Coralee chose a necklace from her jewelry box, held it up to her throat, and studied the effect in the looking glass. “I think these will do, don’t you?”
“Nicely. Let me help you with that, child.” Sally took the string of pearls and clasped it around Coralee’s neck. “Every time I see these lovely beads, I think of your sweet momma. She was mighty happy with your daddy. I know she’d want you to find yourself a fine feller like she done. It’s high time you did. Take your old Sally’s advice. Don’t let what happened with Mr. Houston all them years ago stand in the way of your happiness. If some rugged ranchers ask you to dance tonight, then dance.”
“I don’t plan on staying that long. I’ll be back to see to Daddy as soon as I can.”
Sally took Coralee’s face in her hands. “I’ve knowed you since you was knee-high to an armadillo, my precious girl. You have a good heart and have been the best daughter a father could ask for. But I knowed your daddy long before you did. He wouldn’t want you missing out on life on account of him. He’d want you to march up to El Regalo with your head held high and have yourself some fun. So, go do that. I’ll see to him.”
Coralee stood, slipped a handkerchief inside her sleeve, and scooped up her fan. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sally. It’s not easy watching him travel this path. He was such a strong man.”
“You’re strong, too. Now, skedaddle.” Sally waved her off with the back of a hand. “And don’t you show up back here too soon, or you’ll have me to deal with, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She gave Sally a mock salute and dashed downstairs to wait for her brother in the entryway. Her boot heels clicked on the marble tiles as she paced.
Five minutes passed with no sign of Calvin. Coralee checked his room, but he wasn’t inside. She headed outside, lifting her skirts to keep them from getting dusty, and found him in the pen with the bull. Again. “You said you’d be ready.”
Calvin thumped the longhorn’s side. “I meant to, but this fellow appears to be ailing. I’ll finish up with him and ride over to the Harts’ place as soon as I can. You can take the buggy. I had Gene get it ready for you.”
“You insist I go, and now I have to show up alone?” She feigned irritation. “Fine brother you are.”
He grinned. “I’m your favorite brother.”
“You’re my only brother.”
They’d tossed the same words at each other many times over the years, but the game never grew old. Calvin could be a mite irritating at times, but he’d been her rock when the world around her crumbled. She was still mourning Houston’s choice to put his dreams and aspirations before her when Daddy began forgetting things. She’d often wondered if Momma had suspected that he wasn’t himself, prompting the promise Coralee had made to Momma as her earthly life drew to a close.
The trip to the 7 Heart passed quickly. The steady clop of the horse’s hooves on the hard-packed road and the rustle of the grasses swaying in the breeze kept her company. In order to rein in her thoughts, which had an annoying tendency to turn toward a certain gold-chasing fortune seeker who preferred California to the Great State of Texas, she concocted a possible menu for the Christmas Eve Ball. She could almost taste the delicious desserts.
She reached the ranch and stopped in front of the huge barn. A ranch hand rushed out to help her. He surveyed her with appreciation. “Evening, Miss Culpepper.”
Had she met the man before? She couldn’t recall. “Good evening, Mr….”
“Call me Cody.” He smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. “Everyone does. I’ll park your buggy and water your horse.”
“I would appreciate that. I’m sorry you’re stuck here with the animals when everyone else is having fun.”
He held out a hand and helped her from the buggy. “Some of the other fellers and I are taking turns. When my shift is over, I’ll come find you and whisk you onto the dance floor. I’m light on my feet. I’ll be light on yours, too, when I step on them, that is.” He winked.
She laughed. It had been ages since a man had flirted with her. She shouldn’t encourage the cocky cowboy, but this could be her opportunity to show Houston that even if he’d walked out on her, she was still able to capture a man’s attention. It didn’t matter that Cody seemed the kind of fellow who would dance with anyone in a skirt. “I think I could survive one number. My boots are sturdy.”
“I’ll see you later then.” He doffed his hat, grabbed the bridle, and led the horse away.