Her long-sleeved gown was the most beautiful sea blue silk Tess had ever seen. The bodice had a three-inch-wide band that began off the shoulder and veed down to reveal a modest swell of breast. Elegant sapphire threads zigzagged the band and cuffs, and ran in dual lines down the front of the skirt.
The dress formed smoothly across her bust and tapered down to her artificially wasped waist, then flowed like a
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waterfall over her horsehair-crinoline underskirt to the floor.
Tess swirled around and came to a breathless stop. The silk shirt rustled at the movement and belled out before it settled back into place.
The bedroom door creaked open. "Are you ready, Mama?" Katie stood in the doorway in a ruffled red and white polka dot dress. Baggy lace pantalets peeked out from underneath her hem. The bright red grosgrain ribbons her father had brought her dangled from the ends of her long braids as she skipped into the room.
Tess bent down and kissed her puffy little cheek. "You look pretty as a picture."
"We'd best get goin'," Katie said matter-of-factly. "Savannah's ... sort o' ..." "Snappy?"
Katie nodded solemnly. "She's been yellin' at me to hurry since dawn."
Tess bit back a smile and slipped a sapphire blue shawl over her shoulders. "She's a bit nervous, that's all." She went to the cradle and picked up Caleb. After a quick check of his diapers, she folded him in a warm homespun blanket, took Katie's hand, and headed for the porch.
The team was hitched and waiting outside the house. Jack was standing at Red's head, checking something on the bridle. He looked incredibly handsome in black twill pants, white shirt with gold buttons, and black vest. "Hi, Jack," she called out.
He turned toward her, already smiling. "Hi, Li?" His greeting melted away. The smile slid off his face.
Tess nervously smoothed her skirt. "Do I have it on backwards or something?"
His smile came back full force. He let go of the bridle and ran toward them, bounding up the porch steps.
Their eyes met and held. Tess felt the promise of magic glitter around them. He touched her cheek and leaned close, whispering, "You take my breath away."
Tess shivered at the heat of his breath on her throat. "I can't breathe too well myself," she murmured.
Smiling, Jack turned to Katie and dropped down on one knee. "Little Katydid, you look beautiful."
A grin erupted on her tiny face. 'Thanks, Daddy."
Jack helped them both onto the wagon, Tess up front with Caleb in her lap, and Katie back with the baskets of food.
They waited for Savannah. First patiently. Then not so patiently.
"Daddy, we're gonna be late, an' all the good food will be gone. Miz Hannah makes the very best fried chicken, 'n' I don't wanna miss it."
Jack threw a frowning glance at the house. "What the hell's taking her so long?"
Tess remembered her first date with a bittersweet smile. She'd spent hours in front of the mirror, trying to get everything just right. She'd bought a new dress and even had a manicure. Unfortunately, Harry Spitz hadn't shown up.
Tess was surprised to realize that the memory didn't hurt anymore. For years she'd carried around a silent, rock-heavy weight in her stomach. She'd never really trusted dating after that, hadn't really tried it again until college. And even then she'd never tried really hard. But now the memory of Harry Spitz was just that: a faintly poignant remembrance that might have happened to someone else.
She patted Jack's hand. "This is an important night for her, you know. Be patient." "But?" Just then the door creaked open. Savannah moved stiffly
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onto the porch, her hands clasped together at her waist, her newly curving body accentuated by the short-sleeved, rose-sprigged white muslin gown. She'd combed her hair away from her face and coiled it in a loose, romantic knot at the top of her head. In the pale light of twilight, her skin glowed like fresh cream. "I'm ready." Jack did a double take. "Savannah?" She met his gaze. In her huge blue eyes was a single, frightened question that only her daddy could answer.
Jack jumped down from the wagon and hurried toward her. Vaulting up the steps, he took her hands in his. "Let me look at you, Vannah."
Shyly she let go of his hands and stepped back. "You're the prettiest woman I've ever seen." He shot a glance back at the wagon and grinned. "But don't tell your
mama."
A slow smile spread across her face, keeping pace with
the blush that pinkened her cheeks.
He held out his arm for her. "Shall we go, m'lady?" Grinning, she looped her arm through her daddy's and let him guide her to the wagon. She plucked up her skirt and climbed slowly?every inch the lady?into the planked bed and sat cautiously beside Katie. "Gosh, Vannah, what took you so long?" Savannah smiled serenely. "It takes a woman longer to get ready. Right, Mama?"
Tess battled a smile. "That's right."
Jack tried to concentrate on the familiar feel of the leather between his fingers, but couldn't quite manage it. He stiffened and leaned forward in his seat, wishing he had a hat to pull low on his head. Anything to shield his eyes from the wary looks he'd get from the islanders.
The wagon crunched along, bouncing its occupants with each rut in the dirty, rock-studded road. Night was just be-
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ginning to claim the day, throwing a purplish blanket across the Straits and silhouetting the trees against a midnight blue sky. Charcoal gray clouds scudded overhead.
They turned the last corner and started down the road toward the hall. Jack tensed. His fingers tightened uncomfortably around the flat leather reins. Behind him, he could hear the girls' excited chatter and an occasional giggle. He thought vaguely that one of them might have spoken to him, but the words were a dull buzzing inside his head.
It took him a moment to notice that Lissa had taken his hand. Her fingers were curled protectively around his right hand, a silent offer of comfort and caring.
He let his pent-up breath out in a shuddering sigh and tried to give her a bright smile. It was hopelessly false.
"It's okay," she murmured, leaning against his shoulder. "We're together."
Together.
The word calmed him somewhat, offered a grain of hope. This year, he told himself, it wouldn't be so bad. He was better than he'd been in years. Stronger. More in control. With Lissa by his side, nothing horrible and embarrassing could happen.
Like last year ...
He tried to forget about last year's Fourth of July dance, and focused instead on the warm feel of his wife, pressed so lovingly against him. A shearing dance wouldn't provide the same ... trigger as a Fourth of July dance. He'd be fine.
Besides, the past was past. Forgotten. He was better now. More healthy. Nothing bad could happen to him now.
He wanted desperately to believe it.
Pale light spilled from the hall's windows and doors, casting a golden net around the big log building. Smoke
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spiraled up from the pipe chimney and lay in a motionless haze along the roof. A full moon hung in the gunmetal gray night sky like a perfect pearl.
Tess heard the first vague stirring of music. At first she thought she'd imagined the heartbreakingly beautiful
sound.
Her fingers tightened around Jack's. Her breath caught. "Music." She said the word reverently. Emotion coiled around her throat, brought the sharp sting of tears. All her life she'd tried to imagine what music sounded like. She'd tried to remember, but she'd been so young when she'd lost her hearing. Too young to remember.
She'd spent years feeling music as a rumbling beat beneath her feet and watching its effect on people. And wishing?just for a second?to truly hear its magic.
Now here it was, seeping through the open windows and floating gracefully on the cool night air. The music swelled in her soul like a symphony.
"Oh, Jack," she sighed, "it's beautiful...." He gave h
er a stiff-lipped smile and brought the wagon to a stop.
Excitement coursed through Tess. She jumped down from the wagon and quickly organized the unloading. Giving Jack the box of stack cakes, Savannah the basket of chicken, and Katie the cold potato pie, Tess wrapped Caleb in her arms and they were off.
Jack moved slowly, as if each step were fraught with danger. She ribbed him gently in the side. "Lighten up," she said with a grin. "We're going to have fun." He gave her a wan smile.
They walked up the creaking wooden steps and stopped just inside the open doorway. The hall was ablaze with lights and filled with laughing, talking, dancing people. Tess stared in awe. She knew it was just a nothing old
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log building with a few candles on the tables and straw on the floor, but to her, listening to the gay sound of the fiddle music, it was the most sumptuous, magical ballroom she'd ever seen.
Candles and lamps were everywhere, creating pockets of golden, shimmering light that melded into one another. People whirled across the makeshift dance floor amid the rustle of silk and the stomping of heels. The scents of burning wood, fresh-baked foods, cinnamon, and sweat clamored for dominance in the crowded room.
The fiddler stood apart from the crowd, barricaded behind a row of whiskey barrels. Sweat shone from his balding head and slid down his flushed, fleshy cheeks as he played.
He looked up suddenly and saw Jack. The fiddle
squeaked loudly and struck a sour note, then went quiet.
The dancers shuddered to a stomping, uncertain halt and
turned toward the door. Conversations ground to a halt,
laughter died stillborn in a dozen throats.
The silence turned thick, wary. Somewhere a candle sputtered, but it was the only sound in a room filled with people.
Then Minerva Hannah broke from the crowd and came rushing toward Lissa. "There you are," she said loudly enough for all to hear. "We've been waiting for you."
Her greeting severed the unnatural silence. Jim followed on his wife's heels, his hand outstretched to shake Jack's hand. "Hi, Jack. Glad you could make it."
Jack lifted an eyebrow derisively. "A feeling shared by all, I see."
"Give 'em time, Jack," Jim said. "They'll forget." If you don't do it again.
Jack heard the words as surely as if they'd been spoken aloud. He stiffened, nodded curtly. "Yeah, sure."
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"Forget what?" Tess looked in confusion from Jim to
Jack.
Jack's gaze skittered away. "Nothing. Come on," he said, already heading toward the food tables that lined the
far wall.
Frowning, Tess hurried to keep up.
Savannah remained in the doorway. She stood frozen, paralyzed by self-consciousness.
Jeffie was across the hall. Their gazes met across the crowd. Her heart seemed to stop beating. She twisted her hands together to keep them from shaking.
He pushed through the people and came to a stop in front of her. "Hi, Vannah." Her name was a high-pitched squeak. "Uh. Sorry." He cleared his throat. "H-How are
you?"
Savannah swallowed thickly. "Fine."
He cleared his throat again. "You look ... pretty."
"I do?"
His voice fell to an earnest whisper. "I never seen anyone so pretty. You wanna dance?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I ... I mean yes, I would."
He reached for her hand. She hesitated only a heartbeat, then slipped her hand in his. It felt warm and nice.
He led her to the middle of the dance floor. All around them people were stomping, laughing, and dancing, but neither of them noticed. They stood there, staring at each
other.
Jeffie cleared his throat. "I ... I'm gonna put my hand
here ... on your back."
"Okay."
As he pulled her into his arms, Savannah cautiously moved her hand to the center of his back, just as her daddy had taught her. The flannel of his shirt felt soft and slightly fuzzy against her damp palm.
They moved stiffly at first, each mentally counting.
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One, two, three. One, two, three. Gradually they became more comfortable together. They picked up their pace, swirling in a huge clover pattern across the wooden floor.
Savannah felt giddy and trembling as he twirled her around the floor. The room blurred, became a hazy world of golden light and shifting shapes. She felt like a fairy princess.
All too soon the dance ended. Savannah and Jeffie stopped dancing. She looked up; he looked down. His fingers tightened around hers; his gaze narrowed and slid down to her lips.
He's gonna kiss me. Right here in front of everyone!
Savannah's breathing quickened. Her heart pounded so loudly, she thought for sure he could hear it. Anticipation made her lean ever so slightly toward him.
He bent his head.
She tilted hers just a little.
His lips touched hers in a feather-stroke.
She drew in a shaky breath and kissed him back. When they drew back, they were both grinning.
Tess watched Savannah and Jeffie twirl awkwardly around the dance floor. A mother's pride filled her heart to overflowing. She smiled, fighting back tears.
Jack moved closer. She felt the heat of his body alongside hers. Gently he withdrew Caleb from her arms and handed the baby to Minerva. "Let's dance," he whispered in Tess's ear.
Her heart tripped hard. Emotions hurtled through her with breathtaking velocity. Excitement. Happiness. Fear. This was a moment she'd dreamed of all her life. Since junior high when she'd stood pinned to the wall with the other special ed kids, watching the dancers move. The beat
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of the music had vibrated in her mind like a teasing flash
of memory.
And now, finally, she could hear the music and she was being asked to dance. But she didn't know how. What if she made an idiot of herself, what if?
Jack took her in his arms. She melted against him, reveling in the familiar, masculine scent of him.
He touched her chin, tilted her face up. "Hey, you're
trembling."
She looked up into his loving, concerned eyes and almost burst into tears. Emotion swelled in her throat. Suddenly it didn't matter if she tripped all over his feet and made a spectacle of herself. For now, tonight, she was going to dance.
She nodded. "I'd love to," she breathed. He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. All around them, dancers whirled and stomped. Color flashed by her eyes in a dizzying rainbow.
She closed her eyes, listening to the glorious sounds. Dreamily she swayed with the music.
"Come on, Lissa," he murmured, drawing her close. The warm, brandy-soft tenor of his voice washed over her in a tingle-inducing wave. His hand settled possessively in the small of her back.
He took her in his arms and began to move. Tess gripped his hand and stumbled along with him. "You're leading," he whispered. She cast him an apologetic glance. "It's a character
flaw."
He laughed and held her tighter. "You've forgotten how
to dance, I take it."
She nodded. "Maybe we could?"
"Come closer. Put your cheek against my chest."
She did. His arms curled around her, held her lovingly.
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"Okay," he said softly, and she could feel his breath against her forehead, "now, feel the music."
She looked up at him. "No. I've done that enough in my life. I want to hear it."
"Close your eyes."
She sighed. "Jack?"
"You've forgotten how to dance. I remember. So close your eyes.".
Reluctantly she did.
"Now, feel the music," he murmured. "Let it speak to your soul."
She pressed tighter against him. His heartbeat thudded against her ear. The whiny twang of the fiddle became louder, soaring above the sound of shuffli
ng feet and rustling skirts. Eyes closed, moving within the warm, protective circle of his arms, she lapsed into a whimsical, relaxed state. The hay and woodsmoke and musk scent of the hall wreathed her, took her to a magical, music-filled world that was hers alone.
The music coiled around her heart. She felt its vibration, and more than that, its emotion, in her soul. She looked up at Jack in wonder. "My God," she breathed. "I can feel it."
He laughed and twirled her around. She clung to him as he spiraled around the crowded floor. Laughing, they swept past the fiddler. Tess saw the whiskey barrels in a blur of brown and black. Another wave of amazement passed through her in a shiver. She was dancing. Dancing.
They moved around the floor in a colorful swirl. The other dancers twirled around them, feet stomping to the fast beat, hands clapping. But Tess and Jack continued to waltz.
Tess looked up at him. Her eyes were shining with all the love in her heart. "I could dance with you forever."
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"You will, Lissa." "Promise?" she breathed. He smiled. "I promise.'
Chapter Twenty-three
Savannah gripped Jeffie's hand and ran beside him through the copse of trees. Moonlight glittered through the dense leaves overhead and illuminated the trampled-down path with eerie blue-white light.
"Hurry up, Peters!" Joey Schmidt yelled from somewhere up ahead. "We don't got all night. It's almost time for the supper break."
Jeffie tightened his hold on Savannah's hand and ran faster. When they reached the small clearing, Savannah let go of Jeffie's hand and clutched her aching side, bending over in an attempt to catch her breath.
"Jeez," Jeffie murmured. "They're great. Where'd you get 'em, Joey?"
"One o' the soldiers from the English Camp gave 'em to me. Too bad they had to leave. Them British had all kinds of good stuff."