Frank sneaked a peek at Dovie’s ankle. She had a fine pair of legs. He’d always been taken with her trim ankles, and never had understood why she insisted on wearing long dresses. It was criminal the way she hid those shapely legs of hers.
One bite of the apple crisp and Frank closed his eyes, savoring the combination of tart and sweet flavors.
“Good?” she asked, even though Frank was sure she already knew it was.
“Excellent.”
He ate the rest of it in record time.
“You’ve got something on your mind, Frank,” Dovie said. “I can always tell. Are you going to say what it is?”
“Someone’s going around charging a lot of money with local merchants,” he told her reluctantly. “I’m not convinced he’s planning to pay off his debts.”
“Someone?” Dovie repeated. “You don’t need to say who. I can guess.”
He’d already said more than he should have, so he left it at that. He trusted Dovie. She wasn’t like some women who just couldn’t keep anything to themselves. He’d never known her to break confidences or spread rumors. It was one of the many things he valued about her.
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know that I can do anything. He hasn’t broken any laws.”
“True,” she said, looking thoughtful. “But you might have a chat with him. Man-to-man—or rather, sheriff to miscreant. I recall you had plenty to say to Laredo Smith not long ago.”
Frank ignored the comment about his talk with Laredo, especially since he regretted having said a word. He’d made one mistake in judging character recently and didn’t want to make another. He couldn’t be one-hundred percent sure, after all, that Richard didn’t have money coming in.
“I don’t know what I could say to this guy.” Frank didn’t have any right to question Richard about his financial affairs.
“Frank, a lot of small businesses can’t afford to take losses. Some months it’s all we can do to pay the rent, let alone make a living wage. Let him know you’re onto him.”
“But he hasn’t done anything that warrants my speaking to him.”
“He doesn’t know that. Let him think you have plenty of reasons. Put the fear of God into him before he robs the entire community blind,” she urged. “Before he puts one of us out of business.”
Frank knew how close to the edge some businesses operated. Dovie herself wasn’t going to get rich with her antique shop, although it was one of the most popular stores in town.
“If nothing else,” Dovie added, “it might make him think twice before charging something again.”
“True.” Frank rubbed his chin. It wasn’t his place to tell shop owners who they should extend credit to and who they should avoid, but he hated the thought of Richard’s taking advantage of good honest folk.
Dovie drank a little more of her coffee, then carried the china cup to the small kitchen in the back room. Frank followed her with his empty cup and plate.
“You need someone to help you out here now you’ve got the tea room,” he said. It was clear to him she was working far too many hours, and while he’d encouraged her to add the Victorian Tea Room, he was concerned about the toll these extra hours took. The fatigue, the lack of private time.
“You’re right, I could use another pair of hands,” she said. “But I can’t afford to put anyone on the payroll just yet.”
Frank slipped his arms around her waist. “I guess you’ve picked out something special to wear to the dance,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “I’m going to be the envy of every man there.”
“You’ve been kissing the Blarney stone again, haven’t you?” Dovie teased.
“The only thing I’m interested in kissing is the widow Boyd.” Not giving her time to object, he turned her in his arms and brought her mouth to his. She was soft and warm and her gentle kisses fired his blood to life.
“Frank,” she whispered, breaking off the kiss. She looked flustered, her face red and her hands flying around her head checking that her hair was still tucked in place. “For the love of Ireland, it’s the middle of the afternoon! Anyone could walk in.”
“Let them.”
“You’re getting mighty bold, Mr. Sheriff.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you ready to take the leap yet?”
Marriage. She hadn’t mentioned it in nearly a year. Her question had the effect of a bucket of cold water dumped on his head. His discomfiture must have shown in his face, because Dovie giggled and quickly kissed his jaw.
“You’d better go now,” she said good-spiritedly.
“I’ve got to talk to a certain young man,” he said. But he stole another kiss on his way out the door.
***
The antique white cotton-lawn dress, lavishly trimmed in lace, was quite possibly the most beautiful dress Ellie had ever owned. She hadn’t intended to buy it. But every time she walked past the window of Dovie’s store, she’d stopped and admired it. On impulse she’d decided to examine it up close. It was fate, she told herself. Fate. First of all the dress was her size, and when she tried it on, it fit like a dream. The moment she saw her reflection in Dovie’s mirror, she knew she had to have it for the dance.
Perhaps she was putting too much stock in what Glen had said. He hadn’t formally asked her to the dance, but he’d told her he’d be there. He’d also let her know he’d be waiting for her to arrive.
It was almost a date. She and Glen. Every time she thought about it, a warm feeling came over her. She and Glen together. Dancing. Kissing. A couple.
Her stomach fluttered and she pressed her hand over it, closing her eyes. So much had happened in the past few weeks. For a while, after her father’s funeral and her mother’s move to Chicago, Ellie had felt alone. Abandoned and unloved. She didn’t feel that way now.
She realized that a lot of her new optimism was because of her changing relationship with Glen. If he’d stayed a little longer the last time he was in the store, they would’ve kissed again. All her instincts told her that. What surprised her was that she wouldn’t have minded. In fact, just the opposite.
Maybe friends did make the best lovers, which she’d heard and read for years. She’d never thought of Glen in those terms before, but now she was ready to move on to a different kind of relationship with him—a romantic one. She thought he was, too. And if he had any doubts about his feelings, the moment he saw her in that dress his mind would be made up.
She grinned when she thought how smart a saleswoman Dovie was. If the woman had gushed all over her when she tried on the dress, she might not have purchased it. Instead, all Dovie had done was smile and escort Ellie to the full-length mirror.
Dovie didn’t need to sell the dress; the dress had sold itself.
Ellie ran her hand down the sleeve one last time, then shut the office door. Tonight she’d take it home, hang it in her closet and look forward to Saturday the way a high-school junior anticipates her first prom. She could hardly wait to see Glen’s reaction.
Near closing time Nell Bishop showed up with a list of needed supplies.
“I had a wonderful time at Ruth’s party,” Ellie told her as she looked over the list.
“Ruth’s still talking about it,” Nell said.
“And I think it’s great you’re going to start a dude ranch.”
“Well, I don’t have any takers yet.”
“But you will.” Ellie was sure of that.
“Are you going to the dance?” Nell asked suddenly.
Ellie smiled; the Cattlemen’s Association summer dance appeared to be on everyone’s mind. “I didn’t think I would at first but...I had a change of heart. So I’ll be there. What about you?”
Nell shook her head. “I don’t know...”
Ellie understood Nell’s indecision. While almost every
one came with a date, it wasn’t necessary. Technically she herself was attending the function dateless.
“You don’t need to worry if you don’t have an escort,” Ellie assured her, and was about to explain her own situation when Nell continued.
“It’s not that.” She wore a puzzled frown. “I’m just wondering if there’s something in the air, because I received two invitations in one hour.”
It was time the men in this town woke up and realized what a wonderful woman Nell Bishop was. “That’s great!”
“First Grady Weston phoned. Now, I like Grady, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve always thought of him as...” Again she hesitated, as if unsure what to say next. “I just don’t see Grady and me as a couple. If he’s going to ask anyone, it should be Caroline Daniels. Those two are perfect for each other.”
So Ellie wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. “I’ve always wondered what’s kept them apart.”
Nell shook her head. “I can’t figure it out.”
“Do you think it’s Maggie?” Ellie asked, referring to Caroline’s five-year-old daughter.
“I can’t imagine why.”
“I don’t think Grady’s comfortable with kids,” Ellie said. She tried to remember seeing Grady with children and couldn’t recall a time she had.
“Maybe, but I’ve got kids, too. In fact, he chatted with Jeremy for a couple of minutes first. Then when I got on the phone...he invited me.”
“What did you tell him?”
Nell shrugged. “I didn’t know what to say. No one’s asked me out since Jake died, and I got so flustered I don’t know if I made sense. I think I asked him to give me some time to think about it. He agreed.”
“I like Grady,” Ellie murmured. He wasn’t an easy man to know, but he was fair and honest and hardworking.
“I’d no sooner recovered from that when I got another call,” Nell said. “It was Glen Patterson.”
Glen’s name came out of the blue like a flash of lightning. “Glen?” Ellie repeated, the name buzzing in her ear. “Did you say Glen Patterson?”
“Yes. If Grady’s invitation surprised me, Glen’s knocked me for a loop.” She laughed softly. “I think I must have done a fairly good imitation of a guppie. All I could do was open and close my mouth.”
The fluttery sensation was back in the pit of Ellie’s stomach, only this time it resembled nausea rather than happy anticipation. Ellie had assumed—believed—that Glen had wanted her to be his date.
“So you’re going to the dance with Glen,” Ellie said bluntly, struggling to hide her feelings.
“No. I told him the same thing I told Grady.”
“Maybe you should go with both of them. Dangle one on each arm,” Ellie suggested, trying for a lighthearted response.
Nell laughed. “Maybe I should. That’d really turn some heads, wouldn’t it?”
Somehow Ellie managed a smile. The dress was going back to Dovie’s that very afternoon. She’d been an idiot to spend that much money trying to impress a man who’d already approached another woman. Perhaps he thought he’d walk into the Grange Hall with a woman on each of his arms. Well, in that case, Glen Patterson had another think coming.
“There’s a problem with Glen, though,” Nell said, studying Ellie.
“What’s that?” she asked, feigning interest.
“It’s similar to the one I have with Grady. I always thought you and Glen would make a wonderful couple.”
“Glen and me?” Ellie laughed as though it was the funniest thing she’d heard in weeks. “Nah, we’re nothing more than friends. If you want to go to the dance with him, don’t let me stand in your way. He asked you, didn’t he?”
“Yes, but—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ellie said, surprised how convincing she sounded. “It’s no big deal.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
On second thought, Ellie mused, as she rang up Nell’s purchases, she was keeping the dress. Not only that, she’d be dancing every dance.
And she hoped Glen got a really good look at her, wearing her beautiful dress and dancing with every attractive single man who asked.
He could eat his heart out!
Six
This was bound to be an interesting evening, Cal Patterson thought. He climbed into his truck wearing fresh-washed Wrangler’s, a string tie and polished boots. The big dance. Which meant there should be lots of entertaining activity as men and women of all ages flirted outrageously; making fools of themselves and each other. A few romances were always made at this kind of event, and a few broken. Yup, it was fascinating to watch, all right, especially if you were a disinterested observer. Like him.
But not like Glen.
Cal wasn’t sure where Glen had gone Wednesday afternoon, but his brother had returned in one hell of a mood. While he might not know the particulars, Cal would wager a case of beer that his brother’s rotten mood involved Ellie Frasier.
When Cal had made the mistake of mentioning Ellie in connection with the big dance, Glen had all but exploded. Even before Cal could ask any questions, Glen had slammed out the door, but not without dropping a couple of hints first. If Cal guessed right, Ellie had decided to accept Richard Weston’s invitation over Glen’s.
While her choice surprised him, Cal was the first to admit that women were inconstant creatures who rarely knew their own minds. Best to keep your distance. Next thing Cal knew, his little brother had asked Nell Bishop; it hadn’t done Glen’s ego any good when she’d turned him down, too.
Cal himself had been fool enough to let one woman kick him in the gut and had found the experience as painful as anything he’d ever known. By God, he wasn’t about to let it happen a second time. Glen, however, seemed destined to learn this particular lesson on his own.
Apparently his younger brother was a slow learner, because tonight he’d come downstairs in a new denim blazer and a pair of blue jeans so crisp they squeaked. His boots were polished to a gloss. One look dared Cal to comment.
He didn’t, but he could tell it wasn’t dancing that interested Glen. His brother intended to prove to Ellie, and quite possibly himself, that he didn’t need her to have a good time. In other words, he was determined to act like a world-class idiot in front of the entire town.
Cal could almost guarantee that before the end of this night, Glen was going to do something really stupid. Now, that would have some entertainment value, but more important, Cal considered it his brotherly duty to be there to pick up the pieces afterward. He felt for Glen; he’d been through this, too. Heartbroken and humiliated.
Oh, yeah, definitely best to keep your distance from women.
Cal heard the band playing when he parked his truck in a long line of vehicles outside the Grange Hall. Cars and trucks were crammed bumper to bumper on both sides of the two-lane highway; obviously the parking lot had filled early in the evening. From the look of things everyone in town had shown up for the dance that traditionally kicked off summer.
The piercing strains of a fiddle cut into the night, followed by a banjo and Pete Hadley’s melodic voice. Light spilled out of the open doorway and Cal could see a number of the married men clustered outside for a breath of fresh air. That, and a swallow or two of the hard stuff. Cal wasn’t much of a drinking man himself. A cold beer now and again was more to his liking.
Someone shouted a greeting and Cal raised his arm in silent salute, but didn’t stop to chat. He’d given his brother two hours—two hours during which he’d have his pride booted to hell and gone. If all went according to his calculations, Glen would be drunk soon or wish he was. Give him another hour. At that point Cal would step forward and haul him home.
The poor guy was in love, and while that alone guaranteed disaster, the worst of it was that Glen refused to admit it. See
ing his brother in such sad shape was akin to looking back two years and remembering the way he’d been with Jennifer. It amazed him now he hadn’t seen her for what she was. He’d been so deeply infatuated with her he would have done anything to make her happy. Anything to prove how much he cared.
He’d asked her to be his wife, and six months later she’d humiliated him by canceling their wedding at the last minute. All because he wouldn’t give up ranching and move to San Antonio or Houston. Jennifer, who’d transferred from Phoenix, Arizona, to take a short-lived job as an assistant bank manager, had wanted out of small-town America. She’d wanted to move him to a city so crowded he’d never be able to breathe.
Cal had loved Jennifer, but he couldn’t change who he was, not even for her. When he wouldn’t dance to her tune, she pulled out of the wedding only two days before the event. Then she’d skipped town, leaving him to deal with the explanations and the embarrassment. Last he’d heard, Jennifer was living in Houston with some salesman.
He should have realized from the first she was a city girl at heart. But, like Glen, he’d been in love and hadn’t recognized what was right there in front of him. Pushing thoughts of his ex-fiancée from his mind, he headed toward the hall.
The huge room was packed, forcing Cal to twist and turn as he made his way through the crowd. Men and women stretched across the hardwood floor in long rows, line dancing to the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” He remembered a few steps himself; Jennifer had insisted he learn the basics, despite the fact that he’d been born with two left feet.
When that song was over, the couples dancing started. Cal peered around, looking for Glen, and finally spotted him. His brother stood on the opposite side of the room, leaning against the bar, his narrowed gaze trained on the dancers. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who held his attention.
Ellie.
Cal’s eyebrows arched when he saw the object of his brother’s affection. He’d never seen Ellie look prettier. The dress wasn’t one with a Western flavor, which appeared to be the popular choice, but more old-fashioned. Elegant. She looked damn pretty, and Glen wasn’t the only one who’d noticed, either.
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