Smiling, she gracefully excused herself to the ladies as she had been taught.
“It was such a pleasure to meet you again.”
“Yes,” replied Dorothy, “let's plan to talk soon. Perhaps after church on Sunday?”
“Well I will be attending the mass at Saint Mary's with Father Francis, but I understand Reverend Richardson's flock will be joining us all afterward for a social. I hope to see you then.”
Curtsies and nods once more shared all around, Billy escorted Barbara onto the dance floor. The band consisted of a few of the cowhands and some of the townsfolk who enjoyed fiddling. There was even a Spanish guitar quartet of music makers presently on stage. They started with a waltz.
Getting to Know You
Barbara was surprised to discover that Billy was rather accomplished at dancing.
“I guess I forgot to tell you that my brothers did make me learn certain accomplishments even though they didn't encourage me to go to school. They told me our mother had drummed into them how to be gentleman and they felt kind of guilty for not having bothered to teach me, so as I became old enough to attend dances they sort of made up for letting me run wild.
“Over the last few years they gave me a few lessons in society behavior. I had almost forgotten about it until you ladies arrived. The cow hands don't have much use for manners and such.”
Barbara was utterly charmed.
Despite his uneducated letters, Billy was a beautiful dancer and the first waltz ended far too soon. Both had been caught up in the music and their shyness, so hadn't spoken much, but their enjoyment seemed to glow from within.
Rather than returning to the edge of the dance floor when the music concluded, they paused together, standing perhaps a little closer than propriety would dictate, but not quite touching, ready to begin the next dance.
Changing Partners
Billy jerked when he felt a touch on his shoulder, then realized Sam was standing next to him with a grin on his face.
“My turn to cut in partner!”
And then Sam swiveled and bowed to Barbara, offering his hand for the next dance.
Knowing that conventionally she should only be dancing one dance with each gentleman she gazed back at Billy with regret and accepted Sam's hand with a gentle smile.
Sam simply did not have any grace on the dance floor. He had lots of energy and enthusiasm but Barbara made sure to take small steps, keeping her feet directly under her body in an attempt to avoid his stomping.
Fortunately, this was an open reel so that three-quarters of her dancing was with others in the set, although she winced when she heard Judith squeal when her own toes were stomped. But everyone was laughing by the end of the dance, and as she was whisked away by one cowboy after another, the enjoyment of dancing enveloped her and all the girls.
Making Repairs
When she finally was permitted a break for refreshment, she found a small queue of girls awaiting her assistance with ripped and torn flounces from over-enthusiastic dancing.
Turning to look at the group on the dance floor, Barbara chuckled softly, tilting her head toward Judith to comment, “I think we need to design somewhat shorter gowns for use here.”
One of the other girls overheard her comment, which spread rapidly to the merriment of all. Barbara had brought her sewing kit with her, because wardrobe malfunctions were not unknown at dances.
She went over to where the children were being minded by a rotating group of mothers and older siblings.
“Do you mind if we duck behind you for a bit of privacy?”
Soon she was doing rapid repairs on their costumes so that the girls would not trip over drooping hems, grateful for a chance to catch her breath.
Emilene
She was surprised, when she looked up, to see Billy by her side offering her a glass of lemonade. His smile was still shy but there was a twinkle in his eye.
“The next dance is the supper dance, and I would be honored if you would be my partner.”
Barbara sipped at her drink. She was surprised to realize she had gotten through all the minor repairs and one or two more major ones.
“Do we have a moment to check on Emilene?” she asked.
“Always,” he replied simply, and followed her over to where Emilene was sleeping next to several other toddlers on a blanket. Soft toys were being cuddled by or scattered among the children. The girl who sat watching them grinned at Barbara.
“You wouldn't believe the chaos earlier and now look at them so sweetly dropped off to sleep despite all the ongoing noise.”
Having spent a lot of time at the orphanage Nursery, Barbara was well aware of the resilience of babies and shared the grin.
“You're Harmony, right?” Barbara asked.
“I'm surprised you remember my name among all the people you've met in the last day.”
“But it is such a pretty name and seems to suit you.”
Harmony dimpled and dropped her eyes at the compliment. Even from her sitting position she seemed to execute a small curtsey of thanks.
“You made right quick work of all those repairs. Mama was a bit put out at me for forgetting to bring my own mending kit and she has run out of thread. Our ladies don't have such fancy dresses so they don't get stomped on quite so much. Although I guess there are always these little accidents when you let those big boots get near pretty silk and muslins,” Harmony laughed.
An older women who had been sitting near Emilene came over smiling.
“My dear, I’m
