Chapter Thirty
"Now?" Mart Riley asked his oldest brother.
Colin shook his head.
"Not yet. We want to be sure that Sherman and McAllister are too far away to do anything. Distracted even."
"Besides, Jeannie's not here yet," Jim added. "Our little sister is late as usual. That girl doesn't take orders very well. You told her to be here when this shindig got under way."
"She'll be here or I'll tan her hide good when we get home," Colin said. "She's an important part of our plan."
Jess leaned over and tried to massage his aching ankle. He hated to admit that Slim was right, but he knew he'd overdone it. Being the kind of person who had difficulty sitting still he'd gone with Cam and Mike to give Duncan a run before locking him in the barn prior to leaving for the fair. All the while knowing it was already bothering him. Then after winning the pie eating contest he'd chased the two imps who had set him up. Added to that he hadn't soaked it, had walked around at the fair all day, walked back to the house and now to the dance. It sure didn't look like he was going to be doing much dancing tonight. He'd be lucky to get back to the McAllisters without it giving way on him.
"You doin' okay pard?"
Jess looked up to see Slim, with Karen Dunnigan on his arm, looking him over.
"Hope I don't look as bad as I feel," the Texan thought as he grinned at his partner.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Sure you are," Slim's frown was skeptical. Karen looked concerned.
"Gonna introduce me to this lady or what?" Jess was opting for distraction now.
The rancher gave him a look that said he wasn't fooled but introduced the two.
"Karen Dunnigan, this is my friend Jess Harper that I told you about."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Jess."
"Same here," Jess smiled.
"Mattie! There you are!" Gordon and Victoria joined them. "Jess. How's the ankle?"
"Fine."
Gordon gave him a skeptical look that mirrored the one on Slim's face. "Sure it is."
Slim and Gordon exchanged looks while rolling their eyes.
"Since Gordon seems to have forgotten his manners, I'll introduce myself," Victoria said holding out her hand. "I'm Victoria Compton."
"Ma'am." Jess used all of his innate Southern charm as he smiled and kissed the back of her hand causing her to blush.
"How about some punch girls?" Slim suggested.
"Sounds wonderful," Karen said.
"Vicky?"
'Yes, please," she responded as she and Karen took seats on either side of Jess.
The men went to the end of the refreshment table to get cups of punch for everyone, including Jess.
They sat and talked for a few minutes before returning their empty cups. The two couples then swapped partners and made their way to the dance floor once again where the band was now playing a lively polka.
Jess looked on enviously He wouldn't admit it to Slim but he was sorry he hadn't stayed home with the two youngsters. It wasn't much fun sitting on the sidelines watching his two friends dance the night away with two lovely ladies all night.