Saturday finally arrived. Bernie had gone to town and hid his surprise at the back of the barn. He hadn’t set foot in the cabin since lunch and by five o’clock when Janelle called Davey into the house, Bernie’s nerves had worked into a frenzy. The boy talked of nothing all afternoon except the fun he planned with the children in town. Bernie hoped his evening would be as equally filled with good times and memories as his and Janelle’s.
Now, with chores done, Bernie began to prepare for the dance. He added hot water from the kettle on his pot-belly stove into the cold liquid on the bottom of his wash basin. He took off his shirt and with a cloth, scrubbed his hair, face, skin and chest until it shone and smelled of manly pine – thanks to a bar of fragrant soap he’d purchased last summer.
From the bag Olivia Stewart had given him this morning, he withdrew his perfectly folded clothes and whistled. They hadn’t been this clean in a long time. The slightly faded jeans fit perfectly and he tucked the red checkered shirt inside at the waist and the look resulted in a sleek appearance he knew the ladies liked. He removed the wool suit jacket from the bag and immediately smelled the fresh soap. Not the same fragrance as the bar he’d purchased it on impulse last fall when he’d been invited to a church function by the pastor’s wife in the town of Lorenzo, Wyoming. That event had proven to be a collaboration to marry him off to a spinster whom he was not the least bit attracted to. Truth was, there’d never been anyone cross his path in all these years that had produced thoughts of settling down – until Janelle. He offered a prayer heavenward, hoping the sweetheart’s dance would quiet his drifting heart and lead him home.
With his hair combed, Bernie pulled on his shiny black boots and popped his felt hat on his head. He smiled and withdrew it again, placing it over his heart and bowing ever so slightly, in practice for when she answered the door. He laughed at his attempts at gallantry. Janelle had seen him at his filthiest after a hard day’s work, but tonight he hoped she’d like the cleaner version waiting to escort her to the dance. He donned his heavy coat and headed to prepare Blaze. He was part of the surprise.
When he pulled the borrowed sleigh up to the front door, and Janelle answered his knock on the door, her excitement made all the planning worthwhile. She didn’t seem to know where to put her eyes – on him or the chariot that awaited her. Davey took control over her dilemma by bolting from the house and crawling onto the passenger seat in the back while Janelle and Bernie watched.
Once settled in the back, the boy looked back at them and yelled, “Come on, you two. The party will start without us.”
Bernie relieved Janelle of her cape and his full smile beamed down on her like a ray of sunshine.
“You look beautiful tonight, Janelle. Your bruises have healed nicely and I love the dress.”
“Oh, thank you, Bernie. I was so nervous. Didn’t want it to appear homemade. I’m far from a professional seamstress.”
“I beg to differ.” He backed off and examined her closely. “It is both stylish and modest. Perfect, just like you.”
Janelle felt the blood rushing into her face and turned quickly so he could place the woolen cape over her shoulders. In this position, she voiced her praise of him.
“And you sir, clean up very well.”
She fumbled with the fasteners, and Bernie gripped her shoulders and spun her back around to face him. He clasped her cape closed then squeezed her hand. Bernie’s gaze penetrated her depths and when he saw her lips tremble, he smiled.
“Don’t look so worried, Janelle. Tonight, is about fun, you and me, and whatever the Good Lord has in store for us.”
Janelle glanced down nervously and pushed her hands inside her furry-muff. She walked onto the front porch ahead of him and he closed the door firmly behind them. When Blaze pulled the sleigh down the lane and out onto the roadway, Janelle’s face lit up with the excitement of a child.
“I’ve missed riding in a sleigh. My family has a summer place in Maine, which usually gets opened at Christmas for a family gathering. Every time the sleigh came out, I was on it. Something magical about sliding through the snow, especially at night when the stars are out.”
“You mean like tonight?” Bernie asked, hoping for a little of that childhood magic.
Janelle peered toward the sky and a huge smile transformed her face. “Yes, like tonight, Bernie Drysdale.”
Bernie urged Blaze forward, afraid that if his attention lingered on Janelle’s enthusiasm a moment longer, he’d lose control and take her into his arms. By the time they arrived at the schoolhouse, Davey’s feet danced on the floorboards of the sleigh unable to contain his excitement. Matilda Pettigrew greeted them at the door, a resigned spinster from New York who enjoyed other people’s children but had no intention of burdening herself with any of her own. Davey sped into the room, nearly tripping over his other caregiver, Mavis. She was Matilda’s sister, and just as determined to reach the age of thirty unattached. Davey muttered, “sorry,” in passing and headed straight for the corner where a couple boys beckoned to him.
Bernie grinned. “Appears Davey has settled in. Shall we go dancing, Janelle?”
She took the arm he offered and returned to the sleigh. A few minutes later, they pulled up to the Paradise Hotel and parked with the others. Even Blaze looked around at the four-legged female prospects with interest. Seemed romance was in
