Sweetheart Dance

by Paige Mallory

  “Oh no!” Nattie exclaimed. “I don’t want to…”

  “Natalie, you will do as Doctor Clem says, and without argument,” Lenora said firmly.

  “Honey, you know that foot hurts something awful when you try to put weight on it, now doesn’t it?” the Doctor wasn’t stupid, and he knew his patients well. Nattie had probably been trying to walk on it just to prove to herself that she was fine.

  Nattie nodded miserably. She was so sick of lying about and doing nothing, and it had only been three days! Another week was going to kill her!

  “You stay off that foot, and hopefully you’ll be well enough I can ask you for a dance at the Sweetheart Dance. If you don’t listen to me, you’re not going to heal, and you’ll be sitting out the dance. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” he asked gently.

  Nattie cried when they left the room. She didn’t like being confined to her room, and she just knew that if Doc would have given her permission to be on her foot for just a little bit each day, her Mama would have let her join the rest of the family for meals and in the sewing room. It wasn’t fair! She was going out of her mind, and not one person cared!

  Natalie was in a full blown snit when Lenora came back upstairs and into her room. “Mama, I’m going crazy!” she whined. “I want to come downstairs!”

  “Have you forgotten you are being punished, young lady?” Lenora asked. “I believe I told you that you would be spending some time in this room reflecting on your impulsive, willful behavior while your ankle was healing!”

  “Mama, I’ve been in here for nearly three days now! And hurting my ankle is punishment enough! Please… I promise I will be more careful in the future. I want to come downstairs…”

  “Not today, Natalie. You are confined to this room until tomorrow evening. I’ll have your Papa bring you downstairs for a bit then… provided you behave yourself. I’ll not have you being rude to your sisters, or to anyone else. I was appalled at the way you spoke to Doctor Clem. I am seriously considering keeping you home from the dance. One more incident of childish behavior, and you won’t be attending, Natalie. Is that perfectly clear?”

  “Yes, Mama,” Nattie knew better than give her Mama one good reason to forbid her the dance. Her Mama rarely punished, but when she did, she was firm and didn’t budge. It wouldn’t do any good to appeal to her Papa either. If Mama said ‘no’ to the dance, Papa would enforce that no as strongly as if he issued it.

  “Honey, your Papa and I love you, but it is time for you to take a serious look at your behavior. You did something very foolish the other day that nearly cost you and your sister your lives. There are consequences for that behavior. The fact that I decided you could spend a few days recovering in your room was to give you time to think, and regret your behavior. Right now I’m not seeing any regret… I’m seeing a spoiled little girl having a tantrum because she doesn’t think it’s fair she has to face any consequences for her actions. Nattie, how would you feel right now if your sister was seriously injured or dead?”

  “Terrible, Mama,” Nattie’s eyes filled with tears.

  “You were lucky, daughter. You don’t have to live with that knowledge. You can accept your punishment like a grown woman, and have another chance to make things right. A mild scolding doesn’t fit this time, Natalie. You haven’t even accepted the fact you deserve punishment…. And until you do, you will be spending your time in this room… thinking, and hopefully growing up.” Lenora gave her youngest daughter a hug, then left the room, closing the door firmly.

  Natalie was shocked when there was a knock on her door later that evening. “Come in,” she called out. No one but her Papa and brothers bothered to knock on her door. To her surprise it was Luke.

  “Do you feel up to a game of checkers, Miss Nattie?”

  “I’d love to play checkers, Luke,” Nattie tried to smile.

  Luke came on in the room, and left the door wide open. He wouldn’t have come upstairs if Connie hadn’t given his permission, but he knew better than to shut the door or do one single thing that was considered improper. He picked up a table and carried it over by the bed, and drew up a chair. He quickly set up the board, and told Nattie to go first.

  “Thanks for coming to see me, Luke,” Nattie said once the first game was over. He’d trounced her without the least bit of effort.

  “I figured you might be kind of lonesome up here… Didn’t know if you’d be mad at me or not…?” his green eyes looked into her brown ones, and she was surprised to see that he was genuinely concerned about her answer.

  “I’m not mad, Luke. I was in the wrong, and you called me on it. I’m sorry I sassed at you.” She smiled shyly.

  “You really need to listen to Doc… How am I gonna ask the prettiest girl at the dance for a dance if her ankle’s all hurt…?”

  “You think I’m pretty, Luke?” Nattie smiled.

  “Real pretty, Nattie. Probably too pretty for the likes of me… You could have any guy you want.”

  “What if I said I wanted you…?” Nattie looked at him, afraid of his answer.

  “I’d say that would make me feel right proud, Nattie… Might concern your Pa, though. I’m a hired hand…”

  “So was he when he married Mama,” Nattie replied, then jumped three of his checkers and removed them from the board.”

  “That’s what he said, too,” Luke confided.

  They chatted and played checkers, and Luke wasn’t surprised when Lenora came up to see if they wanted some cookies and lemonade… A bit later Connie came in to chat a bit and see who was winning. When he got to his feet and looked at his watch, Luke got to his feet, too. “I’ll be saying goodnight as soon as I pack up the checkers, Mr. Webster.”

  “See you in the morning, boy. Night, Nattie…” Connie left the room, permitting the kids some time alone to say goodnight. He really liked Luke Taylor and he was pretty darn sure Nattie did too. Luke would be good to her…

  “May I come back tomorrow night, Nattie?” Luke asked politely, smiling down at her.

  “Please do,” her brown eyes were shining brightly. She giggled and asked, “Are you my beau, Luke?”

  “I’d sure like to be, Nattie…” he smiled once more, and then leaned down to give her a sweet lingering kiss.

  Chapter Four

  Monty Fairchild, Banker

  Abigail Webster hated going to the bank. She despised having to go in there, in fact, but her Papa entrusted the job to her each and every time… She supposed it was the price she had to pay for an afternoon to do as she pleased. At twenty-two years of age, she was most certainly an adult, but her father was definitely in charge, and she knew better than give him a reason to find fault with her. It was certainly no secret that he spanked his own wife if he felt it was deserved; he’d have absolutely no qualms at all over flipping a daughter of his over his knee… Connie Webster was head of his family, and he expected all of his children to tow the line regardless of age, with perhaps the exception of her older brother, Sam. At twenty-five, Sam was considered a man and had his father’s respect. Of course, Sam respected their father, too… and was just like him in so many ways.

  Abby slapped at her riding skirt, trying to knock off as much of the dust from the ride into town as possible. She really didn’t care what that balding Ralph Peterson thought of her appearance, but it was likely she would run into someone else in the bank whose good opinion she valued. Besides, her Mama hated it that she rode into town instead of having one of the hands drive her in the buggy. Mama didn’t think a riding skirt was suitable apparel for a trip to Red Scarf! Her Papa said it was just fine that she rode into town, as long as she went straight there and was back by suppertime. He trusted Abby to take care of herself. She was good with the rifle she carried for protection.

  Abby made a face as she dreaded going inside the bank. She couldn’t bear the thought of having Ralph Peterson ask her once more to attend the Sweetheart Dance with him. He was forty years old, bald, and had a paunch from drinking
too much beer. He also smelled bad, and the cologne he wore only added to the terrible stench. She did not like the man, and she did not like the fact he seemed to think she was going to change her mind someday and marry him. Abby was positive she would never become THAT desperate. She took one more look at the bank and shook her head. She just couldn’t face going in there… not yet. She whirled around to walk down to Mr. Sims General Store, and crashed into a solid wall of man.

  Monty Fairchild automatically reached out to catch the clumsy female, his arms wrapping around her slender body and pulling her to him. “Are you all right, Miss?” he asked, his voice a rich baritone.

  “I’m so sorry,” Abby replied, flashing him an embarrassed smile, as she gently released herself from his grasp.

  “Quite all right, Miss…?”

  His blue eyes were sparkling with good humor, and his smile made Abby feel safe and special, all at once. Her heart was pounding, and Abby was stunned at her reaction. “My name is Abigail Webster,” she replied. “I’m not normally so clumsy, Mr…?” she looked at him helplessly. She’d never seen the handsome man before… She certainly wouldn’t have forgotten meeting him!!

  “Monty Fairchild,” he tipped his hat. “May I get the door for you?” he pointed toward the bank, and watched her beautiful smile turn into a frown as her lovely brown eyes filled with something close to anger.

  “I really do NOT want to go in there, Mr. Fairchild. I hate that place,” she shuddered at the very thought of having to deal with Ralph Peterson…”

  “What is wrong with the bank?” Monty asked in surprise.

  “It’s the manager… He is rude, obnoxious, and I cannot stand him. I’d wait until he went to take his noon meal, but he knows that Papa sends me in every week at this time, so he will just wait me out… I can’t stand the thought of going in there right now. Please excuse me…” Abby’s good mood was spoiled, and she briskly walked down the sidewalk to the General Store. She wanted to buy something pretty for Nattie… and a new ribbon for Franny’s hair.

  “Well, hello, Miss Abby… How are you today?” Ed Sims looked up from his ledger to smile at her. “Are you by yourself?” he asked, trying to look around her.

  “Yes, I’m all alone, Mr. Sims. How are you and Mrs. Sims?” she asked politely.

  “We’re just fine, young lady. What can I help you with today?” he asked politely.

  “I want some blue ribbon for Franny,” she explained, “and I’m not sure what I want for Nattie…” her voice trailed off.

  “I heard about their accident from Doc. Hope both girls are doin‘ okay?” he was genuinely concerned. He thought all of the Webster girls were fine young women… raised up right by their good parents…

  “They are fine. Franny was bruised in a couple of places, and Nattie hurt her ankle. They were extremely fortunate.”

  “Yes, they were. Hope that Miss Nattie is able to attend the dance… She’d be terrible disappointed if she had to miss all the fun.”

  “She’ll be there,” Abby smiled. Her little sister had given their Mama a heartfelt apology for behaving so childishly foolish… And her Mama had hugged her and asked their Papa to carry her downstairs. The change in Nattie was remarkable; she’d grown up almost overnight… and Abby personally thought that Luke Taylor was responsible for the change in attitude. Both Nattie and Franny were all smiles… and it was because they had serious beaus. Abby was trying very hard to be happy for them, and not a bit jealous… She wanted her sisters, all of them, to be happy. She just wanted to be happy, too.

  She found a little carving she thought Nattie would love, and picked out blue ribbon for Franny. She then bought a penny’s worth of candy for her rotten little brother, Zack…

  “Nothing for yourself, Miss Abby? I have some new perfume…” Ed told her with a smile.

  “Papa hates perfume, Mr. Sims. It gives him headaches…” she smiled. “I don’t really need anything today.”

  “You never buy anything for yourself, Miss Abby,” Ed scolded. He looked at her, then walked over to another counter and picked up a small bottle and brought it over to her. “This perfume is special, honey, just like you. Put some on and tell me if you like it…”

  Abby didn’t want to hurt Mr. Sims’ feelings. She’d known him all of her life, and he was always kind to her. She dabbed just a bit of the perfume on her wrist, telling herself she could wash it off as soon as she got home so that her Papa didn’t get sick, and then took a sniff. “Ohhhh, this is nice!” she smiled appreciatively.

  “It’s special… just like you. It’s my present to you, Miss Abby.”

  “Oh, I can’t let you do that, Mr. Sims!” Abby immediately protested.

  “Nonsense. You are always giving everyone else gifts… This is my gift to you… When you do wear it, you just remind yourself that one old man thinks you are a real special young lady… Hear me?”

  Abby’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Sims. You are very sweet. I will think of you every time I wear this perfume. I promise.”

  “Just don’t wear it around your Pa,” he warned with a wink, as he wrapped up her purchases and his gift. “You be careful goin‘ home, now… “

  “I will, Mr. Sims,” she promised, waving at him as she left the store, a big smile on her face. As she walked down the street she decided it was time to get her Papa’s banking done. She was going to be very firm with Ralph Peterson and tell him she was going to sic her Papa on him if he asked her out one more time. She hated using her Papa’s reputation in that manner… but it was time to put a stop to the harassment she received each and every time she walked into the bank, or happened to bump into the man on the street. She hated that he’d singled her out for some reason…

  Abby took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and went inside. To her absolute relief, the only one in sight was Junior Wray… the one and only teller. She decided that Ralph must be in his office with a client, and she hurried to get her business done before he came out and spotted her.

  “Miss Webster,” Junior nodded seriously. “You are supposed to go to the main office from now on to do your business.”

  “What? Why?” Abby demanded.

  “It’s orders, Miss Abby. I’ll get fired if I do any business with you,” the man nervously proclaimed, and then whispered, “Please don’t get me fired. I’m real sorry for whatever I done to offend you…”

  “You haven’t offended me, Junior…!” Abby declared… then stomped toward the door. She was going to make Ralph Peterson one very sorry man! She wasn’t Connie Webster’s daughter for nothing! She threw open the door, only to find that Ralph’s high backed chair was turned toward the window. She didn’t care. She knew exactly what she wanted to say!

  “Listen, you jerk, what do you mean by demanding I do my father’s business with you only! And privately!!! I will not have you intimidating Junior because you are an unscrupulous bastard. If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you at least a hundred times that I am not going to see you in anything other than a business capacity. I intend to speak to my father as soon as I get to the ranch and tell him of your inappropriate behavior… and ask HIM to do something about it. I’m sick to death of you, Ralph Peterson, and I wish I was a man so I could punch you in the nose!” Abby gave vent to her temper… and was shocked when the desk chair turned around and Monty Fairchild was sitting in Ralph Peterson’s place! “Mr. Fairchild… What are you doing here?” she asked, thoroughly embarrassed for the second time that day in front of the man.

  Monty got to his feet, and ran his hand through his dark hair. “Miss Webster… I think I finally understand the situation… But it would please me if you would calm down and tell me what’s been going on with Ralph Peterson. Has he been harassing you?”

  “Why are you here, Mr. Fairchild?” Abby asked. She felt as though she’d already said too much in front of a stranger.

  “I own this bank now, Miss Webster. Ralph Peterson is an employee of my father’s… and he
was reassigned to another branch… But if he’s been treating you badly, I want you to tell me about it. My father will not have anyone working for him who treats his customers disrespectfully. Please, have a seat… I promise, I’m not trying to upset you, and if I do, you can send your Papa in here to rearrange my face,” he grinned at her, his blue eyes full of good humor.

  Abby found herself taking a seat, and telling him of Ralph’s behavior towards her… Monty frowned a few times, then asked, “Has Junior Wray treated you respectfully, Miss Webster?”

  “Always. He’s a very nice man. He always tried to shield me from Ralph,” Abby was truthful.

  Monty nodded, and went to the door of his office. “Junior, would you come in here for a moment, please.”

  Junior soon joined them, his facial expression betraying his concern.

  “I didn’t have all the facts, Junior. Miss Webster set me straight, and I want to apologize to you for accusing you of wrongdoing. It seems as though you were trying to help Miss Webster fend off Ralph Peterson’s obsessive behavior towards her, and I thank you for that. It had to be awkward for you… I’m sorry I made it even more awkward.”

  Junior smiled in relief. “I just don’t want to lose my job, Mr. Fairchild. I’ve been here for nine years, and I like it.”

  “You aren’t going to lose your job, Junior… and I think it’s time for a raise. I don’t think you’ve been appreciated nearly enough in the past, and I want that to change as of this moment. Thank you for sticking by Miss Webster.”

  “She’s a nice lady,” Junior was blushing now.

  “Yes, she is,” Monty smiled. They heard the bell on the door tinkle, indicating a customer. “I’ll speak to you later, Junior…”