Page 48 of Calder Country

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The harvest celebration had become a time-honored tradition in Blue Moon. The day was given over to a children’s parade in the morning, picnicking and games in the afternoon, and in the evening, the most anticipated event of all—the Harvest Dance, held outdoors on a raised wooden platform, overhung with electric lights.

When Jake had invited her to go as his date, Britta had turned him down. Hadn’t they created enough gossip? The boys in her class hadn’t stopped giggling behind their hands. They’d even made up a song about her, which they sang at recess. When she went shopping, she could swear that the women in the store were giving her slit-eyed looks. Her job depended on her being respectable. Any day now, she expected to be called to account, maybe even fired.

Jake had been visibly disappointed, but he hadn’t asked her again. Maybe he would come to his senses and ask one of the pretty young women who turned their heads as he passed.

Now, with the moon rising over the peaks, she sat in her rocker on the back porch, listening to the first notes of music that came from the dance less than a block away. She’d heard about the new dances in the city—dances with names like Turkey Trot and Black Bottom. But tonight, the old-time band was playing traditional music—waltzes, polkas, foxtrots, and two-steps.

One of the few magical moments of her life had happened on a night, five years ago, when she’d come to the dance to keep an eye on her younger sister. No one had noticed her until the tall sheriff had walked up and asked her to dance. They’d drifted around the floor, moving in perfect harmony, as if they’d been made to dance together. Then the music had ended. She’d seen more of Jake, but tragedy had struck, pulling her away from him. When she’d emerged from her grief, he was gone.

Jake had passed through his own dark place. Now he was ready to move on and find a new mother for his little girl. But Britta was older now and still smarting from the old hurts. Jake would be better off starting fresh, with someone younger. Besides, Britta told herself, there were worse fates than being an old maid.

A shadow moved under the eaves of the porch. Jake stepped into the moonlight, his Colt Peacemaker holstered at his hip.

Britta gasped, then recovered. “Why aren’t you at the dance, Jake? Where’s Marissa?”

“Marissa is spending the night with her grandmother,” he said. “As for the dance, it’s my job to be there in case of any trouble. I’m on the way now. But before I go . . .” He cleared his throat. “There’s only one girl I want to dance with, and she’s right here.” He stood before her with a slight bow. “May I have this dance with you, Miss Anderson?”

The music was a slow foxtrot, not so different from the one Britta remembered. With a smile, she rose and floated into his arms. The magic returned as he held her, dancing her around the porch, the moonlight soft upon them. But the spell was brief. As the music ended, he stepped back. “I have to go,” he said. “You can still come with me, Britta.”

She shook her head. “I look a fright—my hair, my dress. And I’m still worried about the gossip. You go ahead. You and Marissa will be welcome for Sunday dinner tomorrow.”

“We’ll see about that.” His manner had chilled. “Enjoy your evening.”

He was gone then, as silently as he’d come. Britta settled back into the chair. She could still hear the music—a livelier tune this time. But the peace of the evening had fled with the man she loved.

She gazed up at the cold moon, wondering. Had she just made the biggest mistake of her life?

* * *

Joseph stood at the edge of the dance floor, his eyes scanning the crowd. Electric lights strung from wires lit the floor and the parking lot on the near side. Dressed in their best, dancers twirled, stomped, and paraded to the music. His parents hadn’t come to the dance. Neither had his aunt Kristin and her husband or the Calders, but there were plenty of farm families, ranchers, and cowboys enjoying themselves. He spotted Annabeth with her new beau. She looked pretty, in a tiny-waisted sky-blue dress with patent leather shoes on her feet. Joseph felt a wave of relief that he hadn’t gotten her pregnant and ruined both their lives.

But the one person he’d come to meet was nowhere in sight. Where was Lucy? Had she changed her mind about running away to Texas? Had her father learned about her plans and prevented her from leaving the house?

Looking across the floor, he could see Sheriff Calhoun keeping watch over the crowd. Maybe, Joseph thought, he could go to the sheriff, tell him about Nigel’s plan to cheat Webb Calder, and have the man arrested. But it was too soon for such a desperate measure—and it still might not save Lucy from Webb’s clutches. He would give her more time.

His hand touched the bundle in his vest pocket—two hundred dollars in bills wrapped in a red bandanna. Unable to come up with a better plan, Joseph had done the unthinkable. He had taken the money from the cash box in his father’s desk. He had never stolen anything in his life—but since he planned to pay the money back somehow, it was more like a loan. Besides, it was for a good cause. How could he leave an innocent girl like Lucy at the mercy of a lecherous old man like Webb Calder?

But where was she? His eyes searched the crowd. He couldn’t see Annabeth any longer. Her boyfriend was alone, waiting on the sidelines. Maybe she’d gone to the privy that was set up behind the hardware store.

Autos, buggies, and wagons crowded the street and the lot surrounding the dance. Lucy would need a way to get here, Joseph reminded himself. She’d mentioned that Chase might bring her, but he wasn’t here. Maybe he’d dropped her off and gone to meet his girl.

She would also need a ride to Miles City to catch the midnight train. Joseph had offered to drive her in his father’s Model T, which he’d borrowed for the dance. But she’d pointed out the risk of his father finding out and telling Webb where she’d gone. Joseph would already be giving her the money. He’d be in enough trouble when Blake checked the cash box. She’d assured him she could find another way. Once she had the money, she could find a cab or pay somebody to drive her.

He was wondering how long he dared wait when he felt a light touch at his elbow. He turned around to see Lucy smiling up at him.

“I was afraid you weren’t coming,” he said. “How did you get here?”

“I found a way,” she said. “Have you got the money?”

“Right here.” He touched his vest. Her eyes gleamed as she held out her hand.

“One more thing,” he said. “I don’t know how soon we’ll be together again. I’d like one dance with my girl.”

“All . . . right.” She seemed hesitant but moved into his arms as the music started. They glided around the floor, but Lucy was rigid and anxious in his arms. Partway through the dance, he stopped and led her to a shadowed corner. “I can see that you need to go, Lucy,” he said, handing her the money. “Good luck. Write to me. I’ll come for you when I can.”

She slipped the bills inside her dress and returned the bandanna. “Thank you, Joseph,” she said. “You’ve saved me. I’ll never forget you.”

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