Chapter 8

The wedding day dawned clear and bright. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, though the temperatures were rather warm. Still, it promised to be a beautiful day. Emma awoke, feeling a bit sick to her stomach. She wasn't sure if she was going to make it through the day or not.

The rehearsal the night before went well. Audra was being attended by Nick, while Emma and Jarrod were to stand together. Audra had loaned Emma a simple dress that was appropriate for the occasion, so Emma didn't have to wear her usual ranch clothes.

After the rehearsal, Heath, Nick, and Jarrod went to the saloon for Heath's last night of "freedom" as Nick called it. Sarah smiled when Jarrod winked at her and whispered in her ear, "He doesn't know the meaning of the word freedom." Sarah kissed her husband and told him to have a good time. Jarrod promised Cassie he would watch over Heath and make sure he didn't have too much of a hangover in the morning.

Emma heard the three men returning just after midnight. Jarrod helped a drunk Nick into the house. Heath had only had a few drinks, not wanting to risk waking up the next morning with a raging headache.

Sarah asked Emma to come to the house around nine o'clock that morning to get dressed. They didn't want to risk the dress getting dirt or grime on it in the tack room and Emma agreed. She would use one of the guest rooms and Audra was going to fix her hair.

Emma looked at the pocket watch she kept on a small shelf next to her bed. It had been her father's and she took it with her wherever she went. It said it was just after seven-thirty. She still had some time. Emma dressed and continued to think about her problem of not knowing how to dance. She should have said something to Sarah or even Cassie, but let the time get away from her. What was she going to do?

She walked out of the tack room and decided to take a short stroll. Maybe she wouldn't have to dance with anyone anyway. She could find a way to keep busy so that no one would ask. Emma wasn't watching where she was going when she bumped into someone. She looked up to see Nick standing before her.

"Sorry," he mumbled. It was clear he was feeling the effects from the previous night's celebration in town.

"That's all right."

Nick may have had a hangover, but he still noticed that Emma seemed distracted.

"You nervous about today?"

Emma had just planned on walking past, but Nick's voice stopped her. This was the first time he had tried to engage her in any conversation and right now she needed a friend.

"I am, but not for the reason you think."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, concerned.

Emma took a deep breath. She decided to confide in Nick.

"I was fine with being in the wedding until..."

"Until?"

"Nick, I don't know how to dance! And I know it will be expected of me to at least dance once! What am I going to do?"

Nick thought for a moment. He didn't know any women who didn't know how to dance. He knew plenty who couldn't, but none who had never learned. He looked around. They were standing near the barn and Nick motioned for Emma to follow him inside.

She was surprised when he said, "I can show you a few steps that will at least get you started."

Emma smiled up at him.

"Thank you, Nick." Her smile died when she had her next thought. "There's no music."

Nick hadn't thought of this. "Well...we'll just have to pretend to hear the music in our minds. Ready?"

Nick held out his hands to Emma who tentatively took them. He showed her a basic four step that would get her started. She watched her feet, hoping she wouldn't step on his toes. Nick, however, was watching Emma's face closely. She was concentrating hard on her task and Nick found the look on her face to be adorable. He allowed her to watch her feet for few minutes more, then took his finger and put it under her chin. He gently lifted her face so that she would look him in the eyes.

"It's very important to look your partner in the eye," he said softly.

Emma looked Nick in the eyes and noticed again how handsome he was. She had thought so the first time she saw him. Even with the scowl on his face, she thought he was quite attractive.

Nick, having the same thoughts about Emma, drew her closer to himself, loving the feel of her in his arms. She was about a head shorter than he was. Anyone looking in the barn that morning would have seen two people dancing without any music.

Several minutes passed and Emma began to feel warm. Her breathing was becoming difficult as she danced so closely with Nick. Nick, who had talked himself into thinking of Emma as just another ranch hand, was quickly realizing this woman was more than that.

Emma broke away from Nick. She backed away and said, "I should go to the house. Sarah's expecting me."

Nick nodded, feeling disappointment steal through his body. Emma was walking toward the door when she heard Nick ask, "Save a dance for me Emma?"

Emma turned and said, "I would be honored."

The dress that Emma had been chosen to wear fit perfectly. It was as though it had been made for her from the start. Cassie had told her that she and her sister had the same coloring though Megan was a bit taller. As it was, Mrs. Peterson didn't have to do much to get the dress ready and Emma looked beautiful. She knew she would receive a lot of teasing from the ranch hands and hoped that by doing this favor for her friend that she wasn't inviting trouble.

These thoughts left her as she walked into the church. Nick and Jarrod were already standing up front with Heath. All three looked handsome in their dark suits, but Emma thought Nick looked best of all. She knew she was going to have to adjust her thinking where he was concerned. She was his employee after all and had to tell herself not to think of him in a romantic way.

Audra walked down the aisle first and stood opposite of Nick. Emma was next, refusing to look toward her dance instructor. She was afraid he would be able to read her thoughts. If she had looked at him, she would have noticed his tender gaze.

He had thought she was pretty in denim pants and t-shirt. The night before in one of Audra's dresses he had thought she was beautiful. But now, dressed in a beautiful soft green dress and her hair pinned up in an attractive style, he was totally captivated. He schooled his features, remembering at the last minute that Cassie was about to walk down the aisle on the arm of her father.

The wedding was beautiful and everyone who attended thought it was most fitting for the couple. It was simple, yet elegant and most of the town turned out for the event. The reception was held at the Barkley mansion. Emma had guiltily managed to avoid anyone's offer to dance. She pretended to be busy with helping to serve and felt she was going to get away with it until she heard someone say, "If I remember correctly, you promised me a dance."

Emma smiled and turned. Nick, who had danced quite a bit already had come up to stand beside her. Emma had hoped she was blending in well enough not to be noticed.

"I do remember. I'm just nervously avoiding having to show off my new skill."

Nick extended his hand and the two went out onto the dance floor. The song playing wasn't too fast or slow which suited both perfectly. They were enjoying their time together and it was not going unnoticed by others. Sarah, who was feeling tired, watched the couple. She never would have put them together, but thought they looked cute. Jarrod came to stand beside his wife.

"What's that smile about?"

"Just thinking we could be celebrating another wedding sometime in the future."

Jarrod followed his wife's gaze and saw Nick and Emma.

"Now Sarah..."

"Oh, don't 'now Sarah' me. I won't do anything to encourage it. But you must admit, they do look cute together."

Jarrod smiled. Yes, they did look cute, but Jarrod hoped his little brother wouldn't do anything to make Emma feel uncomfortable. If she hadn't been an employee of this ranch, he would probably try to plant ideas in his brother's head. But he didn't think he should interfere right now.

Sarah yawned and Jarrod decided it was time for her to head up to bed. Heath and Cassie had left an hour earlier for the Cattleman's hotel. They would spend the night there and then catch a train to San Francisco and spend a week at Jarrod's and Sarah's townhouse. Their own house, located between the ranch and school, was almost finished. It was in live in condition and Heath would finish the rest, the woodwork and such as he had time.

Jarrod came back down a little later and began to help his mother with the cleanup. Sarah had wanted to help, but Jarrod promised he would take her place because he wanted her to get some much needed rest.