She’d taken two steps when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“You weren’t thinking of slinking off, were you?” The cocky cowboy who’d helped her with her buggy grinned. “I hope not, because you promised me a dance, and I’m holding you to it.” He held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Cody had thwarted her escape. Since she had led him to believe she’d accept his offer, she might as well enjoy herself. She slipped a hand around his elbow and smiled. “My leather-reinforced toes and I are ready.”
They reached the dance floor as the lively strains of the first number filled the air. He took her in his arms and set off. Contrary to his warning earlier, he was an accomplished dancer. Not as good as Houston, but—
What was she doing thinking about him? He was back, but that changed nothing. For all she knew, he didn’t even want to be here and had only come to get what was coming to him. Since he’d shown that he was only out for himself, that made sense.
Cody led her in a turn. As she twirled around, she caught a glimpse of Houston wearing a scowl the size of Texas. So he didn’t like her dancing with someone else, did he? That wasn’t her problem. He should have considered the consequences when he’d made his choice all those years ago.
She looked up at her dance partner, who’d fired off another of his quips, and laughed.
Chapter Four
Jaw clenched, Houston leaned a hand on the table where he’d eaten his meal with Travis and his new family and watched as Coralee glided over the dance floor, laughing and having a grand ol’ time. She wore a dress as vivid a shade of blue as the darkening sky. Puffy white sleeves peeked from beneath her elbow-length jacket. A perky little hat rested on her upswept hair. Several springy chocolate-brown curls trailed over her shoulders.
He hadn’t seen such an impressive display of ringlets since he’d left Texas. The hardworking women in the small California town where he’d lived had opted for more serviceable styles. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed seeing Coralee’s curls—and the comely woman herself.
The brown-eyed beauty obviously hadn’t missed him. The dancing had only begun, and yet she was out on the floor in the arms of a presumptuous ranch hand. He shouldn’t be surprised. She’d always favored men who spent their days tending cattle. He could imagine what she thought of him out in California running a hardware store. Not that her opinion mattered. He’d made a success of the business, and he’d done it on his own. If he could do that, he could make ranching work out, too. If he wanted Pa’s approval, he had to.
Pa joined him. “Do you plan to stare at her all night, son, or take action?”
Houston forced himself to remain calm. “I have no intention of dancing with her.”
“Why not? She’s still good to look at.”
“She turned me down.”
Pa nodded. “She did, but she hasn’t said yes to anyone else.”
He’d wondered about that. A woman with Coralee’s many attributes could have had her pick of the eligible bachelors. Maybe not during the war, but after. There was no shortage of single ranch hands around now, one of whom had already claimed a dance with her. “What Coralee and I had no longer exists.”
Pa grunted his acknowledgment and rubbed a thumb over his weathered jaw. “If you want your share of the ranch, you need to find a wife, right?”
“Right.”
“The way I see it, no woman here would consider taking up with you if they think you’ve come back to mend your fences. If you act as skittish as a colt around Coralee, they’re likely to think that’s what you’re up to. Haul your hide out there, and prove ’em wrong.”
As much as it galled him to admit it, Pa had a point. Six months of the year he’d given his sons to fulfill his terms were gone. Three of Houston’s brothers were already married. If one dance with Coralee could put an end to the speculation and give him a shot at finding a bride of his own, perhaps it would be worth it. Provided Coralee didn’t humiliate him in front of everyone. “I’ll consider it.”
“Don’t take too long. The clock’s ticking.” Pa clapped a hand on Houston’s shoulder and left.
The music faded, and the couples flowed from the dance floor. Coralee stood a respectable distance from her partner, said something to him, smiled, and made her way through the crowd. Houston lost sight of her for a few moments. She emerged at the edge of the gathering and strode toward the barn.
He took off after her, not so fast that he would draw attention, but fast enough to catch up to her before she reached her destination. “Corrie!” His pet name for her had slipped out.
She came to an abrupt stop. Her hands fisted at her sides. Not a good sign. She turned around slowly and waited until he reached her before speaking. “Good evening, Houston. What do you want?”
“Dance with me. Just once.”