“But I can’t take these, Wade,” she said. “It’s not appropriate to accept a gift from a man.”
“It’s perfectly appropriate to accept a gift from a family member. I’m just like a brother to you, remember?” he said, watching her steadily. “And they’ll look beautiful with your dress and eyes. Let me put them on you.”
She shook her head, but when he stepped closer to touch her ear, all she could do was lean in toward him. She wore very plain little earrings, ones that had belonged to her mother. He slipped them off easily enough and put in the drops, sending shivers of desire through her with every touch. Then he put both hands on her shoulders, and looked over her with approval in his eyes.
“You’re even more beautiful than I thought you would be,” he said softly. She smiled at him, but before she could respond, Maria squealed and started clapping her hands.
“They’re gorgeous, señora!” she sang out. “Oh, you look like a princess! You’ll be the prettiest lady at the dance!”
Catherine gave a little smile, but didn’t let herself get carried away. Maria was a young girl, expected to be excitable, but matrons like herself kept their emotions under control.
“You look pretty as a picture, Catherine,” John said as he came out of the house. He was wearing a new suit too, although it didn’t sit as well on his figure as Wade’s did.
“But it’s time to get going,” he continued. “Maria, you ride with me on the spring wagon. Catherine, you and Wade can take the buckboard.”
Catherine looked at Wade, who gave her a perfectly blank expression as he gestured toward the buckboard. He helped her in, then swung up beside her and started away from the ranch house toward town. John and Maria followed, trailed by José on his horse. Catherine figured she shouldn’t enjoy riding next to Wade quite so much, but she loved the smell of him, the light hint of whiskey and tobacco that hung around him.
He was freshly shaven and about as handsome as a man could get without causing a riot. She had no doubt that the girls would be hanging off him at the dance. Of course, there wouldn’t be a shortage of partners for her, either. There were always more men than women, and by the end of the night some of the cowboys would be dancing with each other. Still, it would be nice to arrive with a man as handsome as Wade by her side.
By the time they reached town they had joined a procession of wagons rolling in across the range. It looked like there might be a couple hundred people at the dance, most of whom lived far enough away that they’d be spending the night.
The spring social and dance was an old tradition revived after the war ended. It took place inside a barn built by one of the earliest American settlers. He and his ranch hands spent days clearing the building out and scouring in preparation for the big night. Trestle tables were set up outside for the food, and families from far and wide camped out in the pasture surrounding the building. The Sweet River Ranch contingent arrived early enough to get a good spot, which Wade and José quickly staked out with the tent. Maria and Catherine took care of the food. Everywhere Catherine found faces she hadn’t seen for months. She discovered new babies to coo over, new dresses to study and enough hugs to keep her busy for hours. Throughout it all, she kept her eyes open for George Reynolds. When she spotted him, he gave her a pained look, and a sick, nervous sensation raced through her stomach. She put on a smile anyway.
“Mr. Reynolds!” she called, coming up beside him. “I’m so pleased to see you here. Has the board made a decision about the teaching position yet?”
He coughed, and looked a little nervous.
“Mrs. Masters, I’m sure you know you are an excellent candidate for the position,” he said. “And I’d like very much to offer it to you, but you have to answer one question for me. Are you absolutely sure you won’t be leaving the school to marry?”
She nodded her head firmly.
“Yes, although I believe I already told you that,” she said. “Has somebody been saying something to the contrary?”
“Your brother-in-law,” Mr. Reynolds replied. “He tells me that he’s going to marry you as soon as possible.”
“And when did he say that?” she asked, her tone ever-so-slightly shrill. The man winced, and she backed down immediately, offering him a conciliatory smile. “I mean, that doesn’t sound like Wade.”
“He told me himself less than ten minutes ago,” he said. “And Mrs. Jackson said she saw you two courting in town. Are you sure I’m getting the full story?”
She nodded her head firmly, although she felt her cheeks heating up. She hated blushing, it made her feel like a schoolgirl.
“I can assure you that Wade Masters and I will not be getting married,” she replied. “I guess I can’t do more than offer you my word. Well, my word and a signed contract.”
The man looked relieved.
“Well, I guess that’s good enough for me,” he said. “You realize the position won’t start until the fall, but you’ll have access to the house as soon as the current term ends. We’ll write up the papers the next time you come into town.”
He stuck his hand out, taking hers and shaking it firmly. She’d never had a man do that before, and it felt good. Like she’d accomplished something. And she had. A contract for a job, all on her own. A job that came with a house in town.
She thanked him again and turned away, walking back toward the barn. She’d expected to feel triumph, even a gloating sense of victory. Instead she just felt strangely empty, and a little disappointed. She wandered into the barn where a trio of local musicians warmed up. She knew all of them, exuberant cowboys who were always ready to play for a party. They’d make the dancing fun. Maria would probably get her wish and dance with Wade. Catherine supposed that she would too. The thought that it might be the last time he held her made her breath catch.
Catherine looked up to see him across the dance floor, watching her. He nodded in greeting, and she nodded back, almost formally. He walked over to her.
“I saw you talking to Reynolds,” he said. “Did they offer you the position?”
She nodded again, crossing her arms over her chest protectively.
“Despite the fact that you tried to ruin it for me. That wasn’t very nice of you, Wade.”
“He asked me an honest question and I gave him an honest answer,” Wade replied, his face unsmiling. “It’s a mistake, taking that job. You’ll regret it.”