*Author's Note*

Thank you for the reviews.

I had to break up the barn dance into two parts or it would be too long. Here's the first part. Enjoy!

Barn Dance Pt.1

Novella POV:

The night of the barn dance had arrived and I was actually feelin' a bit nervous. Yes, I've been to barn dances before, but it was never nothin' like this. All those other times I was single and went with Nancy and Jefferson cause one of them invited me. This time I'm goin' as a taken woman with Tolbert. I know we're courtin' and everythin' between us, whether I like it or not, is set in stone, but goin' somewhere that everybody will realize we're together's a bit overwhelmin'.

Okay, maybe the entire situation with Tolbert's overwhelmin' to me. He's like a riddle I can't figure out. I used to think I had him down, that he was just a mean hot-headed jackass, but now I don't know what to think. A few days ago he actually seemed like he cared 'bout me or at least he seemed to care 'bout my blistered up hand.

I was standin' in front of my mirror fixin' up my hair into the only style I could manage without my hair strayin' and lookin' messy. A simple half updo tied with a black ribbon. I rarely pulled my hair back, optin' to just keep it down most of the time. I only pulled it back with bows for church and for this dance I'm goin' to tonight.

"Novella, dear, Tolbert's here!" I heard Uncle Perry call out from down stairs as I fiddled with my bow, straightin' it for the umpteenth time.

"I'll be right down!" I shouted back as I rushed over to where I had my shawl hangin' up on my desk chair. Quickly I tossed the white crocthed thing 'round my shoulders before walkin' out of my room. As I walked down the hallway towards the staircase I couldn't help, but wonder if my choice of white blouse and tartan skirt was right or if I should've picked somethin' nicer like a church dress to wear. This was my first date with Tolbert, what if he's expectin' me to be dressed up.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I took my first step down the stairs. In just a few short moments I descended the stairs and rounded the corner, walkin' into the parlor room where I assumed Uncle Perry was sittin' with Tolbert. As soon as I set eyes on my intended I knew I didn't any anythin' to worry 'bout when it came to my state of dress, he was wearin' his everyday clothes and not his church ones.

"Hi, Tolbert." I greeted him, my voice small as I broke the casual conversation between him and my uncle 'bout the corn harvest.

"Ella…" My name rolled off of Tolbert's tongue as he shot up from his spot in his chair. He looked me over and grinned while givin' me a velvety comment of, "You look awfully purty t'nite."

"Thank you. You're awfully strikin' yourself." I replied with a smile, my voice soundin' a bit more light and sparklin' then usual.

My uncle cleared his throat, causing the light complimentary flirtin' between me and Tolbert to come to a sudden end. "I expect ya'll to behave accordingly at the dance."

"We will, Uncle Perry." I answered while at the same time Tolbert quickly gave my uncle a curt, "Yes, Sir."

The ride to the barn dance was eerily quiet. Neither of us were talkin' as we rode down the path in the dark woods. I'm not sure why tho. Maybe it was cause of the solidarity of us officially goin' out somewhere as a courtin' couple was truly hittin' us now. The truth that me and him were more or less a done deal was heavy and loomed in the dark, eerie air.

"We should be there soon." Tolbert's velvet words broke the silence in the crisp airy woods we were travelin' in. "Jim's s'posed to be bringin' some girl."

"You mean Lissa Jackson?" I inquired, whippin' my head 'round to look at Tolbert instead of the dark outlines of trees I had been lookin' at.

"Reckon so, didn't ask him too much 'bout it." Rolled off his tongue as we rode down the dark wooded dirt road.

While shakin' my head I sarcastically snipped, "Well ain't you a nice brother. Not even worried 'bout Jim's affairs."

Tolbert's velvet voice flared up as he quickly retorted with, "Why should I be? Got my own affairs to worry 'bout."

Right, of course he's too busy worryin' bout me and our future to give a rat's ass 'bout his older brother. "Yea."

Our conversation died off and we returned to silence, but this time it didn't feel eerie.

The barn the dance was being held in was large. Hay bales were stacked up all over the place to be used as makeshift seats. Of course, a long table was set up against a wall with refreshments and a few tables and chairs were scatted 'round the barn as well.

Mostly the ladies attendin' the dance grabbed a drink from the punch bowl at the long table, the men usually brought their own flasks filled with corn likker. A few ladies, like my cousin Nancy, just took a swig from the flask of a man they knew. I myself was guilty of swiggin' from a corn likker flask once or twice. My male McCoy cousins were never shy when it came to sharin' their corn likker with kin.

Me and Tolbert were holdin' hands as we quietly made our way to the makeshift dance floor. I knew he wasn't a dancer, so I assumed him bringin' us to the dance floor was for my entertainment.

"Well, I'll be damned. 'Bout time you two fools get t'gother." Came the sharp sing-song tone that belonged to Nancy as she strolled up to us, stoppin' us from our dance.

"Yer gon'be a real McCoy now." Jefferson grinned, albeit drunkenly, while placing a hand on each of me and Tolbert's shoulders after appearin' out of thin air.

"Can't ya'll just leave us be. We're tryin' to dance." Tolbert gruffly snapped at our cousins, his face startin' to turn red with anger and frustration.

"Fine, but it's not like yer gonna be dancin' that long." Nancy rolled her eyes before grabbin' Jefferson by his sleeve and draggin' him off.

Once our cousins were gone me and Tolbert started to dance. Tolbert was a tiny bit clumsy and stepped on my toes at times, but all in all he wasn't that bad. I was surprised that he could keep up with the rhythm of the fiddle and banjo bein' played since he never danced much before at these things.

I just smiled at him, lettin' out a small giggle as he quickly spun me 'round before beingin' me close to his chest and dancin' in a swayin' motion with me. Tolbert grinned at me while chucklin', "Glad yer enjoyin' this, cause yer the only lady t'get me on a dance floor."

His words were lick a bucket of icy water bein' dumped over my head. I really held that much power over him? Me, little ol' me with my copper tangles, freckled nose, and cornflower blue eyes, made Tolbert want to dance?

"I'm flattered." Was my response as we continued to dance on the crowded barn floor.

Tolbert just winked before smirkin' at me and spinnin' me 'round once more.

I was sittin' on a hay bale with Tolbert. We were takin' a break from dancin' while watchin' Nancy rush 'round callin' out for her drunken brother as she looked for him. "Want some?" Tolbert asked, nudging my arm with his glass flask, full of his home brewed corn likker.

"Sure." I smiled, taking the flask and causin' our fingertips to brush slightly. I put the glass bottle to my lips and tipped it back, allowing some of the warm smooth bitin' liquid to flow down my throat. "Ooo, that's the good stuff there. No after taste." I complimented Tolbert on the smoothness of his 'shine as I passed him back his flask.

I had to hand it to Tolbert, he made good likker. Unlike Johnse Hatfield who makes 'shine with a strong kickback that can sometimes induce coughin' fits. Tolbert always calls Hatfield hooch over priced horse piss that dumbasses get bamboozled into buyin'. As I understand Johnse's corn likker's a quarter cheaper then Tolbert's, but as my Uncle Perry always says you get what you pay for.

"Glad ya like it. Can't have my future wife hatin' my product now, can I?" Tolbert smirked, teasin' me as he took the glass bottle back from me.

"Nope, can't have that." I lightly remarked with a reasin' smile as Tolbert took a drink from the small glass bottle.

Tolbert pointed to the left with his flask while tellin' me, "Look, there's Jim with some girl."

"She's Lissa Jackson, the girl he's been likin' and callin' on for months now." I informed Tolbert, correctin' him on the identity of his older brother's date.

"Oh. Guess two of us'll be marryin' and movin' out then."

"Reckon so, but I think we'll be married 'fore them since you're insistin' on a short courtship."

"We've grown up t'gether, know each other good 'nough by now." Tolbert remarked before takin' a swig from his flask. "Don't matter if we wait or get married right 'way, love comes in time. Rather be married when it comes tho."

Tolbert's logic made sense. Never in a million years did I think I'd be getting' swayed by Tolbert, but he had a way with thinkin' and words that I never knew he did. When he wasn't egged on and in a hot-headed mood actin' on his temper he was actually level headed and logical. Tolbert kept provin' to be more then what he seemed.

Before I could say anything back I noticed Mary glaring harshly at me. She was one of Lissa's friends and it was no secret that she had her eye on Tolbert. I think she hated me right now for bein' with him.

"Is she givin' you or me the evil eye?" Tolbert asked, havin' caught Mary's glare as well.

"Me I think." I answered before goin' on to explain, "That's Mary Butcher, one of Lissa's friends and one of the girls that like you."

"Bitch needs t'get over herself. Go find a man that wants her." Tolbert gruffly let out, rolling his eyes before taking a swig from the flask. Can't say that Tolbert's remark surprised me cause it didn't. I wouldn't expect anythin' less from his ill-tempered ass.

Tolbert shot Mary a mean look, starlin' her and makin' her run off somewhere. "How nice of you, Tolbert. Now she's runnin' scared."

Tolbert just shrugged and took a sip of his flask before passin' it to me with a thin smirk. I smiled back at him as I took the flask. After a small sip I handed it back to him. He just stared at me as he took the flask, causing our fingers to brush.

It was an intense stare that seemed to place us into a trance. Neither of us could look away. His smoky-blues were locked onto my cornflower ones. Tolbert leaned in while raisin' a hand and gently placin' it on my cheek. Before I could even think Tolbert's lips, firm, but smooth, pressed against mine a bit hesitantly in a kiss. Since it was my first time bein' kissed I wasn't quite sure what to do, which is probably why Tolbert pulled back and looked at me questioningly.

I just looked at him, but whatever he saw reflected in my eyes was enough of an answer for him cause he leaned his face back into mine and kissed me again. This time his lips brushed against mine with confidence. I had no idea what I was doin' so I just followed his lead and moved my lips against his, much in the same way he was doin' to me. Without thinkin' I wrapped an arm 'round his shoulder and placed my hand against the nape of his neck.

"You two stop yer smoochin'! I can't find Jefferson, I need help!" Nancy screamed at us, causin' us to quickly pull away from each other and end our lip lockin'.

"Yer timin' stinks Nance." Tolbert grumbled, clearly upset that our kissin' was halted almost as soon as it started.

"Ya'll can get back to it once I find my brother." Nancy sneered at Tolbert. "Come on, Novella, yer helpin' my find Jefferson." She told me as she grabbed my hand and pulled me down from the hale bale, draggin' me off with her to hunt down her drunker than a skunk brother.