Free Catherine's Awakening by Joanna Wylde

would be hanging off him at the dance. Of course,
    there wouldn’t be a shortage of partners for her, either. There were always more men
    than women, and by the end of the night some of the cowboys would be dancing with
    each other. Still, it would be nice to arrive with a man as handsome as Wade by her
    side.

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    Catherine’s Awakening
    By the time they reached town they had joined a procession of wagons rolling in
    across the range. It looked like there might be a couple hundred people at the dance,
    most of whom lived far enough away that they’d be spending the night.
    The spring social and dance was an old tradition revived after the war ended. It
    took place inside a barn built by one of the earliest American settlers. He and his ranch
    hands spent days clearing the building out and scouring in preparation for the big
    night. Trestle tables were set up outside for the food, and families from far and wide
    camped out in the pasture surrounding the building. The Sweet River Ranch contingent
    arrived early enough to get a good spot, which Wade and José quickly staked out with
    the tent. Maria and Catherine took care of the food. Everywhere Catherine found faces
    she hadn’t seen for months. She discovered new babies to coo over, new dresses to
    study and enough hugs to keep her busy for hours. Throughout it all, she kept her eyes
    open for George Reynolds. When she spotted him, he gave her a pained look, and a
    sick, nervous sensation raced through her stomach. She put on a smile anyway.
    “Mr. Reynolds!” she called, coming up beside him. “I’m so pleased to see you here.
    Has the board made a decision about the teaching position yet?”
    He coughed, and looked a little nervous.
    “Mrs. Masters, I’m sure you know you are an excellent candidate for the position,”
    he said. “And I’d like very much to offer it to you, but you have to answer one question
    for me. Are you absolutely sure you won’t be leaving the school to marry?”
    She nodded her head firmly.
    “Yes, although I believe I already told you that,” she said. “Has somebody been
    saying something to the contrary?”
    “Your brother-in-law,” Mr. Reynolds replied. “He tells me that he’s going to marry
    you as soon as possible.”
    “And when did he say that?” she asked, her tone ever-so-slightly shrill. The man
    winced, and she backed down immediately, offering him a conciliatory smile. “I mean,
    that doesn’t sound like Wade.”

    55

    Joanna Wylde
    “He told me himself less than ten minutes ago,” he said. “And Mrs. Jackson said
    she saw you two courting in town. Are you sure I’m getting the full story?”
    She nodded her head firmly, although she felt her cheeks heating up. She hated
    blushing, it made her feel like a schoolgirl.
    “I can assure you that Wade Masters and I will not be getting married,” she replied.
    “I guess I can’t do more than offer you my word. Well, my word and a signed contract.”
    The man looked relieved.
    “Well, I guess that’s good enough for me,” he said. “You realize the position won’t
    start until the fall, but you’ll have access to the house as soon as the current term ends.
    We’ll write up the papers the next time you come into town.”
    He stuck his hand out, taking hers and shaking it firmly. She’d never had a man do
    that before, and it felt good. Like she’d accomplished something. And she had. A
    contract for a job, all on her own. A job that came with a house in town.
    She thanked him again and turned away, walking back toward the barn. She’d
    expected to feel triumph, even a gloating sense of victory. Instead she just felt strangely
    empty, and a little disappointed. She wandered into the barn where a trio of local
    musicians warmed up. She knew all of them, exuberant cowboys who were always
    ready to play for a party. They’d make the dancing fun. Maria would probably get her
    wish and dance with Wade. Catherine supposed that she would too. The thought