No Place for a Lady (9 page)

Kurt looked at her with a twinkle in his eye and said, "Smells
too good in here. Let me see your hand. What happened?" He
reached for her hand, and she protested.

"It's nothing, I guess. Just a little burn" Ignoring her protest,
he unwrapped her hand gingerly to see it anyway.

At least it's not very big, but I've got just the thing for it. I'll go
get it. You stay put" He guided her to a kitchen chair and eased
her into it.

Luke emptied the slop bucket and remembered the reason he
went to the house in the first place. He made his way back across
the yard to the kitchen door. He paused as he saw Kurt's head bent
over Crystal's. She was smiling up at him and laughed as he held
her hand and brushed her fingertips with a slight kiss.

Luke cleared his throat. "Don't let me interrupt. These are for
you, Miss Clark:" He tossed a small brown bag that landed in
Crystal's lap.

"What's this?" Her brows knitted together with skepticism.

"It's peppermint. Suck on it for that dry throat of yours."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to be nice for a
change" Crystal peered inside the bag and withdrew a piece of
peppermint.

"Even a cow needs a salt lick"

Crystal sputtered, "So now you are comparing me to a cow?"
She jumped out of her chair and tapped her toe, her arms crossed
defiantly.

Luke ignored her outburst and turned to Kurt. "Did you mend
the fence I told you about?"

`Already done:' Kurt stuck his hands in his pants pockets and
rocked back on his heels.

When Luke continued to stare at him, Kurt said, "Just going
to run and get a little salve to put on that burn:"

"Don't bother. I have something to put on it, but thank you,
Kurt. You are most kind:" Crystal's eyes rested on his dark ones.

Luke started back out. "You comin', Kurt?"

"I'm right behind you;' he answered. He backed out of the
room, still smiling at Crystal.

By the time Friday afternoon rolled around, everyone was
filled with the excitement of having a good time just seeing their
neighbors and catching up on the latest gossip. Carmen had hams
slowly roasting on the spits and had explained to Crystal that
they must cook for several hours. Curly had set up a few crude
tables on one side of the barn and reserved the largest area for
the dancing that would come later on.

Crystal walked down to Kate's room to ask if there were any
details they might have overlooked before getting dressed. After a
thoughtful look, Kate shook her head no, but she wanted Crystal's
opinion on which dress to wear.

"I don't wear too many dresses, so the pickin' is slim." She
laughed, her eyes twinkling.

Crystal nudged her aunt aside to peer into the big wardrobe.
After rummaging around, she came up with a blue gown trimmed
in cream lace at the throat and wrists.

"This is pretty and would bring out the blue in your eyes, Aunt
Kate."

"Funny, Rusty said as much the other day." She took the dress
off its hanger. "It's been a long time since a man complimented
me, and a long time since I even cared:" Her voice became softer,
and Crystal followed her eyes to a framed daguerreotype of her
uncle on top of the dresser.

Sensing the sadness that came over her aunt, Crystal remarked, "And about time too! It's been more than six years
since Uncle John's death. You're still a fine-looking woman with
a lot of zip left in your step. Now slip this dress on and let me
do your hair"

Crystal prattled on and fussed over Kate's thick hair. She pulled
it into a soft bun at the top of her head, leaving a few curls dangling from her temples and the nape of her neck. Standing back
to admire her handiwork, she admitted that Kate looked years
younger. Crystal hurried to her room and brought back rouge
that she applied to Kate's cheeks, finishing with a sprinkling of
powder.

"Rusty won't recognize me:" Kate stared at her reflection in the
mirror. Crystal leaned over and gave her aunt a hug, and they
giggled conspiratorially.

"You'd better get changed, love," Kate said. "Our guests will be
arriving soon. I need to be there on the porch to greet them. Now
scat! And thanks for your help"

Crystal spent more time on her toilette than she had intended.
There was a giddy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to
impress Kate's friends and wanted them to accept her. The sounds
of wagon wheels and loud greetings told her she'd wasted enough time. She took one last look in the mirror and wiped her moist
palms on the moss-colored gown.

"Miss Crystal, Kate sent me in to get you. Everyone wants to meet
you." Carmen stood at the doorway dressed in a festive red Mexican
skirt trimmed in black ruffles with a matching top that hung off her
shoulders. "You look beautiful. I have never owned a dress as fine as
this:" She said in awe while fingering the luxurious material.

"Bless you. Maybe you'd like to borrow it sometime?"

"Oh, I couldn't do that"

"Sure you could. I wouldn't mind at all. The color would be
perfect with your dark complexion, although I love what you are
wearing;' Crystal said.

Carmen's eyes shone in admiration for her new friend. Crystal
hooked her arm through Carmen's elbow and said, "Shall we go?"

It was now dusk, and the lamps had been lit in the barn, casting a soft glow and transforming its surrounding lofts and stalls
into a wide dance hall. Carmen's culinary delights lined the tables
alongside Crystal's pies. A huge bowl of strawberry punch threatened to spill over.

Several people had already helped themselves to the punch and
now stood about talking. Curly and Jube were the first in line to
eat, as usual. They talked in soft tones about the available young
women who stood in a close-knit group and pretended to ignore
the men's bashful glances.

Kurt stood talking with Rusty, whose arm was around Kate's
waist. Rusty listened, but he was busy watching Kate. "There's Jim
and Alice;" he interrupted.

Jim McBride escorted Alice to their side, followed by his son,
Josh, and daughter, April. "My, you're looking prettier than ever,
Kate;' McBride said.

Kate greeted them with enthusiasm. `And both of you are looking fit as fiddles:'

"Evening, Rusty." McBride stretched out his hand. It was obvious that Rusty had no kinship with McBride, but he stuck his
hand out to him. McBride was one of the biggest cattle barons
and was still trying to add more to his vast empire.

McBride let his hand fall to his waistcoat. Alice turned to admire Kate's hair and inquire of Crystal. Alice was tall like her
daughter, with the same fine, delicate features. April politely excused herself from the group of adults and headed in the direction
of her friends.

"I wonder what's keeping Crystal," Kate said to no one in particular.

Kurt waved his hand in the direction of the barn's entrance.
"There she is, he said, starting toward Crystal and Carmen.

Crystal paused at the doorway. She was unaware of the admiring looks from the cowhands and the envious looks of the women.
She was a picture of loveliness in the moss-colored gown, with her
beautiful hair piled high and trailing curls touching her slender
white shoulders.

As Crystal looked around for her aunt, the size of the party
surprised her. The cowboys were cleaned up in their best pants and
shirts, with boots shining. A place near the back had been cleared,
and Rusty, along with a couple of older men she didn't recognize,
proceeded to set up their instruments for the evening's music. Rusty
picked up a fiddle and plunked out a fast-paced tune, while the others joined in with a guitar, harmonica, and a washboard. This
was a side to Rusty that no one had told her about, and it tickled
her heart. She stood tapping her toe to the beat, and he caught her
eye, smiled back at her, and mouthed, "Thank you" It was evident
that he was pleased with Kate's transformation tonight.

Jube swept up Carmen in the dance, and other couples entered
the fun. Crystal felt a touch at her elbow, and Kurt led her into
the midst of the dancers. He was a good dancer, much to her
surprise.

He pulled her close to him and whispered, "You look ravishing, Miss Crystal:"

"Why, thank you" She felt herself blushing.

"How's the hand?"

"Much better, thank you," she answered. She tried to keep her
distance, but he pulled her closer. She was relieved when josh
tapped Kurt's shoulder to cut in.

"You dance quite well, Miss Crystal. I've been watching you"
Josh's brown eyes roamed over her and lingered below her neck.
His stocky frame, hard as a rock, leaned closer to her until she
could feel his legs pressing against her dress. It had been a long
time since she had danced.

When she looked into his eyes, she had a funny feeling in the
pit of her stomach. He wasn't at all like the cowhands in manner
or dress. He was very good-looking, his square jaw clean-cut.
Without his hat he appeared shorter.

"I hope you're going to like it here and perhaps stay." He
squeezed her hand.

"I haven't decided yet." She took a step back to create a space
between them.

When they had circled the floor a few times, he suggested they
get some punch, to which Crystal readily agreed. Laughing and
out of breath, they headed toward the punch table.

Kate joined them and introduced her to Bill Alden, the minister
of the local church. He was tall and thin in his dark suit, and he
appeared to be in need of a few good meals. He took Crystal's
proffered hand. "Your dress nearly matches the color of your eyes;"
he said. He led her into a waltz, leaving josh holding two cups of
punch with obvious disdain.

"Thank you, Reverend. How large is your church membership?"

"We're small. Around one hundred twenty-five, but attendance
varies depending on the weather" He smiled. "Do you sing?"

"Yes, a little, but I can play piano better"

"Wonderful! Maybe you'd be inclined to play for us some
time?"

"I'd be happy to;' she said as they swayed to the music.

Bill seemed delighted with this bit of news.

Crystal feigned attention as he talked on, but she scanned the
room for signs of Luke out of the corner of her eye. She saw him
almost the minute he entered the barn. His tall frame embodied
the litheness of a cougar, and every woman in the room stared
while he strolled toward the tables. She saw that April wasted no
time engaging him in conversation and hooked her arm through
his elbow.

Luke must have felt Crystal's gaze, and he turned around to
look straight at her with a hard, piercing stare. She felt confused.
Was he miffed at her? She turned her attention to Bill and smiled
up at the pastor, pretending rapt interest in his words.

Crystal danced again with Kurt and josh, then another waltz
with Bill. She realized she hadn't eaten and suggested they sit the
next one out, and Bill seemed eager to please. They made their
way to the heavy-laden tables, while Bill heaped his plate so high
that she was afraid it would dump on his lap.