Another Chance

by Michelle Beattie

  "Oh!"

  Even with her hand covering her nose and mouth the stench burned her nose. Which wasn't a surprise considering the amount of manure spread in the narrow aisle. Jillian backed away until she was standing outside looking in. The stench wasn't as bad in the open air and she was able to lower her hand.

  As with the spilled feed, so too was this designed to irritate and poke at her. It needed to be cleaned, and it couldn't wait until morning. Which meant she'd get dirty and be late for the dance.

  "They don't want me to go at all," she whispered, knowing that was the real reason for this mess.

  Jillian looked toward her house, thought of the dress she'd laid out on her bed. Her head fell forward a moment as she acknowledged just how late this would make her.

  "Well, I don't need to be any later than that," she said as she climbed through Whiskers' stall, then Zeke's empty one to get to the shovels she kept at the other end.

  "From now on, I'll keep one by the house."

  Climbing back over was trickier holding the shovel and she was out of breath by the time she was once again outside. Frustrated and irritated, she used that energy to scoop out the mess. As she tossed shovelfuls into her wheelbarrow she couldn't help but take some solace in the fact that whoever had done this--and she knew it was likely Steven--had to have ridden over with it in a wagon of some sort. Which meant they would have had to put up with the stench the whole way. She hoped they smelled as awful as she knew she did.

  When the barn was scraped clean and her animals were fed and secured for the night, she grabbed her saddle, leaving the barn door open to clear out the lingering smell. She'd have to hurry, but she could still get to the dance. It would mean washing in cold water as she didn't have time to heat it but-

  The world seemed to shift sideways. The door of her house gaped open. And she knew she wasn't the one who'd left it that way.

  Jillian swallowed the fear that bubbled in her throat. She held her breath, strained to hear. There wasn't a sound. Yet someone was here. She could feel it. And her rifle was in her house.

  "You'd better get your sorry self outside! I'm armed and I'm coming in!" she yelled for good measure. Setting the saddle on the porch, Jillian pushed the door further open.

  Her home was as it had been when she'd gone to the barn. There was nothing amiss, nothing out of place. Still, she grabbed the rifle, put it to her shoulder and closed the door firmly. Armed, she headed for her bedroom.

  There was no missing it.

  Jillian's arm went limp and she brought the gun down weakly to her side. She blinked but what she saw didn't change. From the open window--the one she knew she'd closed--came the racing sound of hooves running away. She didn't bother looking out. Couldn't.

  Not when her gaze was stuck on the shredded scraps of blue silk that less than an hour ago had been her best dress.

  ***

  It wasn't the first barn dance Cedar Springs had seen since Silver had arrived. It was, however, the first she'd been invited to and she'd been looking forward to it since Eileen had stopped by for a quick tea and visit. Eileen had made no bones about the fact that she was hoping it would bring Wade and Jillian together. Silver hoped so as well, but it wasn't Wade and Jillian she was thinking about when she pinched her cheeks for color before stepping into the barn.

  She'd made a point of not coming too early and already a fair sized crowd was gathered in the barn. A small platform had been made at one end to accommodate the musicians. Two fiddlers tapped their toes while their bows skated over the strings. She recognized John Daniels on the banjo and Wade's hand, Scott, on the harmonica. Her mouth curved when she saw Reverend Donnelly's red face and full smile as he squeezed perfect notes out of an accordion.

  Past dozens of dancing couples, on the opposite end of the barn, women and children gathered around the refreshment tables. As with any social event, folks gravitated to those they knew best and there were clusters of people laughing and talking along the walls of the barn. Silver's gaze raked over them as she looked for Letty, Eileen or Jillian. Or Shane, she thought with a clutch in her stomach.

  "Hello, Silver. Glad you could make it."

  "Looks like your mother was right to suggest this. Folks seem to be having a good time."

  "Don't tell her she's right, Silver; I'll never hear the end of it."

  "Well, that's not much reason not to tell her, is it?" she teased.

  Wade shook his head. "Women. You'll be the death of me."

  "Just wait until Annabelle starts catching the boys' attention."

  He looked pained. "I tell you, Silver, I have nightmares about just that."

  She laughed, touched his arm. "You'll do just fine."

  The fiddle faded on the last notes of a waltz and John announced they were going to liven things up with a series of polkas before they took a break.

  "May I?" Wade asked.

  She gladly accepted Wade's offer to dance and while she enjoyed the thump of heels on the ground and the music flowing through her limbs, she kept her gaze over Wade's shoulder and sought out another.

  ***

  Wade enjoyed dancing. Maybe because his parents had, or maybe because opportunity didn't present itself often, but he enjoyed moving to music, enjoyed having a pretty girl in his arms. Tonight was no exception, and while he'd enjoyed dancing with Silver, his mother, Letty, and his current partner, Annabelle, it wasn't those women he'd been anticipating dancing with.

  But then, knowing things couldn't go any further with him and Jillian, he shouldn't keep looking over bobbing heads hoping to see her step into the barn. He shouldn't feel disappointment that she wasn't there yet. But he did.

  "Right, Papa?"

  Wade blinked, looked down at his daughter. They were dancing, if Annabelle's feet over his own constituted such a thing. He didn't mind, though, since he knew she wouldn't be able to dance on his feet forever. One day she'd be doing it on her own. With boys. The thought scared the hell out of him.

  "What, Button?"

  She gave him a patient look, sighed and said, "Jacob says boys aren't supposed to like to dance, that they just do it to keep their wives happy. I told him he was wrong. I'm right, aren't I, Papa?"

  "Depends on the man, Annabelle. I don't mind dancing and I know James doesn't either."

  "Scott loves to dance, he told me so."

  "There, see? But I'm sure Jacob is also right in that there are also men out there who do it to keep the women they love happy."

  "Jacob says it's to keep them from nagging."

  Also likely true, but not something his daughter needed to know just yet.

  "How would Jacob know? You two didn't go off and get married did you?" he teased.

  "Eww!" Annabelle grimaced.

  Wade laughed. "Just making sure."

  "I'm too young to get married. Besides, I wouldn't marry Jacob anyway. His papa's too mean."

  That grabbed Wade's attention. There was no love lost between him and Steven but as far as Wade knew Steven had never mistreated Annabelle. If that had changed…

  "Mean, how?"

  "He got mad at Jacob for fetching Miss Matthews when his dog was bit by a snake. Then he said some nasty things to her, but Jacob said Miss Matthews was real brave and didn't cower. But his pa was so mad he said he wouldn't pay her, even after she saved Fred."

  Wade hadn't heard anything about that but knowing Steven it didn't surprise him. Wade had never much cared for Steven. He'd been a bully at school and apparently, some things hadn't changed.

  "And he says mean things about Miss Matthews when she isn't around either."

  Not that he doubted it, but hearsay was known to make things worse than they were and he was quick to remind Annabelle of that.

  "But I heard him, Papa. I heard him talking." Her little face went fierce. "He used bad words about her, Papa."

  It didn't surprise him, but it did make him mad. Jillian hadn't done anything to Steven other than help his son's dog and for that she was
punished? Wade looked around the room. It was hard to pinpoint anybody with the crowd constantly shifting, but he didn't spot Steven. Still, Steven had better watch himself because if Wade heard him malign Jillian, he'd do something about it.

  ***

  With several men having brought their instruments, the musicians switched as breaks were needed. Silver was pouring herself a glass of lemonade when Scott sidled to her side.

  "I never knew you played," Silver nodded to the harmonica he put in his pocket. "You're very good."

  He shrugged as he accepted the glass she'd poured. "It passed the time when I was younger."

  "No boys you could have gotten into trouble with?" Silver took another glass, filled it.

  "Not a lot of kids where I grew up," he answered.

  Silver wondered at the shadows that darkened his eyes but decided not to push. She liked Scott. He was quiet, a gentleman. He'd been a good friend to her and she could repay that kindness by not prying.

  "I haven't seen Jillian yet," she said, looking around at the heated, smiling faces. The dance floor was doing a brisk business and there was more than one face with a sheen of sweat on it. "Or Shane."

  Scott poured himself another glass, grabbed a handful of cookies. "Shane's here. I saw him outside with Melissa."

  The bottom fell out of Silver's stomach. Melissa. Perfectly respectable Melissa. Why was she surprised? Suddenly the evening lost its charm. The lanterns hanging on the walls weren't soft and romantic. They were cruel and mocking. The music didn't fill her until she couldn't help tapping her toes, it pulsed in her head until she felt the beginning of a headache. The smell of fresh wood turned her stomach.

  She turned to put her still full cup back onto the table.

  "Finally decided to come in, did you?" Scott badgered.

  "Scott, I said I wouldn't dance with you and I meant it," Shane answered, laughter in his voice.

  Silver's hand stilled and her traitorous heart squeezed. Shane was here. That meant Melissa was also there. She pushed the smile onto her face, forced the easiness into her voice.

  "Hello, Shane. Melissa."

  Melissa wore a pale pink dress with ivory lace at the collar and cuffs. Unlike Silver who'd chosen to pull back the sides of her hair and leave the rest down and unfettered, Melissa's tresses were a complicated concoction of twists and braids that circled her head like a crown. If only there were thorns in it.

  Shane nodded. His gaze swooped down to the hem of Silver's sunny yellow gown and up to her unbound hair. It lingered there a moment. "Silver."

  "Isn't it nice that Shane escorted me tonight? Ma wasn't feeling well and Pa decided to stay with her. Why, if it wasn't for Shane's invitation I might not have come at all." She wrapped her hand around Shane's arm like an eagle's talon holding onto its supper.

  "Well, that would have been a shame."

  Over Shane's shoulder she saw Scott smile before tucking another cookie into his mouth.

  Just then the music ended. Over the applause and the conversation, John Daniels told everyone to get a partner for an upcoming square dance.

  "Yeehaw," Scott cheered. Before Silver knew his intention he'd grabbed her hand. "Come on you two." With one hand in Silver's he used the other to push Shane into the crowd. Since Melissa had yet to release her claws on Shane, she went along as well.

  Eileen, James, Wade and Letty ran forward and joined them just as the music began and John started calling the dance. To Silver's mind the best part of a square dance was that you danced with everyone in the square and so she found herself quite often touching Shane.

  For their Do Si Do, Silver swore the music seemed to stop. Shane's eyes locked on hers as he circled around her. His shoulder brushed hers and though it wasn't more than a blink of an eye, she felt the burn of his touch. He stepped back and it was her turn. Brushing her hair off her shoulder, Silver moved toward him, angled her head so she could watch him as she circled him. Their shoulders didn't touch, but she made a point of her hand skimming his. His eyes widened briefly but then John instructed them to promenade and the mood was broken.

  Scott twirled her; James told her she looked pretty. Wade laughed when she got distracted and accidentally stepped on his foot. She was fairly certain he hadn't noticed it was because Shane had smiled at her as he'd passed.

  Too soon the dance ended. She was up for another but John announced he was done for the night. He took the groans and boos in stride and stepped off the platform. Soon his wife had him by the hand and announced she wasn't letting go.

  "Wade," Eileen said. "Perhaps you should go outside and see if Jillian's arrived yet."

  James shook his head. Silver bit her cheek.

  "Ma..." Wade warned.

  "Oh, come on. The lady may need your help," Shane urged.

  "Speaking of a lady that needs help," Melissa purred as she turned to Shane, "I could do with something to drink."

  It took all of Silver's restraint not to tell the spoiled brat to get her own.

  "A lawman's job is never done," Wade teased. "Better get to it, Sheriff. I think I'll go get some fresh air after all."

  ***

  The sky was a spill of purples, pinks and indigos by the time Jillian rode up to the Parker ranch. Music drifted in the warm air. The barn doors were thrown open. Light glowed from within. There were children running about, squealing in delight. Men circled to smoke and, just as likely, to avoid having to dance.

  Dozens of horses and wagons were tied to the fence. The animals greeted her arrival with a mixture of snuffles and bored glances. Despite her tardiness and the residual anger that threatened to boil over if she dwelled on what had taken place earlier, Jillian was glad and relieved to have finally arrived.

  She was securing Hope when footsteps crunched behind her. If whoever had been in her barn and home had the nerve, the gall, to come up to her then he'd better be prepared for her wrath. She wouldn't back down. Jerking the knot tight, Jillian spun round.

  "Whoa!" Wade took a step back, held his hands in surrender. "It's only me."

  Jillian took a deep, calming breath and released it slowly. "I'm sorry. I'm later than I'd hoped to be and I'm a bit out of sorts."

  He tipped his head--she liked the look of him without his hat--and reclaimed the step he'd taken. "Everything all right?"

  She loved that he was concerned. It was nice knowing someone cared. "Yes. Just irritated."

  "Can't say I've ever seen a woman look as pretty irritated."

  It wasn't the lovely blue she'd hoped to wear but suddenly the forest green dress didn't feel like second best any longer.

  He smiled and his eyes crinkled at the sides. It drew her attention to the healing sutures.

  "How is that feeling?" she asked, pointing to the stitches.

  "Itches something fierce."

  "Means it's healing. Another few days and they can come out."

  "Can't be soon enough for me."

  "And the ankle?"

  His gaze was hot on hers. "Good enough to dance on, if you care to join me."

  Her breath fluttered. She couldn't have withheld her smile if she tried. "I'd love to."

  They strolled to the barn, Wade's broad hand warm on the small of her back. She'd have been just as happy to keep walking right past the barn.

  "Looks like you've drawn a big crowd."

  "Folks know life's about to get busier. Soon crops will need tending, gardens will start producing. It'll be hard work from now until winter so they're taking advantage."

  For most people, Jillian thought, it would be hard work. She had a nasty feeling she'd be spending her time watching the grass grow.

  "Annabelle, wait! I'm sorry! Wait!"

  Jacob sped around the corner of the barn, chasing a crying Annabelle. Wade stiffened.

  "I'm sorry, I have to see what's wrong."

  His long legs ate up ground and soon he dropped to a knee and caught his daughter as she flew into his arms. Jillian wasn't sure what she should do. On the one hand
she wanted to see if the little girl was all right, but on the other she realized it really wasn't her place. Her decision was made when Silver stepped outside.

  "Silver!"

  "I thought you'd changed your mind. Have you only gotten here now?" Silver asked as she stepped closer.

  "Yes. Wade and I were on our way in when Annabelle came running from behind the barn." Jillian gestured to where the little girl, her father, and Jacob clustered together. "I'm not sure what's happened but she's rather upset."

  Silver didn't seem the least worried. Instead she turned to Jillian, a twist on her lips. "You and Wade? Just how long have you been here?"

  Jillian shook her head. "I only arrived a few minutes ago. Wade must have seen me as he came to the fence as I was securing Hope."

  "Did it ever occur to you that perhaps he was waiting on you?"

  "I-Well, no, it didn't."

  Had he? She had no idea. But the thought was intriguing.

  "Come on," Silver laughed as she took Jillian's arm. "Let's go see what the fuss is about."

  She wasn't sure they should intrude but Silver left her little choice. Jillian's skirt flapped around her ankles as she hurried to keep her friend's pace.

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Parker," Jacob was saying as they approached. "I shouldn't have made it worse." Jacob hung his head. "I shouldn't have said nothin'."

  Wade placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Son, there's no shame in what you did. You were trying to defend your friends and I appreciate what you did for Annabelle. As I'm sure Miss Matthews would appreciate what you did for her."

  "For me?" Jillian asked.

  Three sets of eyes, two of them wet with tears, met hers. Since he seemed so little standing there alone while Annabelle was safe in her father's arms, and since Jillian was already fond of the boy, she crouched at his side.

  "What happened, Jacob?"

  But it was Annabelle who spoke.

  "We were playing outside. I heard Mr. Garvey and his friends talking. They weren't saying nice things about you. When I told Jacob what his pa said, he got mad. I tried to stop him." The look she gave Jacob was almost the exact same look her father had given Jillian when she'd first met him.