She could see Nathan on the edge of the crowd, his gaze on her. She pretended to ignore him even though her breathing turned shallow and her body thrummed with a rhythm all of its own. Libby tried to concentrate on what Bill was saying, losing the conversation each time her gaze made contact with Nathan’s. She compensated by smiling at Bill while he talked to her, obviously unaware her mind was not with him but on the man across the room. Her awareness of Nathan peaked almost to the point of distress by the time the band had finished the tune. How she thought she could survive tonight was beyond her.
Bill guided her over to where his wife sat with a group of people. The men stood when Libby was introduced, shaking her hand as she went around them. They were all interested in what she was doing at the farm and full of encouragement. She garnered numerous open invitations for coffee whenever she had time to get away for a while.
“We’re throwing a party for our wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks.” Joan McNally put her hand on Libby’s arm to get her attention. “Bill’s putting a pig on the spit for a feed. Please say you’ll join us. You’ll get to meet some of the locals who couldn’t make it tonight and I’ll get a chance to get to know you better.”
“Thank you. That would be lovely. What can I bring?”
“I’ll call you in a couple of days, and we can sort that out.”
“Sounds good to me.” She had a feeling her and Joan were going to get on well. Libby turned as she heard footsteps behind her.
Tom walked over and placed an hand on her arm.
“I think it’s my turn for a dance, Libby.” He nodded to the group. “Excuse us, folks.”
He danced well, spinning her around, her dress billowing out from her legs. She managed to calm her feelings while Tom led her around the floor. By concentrating on the locals and the upcoming party, Libby managed to gather herself and push away the emotions threatening to engulf her when she saw Nathan standing at the bar watching her.
Tom was like a father to her, and the community had accepted her. They’d made that quite plain. She felt like she belonged here. Nowhere else had she felt so secure and fulfilled. When Tom tried to walk her back to the bar when the music finished, but she shook her head and kept him on the dance floor.
After another couple of dances, she let him guide her back for a drink.
“Not as young as I used to be.” Tom smiled as he leaned on the bar.
“You still have a heap of spunk left in you, Tom.” Libby laughed. She turned and leaned her back against the rough timber, so she could watch the dancers as she sipped her cold punch. Plenty of people she hadn’t yet met were looking at her curiously, and she relaxed, knowing she’d probably know most of the town by the end of the evening.
She spied Winton and Josh with a bunch of kids, having a good time. Holly was with her friend Hannah and some other kids her age, and Libby knew she didn’t have to worry about any of them. She watched as a young man in his mid-twenties came toward her, his hat in his hands.
“Ma’am,” he stopped in front of her, “could I have the next dance, please?”
Libby smiled to herself as he tried to keep his gaze on her face but it kept dropping to her cleavage. She could see Nathan walking toward them and quickly held her hand out to him.
“My pleasure. The name is Libby. Libby Holland.”
“Jeff Waters.” Jeff walked her onto the dance floor. He placed his hat back on his head and wrapped his arm around her waist as he led her into slow waltz. He pulled her close to his chest and leaned his face against hers.
“You sure look pretty tonight, Libby.” He complimented her as he cruised around the dance floor.
When he dropped his hand a little lower than was necessary, but Libby chose to ignore it. Jeff was young, and it was causing her no harm. It was flattering someone that young found her appealing. Besides, Nathan was watching them with dark, brooding eyes, and the thought he might be jealous made her squirm inside. Before the music finished, another guy was waiting to cut in and dance with her. After the next couple of dances, she had to plead for a break. She was thirsty, and supper was almost ready for serving. She headed for Tom, ignoring Nathan, who was at the other end of the bar.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, girl.” Tom watched the dancers as she leaned on the bar next to him.
“I am having so much fun.” She laughed breathlessly. “Everyone is so nice.”
“Yeah, that’s country folk for you. You know what I’m talking about. Nathan looks about ready to kill.”
“Good.” A satisfied heat settled in her stomach. “How about I go find the kids and make sure they’re okay, and then we’ll grab something to eat?”
“Kids are fine.” Tom indicated their whereabouts with his head. “I been keeping an eye on them.
She looked over and saw Josh and Winton dancing with a group of kids from school. Holly was sitting on a pile of hay bales with her head against Hannah’s, giggling over a plate of snacks. Shrugging her shoulders, Libby looped her arm through Tom’s and walked with him over to the table laden with supper. She passed him a plate and began to pile it with snacks for both of them. When she decided they had enough, she grabbed two coffee mugs and poured them each a drink from the urn. She followed him back to their seat by the bar and started snacking.
“Hi, Nathan.” Tom looked up at their ehaviour.
“Evening, Nathan.” Libby smiled at him and ignored
