Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (10 page)

Chapter Ten

B
y late afternoon, a large area had been cleared and two men with fiddles took their places on the edge of the circle. After some initial tuning, they began to play a lively tune. It wasn’t long before young men began to draw ladies onto the makeshift dance floor. Like butterflies on the wind, twirling couples with tapping feet and swishing skirts soon filled the area.

After only a few minutes, Eve realized her toes were tapping, as well. She drew her shawl closer around her shoulders, feeling the chill of the day. When the second set started, she quietly turned away from the dancers and moved toward the schoolhouse. She glanced toward the children playing with a stick and ball on the other end of the schoolyard. Satisfied Leo was still among them, she stepped through the schoolhouse door. The music was still audible inside but much more muted.

The schoolroom itself was surprisingly full. This was where the babies were bedded down with some of the ladies taking shifts to watch over them. There were also others moving in and out to revisit the refreshment tables, which still contained quite a bit of food.

As she slowly crossed the room, Eve thought about the merriment outside. Chance seemed to be in high demand as a dance partner. Abigail had quickly claimed him for the first dance, leaving several disappointed ladies in her wake. Almost before he’d escorted her back to the crowd of onlookers, another lady, one closer to his own age, claimed him for the next dance.

Eve herself hadn’t been without petitioners. Daisy’s husband had gallantly asked her to dance with him for the first set, but she’d managed to decline by responding she had a pebble in her shoe. She’d moved to one of the nearby benches to remove the offending pebble but still, the sight of the happy dancers and the beat of the music had momentarily entranced her, filling her with a yearning to take part that surprised her.

When she’d realized what was happening she immediately retreated inside.

Looking for a familiar face, she spotted Dotty gently holding the Barrs’ little girl.

“Why, hello there,” Dotty said as she approached. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

Eve smiled. “Very much so. Everyone is friendly and the festival itself is everything you said it would be.”

“Good. And not to say I told you so, but those candies of yours were quite a popular offering today. They certainly disappeared quickly.”

Eve had heard that over and over this afternoon. She’d never dreamed her candies would be so well received. “It was the least I could do. I appreciate everyone allowing Leo and me to participate in the festivities.”

“That’s what Thanksgiving is all about, isn’t it?” Dotty patted the baby. “Leo seems to be enjoying himself, as well.”

“It does my heart good to see him smiling so freely. I think he’s struck up a friendship with Reggie’s son.” She doubted he’d had many friends these past few years.

Then Dotty turned serious. “Pardon my asking, but what are you doing in here? You should be out there enjoying yourself with the young folk, not in here watching over the babies with us old folk. You can’t tell me no one’s asked you to dance.”

“I’ve been asked, but I’m afraid I’m not one for dancing.”

“Bless my soul, why ever not? Just because you’ve never danced before is no reason to be shy about it.” Her expression softened. “I remember in my younger days how I did enjoy whirling around the dance floor on the arm of a handsome lad. Nothing like it to make a girl feel alive.” She sighed like a young schoolgirl. “And my Gregory was the best of the lot. He made me feel graceful and beautiful.”

Eve could still hear the music through the open door and felt her pulse respond to it. It was all she could do to keep her foot from tapping again. What would it be like to do as Dotty described, to surrender to the joy of the music? Her treacherous mind pictured it in vivid detail. It took her a moment to realize the partner she pictured herself dancing with was Chance.

Oh, dear. That will not do.
Theirs was not that sort of relationship.

Reggie and Daisy approached arm in arm. “How is Patricia doing?” Reggie asked.

Dotty glanced down at the now-still bundle in her arms. “She’s sleeping soundly, the little lamb. Don’t you worry about her. I’ll come fetch you if she gets hungry.”

“I’ve come to relieve you,” Daisy said.

“Oh, there’s no need for that.” Dotty waved her hand in a shooing motion. “Y’all just go on and enjoy the music while you can.”

Daisy eased herself into a chair next to Dotty. “Actually, I’ve been ordered by my worrywart of a husband to get off of my feet for a while.”

Reggie laughed. “Husbands can be such fussbudgets when their wives are expecting.”

Daisy rolled her eyes. “Amen. Still, it doesn’t hurt to indulge them occasionally.” Then she reached over to take Patricia from Dotty. “And don’t tell me you’re not itching to get out there yourself.”

Dotty handed over the baby. “I do enjoy a good spin on the dance floor.” She grinned at her companions. “I imagine we more experienced folk can still show you young’uns a thing or two.”

Reggie laughed. “I never doubted that for a minute. Let me just have a look at Patricia before I go back out.”

Dotty tilted her head Eve’s way. “You need to help me convince this one. She’s never attended a dance before and I think she’s a bit shy.”

“Is that true?” Reggie’s eyes widened and both she and Daisy looked at Eve as if she’d admitted to never having tasted water.

“Well, yes. I mean, dancing is such a frivolous activity and there were always more productive things to—” She halted abruptly as the heat climbed in her face. Had she just insulted her new friends?

But Daisy was shaking her head with a smile. “A person needs to find time to enjoy herself as well as work. Even the Bible tells us that there is a time for everything in life, including a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to
dance.
”

Reggie nodded firmly. “Absolutely.” She took both of Eve’s hands and drew her toward the door. “Come along, we’re going to fill that void in your education right now.”

“Oh, no. I—” Eve felt a bubble of panic rise in her throat.

“I’m not taking no for an answer. And don’t worry about learning the steps. There’s nothing to it, especially if you have the right partner. And I know just the man for the job. Chance is wonderful when it comes to making his partner feel at ease. And I think he’d like to be rescued from the designs of a few matchmaking matrons.”

“He didn’t appear to be bothered by it earlier.”

Reggie laughed. “So you
did
notice him.” She gave Eve’s hand another tug. “Stop dragging your feet. It sounds like the current set is winding down.”

Eve tried to protest once more, but Reggie was having none of it. In less than a minute she found herself on the edge of the crowd of dancers.

The music had just stopped and Chance was escorting his current partner back to a group of other young people. Reggie hailed him and he excused himself from the group with a smile.

Chance was approached twice on his way to meet them and both times he extricated himself with a quick word and a smile.

“There you are,” he said to Eve as he neared. “I wondered where you’d disappeared to.”

Had he really noted her absence or was he just being polite? She tried to maintain a calm demeanor. “I stepped inside the schoolhouse for a few minutes.”

“Ah, slipping back to the tables for seconds, were you?”

Reggie tapped his arm lightly. “Stop your teasing. I have an assignment for you.”

Chance gave a short bow. “At your service, as always.”

“Eve here has never participated in a dance before and I’m looking for someone who can guide her through the steps.”

Chance gave her a gallant smile and offered her his arm. “It would be my pleasure to partner you in your first dance.”

It was so wrong for Reggie to paint him into a corner this way. The poor man really had no choice but to comply. “Oh, please, that’s not necessary.” It was hard to put much conviction in her tone, though, when she was sorely tempted.

“Perhaps it’s not necessary, but it
is
fun.” He jiggled his elbow. “Shall we?”

“But I don’t dance.”

A small furrow appeared above his brow. “You mean you
haven’t
danced.”

“No, I mean yes—I mean I’ve never—”

“So we’ve already established. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.”

“You don’t understand. I don’t want—”

But, just as Reggie had earlier, he paid no attention whatsoever to her protests. “No need to be shy or embarrassed. This isn’t some fancy drawing room. No one here worries about how well you do, so long as you’re having fun.”

His words served only to remind her that he had been to fancy drawing rooms and no doubt danced with ladies far more graceful than she.

Eve caught sight of Reverend Harper leading his wife out onto the dance floor and her resistance wavered once more. Surely, if the preacher participated, there could be nothing inherently wrong with the activity. And it would be only one dance, just to see how it felt.

“Besides,” Chance continued with a hint of challenge in his tone, “if I can help make candy, then you can dance.”

Why did he care so much? Was it because he was trying to please Reggie, who’d backed him into this corner?

But people were starting to notice their discussion and Eve decided it would be best to just dance with him and get it over with. After that she could disappear back into the schoolhouse.

And truth to tell, she was a bit curious as to what it would be like to give in to the music the way the other dancers were doing.

Before she quite realized that they had moved, she found herself on the edge of the dance floor, facing Chance.

“Rest your hands on my shoulders, like so,” he said as he positioned her hands. “I’m going to place my hands lightly at your waist, like so.”

The feel of his hands at her waist shocked her, sent a little shiver of surprise coursing through her.

But Chance’s expression didn’t change and she quickly got herself back under control. Of course it was nothing to him, he’d held any number of ladies thusly tonight. It was just the novelty of it that had caught her off guard.

“Now, keep your eyes on mine, relax and feel the rhythm of the music.”

Feel the rhythm of the music—yes, she could do that. Relaxing might be a little more difficult.

“Ready?” When she nodded, he smiled approval. “Good girl. Just follow my lead.”

He began leading her through the steps of the dance, patiently directing her.

At first Eve was self-conscious, stiff. She was still very aware of the way he held her and of the warmth radiating from him under her own hands. But his gaze held hers, full of encouragement, and challenging her to keep time with him. It didn’t take her long to relax into the music and let all her worries slip away for a little while. It was as if she and Chance were encased in a bubble of sound and movement and glowing, swirling colors. For the moment that was all that existed—that and the feel of Chance’s hands at her waist, connecting her to him, making her feel safe.

It was a lively tune and by the time it was over, her pulse was pounding with the exertion and exhilaration, and she was laughing. She understood now why everyone was enjoying themselves so much, why Dotty had spoken of dancing in such glowing terms.

Chance smiled down approvingly and it warmed her down to her toes. She couldn’t remember feeling quite this happy before.

He turned to lead her out of the dance circle and abruptly the bubble burst. The real world came crashing back in and she saw herself as her grandmother would see her—as the embodiment of her wayward mother. The smile died on her lips and she stumbled slightly.

Chance’s expression turned from pleasure to concern as he took a firmer hold of her elbow. “Are you all right? Do you need to sit down for a moment?”

She stepped away from him. “No, I—” She took a deep breath and attempted a polite, dismissive smile. “I thank you for the dance. You’re an excellent teacher. But I think I’m just tired from all of the day’s activities. If you’ll excuse me, I believe I’ll find Leo and head back to your place.”

His concerned expression deepened. “You’re much too pale. Why don’t you sit a minute and let me get you a glass of punch?”

“No.” Eve realized she’d said that a bit sharper than she’d intended. She took a breath and moderated her tone. “I mean, that’s very kind, but I think it best if I just go back to my room and rest.” She attempted a smile. “I’m okay, truly.”

“Then at least let me escort you.”

She took another step back, widening the distance between them. “That won’t be necessary. I’m perfectly fine. Just a little tired is all.” She glanced around, glad for a reason to drop her gaze from his. “Have you seen Leo?”

“He’s over by that hickory tree with a bunch of other kids.” His tone had lost most of its warmth. She felt a pang of regret, but perhaps it was best. It wasn’t his fault she’d let her guard down. And that she suddenly couldn’t seem to think straight