Free Not Quite A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Brides) by Susan Leigh Carlton Page B

the house, he told Grace they were to be his guests at dinner. “How kind of you Luke. I do appreciate it. It will be nice to have someone else do the cooking for a change.”
     
    Luke told everyone, “I’m going to the barber shop for a bath, a shave and a haircut, then I am going to the hotel and enjoy the luxury of of a nap.”
     
    Grace said, “Out with it Martha. What have you done with the real Luke Hastings, and who is this impostor?” Everyone enjoyed the joke at Luke’s expense.
     
    “I think I’ll send Jedadiah over to join you. In the shave and haircut, not the bath and nap,” Sarah said.
     
    Jokingly, Martha said, “Do you suppose we could get a nice hot bath at the barber shop?”
     
    “The old coots hanging out there would enjoy that,” Sarah said.
     
    “You two are scandalous, you know that?” said Grace.
     
    Jed chose that moment to walk in with John. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
     
    Grace said, “Sarah and Martha are going to the barber shop and get a bath.”
     
    “They’re what?” spluttered John. Then he realized his leg was being pulled. The room convulsed with laughter.
     
    “You see what I have to put up with every day,” Jed appealed to no one in particular. “Wait up Luke, I guess I’m going with you.”
     
    * * *
     
    The Laramie Catlemen’s dance was being held in the association’s meeting hall. The wives of association members had done some rudimentary decorating. Tables had been set up along the walls while the center was to be used for the dances. Admission to the dance was $2, with ladies admitted free. The price of admission included free non-alcohol drinks, however, it would be foolhardy to assume there was no whiskey at the dance.
     
    Arriving at the hall, Luke quickly snagged a table for the group. The music began for the first dance, a fast paced two step. “If you’re willing to take a chance of being stepped on, Let’s give this one a try.” He took Martha’s warm, soft hand and led her to the floor. As they began to move around the floor, he said, “You’re a good dancer, way beyond what I can do.”
     
    “There wasn’t much else to do in Owego when Daniel and I were courting,” she said.
     
    “I’d better watch my feet, else these boots will stomp all over your feet.”
     
    “You’re doing fine, besides, I’d rather you look at me than your boots.” she said as he guided her around the floor. She covertly studied this tall, handsome man who was her escort. He had a firm jaw, dark hair and the deep blue pools that were his eyes were alive with light. They sparkled when he smiled. “He really should smile more often,” she thought.
     
    There were a few near collisions with some of the more enthusiastic dancers, but Luke successfully evaded them. At the end of the dance, they stood in the middle of the floor and applauded the musicians. As they stood there, his nearly six foot frame, seven inches taller than her five feet four inches, he saw dark brown hair that had been brushed to a lustrous shine. Her skin was flawless. He saw not one blemish and the feel of the hand he was holding was as soft and smooth as any baby. “She may well be the prettiest woman I have ever seen.”
     
    The orchestra began playing the Blue Danube, a waltz where partners have physical contact with the bodies of each other. As they danced, she could feel Luke grow more and more tense as they danced. “You think Clara is watching and feels betrayed, don’t you Luke?” she thought. “You wish she was the one you’re holding. That’s not very flattering, Luke.” When the music ended, she thought, “I almost think I felt a sigh of relief.”
     
    Luke and Jed exchanged partners for the next dance. Jed was a good dancer, as was Martha and they partnered together well. Watching Luke and Sarah, he appeared relaxed and enjoying himself. She and Clara had been friends. She was married and no threat.
     
    As they sat out the next piece, she watched