The Nine-Month Bride

Instead the music had just ended and suddenly it seemed everyone was staring at him. Then there was a concerted rush forward to greet him. Damn! You’d think he’d been in hibernation for a century.

“Luke! Good to see you! Didn’t know you were venturing out,” one neighbor said. Another commented on the last time he’d seen him, then hastily broke off his words because it had been the occasion of Beth and the baby’s funeral.

Someone else hurriedly asked about a problem on the ranch. One of the ladies took his bowl from him with a gracious smile, and then Doc took him by the arm and drew him into the big room.

He wanted to run the other way. Small talk was beyond him tonight. He had too much on his mind. Doc seemed to realize how he felt.

“You did fine, boy. First step’s the hardest. She’s already here, and lookin’ real nice. See her? On the other side of the room with Abby.”

He saw her. Susannah Langston did look nice. She wore a blouse that fitted her curves, surprising him, and a full skirt. And he’d been wrong. She didn’t have fat ankles.

The music started up again.

“Go ask her to dance,” Doc urged in a whisper.

“I just got here, Doc.”

“Never mind. It’s too late now.”

His head whipped around and he stared at the cowboy who was leading the librarian onto the floor. Max Daingerfield. He was a wiry cowboy from north of town who considered himself to be the life of the party. Sometimes he was a little too lively for the other guests.

Lucas clenched his teeth as he watched the man’s arm snake around Susannah’s waist and haul her up against him. Then he relaxed with a smile as the lady removed the cowboy’s hand from her hip, took a step away from him and made a brief remark.

At least Susannah was no more compliant with Max than she’d been with him.

“Hey, Lucas, heard you bought a new stallion,” one of his neighbors said, drawing his attention from the couple on the floor. Soon he found himself drawn into ranch talk, almost forgetting his reason for attending the party.

“Aren’t you gonna dance with her?” Doc finally whispered, as he dug his finger into Lucas’s side.

“What’d you say, Doc?” Joe Springer asked, standing beside Lucas.

“I was just suggesting Luke have a dance. If he can still remember how.”

Joe laughed. “I reckon it’s like a few other things,” he said with a wink. “Once you learn, you don’t forget.”

Lucas didn’t want to follow Doc’s suggestion. But he’d promised himself he’d give it the old college try. He surveyed the room and found Susannah leaving the dance floor with another partner. Had she danced every dance? Why was she looking for a donor if she could have her pick of men?

That thought didn’t make him too happy. He stomped across the room and hauled up in front of her. “Evening, Susannah. Want to dance?”

“Thank you, but I imagine I’ve mangled enough toes this evening.” She smiled but it wasn’t with the same warmth as he’d seen earlier.

He couldn’t believe she was turning him down.

The music started and he reached down for her hand. “I think my toes can handle the torture.”

“Mr. Boyd, I don’t want to dance with you!” she whispered as he pulled her to her feet.

“I kind of gathered that when you said no. But it’ll be a little too embarrassing to face everyone now. So I reckon you’ll dance whether you like it or not.”

She looked over his shoulder and then back to his face. “Everyone’s watching us.”

“I know. Unfortunately for you, this is the first time I’ve danced with anyone since—in a long time. That’s why I couldn’t just walk away. Sorry.”

His voice was gruff, but she didn’t seem to take offense. She tentatively put her hand on his shoulder as he began to move to the waltz.

“I’m not going to bite you,” he growled and pulled her a little closer.

“I didn’t think you would, but I don’t like to dance so close,” she informed him in a schoolteacher voice.

He grinned. “I know. I watched you straighten Max out.”

She leaned back and caught his grin. “Is he a friend of yours?”

“Nope.”

“Ah.”

Neither spoke for several minutes. Lucas noticed how small her waist was, how neatly she fit into his arms, the top of her head right next to his cheekbone. He even noticed how good she smelled. Like springtime in the mountains.

Beth had always worn a heavy scent, too sophisticated for—he’d promised himself he wouldn’t think about Beth. Not tonight.

“You haven’t managed to stumble over my toes yet,” he muttered, pulling her just that little bit closer, so that her breasts brushed against his chest when they turned. His groin tightened and he was suddenly very conscious that he was a man…and that Susannah was a desirable woman.

“I guess you’re lucky,” she said, her voice breathless, as if she’d been running a race.

“You tired?” he asked, frowning down at her. If she was in such bad shape, how would she handle having a baby? But she didn’t look weak.

She took a step back from him. “No, I’m fine. And the dance is almost over.”

“Counting the minutes, huh? Maybe I should tell you some women around here are eager to dance with me.” He hadn’t meant to sound so cocky, but she’d damaged his ego with her reluctance.

She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “How would you know, Mr. Boyd? According to you this is your first dance in three years. Maybe local taste has changed.”

He gave a cynical chuckle. “Money never goes out of style, Susannah, so I reckon I’m safe.”

“Is that why Beth married you?” she retorted and then gasped. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—I let my temper—I’m sorry.”

He’d stiffened in rage, but her immediate apology had made it impossible to vent his anger. So he clenched his jaw and continued to dance.

“Mr. Boyd, that was horribly rude of me. I’m sure your wife loved you very much. I—”

“You don’t know anything about Beth, Miss Langston, so keep your comments to yourself.”

And she did.

They circled the room, in each other’s arms, not speaking. Lucas regretted his rough words, but he was still angry. When the music ended with a flourish, the leader, Red Jones, stepped to the mike. “Grab your partner, fellas, and head for the tables. There’s good food awaitin’!”

Susannah acted as if she hadn’t heard the man’s words. She started away from Lucas as if walking away from a car she’d parked. He grabbed her arm.

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