The Texan (13 page)

I
t was easy to tell that the social was the biggest event of the year in Shotgun. Excitement was the rule of the day as folks made their way down the main street of town to the church hall, where the dance was being held.

Josh and George escorted Emmie, Millie, and Miss Harriet inside, where they were welcomed warmly by Reverend Hunt. The hall was already getting quite crowded, so they went looking for a table and found one on the far side of the room. Emmie knew most everyone, so she took Millie and Miss Harriet around to introduce them. Many offered her their condolences over the loss of her father, and she thanked them for their thoughtfulness. Josh and George, meanwhile, decided just to stay at the table and wait for word that the food was being served.

“So, we’re getting a real good meal to night, are we?” George asked, looking around the room.

“Oh, yeah. All the ladies bring their favorite dishes. No one leaves here hungry, that’s for sure.”

“If the rest of the women are half as good cooks as Kate, this is going to be one fine dinner.”

Miss Harriet decided to join a few older ladies at their table for a while, so Emmie and Millie started back to sit with Josh and George. Just then Carol Mason spotted them and made her way quickly over to speak to the two friends.

“Well, Emmie, Millie, it’s good to see you,” Carol said as she looked them over with a critical eye. She couldn’t help being envious of the beautiful gowns Emmie and Millie were wearing. They were more elegant than anything that could be bought in Shotgun.

“Good evening, Carol.” Emmie didn’t particularly want to engage the town gossip in any lengthy conversation, but she knew she had to be cordial.

“Are you enjoying your visit?” Carol asked, turning to Millie. She’d been curious about how the young woman from the big city was adapting to ranch life.

“Oh, yes. It’s been a true adventure,” Millie told her.

“Will you be staying much longer?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t even thought about going back home yet.”

Carol smiled at Emmie. “And how are things working out for you with your new partner?”

“Everything has been fine.” Emmie knew the other woman was hoping to hear juicy tidbits about conflict between the two owners of the Rocking R, so she added, “I miss my father dearly. It’s hard some
days not having him there with me, but Josh has been a big help.”

“I’ll just bet he has,” Carol said, thinking how much she would have enjoyed having Josh for a partner. He was one handsome man. She glanced over to the table where Josh was sitting with another man. “Who’s the new fellow? I haven’t seen him around before.”

Carol knew the other ladies in town would be curious about the newcomer, and she always liked to have information first. The stranger was as good-looking as Josh, and she was certain some of the unmarried women in town would be interested in learning everything they could about him. She knew there were already quite a few who were enamored with Josh and would be setting their sights on him tonight.

“That’s Josh’s brother, George. He just hired on with us.”

“Oh, my goodness. I didn’t know Josh had a brother. How interesting. Well, I’ll be speaking to you later.” Carol hurried off to spread the news to the eagerly waiting ladies.

Emmie could only shake her head as she watched the gossip leave. “Soon everyone in the hall is going to know exactly who George is.”

“From what you’ve told me, I don’t think you need a newspaper in Shotgun—you’ve got Carol.”

They shared a knowing look, for they both had dealt with nosy women before and knew how much trouble they could cause.

“I can’t wait for the music and dancing to start,” Millie confided as they went back to their table.

Emmie glanced over at her and smiled. “I feel the same way.”

They were both looking forward to spending the evening with Josh and George.

They had just taken their seats when Reverend Hunt walked to the front of the room to get everyone’s attention. Once the crowd had quieted down, he announced that the meal was about to be served and that it was time to say grace. All bowed their heads and said the prayer. Once everyone had murmured, “Amen,” the social was officially under way.

“How does this work?” George asked, as he saw those seated on the far side of the room get up to go to the serving tables. He’d been watching as the ladies who’d volunteered to help brought out the bowls and platters piled high with delicious fare.

“We go up table by table, and everybody takes as much as they want,” Emmie explained.

“We’re sitting so far back, there might not be anything left by the time we get up there,” George said anxiously. After hearing the talk of the other ranch hands, he’d been looking forward to this dinner for a few days now.

“You don’t have to worry, George,” Emmie reassured him. “There will still be plenty of food left when it’s our turn. There always is.”

As she remembered attending the social the previous year, Emmie thought of her father and the
good time they’d had together that night. A pang of sorrow stabbed her, and she tried to fight it down. She wanted to enjoy the evening.

“Emmie? Are you all right?” Millie noticed that her friend had suddenly gone quiet, and she had seen the shadow of pain mirrored in her eyes.

She nodded. “I was just thinking of my father again. He would definitely be enjoying himself if he were here.”

“Yes, he would,” Josh put in. He’d noticed the change in Emmie, too, and he wanted to make sure she had a good time to night. This was the first opportunity they’d had to be together away from the ranch, and he wanted to take advantage of it.

“When are the rest of the ranch hands going to show up?” Millie asked. She hadn’t seen Burley or the other boys come in yet.

“They’re probably over at the saloon right now, but they’ll be here soon. They know Kate brought her famous pecan pies, and they won’t dare miss the chance to get some,” Josh said.

“And then once they’re through serving the meal and everyone’s finished eating, we go outside and the dancing starts,” Emmie added.

“I can’t wait,” Millie said, casting a quick glance George’s way to find his dark-eyed gaze warm upon her.

“There is one thing I need to warn you about,” Emmie began.

“What’s that?” Millie asked.

“Some of the ranch hands can get a little wild as the night goes on, and they aren’t the most light-footed
when it comes to dancing, so be careful when you’re out on the dance floor.”

“I will.”

The time came for them to get their food, and they went up to the serving tables, more than ready to enjoy the feast.

And it
was
a feast.

The crispy fried chicken, steaks, mashed potatoes, corn, and biscuits looked delicious, and then they came to the dessert table. Fresh cut watermelon, chocolate cake, apple pies, and Kate’s pecan pies were all there.

“Can I have one of everything?” Millie asked in delight as she looked over the vast array of rich desserts.

“I was thinking two of everything,” George said.

“I just want Kate’s pecan pie,” Josh put in.

“It’s that good, is it?” George asked.

“No, you won’t like it,” Josh told him, trying not to smile.

“I know you too well, brother. You’re only saying that so I won’t take a piece and that leaves more for you when you come back for seconds.”

“You used to fall for it,” Josh complained.

“That was a long time ago. I’ve caught on to your ways now.” George laughed at him. He followed his brother’s lead and chose a piece of Kate’s pie.

With plates heaped high, they returned to their table to enjoy the meal.

Across the room, Mary Anne Watson and Linda Stewart had been watching Josh and George with open interest after talking with Carol Mason.

“I can’t wait until the dancing starts,” Mary Anne said, giving her friend a conspiratorial look.

“What are you planning?” Linda knew Mary Anne very well and could tell she was up to something.

“I’m going to dance with Josh Grady to night if it’s the last thing I do,” Mary Anne declared.

“Even after Carol told you he used to be a bounty hunter?”

“That just makes him more intriguing,” Mary Anne replied.

“I guess that leaves his brother, George, for me,” Linda said with a slight grin, thinking the brother was just as good-looking as Josh. “How are we going to do this? Emmie and that friend of hers look like they’ve already staked their claims on the fellas.”

“Hardly,” Mary Anne said. “Josh is the foreman and part owner of the Rocking R, so I guess he thinks he has to stay with Emmie here at the social. You just watch. Once things liven up around here, he’s going to be mine.”

“Are you planning on branding him?” Linda teased.

“If I have to…”

“Or…” Linda’s eyes lit up as she had an even better idea.

“Or what?” Mary Anne asked.

“Or…since he was a bounty hunter, we could put up a wanted poster with a big reward and have him go after you.”

“Ooh, I like the way you think!”

“I thought you might enjoy having him chase you.”

“I would. And I wouldn’t run very fast. Then once he captures me and takes me in…”

“You’d give him that big reward, wouldn’t you?” Linda was snickering. “What reward would you give him, Mary Anne?”

Mary Anne gave her a wicked look. “I’ll have to think about that.”

Both girls were laughing as they finished their meal and began to fantasize about the night to come.

“That was delicious.” Millie sighed as she took the last bite of the pecan pie. “Kate’s pie is wonderful.”

“Yes, it is,” George agreed. “That’s the best pecan pie I’ve ever had.”

“It was my father’s favorite, too,” Emmie added.

George looked at Josh and asked, grinning, “Is this why you decided to settle down at the Rocking R? You knew how good the cooking was?”

“Absolutely,” Josh answered.

“Did you all enjoy your dinners?” Miss Harriet asked as she returned from visiting with the other ladies to take up her role as chaperone again. She’d been keeping an eye on Millie and Emmie from across the room and was glad to see that Emmie seemed to be enjoying herself. She’d been a bit worried that the evening might prove painful for her, but her young charge seemed all right.

“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.

A
s 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 have 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.