A Heart Divided (17 page)

The lilting strains of a waltz drifted to their ears as the carriage drew up before the new town hall. Cord quickly jumped down and assisted Emma and Sarah from the conveyance. Then, together with his father, he helped Nick from the carriage and into his wheelchair.

The entourage entered the hall. It was all Sarah could do to keep from halting in her tracks, a sudden rush of shyness again overwhelming her. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined she’d be part of such a gala affair.

The women, for all their distance from the fashion centers of the East, were arrayed in the most elegant gowns in every color of the rainbow, and all the men looked dapper and proud in their fine suits. The large hall was decorated in autumn-hued ribbons and paper lanterns. A small band of fiddlers played quite competently upon the makeshift stage.

As she followed her companions into the room and over to a spot near the punch table, Sarah felt like an actress playing a part. Like an actress who didn’t really belong and would soon be discovered in her role . . .

“Cord, do your brotherly duty and ask Sarah to dance.”

Nick’s request wrenched Sarah from her wide-eyed staring. She looked down at him. He smiled up at her, taking her hand to offer it to Cord.

Her glance reluctantly rose to meet that of the man whose hand now accepted hers. A dark, unfathomable gaze stabbed into Sarah, sending an apprehensive tremor through her.
Oh my
, she thought, then steeled herself to return his stare.

“Shall we dance?”

The deep voice, soft but so richly timbred, sent a pang of longing through her.
Dance? Oh yes, Cord. And may it go on forever and ever.

The words, though, never passed her lips. Sarah’s only reply was to nod and follow him onto the dance floor.

They moved together stiffly at first, their eyes never quite seeming to meet. Yet even as they whirled about the crowded room, the world existed only within the space of the few feet surrounding them. Though he maintained a most proper distance, Sarah could still feel the heat emanating from Cord’s big, strong body, smell the scent of the bay rum he wore. The very touch of his hands sent tingling bursts of fire rippling through her. And she wanted, oh, how she wanted, to draw closer, to bury herself in the haven of his arms!

But it was impossible, here, in front of the whole town, knowing how rigidly Cord kept himself from her. Somehow, she must find a way to get him to relax. She forced a merry smile to her lips.

“My, but aren’t you awfully formal tonight?”

He arched a wary brow. “Oh? And how so?”

“Well, for one,” Sarah forged on, a teasing light dancing in her eyes, “you’ve got the most forbidding scowl on your face. And, for another, you’re holding me like I’m made of glass. After sharing a rough-and-tumble mud bath, not to mention a vegetable fight in the cellar, I’d hardly have expected that of you.”

A small grin of remembrance twisted Cord’s mouth. He chuckled.

“So, you think I’m too formal, do you? And how would you have me act with you all dressed up like this? Throw you over my shoulder and twirl madly about the room?”

Sarah laughed, warming to their now lighthearted banter. “What a novel idea! I only wonder if Ashton society could survive such a scandalous display.”

“Shall we find out?”

She immediately rose to the dare. “Why not? I hardly think—”

A hand clapped down on Cord’s shoulder. “Time’s up, boss. No fair hoarding the most beautiful belle at the ball.”

They stopped and turned to face the owner of the voice. A brown-haired man of medium height, his thin mouth curved into a cynical smile, stared back at them. Sarah immediately recognized him as the foreman of the Wainwright ranch.

“Well, Spence, it didn’t take you long to set your sights on her, did it?” Cord asked as he handed over Sarah. “Better not let Allis see you dancing with her, though. Your courting days will be over if she does.”

Spencer Womack laughed. “Oh, I’m no fool. She hasn’t arrived yet. Fashionably late as always, you know. Be a pal and keep a lookout for me, will you? Allis has quite a temper when she wants to, though as much as she flirts with every eligible bachelor, you’d hardly think I’m even in the running.”

Cord chuckled and stepped away, leaving Sarah to face the ranch foreman. Spence grinned down at her.

“Shall we dance, little lady?”

Before she could reply, he swept her into his arms, pulling her much closer than she cared to be. She leaned back against the encircling strength of his arm, but it did little good. Womack apparently noticed the action. His grin widened.

Irritation surged through Sarah. She hardly knew the man, yet there had always been something about him she didn’t like. His possessive clasp right now only fueled her distaste.

She glared up at him. “Kindly loosen your hold on me. I don’t care for the familiarity of it.”

“And why is that? Does my name have to be Wainwright for you to like it? Well, believe it or not, I’ve got a little money of my own, and plan to have a lot more soon. So,” he said, pulling her even nearer, “be careful who you turn up your nose at. Women like you can’t afford to be so choosy.”

Sarah jerked away from him but couldn’t escape his iron grasp. She glanced around for signs of Cord or Nick, but the dance floor was so crowded it blocked them from view. There was no escape from Spencer Womack unless she decided to make a scene. She turned back to face him.

“You’re an obnoxious boor, Mr. Womack. I see no reason to continue this dance. Let me go.”

“But we’re not done, little lady.” His flat gray eyes roved over her face before sliding down to the creamy expanse of her bosom. “For all your upbringing, you’re a fine-looking woman. Still, the Wainwrights are eventually bound to tire of you. When they do, you’ll need a ‘friend.’ If you play your cards right . . .”

“No, thank you, Mr. Womack. Now, let me go or I’ll—”

“You’ll do what? Make a fuss? Slap my face and accuse me of improper behavior? But the whole town knows you and knows what you’ve been doing at the Wainwrights’. Do you really want to draw even more attention to yourself?”

High color tinged her cheeks. “I don’t care what you or any of this town thinks! And if you don’t let me go this instant, I’ll do more than slap your face. I’ll—”

“I believe this is my dance, Spence.”

Spencer Womack wheeled around, his face paling at the steely edge to Gabe Cooper’s voice. His arms fell from Sarah and she quickly moved away. Gabe smiled down at her, then looked back at the other man.

“You know, Spence, I don’t much care for your conduct. But we’ll keep it between you and me if you promise to stay away from Sarah the rest of the evening. If not, maybe Cord will have to hear about it.”

“I-I didn’t mean any harm, Gabe.” Womack began to back away. “I was just flirting a little with a beautiful woman. That’s all.”

Disgust darkened Gabe’s rugged features. “Yeah, sure you were. Just get out of here, will you?”

He turned his back on the retreating man and smiled down at Sarah. “Cord and Nick are fools to turn you loose in here, looking like you do.” He took her into his arms as the music began again. “I guess I’m just going to have to take you into protective custody.”

Sarah giggled. “Whatever you say, Sheriff.”

“I’m sorry about Spence’s behavior just now. I don’t know what’s gotten into him of late.”

She shook her head and sighed. “I gather there are a lot of rumors floating around about me and what I’m doing at the Wainwright ranch. He must have chosen to believe some of the more filthy ones. Not that I can blame anyone, I guess. No matter how good a life I tried to live before the robbery, being accused of such a crime must make it hard for people to think kindly of me anymore.”

“Not everyone thinks poorly of you, Sarah. Actually, from what I hear, it’s only one person spreading these rumors, and only her friends who are believing it.”

Sarah instantly knew who he was talking about. “Allis, of course.”

Gabe nodded. “Of course. Well, don’t let Spence’s tales ruin your evening. He’s so busy panting after Allis he can’t see straight most of the time anyhow. Not that he has a snowball’s chance with her, leastwise not as long as Cord’s still a free man. So, consider the source and let it go at that.”

“No sooner said than done,” she replied with a smile, though a dubious tone lingered.

“So,” he said, obviously deciding it best to change the subject, “when’s the wedding going to be?”

Sarah’s smile faded. “Uh, we’re still trying to work that out.”

“And does this delay have anything to do with Cord?”

A slow flush stained her cheeks. “Is . . . is it that apparent?”

“Well, take a look at Cord over there,” he said, cocking his head in the direction of the punch table. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we began dancing, and if I don’t miss my guess, he looks pretty annoyed.”

Sarah’s glance swung to where Cord stood beside his brother. Their gazes briefly met, just long enough for her to note the glowering look he sent her way. Then Gabe whirled her by and out of Cord’s view.

Wild hope swelled in her breast.
Is
. . .
is he jealous? Oh, let it be so!

She turned back to the sheriff. “I don’t know what to think anymore. The way he acts toward me is so confusing.”

“I’d say he’s pretty confused himself.” Gabe hesitated. “This may be none of my business, but if you love Cord, why are you marrying Nick?”

“Because I thought Cord didn’t want me . . . He even pushed me to marry Nick. And . . . and I care very much for Nick.” Sarah searched his face. “I know I must sound like a calculating opportunist, but it’s not really that way. I . . . I need a good home for Danny. Besides, Nick and I aren’t actually engaged anymore, though no one knows that yet but you—”

He cocked his head, then nodded. “Well, your secret’s safe with me. And you don’t have to explain a thing, Sarah. It’s your business. I only want you to be happy. God only knows you deserve a better life than you’ve had up to now. You and Danny both.” Now, since this might be my last chance to dance with you as an unmarried woman,
whomever
you end up married to,” he added with a twinkle in his eye, “I intend to savor the experience.”

He then proceeded to guide her about the dance floor for two exhilarating waltzes, and Sarah enjoyed herself immensely. Gabe Cooper was a dashingly handsome man in his own right, and she couldn’t help but revel in the warmth of his quite evident admiration. Like a flower opening itself to the rays of the sun, Sarah bloomed, her eyes sparkling, her face glowing, her laughter tinkling across the room. Finally, though, she pulled back from the circle of his arms.

“I need to get back to Nick,” she said. “It’s not proper to ignore him all evening.”

Gabe nodded and offered her his arm. “Something cool and wet would taste right nice about now.”

He escorted Sarah to the table for a glass of punch. Sarah couldn’t help but notice, however, as they approached Cord standing beside Nick, that Cord’s fists were clenched at his sides. He shot the sheriff a seething look.

Nick glanced at his brother, a smile of quiet satisfaction on his lips. “Having fun, Angel?” he asked, turning back to Sarah.

“Oh yes, Nick,” she replied a little breathlessly. “It’s all so delightful. I’m having a
wonderful
time.”

“Well,” Cord muttered under his breath, “then you’re the only one doing so.”

Sarah looked to him. “And why do you say that, Cord?”

He glared at her. “You came with Nick, and you’ve all but ignored him from the minute you walked in the door. I find that rather rude, not to mention thoughtless. He is your fiancé, after all.”

Nick cut in before Sarah could respond. “Now, little brother, don’t go getting riled over nothing. I don’t mind at all. I want Sarah to have a good time. She looks beautiful, and I want everyone in this room to notice. This is her night to shine. I won’t have anyone taking that from her.”

“But you’re engaged, Nick! I just want her to respect that, rather than act like some—”

“Cord! Cord, darling!”

Allis Findley’s melodious voice carried across the room. The quartet’s eyes reluctantly turned toward her. Dressed in a puffy-sleeved pink confection, she paused quite dramatically at her father’s side as she made her grand entrance—until her glance fell on Sarah. Then her eyes narrowed and, with no more than a word of farewell to her sire, she made a beeline straight across the hall toward them.

At her approach, Nick groaned and Gabe breathed an “Oh no.” Cord shot them an enigmatic glance, then turned his attention back to the pink bit of fluff determinedly heading toward them.

Allis flounced up, bestowing her prettiest smile on him. “I do believe you’re the handsomest man at this party, Cord Wainwright.” She paused to lay her small, beringed hand on his arm. “I know I’ve just arrived, but I’m
so
thirsty, darling. Would you please fetch me a cup of punch?”

“I’d be honored,” he replied before heading off toward the punch bowl.

“I see you managed to worm your way into the dance,” Allis then purred, her gaze critically raking Sarah’s slender form. “Where
did
you get that dress?”