Only The Goode Spy Forever

Chapter 113: The Hoedown Date Part 3

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." -Romans 8:18

    Annalise Goode felt way more excited for the real hoedown. It was Saturday, and her school was going to the huge Roseville barn for a hoedown. The teachers thought it would be good to get the Blackthorne boys acclimated to the town before the fall. They also thought it would be good for the students to socialize with the townies. Anna had had enough socializing to last a lifetime, but she put on a good face anyways. 

    Anna put on her purple flannel, and she let Diana put 2 French braids in her hair. She looked like a wannabe country girl, but she didn't tell Diana that. Diana's shiny black hair was pulled into low pigtails. They would have looked childish on anyone else, but they looked gorgeous on Diana. Caroline sported matching hair with Anna, but she wore a bright yellow flannel. 

    "Ready to go, Angel?" A kind voice asked. Anna beamed at her future sister-in-law. 

    "Wow. You look like a real cowgirl," Anna said, taking Bree in. She had on a dark green flannel, Miss Me jeans, real cowgirl boots, a white cowgirl hat, and a huge belt buckle that said 'rodeo princess.'

     "What can I say," Bree joked. "I'm a Kansas girl at heart."

    "She's a princess," Chase laughed as he came up behind her. He slipped a hand around her waist.

    "I was rodeo princess right before I came here," Bree explained. She blushed. "Ready to go?"

    "I actually have a date," Annalise admitted. Bree grinned, but Chase looked stunned.

    "Anyone but Peyton," Chase muttered.

   "Tough luck, Goode," Peyton said as he stepped into the doorway. He was wearing a white button down, jeans, and black boots. He had a bouquet of daisies in hand. "Are you ready, Annie?"

    "Yes," Anna smiled. She took his arm and smelled the daisies. She locked eyes with Chase. He looked worried. "Relax, we're going as friends. That's all we are, old friends." Anna turned and her and Peyton walked out the door and left for town.

    "Why didn't you get me flowers?" Bree said, elbowing Chase. She gave him a teasing grin.

    "I got you a ring instead," he joked back. Bree grabbed his arm and they exited for town.

      When Anna and Peyton got to the barn, their mouths dropped. There were gorgeous string lights going across the entire barn. Old western wear was used as decor. There were even horses stationed outside of the barn. 

     "Do you want to dance?" Peyton asked. Anna nodded. He pulled her onto the dance floor, wrapped one strong arm around her waist, then grabbed her other hand with his large one. They began the two step. Anna knew how from culture and assimilation. She suspected Bex had taught Peyton. Rebecca Newman loved to dance. Anna turned her head to watch Chase swing Bree across the entire dance floor. Bree was laughing the whole time. Their swing dancing was fabulous.

        Sometimes, Anna found Bree to be so strange. One minute she was the perfect southern bell, showing off her Kansas rancher roots. The next minute, she looked like the Princess of Wales, showing off her British roots. The two sides of Bree's family were so different. Then again, so were Anna's. Hers was the difference between good and evil.

      "Did your dad teach you?" Peyton asked, snapping Annalise out of her thoughts.

    "What?"

    "The two step."

    "Oh, no. Culture and Assimilation class. Did your mom teach you?"

    "Of course," Peyton laughed. "No one tears up the dance floor quite like my mother."  Anna laughed. Being here with Peyton made her forget what it was like to have a broken heart. That's when she heard the voice.