Jenny

by Bobbi Smith

"What's that?" Rose was surprised.

  "Not what who. His name is Clint Parker."

  "And just who in the world is this Clint?"

  "Clint is a hand at one of the other ranches, and he loves to dance."

  "Yes, so?"

  "So, he can be hazardous to your health-if you' not careful." At Rose's puzzled look, Jenny went to explain. "He's not exactly graceful, so watch y toes."

  "Just be sure to warn me if he shows up, sc know it's him," she said.

  "As your best friend, I could do no less. We'J to tell Melanie, too."

  They left the hotel room, moving gracefully along the hall and then down the steps to the lobby. Tillie and Evelyn were already there with Melanie, waiting for them, as were Aubrey and Richard.

  When Jenny saw Richard standing there, his gaze devouring her as she descended the stairs, she stifled a groan. It was going to be a long night, she could feel it. Jenny forced herself to smile.

  Richard had always believed that Jenny was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever known, but tonight she looked more stunning than ever. After spending these last days with her on the ranch, where she'd practically been dressing like a man every day, he was delighted to see her looking like a lady again.

  "Good evening, Jenny," he said as he went forward to greet her.

  "Is everybody ready to go?"

  "We've been waiting for you and Rose, and I must say, you were worth the wait."

  "Why, thank you, Richard."

  In gentlemanly fashion, Richard offered Jenny his arm.

  There was no way she could refuse politely, so she took it and allowed him to escort her from the hotel.

  As they made their way to the dance, Richard attempted to make small talk with her, but she found herself watching for Cole, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She saw no sign of Cole anywhere, though, and was forced to endure Richard's undivided atten tion. Jenny knew if this kept up, she would actually look forward to Clint Parker asking her to dance.

  The outdoor dance floor that had been erected for the evening was crowded with couples as the music played on into the night. Brightly colored lanterns cast their muted glow over the scene. The evening was perfect, the sky clear, the moon bright.

  Cole pretended to be enjoying himself as he squired Mira around the dance floor. It wasn't that he was having a bad time. It was just that he found himself watching for Jenny and worrying about her. She had said she was going to be there, and he had not yet seen her.

  "Cole, this is so much fun," Mira said, gazing up at him with open adoration. "Thank you for inviting me.

  "My pleasure, Mira," he responded.

  It was at that moment that Jenny and Richard reached the side of the dance floor. Jenny immediately spotted Cole and Mira dancing together. She dared not let her expression slip at the sight of Cole smiling at the other woman as if he were having the most wonderful time in the world.

  Jenny unconsciously squared her shoulders, mentally preparing to do battle.

  "Richard," she said, turning to him without preamble, "let's dance."

  She'd been so elusive and almost indifferent to him as they'd made their way to the dance that Richard was a bit taken aback by her unexpected invitation. He didn't waste any time worrying about it, though. All he wanted to do was hold Jenny in his arms.

  "Your wish is my command," Richard replied gallantly. He swept her out among the other dancers.

  Jenny kept her gaze focused on Richard.

  But she wanted to be watching Cole.

  Jenny forced herself to smile at Richard politely.

  She wanted to scowl.

  To all the world, Jenny appeared rapturously happy as she danced with her Eastern gentleman. They looked like a sophisticated couple, enjoying a dance and each other's company.

  But that was far from the truth.

  In her heart, Jenny was angry. Cole was with Mira! Jenny wondered if he had escorted her to the social, or if he was merely having a dance with her. She hoped it was the latter.

  "I didn't realize there would be so many people here tonight," Richard said to Jenny as they continued to dance. "I'm impressed."

  "These dances are very special events around town, and they're always a lot of fun. It isn't often that everybody gets a chance to relax and have a good time."

  "And that's what I intend to have tonight - a good time-with you," Richard said, gazing down at Jenny.

  He struggled to keep from ogling her, but the lowcut bodice did entice him. He could barely keep his eyes off the splendid display, but he knew it wouldn't do for him to be ogling her in public.

  "What did you and Aubrey do all day?" Jenny asked just to make conversation. She could feel the heat of his gaze upon her, and it was making her uncomfortable.

  "We found a few saloons that were to our liking. Aubrey got into a poker game and won quite handily. He was rather pleased with the outcome."

  "I don't doubt that for a minute." It was common knowledge back in Philadelphia that Aubrey was quite an accomplished gambler.

  "What about you? Surely you didn't just sit in your hotel room all day."

  "Actually, Rose and I had quite an adventure on our own."

  "Really?" He couldn't imagine what they'd done. It wasn't as if Durango was a center of any sophisticated activity.

  "Yes. We went around town taking pictures, and we ended up at the High Time Saloon."

  "You and Rose went into a saloon?"

  He almost stopped dancing, his shock was so great.

  "Yes, and we found it quite interesting."

  His expression turned a bit condemning. A saloon was no place for a woman! He quickly amended that thought, for he had passed quite a pleasant afternoon with a young woman in one of the rooms above the bar while Aubrey had been playing poker. But that was different. Women like Rose and Jenny had no business being there.

  "I'd never been in one before, and"

  "There's a good reason why," he said tersely. "A saloon is no place for a lady."

  "Well, Rose wanted to take a photograph of a saloon to show everyone back in Philadelphia, and since we discovered that the man she met the other day at the mercantile was the bartender at the High Time, we decided to go there."

  "I wish you had said something before you went. Aubrey and I could have accompanied you. I don't like you putting yourself in danger that way."

  "We weren't in danger. Besides, we had Tom with us the whole time."

  "Even so, he's little more than a boy. You would have been much safer if Aubrey and I had gone along."

  "Our reputations emerged unscathed," she replied.

  She was going to be very glad when this dance was over so she could get away from Richard. He was no relation to her. He had no claim on her whatsoever. She didn't need advice from him on how to conduct herself, and she certainly didn't need any lectures from him on how to behave.

  The music finally stopped, and she was thrilled at the opportunity to escape. It was difficult enough watching Cole with Mira. She didn't need Richard being dictatorial and condemning and monopolizing her time.

  Jenny glanced surreptitiously Cole's way as Richard walked her to the side of the dance floor, and she found that Cole was still with Mira. It rather surprised her. From what she'd heard since she'd returned, Cole had never gotten serious with any woman while she'd been away. Yet tonight, Mira seemed to be the center of his attention.

  Jenny had never formed an opinion about Mira one way or another. They had known each other since they were young, but had never really been friends. She decided right then and there, though, as she watched Cole lead Mira from the dance floor, his hand familiarly at her waist, that she didn't like the other woman much at all. And the way Mira was clinging to him irritated her greatly. If they were so caught up in each other, Jenny wondered if she was ever going to get the chance to have Cole to herself.

  Richard walked her over to where Rose was standing.

  "Richard, I would love a cup of punch," she told him sweetly
. She wanted a moment alone with Rose.

  "I'll be right back." He went off to do her bidding.

  "Having fun?" Rose asked.

  "Hardly. I may never get the chance to be with Cole, judging from the grip Mira has on him."

  "So you know her? I was wondering who she was."

  "Oh, yes. She's one of the neighboring ranchers."

  "She's quite pretty."

  "She looks very nice tonight."

  "But you look even better," Rose insisted. "Has Cole even seen you yet?"

  "I don't know."

  "Why don't I see what I can do to stir things up a bit?"

  "What did you have in mind?"

  "You'll see." Rose gave her a wicked grin as she started off casually toward the place where Cole was standing, seemingly deep in conversation with Mira.

  Rose was delighted when her timing proved perfect. Just as she reached them, the music started again.

  "Cole, I know this isn't Sadie Hawkins day, but would you dance with me?" she asked without the slightest bit of coyness.

  Mira gasped and glared at her. She didn't know who this woman was, but she was tempted to hit her.

  "Evening, Rose," he said. "Mira, would you mind?"

  "Of course not."

  Mira gritted her teeth, though, as she watched Cole take the other woman out onto the dance floor. She knew he'd been put on the spot, but if he'd really wanted to stay with her, he could have refused. After all, he was with her tonight.

  "Thank you, Cole," Rose said, sweetly smiling up at him. "Jenny warned me earlier about dancing with Clint Parker, and I thought I saw him heading my way."

  Cole chuckled out loud. "Poor Clint."

  "From the way Jenny tells it, you should be feeling sorry for the ladies. Has anyone suffered any lasting injuries from her encounter with him?"

  "I don't think so," he answered, still smiling. He liked Clint as a friend, but understood the ladies' concern. What Clint lacked in grace, he tried to make up for with enthusiasm.

  "But there could always be a first time. Thank you for being my hero and saving me."

  "It's a pleasure."

  "And I promise not to step on you." She grinned at him.

  "I never thought you would." He grinned back. "Are you enjoying your stay at the Lazy S?"

  "Absolutely. I'm growing quite fond of the area, and with all the photographs I've been taking, I think I'll be able to create a lot of interest when I go home."

  "That will certainly help Jenny's business."

  "I know. The more I get the word out, the better."

  "Do you plan to come back regularly?"

  Rose was quiet for a moment. "I haven't really thought about it," she admitted. "I've just been enjoying the time I have here now."

  She realized then that she would have to go back home soon, in little over a week, and she had only just found Dan. She took a quick glance around the crowd, hoping against hope that he might have come. But there was no sign of him anywhere. She was certain that he was dutifully tending bar at the High Time. She wondered if he thought of her at all. She noticed Cole do a double take and suddenly start grinning again.

  "What is it?" Rose asked, trying to see what he was looking at.

  "I just saw Clint."

  "So?"

  "Guess who he's dancing with."

  "I have no idea," she replied as he swung her around just in time to glimpse Jenny in Clint's arms. "Oh, no-Cole, you were my hero; now you have to be Jenny's."

  "She could have said no."

  "It's too late for that. She was probably cornered, and since I'd already claimed you, there was no escape for her. You have to save her, Cole. She doesn't have anybody else."

  "What about good old Richard?"

  "Richard and Jenny have been seeing each other for a while," Rose said, and she was secretly pleased when she noticed that Cole tensed at her words. She'd have to let Jenny know that he seemed a bit jealous. She quickly continued on, "And they've had some good times together in Philadelphia, but I don't see him anywhere around right now. You're here. You could be the one to save her."

  "She'll be all right. She's danced with Clint before and survived unscathed."

  "Maybe she has in the past, but you're responsible for her now. Just think of her feet! If she's maimed and can never walk again, how will she be able to work and save the ranch? And then what would you do? You'll be responsible for her finances. Think of the expense of medical care if Clint injures her...." Rose exhausted all the reasons she could think of to push Cole toward Jenny. "Dance me over there, go ahead. I'll sacrifice myself to save Jenny. You take Jenny. I'll take Clint. That's what best friends are for."

  Cole wasn't quite sure which of the arguments Rose had used convinced him to intercede, but he swung them expertly toward where Clint was tromping around in great spirits, enjoying the fast-paced melody.

  "Do you mind if I cut in?" Cole asked Clint, surprising the other man.

  "You want to trade?" Clint asked, not stopping his dancing but looking straight at the woman he'd heard was named Rose. She was a pretty one, and he'd wanted to dance with her earlier, but she'd disappeared on him. He smiled broadly. "Sure, Cole. I'll trade you. Thanks, Jenny."

  "You're welcome, Clint," Jenny said, not quite sure what was going on. She wondered what Rose had said to Cole to get him to come for her. "Thank you for asking me to dance."

  Rose gave Jenny a secret wink as she went willingly into Clint's arms, and he danced her off into the crowd.

  Jenny and Cole did not have time to stand there awkwardly and stare at each other. They were in the middle of the dance floor and had to keep moving.

  Without a word, Cole took Jenny in his arms and swept her away. They moved gracefully together, matching each other's rhythm, their bodies instinctively attuned. There was no need for them to speak. Words would only have destroyed the moment.

  Cole held her close while memories of other dances years before played in his mind. Jenny had fit against him perfectly then, and she did so now. He glanced down to find her gazing up at him. She looked lovely tonight, and he had a great desire to dance her off somewhere private, miles and miles away from here, where it would be just the two of them alone. Then he was going to kiss her not a chaste kiss, but a passionate, hungry kiss that would tell her all that he was really feeling.

  Just thinking about kissing Jenny stirred his body to life.

  The sensual awareness that filled him surprised Cole. He tried to ignore it.

  This was not the time.

  This was not the place.

  And this was definitely not the woman.

  Cole had offered to dance with Jenny only to save her from Clint nothing more.

  Jenny found herself practically floating in Cole's arms. Cole was such a contrast to Clint in so many ways. Where Clint had been rough, Cole was smooth. Where Clint had been wildly enthusiastic about his dancing, Cole was controlled in his moves. Where Clint had been open and good-natured, Cole was reserved and seemed almost cautious with her.

  Jenny realized vaguely that dancing with either man could prove dangerous to her, but.for far different reasons. Dancing with Clint had been physically risky, but dancing with Cole was more threatening to her peace of mind.

  The music continued, and she was glad. She didn't want the dance to end. She reveled in the feel of Cole's hard, powerful body in fluid motion against hers as they circled the dance floor. The moment was heavenly for her. This was where she belonged. There was nowhere else she wanted to be but with Cole.

  As soon as the music ended, Cole would be gone- back to Mira. She had to find a way to make this moment last. She wanted to get Cole alone-someplace away from the crowd-away from Richard away from Mira. Someplace much more private....

  Try as she might, Jenny wasn't sure where that would be. She'd been surrounded by people ever since they'd arrived. Richard had rarely left her side, and just when she'd managed to escape him, Clint had appeared and would not be denied his dance
. Jenny had been thrilled when Cole cut in on Clint, but she couldn't help thinking that Rose had used some kind of subterfuge to get him to do it.

  A sense of futility threatened Jenny's determination. It seemed she was making no progress at all in winning Cole back, but then she realized she couldn't just give up. She loved Cole, and Cole had loved her once. She intended to make him love her again.

  "That's my girl" Her father's voice seemed to ring out in her mind.

  Tears welled up in her eyes. Her determination returned full force, and with it, the courage to do what needed to be done.

  "Jenny?" Cole noticed the tears in her eyes and couldn't imagine what was troubling her. "Is something wrong?"

  "No. No, I was just thinking..." Jenny replied hesitantly, still feeling quite emotional.

  "Thinking about what?" he pressed.

  Just then the music stopped. They stood there as other couples milled around them.

  "It was nothing... I know you have to go back... Mira's waiting for you," Jenny said. She tried to force a smile. "Thanks for saving me from Clint."

  With that, Jenny turned and walked away from him. She deliberately went in the opposite direction from where she'd last seen Mira waiting for Cole's return. She was taking a chance by leaving him this way, but she prayed that Cole would come after her. It was the only hope she had of getting to be alone with him that night.

  Cole hesitated. Mira was waiting for him, but Jenny was about to disappear in the crowd. He made his decision.

  He followed her.

  What Rose had said to him in partial jest earlier had made an impression on him. Jenny was his responsibility, she had no one else. Though he knew Jenny was a strong woman, if something was troubling her deeply enough to reduce her to tears, he had to go to her and make sure she was all right.

  Cole forgot about Mira.

  Jenny needed him.

  "Jenny wait "he called out softly as he closed the distance between them.

  She glanced back, thrilled that he had come after her. She took care, however, not to let her pleasure show in her expression. "What do you want?"

  "We need to talk," he said seriously as he took her arm and guided her away from the lights and the people.

  Cole sought a secluded spot. He led her on until he found a quiet place about a block away from the festivities. It was deserted and dark, close enough so they could hear the music, but far enough away so they had some privacy to talk. He stopped and faced her, looking down at her in the darkness, trying to read her expression in the heavy shadows of the night.