Finding Her Frontier Home by Louise M. Gouge

Author:Louise M. Gouge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-03-08T20:00:53+00:00

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Arriving at the Gentry barn while the early-June sun was still high over the horizon, Drew parked in a shady spot under some cottonwood trees so the horses wouldn’t overheat. He helped Mother down from the surrey, then turned to offer a hand to Lila Rose. However, Ranse Cable beat him to it.

“Miss Lila Rose, may I have the first dance?” Still holding her hand, Cable cast a smirk in Drew’s direction.

Even though Drew could see Cable didn’t intend a serious challenge, he wanted to kick himself. He should have claimed that first dance with Lila Rose on the way here or even before they’d left home. With six Double Bar M ranch hands riding behind the surrey, he should have realized they would all want to dance with the prettiest gal in the Riverton community.

“Thank you, Mr. Cable.” Lila Rose’s smile seemed a bit guarded. “I believe—”

“Now, Miss, please call me Ranse.”

“Very well. Ranse.” Her chin lifted slightly, and her smile disappeared. “I believe Mrs. Mattson holds my dance card.” She glanced at Rebecca.

Dance card? The local gals didn’t use dance cards. This was an informal shindig, not some grand city ball.

Mother was obviously in on Lila Rose’s game. “Indeed I do. And when we get inside, I shall take it out and add your name, Ranse.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Cable touched the brim of his hat, winked at Lila Rose and then headed toward the barn.

Drew breathed out a silent sigh. Despite that improper wink, Ranse Cable was a good man, a reformed gunfighter who’d fought in the Colfax County War some years ago. But he was older than Rob by several years and a little rough around the edges for a lady of Lila Rose’s upbringing. Still, Drew couldn’t deny him a dance when there were fewer single gals than single men in the community.

“Shall we go in?” Mother gave him an expectant look.

“Yes, ma’am.” He offered her one arm and Lila Rose the other, and they began to walk. “So, Mother, whose name is first on Lila Rose’s card?”

“Humph.” Good humor colored her tone. “Why, you, of course. You are her host, so it is only proper.”

Good ol’ Mom. Chuckling, he smiled at Lila Rose. “You all right with that?”

She gave a little shrug, still not smiling. “I trust Rebecca to guide my social life.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” He laughed out loud. “Now what’s all this nonsense about dance cards?”

“You’ll see.”

To his surprise, every gal who came to Viola’s etiquette classes—and some who didn’t—sported small cards and stubby pencils tied to their wrists with fancy ribbons. It didn’t take long for all the cowboys to catch on and hurry around signing up with the ladies of their choice. Just as Rob’s wife had hoped, she was bringing culture and civilization to Riverton, even when she decided not to attend this dance herself. Maybe dance cards would put an end to the occasional fight that broke out when two men wanted to dance a particular number with the same gal.

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