"And I'll bet the more aloof you are with him, the
harder he pursues you," Rose said thoughtfully. "It's
obvious Richard loves challenges. You're probably
the only woman who's ever denied him anything
and that makes him all the more determined to have
you."
"I'm sure that's why he and Aubrey are here. He
was getting quite serious back in Philadelphia just as
I got word about my father and had to leave."
"Well, I'll keep an eye on you tonight. If you look
like you need rescuing, I'll find a way to save you."
"You are a true friend." Jenny laughed as an image
of Rose trying to save her from Richard played in her
mind. "Although I don't know how you'd manage to
take on Richard."
"He may be bigger than I am, but I'm more deterined."
Somehow, Jenny knew Rose was right.
`By the way, you look very pretty tonight, too,"
Jenny told her. "It's a shame your cowboy has to
work all night and won't get to see you."
"I know. The thought occurred to me that I ought
to go back over to the High Time and spend the evening at the bar with him, but that's probably not such
a wonderful idea."
"This is unusual for you," Jenny remarked thoughtfully, casting her friend a sidelong glance. "I've never
known you to react to any man the way you're reacting to Dan."
"I know. I don't quite understand it myself," Rose
said, a bit perplexed; then she smiled. "But I'm enjoying it. Let's just hope that I get to see him at least
a few more times before I have to go back home."
"You will."
"I hope so." The possibility of not seeing Dan again
troubled Rose, and the fact that she was even worrying about it surprised her. She turned her thoughts
away from her cowboy and back to Jenny's dilemma.
"So, are you ready?"
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, but there is one more
thing I have to warn you about."
"What's that?" Rose was surprised.
"Not what who. His name is Clint Parker."
"And just who in the world is this Clint?"
"Clint is a hand at one of the other ranches, and he
loves to dance."
"Yes, so?"
"So, he can be hazardous to your health-if you'
not careful." At Rose's puzzled look, Jenny went
to explain. "He's not exactly graceful, so watch y
toes."
"Just be sure to warn me if he shows up, sc
know it's him," she said.
"As your best friend, I could do no less. We'J
to tell Melanie, too."
They left the hotel room, moving gracefully along
the hall and then down the steps to the lobby. Tillie
and Evelyn were already there with Melanie, waiting
for them, as were Aubrey and Richard.
When Jenny saw Richard standing there, his gaze
devouring her as she descended the stairs, she stifled
a groan. It was going to be a long night, she could
feel it. Jenny forced herself to smile.
Richard had always believed that Jenny was one of
the most beautiful women he'd ever known, but tonight she looked more stunning than ever. After
spending these last days with her on the ranch, where
she'd practically been dressing like a man every day,
he was delighted to see her looking like a lady again.
"Good evening, Jenny," he said as he went forward
to greet her.
"Is everybody ready to go?"
"We've been waiting for you and Rose, and I must
say, you were worth the wait."
"Why, thank you, Richard."
In gentlemanly fashion, Richard offered Jenny his
arm.
There was no way she could refuse politely, so she
took it and allowed him to escort her from the hotel.
As they made their way to the dance, Richard attempted to make small talk with her, but she found
herself watching for Cole, hoping to catch a glimpse
of him. She saw no sign of Cole anywhere, though,
and was forced to endure Richard's undivided atten tion. Jenny knew if this kept up, she would actually
look forward to Clint Parker asking her to dance.
The outdoor dance floor that had been erected for the
evening was crowded with couples as the music
played on into the night. Brightly colored lanterns
cast their muted glow over the scene. The evening
was perfect, the sky clear, the moon bright.
Cole pretended to be enjoying himself as he squired
Mira around the dance floor. It wasn't that he was
having a bad time. It was just that he found himself
watching for Jenny and worrying about her. She had
said she was going to be there, and he had not yet
seen her.
"Cole, this is so much fun," Mira said, gazing up
at him with open adoration. "Thank you for inviting
me.
"My pleasure, Mira," he responded.
It was at that moment that Jenny and Richard
reached the side of the dance floor. Jenny immediately spotted Cole and Mira dancing together. She
dared not let her expression slip at the sight of Cole
smiling at the other woman as if he were having the
most wonderful time in the world.
Jenny unconsciously squared her shoulders, mentally preparing to do battle.
"Richard," she said, turning to him without preamble, "let's dance."
She'd been so elusive and almost indifferent to him
as they'd made their way to the dance that Richard was a bit taken aback by her unexpected invitation.
He didn't waste any time worrying about it, though.
All he wanted to do was hold Jenny in his arms.
"Your wish is my command," Richard replied gallantly. He swept her out among the other dancers.
Jenny kept her gaze focused on Richard.
But she wanted to be watching Cole.
Jenny forced herself to smile at Richard politely.
She wanted to scowl.
To all the world, Jenny appeared rapturously happy
as she danced with her Eastern gentleman. They
looked like a sophisticated couple, enjoying a dance
and each other's company.
But that was far from the truth.
In her heart, Jenny was angry. Cole was with Mira!
Jenny wondered if he had escorted her to the social,
or if he was merely having a dance with her. She
hoped it was the latter.
"I didn't realize there would be so many people
here tonight," Richard said to Jenny as they continued
to dance. "I'm impressed."
"These dances are very special events around town,
and they're always a lot of fun. It isn't often that
everybody gets a chance to relax and have a good
time."
"And that's what I intend to have tonight - a good
time-with you," Richard said, gazing down at Jenny.
He struggled to keep from ogling her, but the lowcut bodice did entice him. He could barely keep his eyes off the splendid display, but he knew it wouldn't
do for him to be ogling her in public.
"What did you and Aubrey do all day?" Jenny
asked just to make conversation. She could feel the
heat of his gaze upon her, and it was making her
uncomfortable.
"We found a few saloons that were to our liking.
Aubrey got into a poker game and won quite handily.
He was rather pleased with the outcome."
"I don't doubt that for a minute." It was common
knowledge back in Philadelphia that Aubrey was
quite an accomplished gambler.
"What about you? Surely you didn't just sit in your
hotel room all day."
"Actually, Rose and I had quite an adventure on
our own."
"Really?" He couldn't imagine what they'd done.
It wasn't as if Durango was a center of any sophisticated activity.
"Yes. We went around town taking pictures, and
we ended up at the High Time Saloon."
"You and Rose went into a saloon?"
He almost stopped dancing, his shock was so great.
"Yes, and we found it quite interesting."
His expression turned a bit condemning. A saloon
was no place for a woman! He quickly amended that
thought, for he had passed quite a pleasant afternoon
with a young woman in one of the rooms above the
bar while Aubrey had been playing poker. But that was different. Women like Rose and Jenny had no
business being there.
"I'd never been in one before, and"
"There's a good reason why," he said tersely. "A
saloon is no place for a lady."
"Well, Rose wanted to take a photograph of a saloon to show everyone back in Philadelphia, and since
we discovered that the man she met the other day at
the mercantile was the bartender at the High Time,
we decided to go there."
"I wish you had said something before you went.
Aubrey and I could have accompanied you. I don't
like you putting yourself in danger that way."
"We weren't in danger. Besides, we had Tom with
us the whole time."
"Even so, he's little more than a boy. You would
have been much safer if Aubrey and I had gone
along."
"Our reputations emerged unscathed," she replied.
She was going to be very glad when this dance was
over so she could get away from Richard. He was no
relation to her. He had no claim on her whatsoever.
She didn't need advice from him on how to conduct
herself, and she certainly didn't need any lectures
from him on how to behave.
The music finally stopped, and she was thrilled at
the opportunity to escape. It was difficult enough
watching Cole with Mira. She didn't need Richard
being dictatorial and condemning and monopolizing
her time.
Jenny glanced surreptitiously Cole's way as Richard walked her to the side of the dance floor, and she
found that Cole was still with Mira. It rather surprised
her. From what she'd heard since she'd returned, Cole
had never gotten serious with any woman while she'd
been away. Yet tonight, Mira seemed to be the center
of his attention.
Jenny had never formed an opinion about Mira one
way or another. They had known each other since
they were young, but had never really been friends.
She decided right then and there, though, as she
watched Cole lead Mira from the dance floor, his
hand familiarly at her waist, that she didn't like the
other woman much at all. And the way Mira was
clinging to him irritated her greatly. If they were so
caught up in each other, Jenny wondered if she was
ever going to get the chance to have Cole to herself.
Richard walked her over to where Rose was standing.
"Richard, I would love a cup of punch," she told
him sweetly. She wanted a moment alone with Rose.
"I'll be right back." He went off to do her bidding.
"Having fun?" Rose asked.
"Hardly. I may never get the chance to be with
Cole, judging from the grip Mira has on him."
"So you know her? I was wondering who she was."
"Oh, yes. She's one of the neighboring ranchers."
"She's quite pretty."
"She looks very nice tonight."
"But you look even better," Rose insisted. "Has
Cole even seen you yet?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't I see what I can do to stir things up a
bit?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"You'll see." Rose gave her a wicked grin as she
started off casually toward the place where Cole was
standing, seemingly deep in conversation with Mira.
Rose was delighted when her timing proved perfect. Just as she reached them, the music started again.
"Cole, I know this isn't Sadie Hawkins day, but
would you dance with me?" she asked without the
slightest bit of coyness.
Mira gasped and glared at her. She didn't know
who this woman was, but she was tempted to hit her.
"Evening, Rose," he said. "Mira, would you
mind?"
"Of course not."
Mira gritted her teeth, though, as she watched Cole
take the other woman out onto the dance floor. She
knew he'd been put on the spot, but if he'd really
wanted to stay with her, he could have refused. After
all, he was with her tonight.
"Thank you, Cole," Rose said, sweetly smiling up
at him. "Jenny warned me earlier about dancing with
Clint Parker, and I thought I saw him heading my
way."
Cole chuckled out loud. "Poor Clint."
"From the way Jenny tells it, you should be feeling sorry for the ladies. Has anyone suffered any lasting
injuries from her encounter with him?"
"I don't think so," he answered, still smiling. He
liked Clint as a friend, but understood the ladies' concern. What Clint lacked in grace, he tried to make up
for with enthusiasm.
"But there could always be a first time. Thank you
for being my hero and saving me."
"It's a pleasure."
"And I promise not to step on you." She grinned
at him.
"I never thought you would." He grinned back.
"Are you enjoying your stay at the Lazy S?"
"Absolutely. I'm growing quite fond of the area,
and with all the photographs I've been taking, I think
I'll be able to create a lot of interest when I go home."
"That will certainly help Jenny's business."
"I know. The more I get the word out, the better."
"Do you plan to come back regularly?"
Rose was quiet for a moment. "I haven't really
thought about it," she admitted. "I've just been enjoying the time I have here now."
She realized then that she would have to go back
home soon, in little over a week, and she had only
just found Dan. She took a quick glance around the
crowd, hoping against hope that he might have come.
But there was no sign of him anywhere. She was certain that he was dutifully tending bar at the High
Time. She wondered if he thought of her at all. She noticed Cole do a double take and suddenly start grinning again.
"What is it?" Rose asked, trying to see what he
was looking at.
"I just saw Clint."
"So?"
"Guess who he's dancing with."
"I have no idea," she replied as he swung her
around just in time to glimpse Jenny in Clint's arms.
"Oh, no-Cole, you were my hero; now you have to
be Jenny's."
"She could have said no."
"It's too late for that. She was probably cornered,
and since I'd already claimed you, there was no escape for her. You have to save her, Cole. She doesn't
have anybody else."
"What about good old Richard?"