Heart of a Lady (Book One of the Red River Valley Brides) Read online

  Chapter Nine

  Ma Jones sauntered into their room and smiled as she looked around. "My there are some serious faces in here today? Something wrong girls?"

  For a middle-aged woman, Ma Jones was an attractive lady. The girls had seen several men invite her for outings. Most of which she accepted. She was also one of the most respected ladies in town. Men listened to her. They held her opinion in regard. That had to be earned, Jo Ella thought as she stared at the woman.

  Although she was stoutly built, she had the figure of a mature woman and eyes that softened when she spoke. Her slightly graying hair was always done on top her head neatly. Her soft brown eyes probed when she found something interesting. But it was her voice that captured Jo Ella's attention. Husky and low, it demanded respect.

  "This room's never been this clean before. Unless I cleaned it myself, that is." Ma sat down in the rocking chair by the window. "I'm glad I let you girls have it."

  She glanced around the room then met their glances evenly. "Well now, I know all of you want to go to the annual harvest dance. I also know none of you have escorts, which I find a little strange since you are all good-looking young women. I guess part of it is that none of you have been out and about much except Jo Ella. You really need to meet the community and get to know folks. And you are all going to the dance. I'll see to that."

  Her announcement had them turning to look at her.

  "Excuse me?" Nadine blurted, her brow furrowing as she spoke. "We planned on going…by ourselves."

  "No…that wouldn't look right. Girls showing up, alone. No, you'll have an escort, you'll be invited guests…of mine. I can't imagine why none of you are being courted, so I've decided to put my hand in the cookie jar and help. It will give you more of a chance to look the men over and see if there is one that interests you. So how does that sound?"

  Jo Ella opened her mouth in surprise. "Why, that sounds wonderful, Ma. It would be perfect. That way, we wouldn't owe ourselves to any one man and we could sorta look them over as you say, plus we wouldn't be inviting ourselves to the dance. I can see where that would be a better idea."

  "Exactly. This mail order bride business isn't as easy as it sounds. Is it? I'm glad you are putting thought into it. I hate to see a young woman jump into something she doesn't know anything about. I think most of you have been a little too shy about getting to know our town. You girls are wise not to act on the first opportunity, but to make a thoughtful decision. After all, it will affect your entire life. I like that. I admire that, so I want to help in any way I can. And I'll start by me taking you to the dance. That settles all the problems. You can go, meet all the men you want, and have your pick of who you want to get to know. And it will all be proper too, because I brought you. It's a perfect set up. Only don't tell the men that."

  The girls chuckled.

  "Thanks, Ma. It's so nice of you to do this for us." Jo Ella touched her arm.

  "I kind of thought you and Harry would go together." Ma glanced at her, her voice lowering.

  "He never asked me." Jo Ella shrugged.

  "I wonder why?" Ma frowned. "Well, marriage shy men sometimes are afraid of being captured by a beautiful woman. Sometimes you have to give them a little nudge in the right direction." She laughed. "If you know what I mean."

  "Maybe he's not interested in me."

  "Oh honey, he's interested." Ma shook her head and frowned. "He ain't never taken a girl on a picnic before. Nor smiled so much afterward either."

  "Well, he has a strange way of showing it," Jo Ella huffed.

  Ma nodded but narrowed her gaze. "When men fall in love, they sometimes get itchy. They don't know whether to scratch that itch or ignore it. Given a choice, they usually ignore it. All the men know why you girls are here. So if they seem a little standoffish, that's the reason. They naturally look at it as some sort of trap. And figure getting caught in a that trap makes them less a man. But sometimes you have to ease into the courting yourself, before they get the idea it isn't gonna kill 'em. You girls want to get married and that's a good thing. But the men around here know it, and when you bat your pretty eyes at them, they back off sometimes. That's when you gotta move forward." Ma nudged Nadine in the ribs. "If he's worth anything, he's worth the effort."

  "You sound as though you've participated in this marriage thing before." Nadine narrowed her gaze on Ma for a minute.

  "I have, three times as a matter of fact."

  The girls gasped and looked at each other.

  "My first husband died early on as he got shot during a bank hold up. Oh, he wasn't an outlaw. He was just on the street at the wrong time. Poor sweet man. My second husband, Harry's dad, was a hardworking man. A good provider and an excellent lover." She blushed. "He died of consumption three years ago. And I miss him every day of my life," Ma announced with a tear in her eye. "My third husband I married out of pure loneliness, ran off with a Boston gal just after our honeymoon in Saint Louis. I wasn't in love with him anyhow. Never should have married him, but I did. I like to hold hands and he didn't."

  "I'm sorry. You must have loved Harry's dad a lot." Maggie grabbed her hand and held it tight in hers.

  "I did. Bless his soul." Ma wiped the tear away. "But enough of this. We are talkin' about you girls. I want to see you succeed with your hunt for the right man. I want to help all I can. And I must tell you I had some real doubts when you first came to town. I thought you were a bunch of frivolous women who would jump into the first man's arms. When you didn't, I rethought that."

  "I'm afraid you can't help me much," Nadine announced stiffly.

  Ma looked at Nadine and shook her head. She came up to her and hugged her tight against her, and wouldn't let go. "Oh now, honey. God has a way of bringing a man into your life when you least expect it. So don't give up. And you are going to the dance with me. Even if you don't get asked, you can sit by me and enjoy the music and have punch. Can't you?"

  Nadine stared into Ma's eyes. "I guess you are right. And I thank you. I do so enjoy the music."

  Ma patted her on the shoulder. "You'll see, he'll come along."

  "I hope you are right, but there just aren't many black men in Vada."

  "But you never know when one might come along, just for you. God has a way of providing. Now, do you girls have dresses you can wear?"

  Everyone stared at her for a moment before bursting out. "I think we can manage that part."

  "Good, and if you need any help with your hair, let me know. I'm pretty good with that." Ma smiled as she turned to go.

  "Thanks, Ma. You've been so gracious." Sarah reached up and kissed her cheek before she left.

  "Aw, now, I never had me any girls, but you girls look like you need some kind of a ma and I'm here to see you have one. You may have signed a contract as mail order brides, but while you are here, I'll be seeing after you, ladies. I want to see all of you happily married, and not a one of you go to that saloon. And you, Miss Sarah, I've seen you battin' your eyes at the preacher. And he has no idea. Men can be so blind sometimes!"

  Sarah blushed. "You knew."

  "Of course I did. I'm not blind. Nothing happens around here I don't know about."

  They all called out their "thank yous" as she left.

  "Well, I never expected that." Nadine shook her head in wonder.

  "She's pretty wonderful, isn't she?" Jo Ella sighed.

  Nadine sat on the edge of the bed, nodding. "Maybe she's right. Maybe someone will come along, when I least expect it."

  "I believe that, Nadine. You gotta have a little faith," Sarah advised.

  "Maybe I'll go to church and get me some." Nadine nodded.

  "Now that sounds like a grand idea." Sarah smiled. "You can sit with me…"

  "Well, girls, if we are going to the dance, we better get to seein' about our dresses. Remember they must be respectable. Some might need redoing a bit," Jo Ella insisted.

  "Mine will. I want to catch the preacher, not shock him. I just want him to see I
'm alive." Sarah said with such a sigh they all glanced at her.

  Chapter Ten

  The music was already playing as their wagon pulled up in front of the huge barn-like structure. People were wandering outside in couples. It was easy to see that a lot of the community had paired up already.

  Ma Jones tied the horses then helped everyone down from the wagon. She didn't want anyone tearing their dresses on the old wagon. "Okay, ladies, let's go have ourselves a good time." Ma grinned, grabbing Nadine's arm.

  Once they entered, everyone crowded around Ma and she began introducing the girls to others. Only two other colored people were in the barn.

  Harry came up to them and his eyes landed on Jo Ella. Then he met the other girls and tipped his hat with a grin. "You girls make yourself at home. There are plenty of unattached men to dance with here. I never seen so many pretty women in one little bunch." Harry gestured toward Maggie. "May I have this dance?"

  Jo Ella felt slighted, but she didn't say a word and joined Ma and Nadine for some punch.

  Maggie seemed to be having a nice time with Harry. She talked and smiled as they danced all over the place. When it was over, Jo Ella watched as Harry directed Maggie to one side where a group of men were standing. He introduced her to them all and they all asked her to dance.

  Jo Ella sighed a little. Harry was trying to introduce them all to the eligible bachelors in the area. It was hard not to like him, and she smiled.

  He took Sarah's arm and danced her around to the same group of men. It wasn't long before she was being swamped with offers to dance.

  ~*~

  When Harry asked Trish, she accepted reluctantly and shrugged. "Why not?"

  Trish glanced at Jo Ella.

  "Don't you like it here, Trish?" Harry asked as they danced together.

  Trish tried to smile but it was obvious her heart was not in it. "I don't know yet. I guess I will get broke in soon enough. Especially with the help of Ma and you." She grinned. "I know what you are doing, and it is very sweet of you."

  "Well, look, you are all beautiful young women." Harry beamed.

  Just like the others, he dropped her off with the group of men and then he did something remarkable. He asked Nadine to dance.

  If Jo Ella hadn't liked him before, she did now. It was truly the sweetest thing to watch Harry with the girls.

  Nadine glanced about. "Me?"

  "Of course. This is a dance. It's time to have fun, get to know people, enjoy yourself. We don't bite."

  Glancing at Jo Ella, she grinned. "I think I'm going to like it here after all, Jo Ella."

  ~*~

  Jo Ella couldn't speak, she was so touched by his gesture.

  Ma Jones looked at her. "Harry's just making sure they all feel welcome. He's good at that. He's got a heart of gold, but he seldom lets it show. Now they will get to know some of the men and maybe start pairing up a bit."

  "That's very sweet of him." Jo Ella glanced at Ma. "I guess you taught him that. Thank you. I've never seen a man so helpful."

  "One of his best attributes is his way of making a person feel at home. Harry's good stuff." Ma glanced at her son with satisfaction. "But you'll find that out as time goes by, on your own."

  "Nadine has really felt out of place here. I try my best to encourage her, but this town has very few colored people and most not her age and married."

  "Yeah, but don't you fret. God has a way of introducing men to women too. Nadine will find her man. I'm sure of it." Ma kept time to the music with her foot.

  "You and Harry are good people." Jo Ella looked up just in time to see Nadine being asked to dance by one of the Spanish cowboys. Nadine glided into the man's arms with a wide smile on her face.

  Jo Ella began to relax, Harry had started solving the problem and she had to admit, she was more than a little impressed with his manners.

  When Harry finally came back, his gaze searched Jo Ella. "May I have this dance with you?"

  Jo Ella smiled pleasantly. "Thank you. It would be my pleasure."

  He looked puzzled as he took her into his arms. They were playing a waltz, which meant he had to hold her in his arms. The tension growing between them made them look stiff on the floor.

  "I wasn't sure you'd dance with me."

  "Why?" She pulled away from him to ask.

  "Because I didn't invite you to the dance, of course."

  Jo Ella shrugged. "For all I know you may have your eye on some other girl."

  "Right now, I do…you!"

  A blush crept up her cheeks. As Jo Ella looked into his gray eyes, she blurted out, "Don't you dare whisk me into that pool of cowboys. I'll never forgive you."

  "That thought never crossed my mind with you," he said lowly as he pulled her a little closer.

  He smelled heavenly for a man, and setting herself closer, she began to relax. "Thanks for introducing the girls around." She glanced up into his serious face. "It's just what they needed."

  He broke into a genuine smile.

  Jo Ella's toes curled. If he'd only do that more often.

  "I enjoyed every minute of it. Most of those boys were merely trying to figure out how to get the guts to ask them anyway."

  Jo Ella smiled, floating about the room with Harry. "I didn't know you could dance, too!" She murmured in his ear.

  "Why, ma'am, you have no idea what I'm capable of." He waltzed her about.

  "You are full of surprises."

  "I guess you are wondering why I didn't personally invite you to the dance."

  Despite trying not to react, her smile faded a bit. "For all I know you might have a harem of girls, as charming as you are."

  He almost stopped, but he swung her out and back. The way he looked devoured her. His glance slid lazily from her button up shoes to the beautiful green gingham dress. The cut of it made her more tempting. He stared at her hair, which she had Ma put up for her. His expression changed, and his eyes darkened. "I heard about your little escape to the pond."

  Jo Ella blushed. "I like bathing in ponds. Done it most of my life. I guess I'm a country girl at heart."

  "And about you meeting Dillon there."

  She silently wondered if that were the real reason he hadn't asked her to the dance.

  "I did not meet him there. He just showed up. Do you think I would invite a man to bathe with me?" She frowned.

  "Uh… no, of course not. But it is strange how he knew you were there. Anyway, I thought maybe you decided to let him court you. But I don't see him here, and I expected him to come to the dance, to escort you."

  "Mr. Jones, Dillon is not courting me. He stumbled upon me at the pond. He's not the gentleman I took him for. I don't make a habit of bathing in public. I thought that pond looked so inviting and private. That's why I went. But the water was exceptionally cold, and I didn't care for the ogling." Jo Ella huffed.

  "Where Dillon is concerned, you need a watchdog. When he puts his mind to something, he usually gets what he wants."

  "And you think he wants me?" Jo Ella looked into Harry's face then deep into his eyes, eyes a woman could drown in.

  "I know he does." Harry said almost breathlessly.

  "There's just one little problem with that. I haven't encouraged him. I don't even know the man."

  "With Dillon, you don't have to. He'll chase you like a fox."

  "Are we going to spend this whole dance talking about Dillon?" Her frustration was growing.

  "No," he said harshly and took her by the hand, leading her outside. He didn't ask her. He didn't have to. She went willingly to be alone with him.

  "What did we come out here for?" Her heart was hammering so hard she was afraid he'd hear it. In some strange way, Harry compelled her. She wanted to know more about this quiet man.

  "A breather. Sometimes when you watch the stars and look at that big ole moon, it calms you down. I never tire of watching it."

  "And you think I need calming down?" She seethed.

  "No. I think you need this." He
grabbed her gently around the waist, bringing her up close so he could kiss her mindlessly.

  This kiss was different. It was rapturously slow, as his lips invited her cooperation. He wouldn't take any more than she was willing to give, but he did tempt. Melding against him, she let go of all her anger and pride. She didn't notice the shadow on his cheek that only made him more handsome. Nor feel that shadow as it caressed her. What she noticed was her own reaction to Harry. She was almost limp in his arms. The kiss was so tender, so unexpectedly gentle and yet, he commanded a response she couldn't resist. She felt the lips that hungered for her response. She gave it freely. He stole her breath, her thoughts.

  His lips brushed against hers as his eyes pinned her. "A man could get lost in you very easily," he whispered.

  "Do you always kiss a girl like this?"

  "Never." He claimed her once more.

  Jo Ella moaned deep down in her throat. His lips burnt a warm trail down her neck then back to assuage the ache of her lips for his. She sucked in breath at how hungry she was for him. And then his tongue went inside her mouth as he sought a more perfect union with her. She allowed him every freedom, feeling the possessiveness of his arms. Her body fused against his.

  When they came up for air, they were breathlessly quiet, staring into each other's eyes for long lingering moments. Words seemed unnecessary.

  Her breast tingled against the cotton of her dress as she groped for control of the emotions swamping her. How had he so calmly unbalanced her? No man had this kind of effect on her before. She tried to hide the desire in her eyes, but when she recognized it in his, her heart swelled. The very fact that they could not act upon that desire, made the moment even more special.

  "I wasn't planning on kissing you, dancing with you, or being with you like this. It just happened. I'm sorry if I got carried away, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you." His expression beamed his honesty.

  She swallowed. "Attracted how…"