A Chance to Love Again by Hutton Callie

Author:Hutton, Callie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western romance, historical romance, Oklahoma lovers
Publisher: Glass Half Full
Published: 2014-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Rachel had taken extra care with her appearance as she readied herself for the dance. Her rose gown was lovely, even if slightly outdated. She’d spruced it up a bit with lace trim on the hem of the skirt and the cuffs.

After dressing, she stared at herself in the mirror, surprised the dress still fit. She’d worn it for her wedding ten years past. With no reason to ever need another fancy dress, this was the only one she owned. With Amelia’s help, she’d put her hair up in a fancy topknot, with curls loose at her temples and neck. She pulled the finishing touch, her one good shawl—white linen shot through with silver threads—from her drawer and wrapped it around her shoulders. With a pinch to her cheeks for color, she left the bedroom to meet Rusty, waiting for her in the parlor.

After leaving last-minute instructions with Will and Amelia, who was still sulking over not being able to attend the dance, they left the house. Rusty helped Rachel into the borrowed buggy and jumped up on the seat. With a snap of the reins they pulled away from the ranch and were off to the Grange Hall.

She glanced at Rusty, chiding herself for the fluttering in her stomach. His hair still damp from his bath, the curls at his nape hung over the collar of his white shirt. He wore black trousers and a black string tie. The play of muscles under his shirt as he directed the horses made her squirm. What was wrong with her? Sure he was handsome, had always been, but for some reason she seemed more aware of him tonight.

His light scent of bay rum drifted to her, mixed with the end-of-summer flowers along the road. “I haven’t been to a dance since before Will was born.”

He flashed her a smile. “You and your husband weren’t high steppers?”

“Heavens, no. I doubt any more boring people than us ever walked the earth. I always enjoyed home life, and Billy—well—he worked hard, and wanted nothing more than to relax when he was home.”

“What type of work did Billy do?”

“He was a bank clerk.” She grinned at Rusty’s surprised look. “Yes, I know that’s not exactly hard work, but it seemed to wear him out.” She couldn’t help but laugh at his expression. Hard work to Rusty had a whole different meaning.

A short time later they pulled up to the Grange Hall. Buggies, carriages and even one automobile sat in neat rows in front of the building. It seemed as though hundreds of lamps burned inside, casting an almost daylight glow from the windows, lighting the outside. Arm in arm, couples made their way from their vehicles to the Hall, chatting excitedly. It seemed everyone was dressed in their finest.

Rachel took Rusty’s offered arm. “I’m embarrassed to say I don’t even know how often they have these dances. Do you know?”

“Lefty said about four or five times a year.”

The sounds of laughter and the hum

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