Sarah's Heart (28 page)

Sarah grabbed a
wrap, hiked her skirt and descended the stairs, wincing at the discomfort
caused by the corset she’d charged on her account at the mercantile. She much
preferred a chemise to such a binding garment, but if she wanted to be a modern
woman she had to suffer the consequences. Her layered petticoats rustled nosily
in the silence of the dimly-lit hallway.

Sweeping into the
kitchen, Sarah pivoted for a wide-eyed Maggie. “How do I look?”

The older woman’s
hand moved to her throat just as a sigh escaped. She surveyed Sarah from head
to toe.
“Beautiful… absolutely beautiful.
Wait until
Jonathan gets a gander at you. You’re bound to be the most handsome couple at
the dance.”

Sarah peered down at
her radiant green silk gown. The bodice dipped invitingly enough to suggest
feminine attributes without revealing too much, while attractively flared
sleeves ended in snug cuffs above her wrists. She cast a wistful look at Maggie
and laid her shawl and reticule on the table. “I really shouldn’t have spent so
much on this dress, but I so loved it the moment it caught my eye.” Placing her
hands on the fitted waist that clung tightly to her cinched middle, she
groaned. “I may look stylish enough, but I feel like a sack of potatoes at the
moment… although in a pretty way, I’m sure.” She giggled. “I do hope Jonathan
appreciates the torture I’m going through.”

“And what torture
might that be?” His deep voice boomed from the doorway.

Sarah’s head snapped
around. “Must you always sneak up on a body? You seem to only catch the tail
end of our conversations which leads you totally away from what we really were
discussing.”

“So, may I assume
that you really aren’t being tormented?” He leaned against the wall, his arms
and ankles crossed, looking more attractive than she remembered. His dark suit,
freshly-pressed white shirt, and string tie only accentuated the teasing
twinkle in his eyes.

“I’m quite fine,
thank you. I merely used a figure of speech about something that concerns only
women.” She brushed past him and went into the parlor, wondering why he hadn’t
mentioned her appearance. Despite pretending not to care, her mouth pulled into
a pout.

At the front window
and pushed the curtain aside and peered onto the street. She pretended not to
notice that he followed her into the room. He gave a low whistle that grabbed
her attention. She turned and smiled. “I was beginning to wonder if you noticed
my new dress or not.”

“Of course I
noticed. I’d have to be blind not to. You look lovely.”

Suddenly she felt
uncomfortable. She turned her gaze back to the window, feeling heat simmering
in her cheeks. She’d welcomed his interest and now that she had it, it seemed
wrong. Certainly, he appeared handsome and attentive—polite most of the time,
but no matter how much she wanted to feel something for him, there wasn’t an
attraction. He wasn’t Wolf. Damn him for not loving her.

“Did you hear what I
said? I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.” Jonathan walked
up behind her, standing so close his breath warmed the back of her neck.

She shuddered.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Sarah clasped her
damp palms together. “Yes, I heard you. Thank you for the compliment. ” She
side-stepped Jonathan and crossed the room, stopping to straighten a crooked
picture on the wall.

 
The nape of her neck still tingled from his
breath; her stomach churned at the notion that it seemed too late to back out
of going to the dance with him. Nervously, she re-hung the doily draped over
the back of Maggie’s floral settee, while questioning her foolish misgivings.
Undoubtedly, other women would adore having such a handsome escort.

Jonathan turned from
the window, disappointment mirrored on his face. He glanced at the watch he
pulled from an inside jacket pocket. “The dance starts shortly. Are you ready
to go?”

Sarah held back a
sigh. Even with reservations, she wouldn’t let him down at the last minute.
“Let me get my things from the kitchen.”

Returning with her
beaded bag swinging from her arm and an ivory wrap around her shoulders, she
pulled her lips into a tight smile. “I’m ready now.”

Jonathan offered his
arm. “It’s such a lovely evening out and only a short distance. I hope you
don’t mind if we walk.”

A stroll might do
her good. Perhaps between the boarding house and the dance hall she’d clear her
mind of negative thoughts. Maggie was probably right. A night out could be what
Sarah needed. “Shall we go?”

“After
you, my lady.”
He held
the door open.

 
A wash of cool air forced her to pull her wrap
tighter. She welcomed the respite from the stifling heat generated by Maggie’s
cook stove and soon adjusted to the crisp feel of approaching fall. A gentle
breeze carried the river’s earthy odor and teased the ringlets framing her
face.
 

Allowing herself to
relax and anticipate an enjoyable evening, Sarah re-hooked her arm through
Jonathan’s and fell into step with his wide gait. Her petticoats swished
against his pant leg while their heels clicked in unison on the boardwalk as
she struggled to keep up. Breathless, she slowed to her own pace.

Jonathan glanced
down at her. “I’m sorry for walking so fast. I forget that not everyone has my
long legs.”

 
“If I maintain your stride, I’ll be worn out
by the time we get there.” She chuckled and tucked a bothersome hair back into
place.

Jonathan cocked his
head, his eyes teasing. “I could carry you again.”

“Oh, no you can’t!
I’m quite capable of walking to the dance on my own steam, thank you very
much.” Her spirited response brought an end to the banter and left her feeling
awkward. She wasn’t sure what they had in common to discuss. Clearly it wasn’t
Wolf and his land.

A few stars dotted
the sky, with more appearing as the colorful traces of sunset disappeared below
the horizon. Sarah took a calming breath, wanting to ease the silence. “It’s
certainly a beautiful evening, isn’t it?” Her voice seemed far too loud in the
stillness.

Jonathan smiled down
at her, covering her hand with his. “It is, but it pales in comparison to your
loveliness. I’m so pleased that you agreed to accompany me tonight.”

Sincerely sparkled in
his eyes, so why then did she consider his response contrived
?And
why did she question his motives at every turn? The man had done nothing more
than show an interest in a plot of land…and her. She had to stop being such a
wet blanket. “I’m happy I came, too.” Sarah’s response tumbled out before she
thought.

 
Was she truly happy?

Before she
determined the answer, they turned a corner. An assortment of wagons,
buckboards and carriages lined the streets. The animals tethered to the
hitching rails stood patiently; some whinnied softly as she and Jonathan
passed. Lively music and laugher drifted from inside the town hall.

 
Sarah paused in the doorway, admiring the
dancing rainbow of colors worn by the women. The starched, uncomfortable
appearance maintained by most of the men made her want to giggle. It appeared
everyone had donned their finest for the evening. She gazed down at her own
gown, feeling well suited for the event. Although she didn’t see food or drink,
her nose detected many appetizing aromas in the room.

“Listen to that
melody; sure brings back some good memories.” She smiled, but a pain jabbed at
her heart.

“Care to share?”
Jonathan ushered her inside, stopping to take her wrap. She refused his offer
but lowered it on her shoulders, feeling more stylish with a shawl.

“My pa used to
play.” Sarah raised her tone in competition with the music. “I spent many a
night square dancing with Ma while Pa wore out the strings on his fiddle. That
was before….” Her voice cracked.

“Before
what?”

“Good Evening, Miss
Collins.” Someone called out.

Sarah looked up and
gave an acknowledging nod. “Judge Lawson.
How nice to see you
again.”
She welcomed the intrusion to the painful memories she’d been
about to dredge up. “Have you met my escort, Mr. Jonathan Montgomery?”

“I don’t believe I
have.” The judge offered his hand and the two men shook.

The older man
glanced back at Sarah. “I’m assuming things are going well at school. At least,
I haven’t heard any complaints.” His smile carved more wrinkles into his face.

She swallowed hard.
“Well, I did have one student…”

“Let me guess.
Horace Givens?” The judge chuckled. “I’m not surprised. He gives everyone
problems. Why haven’t you asked for help?”

“I haven’t needed
any. He and his brother haven’t been back since my first day. I chastised
Horace for bullying another child, and he took his brother and left.”

 
“Normally, I’d be appalled at a student
neglecting their education, but I believe you’re better off without the Givens
brothers. At least, Horace; that one has no conscience.”

The boy’s warning
rang in Sarah’s ears, but she hadn’t come here to discuss work or worry over
what an overgrown bully said. Besides, they were only words tossed about in
anger. She flashed a wide smile at Judge Lawson. “I will forever be grateful
you gave me the job. I truly love the children, and they all seem so eager to
learn.”

“I’m happy to hear
that, Miss…” Something distracted him and he looked across the hall. “Oh dear,
I see my wife motioning and giving me her most impatient stare. I fear I’ve
neglected her. If you’ll pardon me...” He gave a slight bow and meandered
towards a rotund lady with gray hair. “Do come and meet Mrs. Lawson before you
leave,” he called over his shoulder.

The trio of
musicians, two guitar players and a fiddler took a break. The shuffling of feet
stilled, replaced by a chorus of voices meshing into one loud buzz. Jonathan’s
gaze roamed the room, leaving Sarah to wonder if he thought she’d been rude.
She tugged on his sleeve. “I’m sorry about that.”

“About
what?”
His brow rose in a
confused arch.

“Judge Lawson
… discussing
my teaching position. I thought perhaps you
felt ignored.”

“Not
at all.
With such a
lovely woman on my arm, it’s to be expected that men will want to monopolize
her time.”He winked one of his sky-blue eyes at her.

 
“Pshaw. Please, Judge Lawson is old enough to
be my grandfather. I’d hardly consider discussing a job he hired me to do any
threat to your status as my escort.” She forced a laugh.

Sarah’s
cheeks heated, unable to deny that Jonathan Montgomery had a way with words.
Still refusing to be dazzled by his charm,
she covered her mouth to shield a dry cough. “Do you see the refreshment
table?”

Jonathan placed an
arm across his stomach and the other around his back and bowed low.
“How remiss of me, my lady.
May I get you something to
quench your thirst?”

“Please.” She eyed
the bench along the wall. “I’ll have a seat right here and wait for you.”
Suddenly feeling warm, she shrugged off her shawl, folded it and placed it
beneath her reticule next to her on the bench.

Sarah arranged her
skirt around her and crossed her ankles. Her mouth felt cottony, and she
smacked her lips. She took a composing breath and studied the sea of strangers
before her. She’d seen one or two faces in the mercantile or on her way there,
but it felt odd to be among such a crowd and feel so lonely. To entertain
herself, she searched for facial features matching those of her students.

Returning with a cup
brimming full, Jonathan gingerly handed it to her. “I hope you like apple cider.”

“My
favorite.”
She took a
sip, overcome with pleasant recollections of warm cider and spices simmering in
one of her mother’s pots.

He finished his
drink, and set the empty cup on a nearby table. Then perched on the bench’s
edge, he swiveled to look at her. His eyes narrowed with seriousness. “I have
to warn you, I’m not a very polished dancer.”

Sarah released a
pent-up breath. Was that what worried him? She patted his hand. “Then we’ll
make a great pair. I fear unless it’s a square dance or
reel,
I’m not going to be smooth on my feet… or yours.” Unsettling visions raced
through her mind.

The musicians took
their place again and the plucky sounds of the fiddle turned to the sweet
strains of a waltz backed by the slow strumming of guitars. Jonathan stood and
held out his palm. “Shall we give it try?”

With a hitch in her
breath, she put down her cup, and rose. She took his hand and placed her other
on his shoulder and smiled up at him. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you about
stepping on your toes.”

“To hold you in my
embrace, fair lady, I will suffer the consequences.” He wrapped his arm around
her waist and reeled her closer.