Chapter 41: At the Harvest Dance

~It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses, we must plant more trees.~—George Eliot

If Sophie had hoped to do any shopping before the dance, her hopes didn’t materialize.

Reverend Simmens was determined to build a separate school building next to the church, and wanted to use the harvest dance as a chance to raise the necessary money. This meant Dannie and Sophie spent the two days before the dance busy in Mrs. Bellington’s kitchen, baking up pies, pastries, and other delights with which to tempt the men of the town to open their wallets.

At last the eve of the dance arrived, and the Martins, along with Carolina and Dannie, went over to the town hall where the event was to take place.

“Aha, we are some of the first to arrive, meaning we’ll be some of the first to dance!” Sophie sighed with contentment. “Oh, I just love coming first; it gives you such a feelin’ of accomplishment.”

“You’re still such a child,” Caleb said with a laugh. “I don’t know why you make such a big deal about this here dance. All you do is break a whole bunch of hearts.”

“Caleb, bite your tongue,” Sophie snapped. Caleb only laughed harder; there was nothing he enjoyed more than teasing his sister.

“Though he does have a point, my dear,” Mrs. Martin said softly. “Try to be at least civil to some of the boys here, and don’t go breaking their hearts as soon as you’re through dancin’ with them.”

“Momma, I’m always nice to everyone I dance with,” Sophie protested. “It’s only when they waste their time tryin’ to propose that I turn less than civil. But I wouldn’t worry. I think I’ve refused everyone in the town and the surrounding ranches, so there is nothing to fear.”

“Unless the more desperate ones decide to try their luck again,” Caleb whispered loudly.

Sophie wanted to retort something smart, but she was cut off by a loud announcement: “Grab your partners for the first dance.”

“Miss Preston,” a strong voice behind Dannie called. She turned and found Sheriff Grant standing tall and smart, his sheriff’s star polished and gleaming brightly on his red waistcoat. “May I claim the first dance?”

“You may indeed, Sheriff,” Dannie said with a smile. She took the hand he offered and walked with him to the dance floor. On the way, they passed by Cal. The two men exchanged glances, and Dannie saw jealousy flash in Cal’s eyes.

He forced a smile and gave a small nod to Dannie, but it was obvious he was upset that Sheriff Grant had gotten to Dannie before he had. Sophie, who had been asked to dance by a dark-haired youth, caught Dannie’s eye and winked at her. Dannie frowned in reply.

To Sophie, this was all one big game, but to Dannie, who had experienced heartbreak and rejection, such things could no longer be taken lightly. Matters of the heart should never be played with for sport, and she felt uncomfortable with these two men trying so hard to compete for her affections. No matter what happened, one of them was bound to be hurt.

Once the first dance was complete, Cal lost no time in hurrying over to claim Dannie from Grant. “Miss Preston, you look beautiful,” he said in an awed voice, his eyes full of adoration.

“Thank you,” Dannie said, looking down to avoid his gaze. If only Cal wouldn’t stare at her so.

“May I claim the next dance?”

“You may indeed.”

Sophie waltzed up to them. “You two, use your charm to put Dannie in a good mood again. The poor girl has been very low these past few days.”

“Sophie!” Dannie hissed.

“Has something happened?” Cal’s eyes clouded with concern.

“Miss Preston, has someone offended you?” Sheriff Grant added.

“Only that Slim compared the dear soul to me.”

“Miss Preston, I wouldn’t worry over him,” Cal hastened to reassure her.

“Slim compares every single girl to Miss Martin here,” Sheriff Grant explained, determined not to be left behind in the consolation stakes. “I guess it’s his feeble way of trying to court her. Poor fellow, he’s so stupid.”

Dannie plastered a fake smile on her face and nodded her head. Shooting Sophie a glare that spoke of impending revenge, she walked onto the dance floor with Cal. Sophie shrugged her shoulders, not regretting anything she had said. It was good for Dannie to know that there were better men than Jake who were willing to do anything for her attentions.

Besides, it was fun to see the sheriff and the banker’s son fighting over Dannie. Sophie had long ago decided to play one against the other, and she set bets with Carolina on who would come out the winner. So far, it was looking to be a promising and interesting game to play.

***

The party was well underway when the Cora Belle company finally made it to the town hall. It was all thanks to Slim that they had arrived late, but Jake didn’t really care.

As he walked through the door, people gawked at him in shock.

Jake rarely came to Hopewing at all, and never attended any social events—so the sight of him all dressed up and attending the harvest dance rendered the townsfolk speechless.

Jake ignored the stares and pointed whispers. He had only one reason for being here, and he lost no time in searching it out. His eyes scanned the room, and at last he spotted her. She was dancing away with the rest of the couples on the dance floor.

Jake had never seen Dannie so dressed up before, and he caught his breath at the sight of her. It wasn’t so much the dress she was wearing, but rather the way she looked in it.

The blue sash added an elegant touch to her waist, and her neckline, while modest, was much more revealing than her mourning dresses had been. The short sleeves exposed her delicate arms, and her silky black hair was partially gathered up in a small bun, while the rest hung loose in thick curls.

Jake let out a low whistle when he saw her. He felt someone slap him on the back.

“She sure is pretty, ain’t she?” Sam said.

“I have no idea why in the world that girl thinks herself plain.” Jake shook his head in bewilderment.

The music came to an end, and Dannie’s partner led her to the tables where punch was being served for the thirsty merrymakers. Jake tried to make out just who he was. Sam came to his rescue.

“I think that is Cal Jennson with her.”

“The banker’s son?”

“Yup. Was raised back East by his uncle. He’s a great help to his father at the bank, but I believe he’s actually a lawyer.”

“Lawyer?” Jake spit the word out in disgust. “God, I hate men of that profession. What is it that attracts them to Dannie like flies to a carcass?”

Sam suppressed his chuckle. “I am sure Miz Preston will be flattered when she hears you’ve compared her to a carcass.”

Jake rolled his eyes. He wasn’t blind. He could see plain as day the looks and smiles that Jennson fellow was giving Dannie. Maybe it wasn’t the lawyer in New York he should be worried about; maybe his rival was a little closer to home.

“Well, as soon as young Cal is done havin’ a drink with her, I think I’ll ask pretty Miz Preston to dance,” Sam said, fixing the little red bowtie around his neck.

“No you won’t!” Jake retorted. “She’s the only reason I came here, so if anyone is going to dance with her, it’s gonna be me.”

Sam’s sharp eyes picked up the impressive figure of Sheriff Grant strolling over to the drink tables. He nudged Jake.

“If you want to dance with her, ya’d better be quick in asking her.” He pointed over at Sheriff Grant.

Another man walked up to them now and engaged Dannie in conversation. “Oh and look, ain’t that the owner of Paradise Ranch? Seems like he wants Miz Preston to dance with him, as well.”

Jake needed no further prodding. He marched up to where Dannie was speaking to the three men. They turned to face him, and he saw the shock register on Dannie’s face.