Chapter Eighteen
An empty warehouse in town served as the perfect place for a dance. The owner had constructed it the previous year and offered it to the community for last year’s spring dance. Sadly, his business interests didn’t pan out and the building was once again empty.
The space worked splendidly for the annual spring celebration. When the owner again offered the building to those planning the dance, the committee eagerly accepted. A boxed supper auction would generate money for the widows and orphans fund, followed by a dance.
Delilah strode into the building with Seth and took note of the platform erected at the far end of the building where musicians tuned their instruments. Chinese lanterns, crepe streamers, and baskets of flowers provided decorations around the room. The fragrance of lilacs blended with the aromas of food and the mingling scents of hair pomade and perfume.
Seth directed her across the room to the punch table and poured her a cup. Delilah took a sip and scanned the tables lining the wall by the door that held a variety of boxed suppers, including the one she’d made. Although Seth had tried to cajole her into telling him which one she’d created, she refused.
“You’ll just have to figure it out,” she’d said with a grin as they walked from her house to the warehouse. She knew Dugan had been upset she’d turned down his invitation, but Seth had asked her weeks ago, not long after she’d first arrived in town. It would have been rude to rescind her agreement to accompany him, even if she’d rather have attended with Dugan.
Although Seth flirted with her, flattered her, and teased her mercilessly, she thought of him as the brother she’d always wanted and never had. She had a feeling he thought of her as more like a sister than a love interest, but he continued to request opportunities to escort her. Since she enjoyed his company and friendship, she never told him no.
Dugan was an entirely different story, though. She longed to be around him, yet she knew she needed to keep her distance. He alone posed an undeniable threat to her independence and freedom, and she just wasn’t willing to give it up. Not to him. Not to anyone.
As though her thoughts conjured his presence, he strode into the building and stopped, looking over the crowd. He stood in a streamer of sunshine that glistened through the droplets of water still clinging to the ends of his hair. She knew he’d worked that day and assumed he probably rushed home to wash and change before the celebration began. The cut of his dark jacket accentuated the breadth of his shoulders while his crisp white shirt brought out the tan of his skin. The tie he wore, a perfect match to his incredible blue eyes, held a Windsor knot rather than a simple four-in-hand.
“There’s Dugan. Let’s go say hello,” Seth said, cupping her elbow and propelling her forward.
The flounced skirts of her pale yellow chiffon gown, sprigged with bouquets of deep raspberry-hued flowers, swirled around as they walked across the floor.
Dugan’s face remained expressionless as he watched their approach, but he couldn’t hide a flicker of emotion in his eyes. His jaw tightened and, if she didn’t know better, she would have said he was angry. Perhaps even jealous.
Yet, within seconds, he relaxed his jaw, held out his hand to Seth, and grinned. “Quite a shindig, isn’t it?”
Seth nodded. “It sure is. Delilah and I have sampled the punch and so far it’s just punch.”
Delilah gave Seth a questioning look. “Just punch? What does that mean?”
Dugan smirked. “It means by the end of the evening, someone will covertly add at least one bottle of liquor into the bowl if not more. Unless you want to end the evening tipsy, you might want to enjoy the punch while you can.”
“Good heavens,” Delilah muttered, tossing a glance to the punch table where women busily ladled punch into cups. She could see how, with the boisterous crowd, it would be a simple matter for someone to add alcohol to the punch. She glanced at the punch cup in her hand, as though she might be able to discern just by looking if it was safe to drink.
Dugan took it from her hand and tasted it, and handed it back to her with a grin. “It’s fine.”
Seth scowled at him and sidled a little closer to Delilah before possessively placing his hand at her waist. Rather than move away from him, as she was wont to do, she ignored the looks passing between the two deputies and watched the crowd.
“Oh, there’s Maggie and Ian,” she said, moving away from Seth and Dugan to greet her friends.
“Hello, Delilah! You look beautiful,” Maggie said, giving her a hug. “That dress is perfect.”
Delilah smiled. “I love your gown. It’s gorgeous.”
Maggie wore a salmon-colored dress that brought out roses in her cheeks. Ian drew her closer and kissed her temple. “She looks like a fresh summer peach, waiting to be plucked, and I’m just the man for the job.”
A blush stole over Maggie’s face and she gave Ian a squelching look. “Ian MacGregor. You behave yourself. And no repeats of last year’s incident.”
“What happened last year?” Delilah asked as she walked with Ian and Maggie over to the table holding the boxed suppers, leaving Seth and Dugan conversing near the door. She knew Maggie’s box matched her dress and easily identified it among those piled on the table. Ian pointed to it and Maggie winked at him.
“Tully was trying to make Ian jealous and the two of them ended up brawling like hooligans in the middle of the dance.” Maggie sighed. “Even if I didn’t condone their actions, it was terribly romantic.”
Ian rubbed a hand along his jaw. “Tully packs quite a punch, even when he’s just pretending. I’d hate to be on the receiving end if he really meant it.”
“Did I hear my name?” the sheriff asked, walking up behind them with Brianna. Sammy wrapped her arms around Maggie and smiled up at her.
“I was just telling Delilah about how badly you and Ian behaved at the dance last year.”
Tully waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Oh, that wasn’t anything at all, was it Ian?”
“Of course not.” Ian tweaked Sammy’s nose. “Did you make a box, too, lass?”
Sammy nodded. “I did.” She glanced around. “Is Jack here?”
Delilah tried to hide a smile at Sammy’s less than subtle interest in the Jordan boy.
“Thane and Jemma aren’t planning to attend because Bolton is still so little,” Maggie said.
Sammy’s whole body slumped, like she suddenly lacked the energy to hold herself upright. She leaned against Tully’s leg and looked up at him with big, sad eyes. “So Jack won’t be here?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. He might come with Ben and Allie, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Okay,” she said.
“Hey, what’s wrong with my best girl?” Dugan asked as he and Seth joined them. He picked Sammy up and kissed her cheek.
She wrapped one arm around his neck and pouted. “Dad doesn’t think Jack is coming.”
“Is that right? Well, I think your dear ol’ dad just might be wrong for once.” Dugan turned so Sammy could see the door where Ben and Allie Amick stood with Jack and several of the cowboys from the Jordan Ranch.
“He came!” Sammy said excitedly, squirming to get down.
Dugan barely set her on her feet before she raced across the room to greet Jack. The two of them wandered in the direction of the punch bowl.
“So much for playing hard to get,” Ian said, giving Tully a nudge with his elbow.
Tully scowled at him. “It’s all fine and fun now when they’re just youngins’, but what am I gonna do when she’s a few years older?”
“Lock her in her room and buy another shotgun to run off all the boys that will flock around your house?” Dugan suggested, drawing out the group’s laughter.
Delilah relaxed around her friends and enjoyed speaking with them. Promptly at six on the dot, the mayor limped across the platform and motioned for everyone to quiet. When half the crowd failed to notice him, Tully excused himself and strode over to the platform, stuck two fingers between his lips and whistled so loudly, Delilah was surprised the crystal punch bowl didn’t shatter.
Everyone in the building hushed and turned their attention to the platform. The mayor welcomed those in attendance, spoke about the lovely spring season in town, then reminded everyone to leave the ingredients of the punch to the ladies serving it.
“Pastor Eagan will ask a blessing on the meal this evening, and then we’ll get started with the boxed supper auction,” the mayor said.
Pastor Eagan stepped onto the platform and offered a brief prayer. Amens echoed through the building before everyone turned their attention to the boxed supper table. A circuit judge had been recruited to auction off the suppers. He held up a red gingham-covered box and looked at the crowd.
“Do I hear fifty cents folks? Fifty cents?” he said, then proceeded to run up the price.
Delilah scanned the crowd and watched a girl who had to be in her late teens wearing a red gingham dress cast coy glances at a boy. His neck and ears were every bit as red as the girl’s dress. He and two other boys were bidding on the box, but Red Ears got the winning bid. The girl blushed prettily and went with the boy to claim her box.
The auction wasn’t just for unmarried people, though. Husbands bid on boxes donated by wives. Even old Mrs. Jepson entered a box which Mr. Bentley bid on, much to everyone’s surprise. Mrs. Jepson leaned heavily on her cane as Mr. Bentley escorted her to a table to enjoy their supper.
Ian enthusiastically bid on Maggie’s box and Tully claimed Brianna’s. Sammy nervously clenched the satin ribbon on the front of her dress when her box came up for bidding and Jack Jordan paid a whole dollar to win it.
Allie Amick’s box was tied with a piece of her exquisitely-made lace. When the auctioneer held it up, Ben strode to the man, slapped a five dollar gold piece in his hand and took the box.
Laughter echoed through the building as he escorted Allie to a seat and said, “I dang sure ain’t sharing my sugar’s supper with anyone.”
Nervous, Delilah watched when the auctioneer picked up her boxed supper. She’d purposely decorated it in a piece of bright teal cotton cloth. A small bouquet of wildflowers she’d picked near the weather station was the only ornamentation on top of the box, except for a tiny bird she’d fashioned from a piece of brown silk ribbon and hidden in the bouquet.
Seth paid no mind to the box until Dugan began bidding on it. Delilah observed the looks they both cast her direction and the daggers they shot at each other in what soon turned into a bidding war. When they bid the box up to eight dollars, someone shouted that they should split the cost and share it.
That was how she ended up sitting between Seth and Dugan while the two of them continued to glower at each other throughout the meal. Tully and Brianna shared the table with them, along with Jack, Sammy, Ian and Maggie.
Delilah had fried a whole chicken, cooking the pieces until they were crispy and golden brown. Corn patties were also fried to perfection. She’d also included pickles, sliced cheese, and deviled eggs in her box, providing enough food for four people to enjoy, although she thought there would only be two. Now, she was glad she’d made extra, including a dozen tarts filled with canned berries Maggie had shared with her.
The tension stretching between the two men on either side of her was like a palpable force that sucked away Delilah’s appetite and left her shoulders inching toward her ears.
“This is delicious, Delilah,” Seth said, smiling as he helped himself to another piece of chicken.
“You’re an excellent cook,” Dugan said, snatching the last deviled egg.
Delilah would have laughed at their competitive, childish behavior if it hadn’t been so disconcerting. She caught Tully giving Ian and Maggie a concerned look but he remained silent.
Ian wiped his mouth on a napkin and glanced across the table. “Did you read in the paper about the group of men who went to Pendleton to help with the sheep shearing? It said they sheared eight thousand sheep. That’s a bunch of woolies.”
Tully nodded. “I did see that.” He turned to Jack. “You suppose your dad will start running sheep soon?”
Jack shook his head. “No, sir. Dad’s mentioned the first person who brings sheep on the ranch will be the last. He offered some colorful descriptions that I wasn’t supposed to hear. Mama would make me suck on soap if I repeat what he said.”
Delilah had to hide a smile behind her napkin while others at the table did the same. At least the tension had ebbed slightly.
Brianna asked Maggie if she planned to attend the newly formed temperance union’s upcoming meeting. They invited Delilah to join them amid the men complaining about the group doing nothing but stirring up trouble.
Tully looked around the table and grinned. “I heard a funny story the other day.”
“You did?” Ian asked, leaning back in his chair. “Let’s hear it.”
“On the twenty-eighth of February, a pretty girl walked up to a bachelor and asked him if he thought it was okay for a girl to propose to a fella on Leap Year. The bachelor man got quite excited and assured her it would be not only acceptable, but the sensible thing to do. The pretty girl looked quite relieved. ‘That’s wonderful to hear you say. Widow Sourface admires you so much. She’ll be so happy when I let her know you’ll accept her proposal tomorrow.’ And the poor old bachelor couldn’t run fast enough to leap over what happened that year.”
Delilah grinned while Ian rolled his eyes. Seth and Dugan didn’t so much as crack a smile.
Thankfully, they were all finished eating and people had started to move the tables near the platform aside to provide plenty of room for dancing.
“Come on, boys.” Tully rose to his feet and clapped Dugan on the shoulder. “Let’s lend a hand.”
While the men walked off and Sammy trailed after them with Jack, Brianna and Maggie cast Delilah sympathetic looks.
“What has gotten into Seth and Dugan?” Maggie asked. “They acted like two ornery old bears intent on claiming the same honey pot.”
Brianna looked at Delilah and grinned. “I think the honey pot in question has no idea that’s what they’re after.”
“There is no honey pot and that is the end of that,” Delilah said, flustered by their teasing.
Maggie laughed while Brianna’s grin broadened into a smile. “Oh, believe us when we tell you it’s not. Things will get far worse before they get better.”
“Will you please clarify that statement?” Delilah asked as she helped them clean up their table.
“It means once you figure out which one of those handsome deputies has claimed your heart, they’ll stop going at each other like bulls in a pen full of heifers,” Maggie said.
Delilah didn’t know whether to be shocked, amused, or affronted.
Maggie hugged her around the shoulders. “Don’t worry, it’ll all be fine.”
“Eventually,” Brianna added. As though she sensed a need to change the subject, she pointed to Delilah’s dress. “I just love that gown. It looks like you captured spring and wrapped it around you. The velvet roses on the back of the sash are splendid.”
“Thank you,” Delilah said, relieved to change the topic to fashion even if the women’s good-natured teasing left her utterly unsettled.
Once the dance area was cleared, the musicians took their positions on the platform. Since the mayor was still recovering from his gunshot wound, he took on the role of calling out the dances.
Seth claimed Delilah for the first dance. As he swung her around the floor, she could feel Dugan’s eyes boring holes into her back.
If he’d wanted to escort her that badly, why in the world hadn’t he asked sooner? It served him right for waiting until the last moment, expecting her to be available. Delilah had never lacked for dance partners or escorts, even if she wasn’t interested in any of the men who’d accompanied her to dances, concerts, plays, community events, and special military dinners.
In fact, the only one she’d eagerly looked forward to seeing was Dugan and he had yet to take her anywhere other than on walks or horseback rides. Yet, he was the one who made sure she safely visited the weather station twice a day. He helped in her yard and around the house, in her father’s absence. When she’d mentioned a leak in the roof, he’d immediately climbed up and repaired it.
Dugan was a hard-working, dedicated, loyal friend, but that wasn’t enough for her. Not when she wanted his love. However, the thought of falling for him, surrendering to him, filled her with fear. She’d seen her friends wed and settle into domesticity, some of them completely subservient to their spouses. Delilah didn’t want to live within those constraints.
She wanted to be free to sketch birds and write articles for magazines. She didn’t want a man telling her she couldn’t wear britches and climb trees or insisting she stay home to prepare a meal for him when she’d rather work in her garden.
Would Dugan give her the freedom she craved if she did admit how much she cared for him?
Seth was safe because her feelings for him would never lead anywhere. Dugan was the one that made her limbs weak and her stomach flutter like a hummingbird’s wings. Could she settle for safety over passion, friendship over love?
In spite of her heart shouting the answer, she chose to ignore it and smiled as one of the cowboys from the Jordan Ranch asked her to dance.
Dugan danced with every woman over sixty in attendance and several females under the age of ten, but he never once danced with any of the single young women in attendance. He certainly failed to ask her to dance. She’d just finished a rousing polka with a man she knew worked for Thane in one of his mines when she turned to her next partner and found herself swept into Dugan’s arms.
Suddenly, the rest of the dancers ceased to exist, the music faded into the background, and there was no one else in the world except Dugan.
She looked up into his smoldering blue eyes and wondered what he was thinking. He seemed so intense, so… words failed her as his gaze fused to hers. Her mouth filled with moisture as she recalled his kisses.
When he drew her closer and started dancing her toward the doorway, she wondered if their kisses filled his thoughts, too.
“Delilah,” he finally said in a raspy tone that rendered her limbs languid.
Nearly tripping on the hem of her skirt, he kept her upright and swung her outside the door. In a few steps, he’d positioned them around the corner of the building where the dusky evening light wrapped around them in an amber-hued glow.
“Why are you dancing with doting grandmothers and little girls?” she asked, hurt by the fact he’d ignored her even if she didn’t want to give voice to her thoughts.
“Because I don’t wanna dance if it ain’t with you, Delilah. I don’t want to draw another breathe unless you’re beside me.”
Even in the muted light, she could see his eyes darken while his nostrils flared. His lips parted, and she knew she was a goner.
“Dilly,” he said, giving her a long, thorough look as his hands bracketed her face. “What are you doing to me?”
She’d lost the ability to speak the first time he’d said her name in a husky voice. If he expected her to be able to respond, she couldn’t, even if she’d known what to say, which she certainly did not.
“Delightful, darling, delicious Delilah,” he muttered as his head descended toward hers.
Her eyes closed, anticipating the impact of his kiss when cool air suddenly spilled around her. She opened her eyes to see Seth shoving Dugan against the wall.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Dugan growled. His jaw clenched in anger as he glared at his friend.
“Leave my girl alone,” Seth warned, raising a fist with a threatening scowl.
“Since when is she your girl?” Dugan asked, removing his suit coat and handing it to Delilah.
Without thinking, she took it, appalled two men she admired were about to engage in fisticuffs over her. It was unthinkable!
“Both of you stop this nonsense right this minute,” she said, stepping between the two of them.
“Delilah, honey, I’ll settle this,” Seth said, placing a hand on her waist and kissing her lightly on the mouth.
If she hadn’t been so shocked by his improper advances, she would have slapped his face.
Dugan didn’t give her a chance to, though. He stepped around Delilah and grabbed Seth around the neck, pulling him backward.
From that point on, fists began flying while the two men grunted and grumbled.
Delilah raced inside the warehouse and scanned the crowd for Tully. He stood with a few businessmen and ranchers, laughing at something Ben Amick said.
“Sheriff!” she said, rushing over to him and placing a hand on his arm.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, giving her a worried glance.
“It’s Seth and Dugan. They’re outside fighting.”
Tully growled and grabbed Ben’s shirtsleeve. “I might need your help. Come with me.”
The two men ran outside. It didn’t take long before Ian, Maggie, Allie, Brianna and several others followed them.
Delilah stood between Maggie and Allie, watching as Tully pulled on Dugan and Ben yanked on Seth, trying to separate the two deputies.
Finally, Tully whistled with such force, Delilah wanted to cover her ears.
“What in the dickens has gotten into the two of you?” the sheriff asked in a booming, commanding voice.
Dugan and Seth glared at each other, chests heaving. Neither said a word.
When they remained silent, Ben and Tully released their hold on them and stepped back. Delilah watched as Seth took another swing at Dugan and he ducked, but it caught Tully on the jaw.
“That’s it!” Tully bellowed, grabbing the back of Dugan’s collar in one hand and Seth’s in the other, treating them like misbehaving boys.
Horrified, Delilah watched as Tully marched them down the street in the direction of the jail.
Unable to believe she was the cause of the public debacle, the color drained from her face and she felt lightheaded. Before she fainted for the first time in her life, she turned and ran home.