The Texan

by Bobbi Smith

  “Dinner was wonderful,” George said, looking up at her. “And, since the dancing is about to begin, I was wondering…”

  “What?” she asked, curious.

  “I was wondering if you’d do me the honor of giving me the first dance, Miss Harriet?”

  Miss Harriet smiled at George, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “Why, George Grady, you are such a charmer.”

  “It comes to me natural-like when I’m dealing with a lady like you.” He smiled at her.

  “So you think if you dance with me first, I won’t mind if you spend a whole lot of time with my girls to night?”

  George never wavered. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You’re absolutely right. Let’s go, young man.”

  As George rose from the table, Miss Harriet stepped brazenly forward to take the arm he offered to escort her outside, where the dance floor had been set up.

  Miss Harriet was truly enjoying herself to night, and she looked over her shoulder at Josh as they started to walk away. “I expect to be dancing with you very soon, too.” Then she turned all her attention back to George, smiling delightedly up at him.

  Josh, Emmie, and Millie got up to follow them from the hall. They were all enjoying the chaperone’s sense of humor to night.

  “I don’t know, Millie…” Emmie said, sounding a bit thoughtful.

  “What?” Millie glanced over questioningly.

  “The way Miss Harriet is acting, she may be having second thoughts about going back East. She seems to be enjoying herself out here in the Wild West.”

  “You’re right,” Millie said, laughing. “She is, but then, who wouldn’t be with so many handsome men wanting to dance? We don’t even have dance cards, and she’s already got George and Josh lined up.”

  Emmie looked up at Josh as Millie walked on ahead of them. “I wonder if I’ll ever get to dance with you to night. It looks like I’ve got some serious competition.”

  “Yes, you do, but I think Miss Harriet likes my brother better.” Josh was smiling.

  “Well, I can try to make that up to you,” she said in a soft, tenderly seductive voice.

  “In that case, I think I might not mind being slighted by Miss Harriet,” Josh returned, looking down at her.

  For a moment their gazes met, and they were both caught up in the memory of that night in the line shack, when Josh had jokingly said the chaperone might show up at any minute. The music began then and brought them back to reality.

  “I believe this is our dance,” Josh said, taking her hand.

  Emmie grinned up at him. “And I think we’ll be safe, because George is going to keep Miss Harriet real busy.”

  “Let’s go.”

  They joined the dancers on the floor.

  Millie found a place at the side of the dance floor, but she wasn’t alone there for long. Burley and the other boys spotted her and wasted no time hurrying over.

  “Would you like to dance, Millie?” Burley invited.

  “Yes, I’d love to,” she said.

  Burley whisked her out onto the dance floor to join the others.

  Chapter Twenty

  As far as Miss Harriet was concerned, the dance ended far too soon. She had enjoyed feeling young again, at least for a little while. The good news was, Josh owed her a dance, too. She was smiling as she looked up at George.

  “Thank you, George,” she told him.

  “No, thank you, Miss Harriet,” George said gallantly as he escorted her to the side of the dance floor, where Burley was standing with Millie.

  “He’s all yours, Millie,” Miss Harriet said. “Now, where’s Josh?”

  They laughed as she went to find Josh and Emmie.

  “So, Burley, how good a dancer is she?” George asked. “Is it safe for me to take her out on the floor?”

  “None better, except maybe Miss Harriet,” the ranch hand replied. “I’m going to have to get me a dance with that little lady.”

  “You’ll have to get in line. Josh has the next dance with her.”

  “I’ll see about doing just that.” Burley chuckled, moving away.

  Millie looked up at George. “And I’ve got the next dance with you. Miss Harriet trained me right—go after what you want and don’t stop until you get it.”

  “Don’t worry” he assured her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good.”

  George looked down at Millie just then and knew he’d never seen a lovelier woman. He didn’t know how he’d come to this moment, watching her gaze up at him with such trust and innocence, but he didn’t want it to end. He’d led a hard life. He’d spent a lot of time on the wild side, and yet the look in Millie’s eyes made him feel like a totally different man. George grew a bit uncomfortable with himself and hoped he could live up to her expectations. Taking her hand to lead her out to dance, he knew he had to try.

  Miss Harriet wasted no time finding Josh and Emmie. She claimed the ranch foreman as the music started up again. Les, the lawyer, was in attendance, too, and he left his wife with her friends as he went to ask Emmie to dance.

  “How have you been doing? Are things working out well with Josh?” Les asked as he moved with her around the dance floor.

  “Yes, he’s been wonderful to work with.”

  “I was hoping the two of you would get along. It looks like Millie and Miss Harriet are enjoying themselves.”

  “I have to admit I’ve been a little surprised by how well Miss Harriet is taking to ranch life.”

  “And your friend Millie?”

  “Being at the Rocking R has turned into a real adventure for Millie. I’ve even been teaching her how to shoot.”

  Les looked a bit shocked for a moment, because he knew what a lady Millie was, but then he nodded his head in understanding. “Let’s just hope she never gets caught in a situation where she might have to use a gun.”

  “I know, but I don’t want her to be defenseless either.”

  The lawyer knew she was right about that.

  When the dance ended, he escorted her back to where Millie was standing with Josh, George, and Miss Harriet.

  “It’s nice to see you all to night,” he greeted them, and they chatted for a short while before he returned to his wife.

  The dancing continued, and Emmie was thrilled when Josh claimed her again. It was a slower tune this time, and she willingly went into his arms. They moved together about the dance floor.

  Millie and Miss Harriet were watching them.

  “You know, Millie, they make a very nice-looking couple,” the chaperone said with a smile of approval.

  “Yes, they do.”

  “So, we could say they’re dancin’ partners and ranchin’ partners?”

  They were laughing as George glanced over at them, wondering what was so funny. “You’re not making fun of my dancing, are you?”

  “Not at all,” Miss Harriet said quickly. “In fact, I was just trying to discourage Millie from grabbing you and hauling you out on the dance floor again—since you hadn’t asked her to dance yet.”

  George didn’t mind indulging Miss Harriet. “I was resting up a bit before asking you to dance again.”

  “I’m finished for the night,” the chaperone told him, and then she added, “Millie is all yours, as long as you behave yourself. I’ll be keeping an eye on you two.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied respectfully, enjoying her motherly dictates. That type of influence had been missing from his life for a long time, and he found he appreciated it. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, Millie?”

  “Absolutely,” she answered.

  They moved out to the dance floor and joined the other couples.

  Linda and Mary Anne were annoyed as they stood near the refreshment table, sipping their punch.

  “I don’t believe this! Josh is dancing with Emmie again!” Mary Anne hissed under her breath.

  “I know, and his brother is dancing with that Eastern girl again, but we’ll get our chance. We just h
ave to be closer to them when they announce the ladies’ choice dance, so we can claim those brothers before anyone else does. The switch dance is coming up, too.”

  “I know, but I’d like Josh to notice me and ask me to dance himself.”

  “Oh, he will, once you’ve managed to get him out on the dance floor,” Linda assured her. She knew how determined her friend could be when she set her mind on doing something, and Mary Anne wanted Josh Grady.

  “What about you? That other Eastern girl looks like she’s got Josh’s brother all to herself.”

  “I’ll have my turn at him; you just wait and see. Come on. Let’s work our way in their direction so we’ll be ready when the time comes.”

  They quickly finished their punch and started off on their mission to get a dance with Josh and George.

  Emmie found she was greatly disappointed when the music ended and she had to move out of Josh’s arms.

  “Want to get some punch?” she asked, hoping for some more time alone with him.

  “Sounds good,” he replied.

  Emmie led the way toward the refreshment table.

  Though Emmie was only a few steps ahead of Josh, it was all the distance Mary Anne needed to make her move.

  “Ladies, it’s your turn!” one of the musicians announced. “It’s time for the ladies’ choice dance! You gals go grab yourself a dancing partner!”

  Mary Anne was thrilled. She had timed her approach perfectly. She stepped up to Josh just as he was walking past her and reached out to take his arm.

  “It’s the ladies’ choice, Josh!”

  “Mary Anne…” Josh glanced toward Emmie to find her watching him, but he knew there was no way out of dancing with Mary Anne.

  “You’re mine!”

  “Let’s dance,” he agreed.

  Emmie was surprised by the stab of jealousy she felt as she watched them go. She’d known Mary Anne for many years and had never liked the girl. The fact that Mary Anne had come after Josh angered her, and she decided she wasn’t going to miss the ladies’ choice. She quickly forgot about getting some punch and sought out Michael Collins, the local banker, to be her partner.

  Mary Anne felt as if she’d won a major victory by getting to dance with Josh. She smiled up at him coyly. “How are things going out at the Rocking R?”

  “Just fine,” he answered, looking down at her.

  “Are you having a good time to night?”

  “Yes, what about you?”

  “Now that I’m dancing with you, I am,” she answered, giving him a suggestive smile.

  Josh thought Mary Anne was pretty, and he knew a lot of the men were after her, but there was really only one female he was interested in to night. “I’m glad to oblige,” he told her, but even as he spoke he took a quick look around the room and spotted Emmie dancing with the banker. He was surprised how irritated he was to see her in the other man’s arms.

  Mary Anne noticed Josh looking the other girl’s way, and she frowned, wanting his full attention. “Josh, do you like having your brother working with you now?”

  Josh had known everyone in town would be interested in hearing about George, so her question didn’t surprise him. “It’s good having him around.”

  Mary Anne gave up her attempt at conversation and just concentrated on enjoying the dance. When it ended, Josh thanked her and walked away, leaving her staring after him, more than a little disappointed. Mary Anne went to join Linda, and found her friend was frustrated, too. She’d had no luck wangling a dance with George, and the two girls were beginning to wonder if it was going to be a long night.

  Emmie was on her way back to the refreshment table when Josh caught up with her.

  “I’m ready for that punch now; what about you?” she asked just as the music started up again.

  “No, it’s time for the foreman’s choice dance,” Josh said, taking her hand.

  Emmie was expecting him to go with the other couples back out onto the dance floor, but he surprised her. Josh drew her away from the refreshment area, off to a secluded spot behind the hall.

  Emmie’s heartbeat quickened as she looked up at him in the shadows of the night. “It’s going to be less crowded for dancing out here,” she said a little breathlessly.

  “I wasn’t planning on dancing,” Josh answered.

  Certain that they were alone, Josh didn’t waste any time. He took her in his arms and drew her to him, claiming her lips in a passionate exchange. Emmie responded eagerly to his kiss. She’d been dreaming of kissing him again ever since the night of the storm, and she linked her arms around his neck to draw him even closer to her.

  Above them, the night sky was a canopy of stars. It was a heavenly moment.

  Josh deepened the kiss even more and crushed her against him. Caught up in the heat of his need for her, he forgot everything except the excitement of Emmie’s embrace. He realized then for the first time that he was falling in love with her. He wanted her—

  His thoughts got no further as the sound of Miss Harriet’s voice jarred him back to reality.

  “I thought I might find the two of you out here.”

  Emmie had been lost in the heaven of Josh’s kiss, and she gave a startled gasp. “Oh, Miss Harriet…”

  “It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it?” Josh said, grinning down at Emmie as he remembered their time in the line shack.

  “Yes, it is. I take it you’re enjoying yourselves?” Miss Harriet asked.

  “Oh, yes,” Emmie answered.

  “I thought so.” Miss Harriet turned away and headed back to the dance, leaving them to follow.

  “Why didn’t you hear her sneaking up on us?” Emmie asked.

  “I was busy,” Josh said, drawing her aside for one final, sweet stolen kiss. “And a little distracted.”

  Hand in hand, they returned to the festivities.

  Kenneth couldn’t believe how long it had taken to repair the stagecoach. It had been close to sundown when they’d finally gotten on the road again, and they’d still had miles to go. The driver had told them how lucky they were that it was going to be a clear night and the moon was nearly full. Otherwise they would have had to camp out and wait until morning to finish the run into Shotgun.

  As it was, Kenneth was not the least bit happy about arriving in town so late. He had wanted to go straight out to the Rocking R—and Emmie. Now he was going to be forced to spend the night in Shotgun, and he wasn’t looking forward to it.

  “Well, your trip is turning out to be a little more exciting than you expected, isn’t it?” Margaret asked Kenneth.

  “I don’t know that I would call it exciting,” Kenneth said disparagingly.

  Victor heard the irritation in the Easterner’s voice and spoke up. “You might as well get used to it. Out here in these parts, you never know what kind of trouble you’re going to run into.”

  “I’ll remember that,” Kenneth said, not doubting for a moment that the other man was right. He just hoped the misery of this trip wasn’t any indication of what was to come. He knew living on the Rocking R with Emmie was going to be a challenge, but he believed that once they were married, he could tough it out for the necessary two years. When the required time was up, he didn’t think it would be too difficult to persuade her to sell the Rocking R and return to Philadelphia—and to civilization. He knew he could always use the lure of being with her mother to help convince her that it was the right thing to do.

  The hours passed, and Kenneth was staring out his window at the night-shrouded landscape when he caught sight of some lights in the distance.

  “Is that Shotgun?” Kenneth asked the couple.

  Victor took a quick look. “Yes, I’d say we’re almost there.”

  “Good.”

  A short time later the stagecoach pulled up to the stage office. Because it was so late, there was only one lone clerk still there working. He’d been waiting for the stage to show up and had grown increasingly worried as the hours passed.

  “I
was wondering what happened to you,” Ben Clark said as he went outside to speak to Jack. He watched as the woman and two men climbed out of the stagecoach.

  “We had some trouble, but I managed to put things back together again,” Jack explained as he tossed down the passengers’ bags.

  “I’m glad you made it to town.”

  “So are we,” Margaret said, her tone reflecting her exhaustion.

  “Well, welcome to Shotgun,” Ben said, putting their bags on the sidewalk for them. He eyed the Eastern dude openly, wondering at his business in town.

  “What’s going on to night?” Jack asked.

  “It’s the big social. Lots of folks are in town to celebrate and have a good time.”

  The last thing Kenneth was interested in was socializing with the people of Shotgun. He just wanted to get out to the Ryan ranch as quickly as possible.

  “I need to get transportation to the Rocking R Ranch,” Kenneth announced. “Can you arrange that for me?”

  Ben looked at him strangely. “You’re going to have to wait until morning. There’s no way to get you out there to night, and besides, most everybody from the ranch is probably here in town for the social.”

  “Do you know Emmie Ryan?”

  “Sure, I know Emmie. I would imagine she’s here, although I haven’t seen her around today.”

  Kenneth grabbed his bags. “Where can I get a room for the night? Is there a hotel?”

  “We got one, but I doubt they got any rooms left. Shotgun is always crowded on the night of the social.”

  “Where can I spend the night then?” Kenneth asked, annoyed. Emmie might be right there in town, and he wanted to find her as quickly as he could—but first he needed to wash up a bit.

  Ben looked at the couple who’d arrived with him. “Do you folks have a place to stay to night?”

  “No. We’re just passing through.”

  “All right, go on into the office while I see what arrangements I can make for you.”