by Bobbi Smith
"It's still light out, so I'll be fine. You take care of yourself."
«>I m trying."
Jack helped Elizabeth into the buckboard, and she drove home, quite satisfied with the way things had turned out. She couldn't wait to tell Frank all about it.
Michael and Casey rode in silence for a few miles before she finally spoke up.
"I meant to tell you-I like your clothes," she said with a grin, looking him over.
He slanted her a quick glance and saw her devilish smile. "Lady "He was about to warn her that she was playing with fire.
"Lady?" Casey repeated, stunned. "You just called me lady"
"That's right. Tonight you look like a lady, so try your best to act like one."
"Are you sure you want me to?"
"I'm sure."
"Well, I was trying to compliment you on your suit."
"Fine, just don't try to run away with it tonight," he chuckled.
"I don't quite think I'll get a chance at the church social."
"I hope not."
They both found themselves laughing at the outrageous picture that brought to mind.
At that moment as he laughed easily by her side, Casey looked up at Michael and realized all too painfully that she had come to care for him.
She hadn't meant to.
She'd fought her feelings for him every step of the way, but the sound of his laughter had touched her heart and melted the last of her resistance to the truth.
She loved him.
Yet she could never let him know, for he didn't want her love.
He only wanted her land.
Still, Casey knew that that very night she was living a fairy tale just like Anne had talked about. She was the princess who was going to the ball with the handsome prince, and she intended to allow herself to enjoy every moment of their time together. Reality would return far too soon. She wanted to pretend, for just a little while, that this upcoming marriage of theirs was truly a love match.
John McQueen was in a good mood as he and some of his men rode into Hard Luck to attend the social. Tonight was the night he'd been waiting for. He hadn't been back into town since the night he had gone to see Casey. He was anxious to learn the outcome of his visit with her. He was certain Casey had broken off her engagement, and that made this the perfect night for him to make his move on her.
Tonight he would court Casey and woo her, and set the stage for making her and the Bar T his.
It was going to be a glorious evening.
Nick rode into town with the men from the ranch. He was looking forward to seeing Anne again and had even worn one of his suits to impress her. The other men had let him know what they thought of his getup, but he'd decided it was worth suffering their taunts to get Anne's attention.
"I wonder how Michael is doing with Casey," Harry remarked as they reached the edge of town. They all knew he'd ridden out early to pick her up at the Bar T.
"We'll be finding out real soon," Nick replied. "What time does the dance start?"
"Not until seven," Harry answered. "Do you want to stop at the Sundown for a drink since we're early?"
"Sounds good to me," Nick agreed.
"What do you boys think? Will they let Nick into the Sundown dressed this way?" Harry asked.
"They'll serve him," Tom replied. "Rosalie don't care how you're dressed. She just cares about the color of your money. If our dandy here is flashing his cash, he'll get waited on real fast."
"It's good to know I won't get run out of town because I'm dressed like a gentleman." Nick was smiling. He'd grown used to their ribbing and had proven to them that he could take it as well as dish it out.
"Of course, that don't mean any of us will be standing at the bar with you," Harry countered.
They were all laughing as they reined in before the Sundown. The men of the Circle D went inside to relax and have a drink.
Rosalie was already downstairs working the room.
"Good evening, boys. It's good to see you," she welcomed them. "You in town for the big dance tonight?"
"We sure are, Rosalie," Harry told her, "but we decided to pay you a visit first."
"Well, I appreciate your business," she said, then looked at Nick. She remembered him from when he'd come in with Michael to offer the reward for information on Frank Donovan's shooting. "Did you ever get any response to the reward you and Michael offered?"
"Nothing ever came of it."
"That's too bad," she sympathized. "Frank used to come in here pretty regular. He's a good man."
"Yes, he is."
The men stayed at the saloon until it was time to head over to the hall for the dance.
Rosalie watched them go, and she actually felt a twinge of anger and jealousy. No doubt John would be at the dance tonight, but she was not accepted at such social functions. Of course, she was certain that once he finally got around to marrying her, all that would change. Once she was the wife of one of the most successful ranchers in the area, she would be accepted everywhere. She just wished he'd hurry up and propose.
"Are you ready to go?" Karen asked as she finished primping before the mirror over the dressing table and turned to look at her mother.
"Yes. Let's go see what this miserable excuse for a town considers a big social occasion."
"Well, how do I look?" Karen stood up and posed before her mother.
"Absolutely beautiful." Dorothea's gaze went over her daughter critically, taking in the rose-colored gown and the way she'd pinned her hair up in a complicated style. "I've always loved that color on you. Once Michael gets a look at you tonight, he won't give that boyish fiancee of his another thought."
"Good. That's my plan. By the time this evening is over, I intend to have him back in my arms."
"And then, thank heaven, we can start making plans to go home."
Anne was standing with her parents, watching the couples on the dance floor.
"I wonder when Casey is going to get here," Marjorie Lawson asked her daughter.
"Soon," Anne assured her.
"I don't envy Casey tonight," Marjorie sympathized. "Why, I can't believe that Philadelphia woman and her mother are still in town. If it had been me, I would have been so humiliated I would have left right after seeing Michael"
They had already noticed the two strangers mingling in the crowd.
"1 would have, too, but I'll bet she thinks she still has a chance with him. Why else would she stay? She doesn't seem to be the kind of woman who would enjoy our kind of life."
"It should make for an interesting night."
"I'm not sure `interesting' is the right word to describe what might happen."
"Let's just hope things go smoothly. I'd hate for there to be trouble. This will be the first time Michael and Casey have attended a social function as a couple, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then let's say a little prayer for them."
"I already did, the minute I heard Karen Whittington was still in town."
Richard Perkins approached Anne for a dance, and she kept smiling as she allowed him to lead her out onto the dance floor. Richard was a nice enough man. Anne had known him all her life, and though he was gainfully employed as the telegraph operator in town, he just didn't excite her. In truth, even as she circled the dance floor in Richard's arms, she kept watching for Nick to arrive. She had her heart set on seeing him tonight, and she hoped he was making the trip into town from the Circle D to attend.
The hall was crowded when Michael and Casey reached town. They were forced to park the carriage a short distance away and walk over.
"Are you nervous?" Michael asked as he helped her descend.
"No," Casey answered quickly, then gave him a weak smile. "Actually yes, a little."
"Don't be. Everything is going to be fine. You'll see." "So I'm supposed to trust you?" Casey asked, wariness obvious in her voice.
"That's right. I'm your fiance. If you can't trust me, who can you trust?" he countered.
"That's a scary thought."
"You'd better start getting used to it. This time next week, you'll be my wife."
"That's even scarier."
He chuckled and, always the gentleman, offered her his arm again.
Casey took it. She could feel his hard-muscled strength beneath the fine cloth of his jacket. She found it reassuring and clung to him as they started off toward the hall. They looked every bit the devoted, loving couple.
"Anne, may I have this dance?" John McQueen asked, approaching her.
"Why, thank you, John."
Anne allowed John to lead her out onto the dance floor.
"Are you having a good time tonight?" he asked, just making small talk. He'd been watching and waiting for Casey's arrival, and had decided to dance with Anne to find out if she knew when Casey would be showing up.
"Oh, yes, these dances are always enjoyable. It's fun to get to see everyone. It's not that often we get the chance to visit this way."
"Is Casey coming? I haven't seen her yet tonight."
"She'll be here. I talked to her just the other day, and she was looking forward to it."
Anne glanced toward the main door to the hall as she was speaking. Just at that moment Nick came in.
Excitement rushed through her at the sight of him looking so handsome and debonair.
Nick is here!
At last!
Anne wanted to break away from John and go straight to Nick, but she knew that might cause trouble since they were in the middle of a dance. She controlled her desire with an effort, continuing to smile up at John and make small talk.
Nick stood at the edge of the dance floor with Harry. He was looking around to see if Michael had shown up yet with Casey, but saw no sign of them. He did catch sight of Anne, dancing with another man. She looked as lovely as ever. He was tempted to cut in, but then he spotted Karen standing with her mother on the opposite side of the room.
After what Michael had told him about his ugly encounter with her, Nick had thought Karen and her mother would have packed up and taken the next stage out of Hard Luck heading back East. He was shocked that she was still in town, and he knew Michael would not be happy when he showed up and laid eyes on her.
It was at that moment Karen spied Nick. She quickly made her way through the crowd to him.
"Nick, darling," Karen greeted him, pressing a kiss on his cheek.
"Hello, Karen."
"Surprised to see me?" she asked archly.
"I'd heard from Michael that you were in town."
Karen gave a laugh as the music stopped. "I bet you did. Where is Michael? He is coming tonight, isn't he?"
"He should be showing up anytime now."
"Good. I can't wait to see him again," she purred. Another tune began, and she put Nick on the spot. "Dance with me?"
Ever the gentleman, Nick swept Karen out onto the dance floor.
Anne was delighted when the music finally ended. She kept her true emotions hidden as she thanked John for the dance, and immediately started looking for Nick. She spotted him just as the next dance began, looking on helplessly while he took the sophisticated, elegant woman from back East into his arms and out onto the dance floor.
Disappointment filled Anne. She started to make her way to the refreshment table to get a cup of punch. She hadn't gone far when she heard a murmur going through the crowd.
"Can you believe it?" one older woman was saying.
"No. What happened?"
"I don't know, but it's wonderful-"
"Maybe she did it to keep Michael from straying. I mean, if he's got women chasing him here from all the way back East--"
Anne realized they were talking about Casey and Michael, and that they must have just arrived. Heads were turning toward the main entrance, so she looked that way, too.
And there they were.
Michael was standing just inside the main door with Casey on his arm. Anne was mesmerized by the change in her friend. She had always known Casey was a natural beauty, but she'd never realized how lovely she truly was until now.
Tonight Casey looked every bit the lady. From her perfectly coiffed hair to her necklace and earrings and gown, Casey was stunning. And Michael looked proud to be standing by her side.
Anne went to join them.
"It's about time you got here," Anne scolded with a teasing smile. "You look marvelous!"
"Thanks," Michael answered, grinning at her.
"Not you! You!" she laughed as she gave Casey a hug.
"You really think so?" Casey was more than a bit nervous about making this grand entrance.
"1 know so," Anne told her. "Come on. My mother and father are over by the refreshment table. I want to show you off."
Anne led them to her parents.
Nick had also seen Michael and Casey come in. He had always known Casey was attractive, but he'd never realized she could be this gorgeous. He forced himself not to smile as he thought of the eruption that was about to happen once Karen got a glimpse of her.
"Michael just got here," Nick told Karen as he continued to dance her about the floor.
"Where?" Karen twisted about, wanting to get a look at him.
Nick felt her stiffen in his arms the moment she spotted him.
"Who's that woman with him?" she asked, puzzled.
"That's Casey."
"No. That's not Casey. I've seen Casey. That can't be her. Casey Turner looks like a boy."
"You're wrong, Karen," Nick insisted. "That's Casey. And she definitely doesn't look like a boy tonight, does she?"
"But..."
"But what?" he asked
It wasn't often that it happened, but Karen found herself unnerved for a moment. The difference in Casey's appearance was astounding. Now she knew she had some truly serious competition for Michael's affections. Winning him back wasn't going to be as easy as she'd thought.. .but she was Karen Whittington of the Philadelphia Whittingtons.
"Nothing," she said, smiling up at Nick as if nothing unusual had happened. She changed the topic. "So tell me, how are you enjoying your time here in Hard Luck?"
"It's been interesting," Nick answered. "I just wish our reason for coming here in the first place had been different."
"Your uncle's getting better, though, isn't he?" She still held on to the hope that Michael would be returning back East.
"He's paralyzed, Karen. He's never going to walk again."
"I told Michael to bring him back to Philadelphia so some of our fine doctors could examine him, but he refused."
"Uncle Frank won't leave the Circle D.He loves it here."
"But that's so stupid," she said hotly.
Nick glared down at her. "Not to Uncle Frank, it's not."
The music ended and he put her from him.
Thank you, Karen. If you'll excuse me-"
Casey stood at Michael's side talking with Anne.
"Is Nick here?" Casey asked her.
"Oh, yes. He's here," Anne answered. "In fact, he's right over there."
Casey glanced in the direction she'd indicated and saw Nick dancing with a woman she'd never seen before. "Who's she?"
"That's Karen Whittington," Michael put in. He realized there was no avoiding the topic.
"The woman who-"
"Yes. Karen is the woman I was seeing in Philadelphia," he answered, annoyed. "I'd expected her to be gone by now. I hadn't realized she was staying on."
"I think Karen likes to surprise you," Casey said, an unexpected surge of possessiveness coming over her. She knew there was only one reason Karen would have stayed, and that was to try to steal Michael away from her.
"It looks that way," Michael said.
"Do you like her surprises?" Casey asked, still feeling a bit unsure of herself.
"No," he answered as he looked down at her. He smiled, wanting to set her mind at ease. "Would you care to dance?"
"I'd love to," she answered.
"If you'll excuse us, Anne?"
"If my fiancee lets me."
"I might let you dance with Anne, but only Anne," Casey told him as he took her out onto the dance floor and swept her into his arms.
The moment proved magical for Casey.
She'd never danced with Michael before. As he led her around the room, she found herself caught up in the pure bliss of the moment. She was in his arms, moving in rhythm with him to a beautiful melody. Michael's strength and his smooth, practiced lead made her feel delicate and protected. Casey had never felt so feminine in her life.
She lifted her gaze to find Michael staring down at her, and she actually blushed.
"You're blushing," he observed with a rakish grin. "I've never seen you blush before."
"I don't think I ever have."
"Why now?"
She frowned a bit. "I'm not sure, but 1 think I like dancing with you."
"You think?"
"Well, you're very good at it, and somehow it feels right."
It feels right.
At her words, Michael fell silent for a moment. He concentrated on the dance, allowing himself to appreciate having her in his arms. They were moving together as one to the music, and he realized, almost as an epiphany, that it really did feel right.
"You're beautiful, Casey," Michael told her in a soft, seductive voice.
"I am?" She looked up at him, startled. Her gaze met his, and she saw an intensity in his dark-eyed regard.
"Yes, you are."
His confirmation sent a completely unexpected shiver of desire coursing through her. She nervously wet her lips and forced a small smile.
Michael suddenly knew a driving need to kiss her. He wanted to pull her close and taste of her sweetness right then and there in front of everybody, but he couldn't. Instead he kept dancing and tried to think of a way to get her alone, outside under the stars.
John was talking with Allen Foster from the bank when Allen saw Michael come in with Casey on his arm.
"Take a look at that," Allen said in casual conversation, nodding their way. "It's hard to believe it's the same woman."
John turned and went still as he stared at the smiling couple. Allen was right. The woman on Michael's arm was gorgeous. John had always figured if Casey cleaned herself up, she would be good-looking, but he'd had no idea the change in her would be this dramatic. His shock was followed by instant anger.
