told you to expect that, but you didn’t believe me.”
“I ain’t gonna cause a ruckus or anything. I like Violet too much to complain, being as how she has to depend on her hands to see. If she knew how ugly Henry Truman is, she might not take a turn with him.” Bodie thought a moment. “That ain’t exactly true. Violet is kind to everybody and cares about their feelings.”
“That she is.” Ridge draped his arm around Bodie’s shoulders. “You know, there are a few other girls here about your age.”
“Yeah, but they aren’t as pretty.”
“Do you know what? You haven’t waltzed with me yet.” Addie put her arm through Bodie’s. “I know I’m far too old, but I promise I won’t embarrass you. Might step on your feet though. I’m not very good.”
“Shoot, Addie, I thought you were only allowed to dance with Ridge. Except that wasn’t exactly what you were doing just now.”
“Go on. I can live for a few minutes without my gorgeous wife.” Ridge’s mouth twitched. “I’ll try to restrain myself from getting jealous and fighting you.”
“Thanks, boss.”
Addie gave Ridge a kiss and walked to the dance floor, glad she could help ease Bodie’s loneliness. Once they started to dance, she found herself surprised at his skill. “Did your parents used to go to many dances?”
“All the time,” he answered, sweeping her across the plank floor. “My papa played the fiddle, so we were always at a dance somewhere. I danced with my mama a lot because she never got to otherwise.”
“She taught you very well. I think you’re probably the best here.”
“You mean it?”
“I do. I never attended a dance before I came here. It was a sin where I came from, so Ridge had to teach me what little I know.”
“Everything was a sin when I lived with my aunt and uncle—even laughing.” Sadness oozed from Bodie’s eyes. “I walked on eggshells, afraid I’d break one of their rules and they’d kick me out. I miss my mama and papa.”
“I’m sorry, Bodie. You got cheated.” They both had. She’d make an effort to laugh with Bodie more.
“It’s okay.” He was silent a moment, and she watched his sensitive eyes, so full of despair. “Addie, do you think a girl could ever love me?”
Tears filled her eyes, her heart breaking for the insecure young man who’d lost so much. “Bodie honey, one of these days the right girl is going to come along, sweep you right off your feet, and you’ll forget this conversation ever happened. You can count on that.”
He broke into a wide grin. “You really think so?”
“I know so.”
“I’m glad. Thanks, Addie.”
“You’re welcome. Just try not to get in a big hurry. You have your whole life ahead of you.”
They waltzed to another song, then Bodie saw his chance to snag Violet, and Addie went for some punch. She was standing with Ridge when a stir raced through the crowd. The mysterious and very dapper Angus O’Connor entered the barn, and the woman on his arm gave Addie a start. Dr. Mary? Addie blinked and looked again.
She almost didn’t recognize the lady doctor. Her brown hair hung in loose curls that tumbled around her shoulders, and the gorgeous dress of shimmering gold caught in the lantern light.
“See, Ridge? I told you. Believe me now?”
“Well, I’ll be. It does appear our Dr. Mary has gotten her a fellow,” Ridge murmured. “Good for her. She’s been alone ever since I met her. I wonder why he stayed away?”
“You’ve never seen him once?”
“Nope.”
O’Connor dropped his silver-knobbed cane on a hay bale and led the good doctor onto the dance floor. The two made quite a handsome couple—he with his silver hair and close-cropped beard, and her absolutely glowing with happiness. Addie admitted to herself that she’d never viewed Dr. Mary as anything other than a professional woman and doubted anyone else in the town had either. Her hair was always pulled into a severe knot, and she never seemed to care for things like dresses, homemaking, or prettying herself up.
They waltzed by, and Addie couldn’t help but notice how Dr. Mary gazed into O’Connor’s laughing eyes. Most of the couples stopped, open-mouthed, to watch their Dr. Mary looking young and carefree for the first time since they’d known her. There appeared to be a whole lot more to the woman than any of them had considered.
Addie was no expert by any stretch, but the gold dress looked expensive. Maybe O’Connor had brought it with him