette. They were still standing close together on the sidelines. It looked to Grace as if some serious conversation was taking place. She made herself turn to Wilma and ask if she enjoyed the dance.
Chapter 21
Lance didn’t want to step to the sideline with Juliette, but she insisted she wanted to talk with him privately. He didn’t want to make a scene by refusing because he knew when Juliette Cramer didn’t get her way, she could cause a scene that people would talk about for days. As calmly as he could, he asked, “What did you want to talk to me about, Juliette?”
“I wanted to ask you if you’d like to take me home when this dance is over.”
“Didn’t you come with your parents?” Lance knew she was trying to make him see she was the one woman he couldn’t refuse, but he had news for her. He could. Of all the single women in Settlers Ridge, Wyoming who had let him know they wouldn’t mind a relationship with him, Juliette would be the last one he would choose. Of course, being the gentleman his mother raised, he would tell her as gently as he could. Not that he hadn’t told her before.
“They’d be proud if the sheriff accompanied me home. They like you.”
“I like them, too, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to escort you home. I have to make my final rounds in town, and I have prisoners in jail that I have to check on.”
“Oh, pooh. I hoped we could spend some time together when everyone in town isn’t watching us.”
“I’m sure there are a lot of single men here who would enjoy the honor of seeing you safely home.”
“But I wanted it to be you.”
Lance took a deep breath. “As I’ve told you before, Juliette, I’m not interested in a relationship with you. I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, but that’s the way it is.” He didn’t offer any more explanation.
“We could go for a walk right now and I could change your mind, I’m sure. I love walking when the sun is setting, and that’s such a romantic time.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Juliette, so quit trying to push me. I haven’t finished eating and I’m hungry.”
“Well, maybe later after we’ve danced a little more you’ll need some fresh air and want a woman on your arm to enjoy it with you.” She batted her eyes at him.
He glanced toward the table where Grace sat with his other friends “Maybe so, but that woman won’t be you. Now, excuse me, I need to get back to my table. I don’t want Jed or Stanley to finish eating my food.”
“Oh, Lance.” She grabbed his arm. “Why don’t you fill a fresh plate and come eat with me. I’d love to entertain you while you eat.”
“Why won’t you take no for an answer?”
“Because I know you’ll eventually give in to me.”
He didn’t have to reply because Warren Bledsoe walked up and said, “Can I have this next dance, Juliette?”
She looked as if she might refuse and before she could answer Lance said quickly, “I’m sure she’d love it, Warren.” He pried her hand off his arm. “You two have a nice dance.”
Juliette didn’t have a chance to say anything because he hurried away.
* * * *
Grace watched as Lance walked back to their table. She thought he�
�d rather have stayed with Juliette, but felt obligated to rejoin her. She’d just have to tell him that she was going back to the hotel soon. That way he wouldn’t feel he had to act as if they were here together.
He dropped in the chair beside her. Leaning his arms on the table he whispered, “You better not let that happen to me again.”
Grace frowned because she didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
Before he could reply, the announcer said once again, “Folks, I’ve cut this dance short because that ladies’ dance went so well a minute ago and several people have requested that we do it again. Now grab that handsome man and let’s all head for the dance floor.”
“Since you’ve finished eating, do you want to dance with me this time, or with Mrs. Ellsworth, Jed?” Amelia cocked her head toward him.
“My love, I’d rather dance with you than anyone else in the world.” They stood and headed for the dance floor.
Wilma didn’t get a chance to ask Stanley to dance again because he excused himself by saying he had to go home and check on his mama.
As if by magic, Juliette appeared beside their table. “Lance, I’ve come to get you to dance with me again.” Her voice took on a teasing quality.
Lance took hold of Grace’s arm. “I’m sorry, Juliette, but Grace has asked for this dance.”
Juliette looked shocked and blurted, “But wouldn’t you rather dance with me?”
“No. I’m looking forward to dancing with Grace.” Lance gave Juliette a smile and almost pulled Grace to her feet. “I’m sure there are other men who’ll dance with you.”
Juliette glared at Grace. “Don’t you think you should let Lance dance with someone who won’t be stumbling and stepping on his feet like you will?”
Grace's Dream Page 19