Chapter 6

The next afternoon, I went in search of a dress suitable for the ball, as I didn't have anything very spectacular in my current wardrobe, and I wanted to make Joe proud of me. I had just enough money to spend on a really gorgeous dress, so I decided to reach for the limit. I spent about two hours looking before I found the right one. After paying for it, I took it back to my room, and carefully hung it in the wardrobe. I sighed blissfully. What a night to look forward to! I then set about choosing and arranging my hair accessaries. Suddenly, I realized that I had better buy a new hat, new gloves and new shoes, so, grabbing my purse, I once more headed for the door. It took me even longer to find a suitable hat than it did to find my dress, but, at last, I found it, the perfect pair of gloves and a pretty pair of shoes. Having made sure that the colours matched, I began to feel quite pleased that I was able to find something rather glamorous to wear to the ball. I just hoped Joe would feel proud.

I slept better that night than I had been. I felt quite refreshed the next morning, excitement pumping through my veins. Suddenly, everything seemed more real. I, Elizabeth Watters, was going to the Annual Ball with Joe Cartwright! I felt so lucky to be courting and attending a dance with him.

I was to meet Joe at a local café that day for lunch, so I set off to meet him. We had a lovely, quiet lunch, then we strolled around town.

"Excited about Wednesday?" Joe enquired.

"Oh, yes!" I exclaimed. "It will be my first proper dance. I can't wait!"

"Your first proper dance?" Joe looked at me incredulously.

"Yes. I was never allowed to go to dances. Until I left, that is. I had to grow up somehow." I paused for a breath. "Of course, I could attend picnics, and sometimes there was dancing, but not often." I added.

"Well, since this is gonna be your first real dance, allow me to make it your most enjoyable and memorable evenings."

I already knew, though, that it would be.

After our stroll, Joe had to go back to the Ponderosa to finish his day's work, so I walked around by myself a bit.

Rounding a corner near the General Store, I almost ran into the dear, old lady I had had a few interesting conversations with.

"Oh, hello, my child!" She was evidently pleased to see me. "I haven't seen you for a long time!"

"Yes, sorry about that. I've been…rather busy." I apologized.

"Oh, no need to apologize. In fact, I've been rather busy myself."

"Oh, really?" I said, interested.

"Yes."

I really didn't know what else to say at that point, but she then said, "My second son's wedding is coming up, so I've been helping them prepare and the like."

"That's nice." I said. "How old is your son?" That was lame, I thought.

"Twenty-eight."

After an uncomfortable silence, my elderly friend said, "Well, I'd best be getting on – plenty to do. Goodbye."

"Bye!"

Oh, dear, I thought. I didn't seem very receptive or attentive, did I? Oh, well. There's always next time.

I had a very restless night that night. I kept tossing and turning, worrying about my behaviour towards my elderly friend, yet excited about the ball at the same time. "How can this be?" I murmured to myself. "Worried and upset, yet too excited for words. I don't understand."

I got up and poured myself a glass of water, then headed back to bed. I managed to get to sleep, though it wasn't a very peaceful one.