Harvest of Love

Chapter 10

        It's the night of the dance, and as agreed on, I'm to follow Rebecca and Paul in my truck. I'm sitting on my tailgate waiting with Paul for Rebecca, who is being summoned by the butler. Paul is tall, lean, and blond. He is lounging against the hood of his red Ford eyeing me up and down. There's a hard glint in his stare like he sees me as a threat or something. In an attempt to ease the tension I ask,

"So, MaryBeth is your cousin?" He looks surprised by the mention of her.

"Uh, yeah. Why? Do you know her?"

"We met the other day. Seems like a nice girl. I'm hoping to see her tonight." Paul's stance starts to relax as he answers,

"She'll be there. She's a social butterfly and wouldn't miss this for the world," he states with a brief laugh. 

           Before I could say anything more, the front door opened, and Rebecca steps out. Both Paul and I are quick to stand in attention to her beauty. She's wearing a white off the shoulder dress that flares out around her knees and cowboy boots. Her hair is in her usual ponytail with tendrils framing her face. Her make-up is minimal like usual except tonight she wears a bright red lipstick, accentuating her perfectly kissable lips.

"You look beautiful!"

"You look stunning!"

Paul and I say practically at the same time. Paul is quick to stare daggers at me.

"I'll just be waiting in my truck," and I head to do just that. 

           I watch from my rear view mirror as she smiles at Paul, who opens the passenger side door for her. As she is waiting for him to get in to drive, our eyes meet. I feel like I have been punched in the gut. I should be the one driving her, dancing with her, and kissing her. Our connection is lost as Paul closes his door and says something to cause her to look his way. I start my truck and let them drive ahead as I follow along to what might be a very long night.

            The barn dance is actually in a barn. There are several people already milling about or sitting on hay bales. The place is lit with a warm glow from the string lights draped from one side to the other. There's a refreshment table on the left, and the other side has a makeshift stage with a band tuning up their instruments. A record player with a large stack of albums sits beside them, and in the center of the barn is the open dance floor. I quickly spot MaryBeth near the refreshments. Once she sees us, she waves excitedly and hurries over. She, too, looks great in a red and black checkered dress. Her blond hair falls onto her shoulders in big bouncy curls with a black ribbon tied to make a headband.

"Hey you! I'm glad you came," she says and smiles ear to ear. I can't help but smile back. I'm truly glad to see her. She exudes a happiness that is catching, and I think tonight was a good idea, after all.

"How could I turn down a chance to spend time with you?" I tease.

"Well, that is true," she answers playfully with a wink. "Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone." 

               She grabs my hand and pulls me away from Rebecca and Paul. I glance back at them with a shrug and a smile. Rebecca lifts her hand in farewell, and I lose sight of them as the crowd thickens around me. MaryBeth does seem to know everyone. We go from one group to another with her introducing me as her new friend. Never once does she mention that I'm a work hand for Rebecca's father. It confirms just how kind and thoughtful she is. After meeting the town of Bloomfield, we go to get some punch and take a seat on a nearby hay bale. For a moment, we watch the line dancing as the band plays one country song after another.