Even Tom was organized for the dance. His clothes were pressed and hanging in his room, ready to go. His western shirt and tie were red and black with a thin strip of silver running through the fabric, and the trousers were black like his boots. He’d brought out his best hat to show Libby and told her how he was looking forward to showing her off to the locals.
Libby took her coffee outside and wandered around the back of the house to her garden. She liked to spend time there in the mornings before it got too hot. There were seedlings in the shed waiting to be planted, and it would keep her mind occupied on matters other than sex. Her skin tingled with excitement.
“Wow, Mum.” Josh hooted when Libby came out into the kitchen that evening. She’d banned them all from her room, requesting time on her own to get ready, something she hadn’t spent more than five minutes on in years. She did a spin in front of them, and her gaze settled on Tom.
“What do you think?”
“Oh, Libby.” Tom held his hand over his heart. “Girl, you take my breath away. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was your grandmother standing there.”
She’d done her hair up in a knot on the top of her head, allowing tendrils to curl around her face and neck. Apart from tiny diamond studs adorning her ears, she wore no other jewelry. Her grandmother’s dress hugged her body, the skirt falling around her knees, showing the promise of her long legs. Her breasts almost spilled over the low neckline.
“He doesn’t stand a chance.” Tom whistled his approval.
“Who?” Josh looked between them, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Nathan, who else?” Winton nudged him with his elbow. “Haven’t you seen the way he looks at her?”
“But I don’t get it.” Josh looked confused. “They bitch at each other every time they meet.”
“There’s no need for that kind of language, Josh” Libby stepped forward, straightened his collar and brushed an imaginary speck of dust off of his shoulder before doing the same to Winton.
She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You see way too much, young man.” Grinning, she winked at him, leaving Josh baffled even more.
Holly was waiting her turn for inspection.
“You look good enough to eat, young lady.” Libby took her daughter’s hand in her and twirled the little girl around. The pale, pink princess dress floated around her daughter’s knees, reminding Libby of candy floss. Libby had dressed her hair earlier in a French braid with strands of pink and white ribbons threaded through her blonde tresses.
Tom coughed and handed Libby a small florist’s box.
“Oh, Tom.” Her eyes filled. “They’re just lovely. Thank you so much.” She took off the clear lid and lifted a small wrist bouquet of soft pink roses, which matched her dress. Slipping it over her right wrist, she held it out for everyone to see. After much oohing and ahhing over their dance outfits, they all headed out to the four-wheel drive.
Libby’s body tingled with a mix of emotions. She was looking forward to seeing Nathan and dancing with him tonight. The thought of being held close in his arms had her nerves fluttering under her skin. She was terrified he might not make an appearance or he might have someone else with him, something she hadn’t thought of until she was getting ready. God help me if another female gets her hands on him before I do.
Tom helped Libby into her seat and drove them to the community hall. It took all of her patience to sit still on the short drive. The car park was almost full by the time they arrived. Libby noticed Nathan’s vehicle in the lineup and breathed a sigh of relief as Tom helped her from the vehicle.
Libby and the children followed Tom into the hall where the sounds of voices rose over the beat of the country music. The hall was a riot of color and smells. Chinese lanterns hung from the low ceiling beams along with old tools and leather saddles and bridles. A stage was set up at one end of the room and a bar at the other. Hay bales and wine barrels made for casual seats and tables. Children ran among the adults while they danced or talked. No one seemed to mind the noise the children were making as they weaved in and out of the hay bales.
“Mum, there’s Hannah.” Holly pulled on Libby’s hand. “Can I go?”
Tom’s voice rose over the raucous of voices. “She’ll be fine. They can’t get up to much trouble here.”
She watched her daughter run off to join the giggling bunch of girls on top of the hay bales. Winton and Josh slipped off without a word and disappeared into the crowd.
“Let’s grab a drink, and then I can introduce you around.” Tom took her elbow and led her over to the bar.
Local after local stopped them on their way to be introduced to Libby. Everyone was interested in seeing who the new owner of Quincy Station was, and she was amazed at the kindness and offers of support she received.
“Tom, everyone is so nice and friendly.” They leaned on the bar waiting for their drinks.
“That’s just country folk for you.” He laughed. “There’s always someone ready and willing to lend you a hand when you need it.”
“Libby, Tom.” Mr. McNally approached them. “I think you owe me a dance, young lady.”
“My pleasure, sir.” Libby walked into his open arms. They cruised around the dance floor, the subject of many a curious glance.
“You sure look pretty tonight.” He twirled her around making her head spin.
“Why, thank you.”
“Call me Bill. My wife wants to meet you after this dance before someone else drags
