I looked up at the dance floor, my heart sinking. I looked at Ben, not wanting to let go of his hand. The next thing I knew George Straither had taken my hand away and was pulling me up the stairs. I had to run to keep up. I looked back for a second at Ben, and he was showing an expression of consternation and, was it sorrow? I tore my eyes away as I quickly got into position.

I heard the strains of the music begin to play the introduction. I squared my shoulders and closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me. Back east, my father made me take dance lessons, and my teacher said I was the best in the class. The dancing out here was different: the moves were the same but it was wilder, free, and open and… wonderful.

I glanced over and saw that the Pontipees had climbed up on the platform and were watching us. I felt a pang of pity as I realized they must not know what to do. If this was their first barn-raising, how would they know about dancing?

I gathered my apron up in my hands and focused my gaze back on my partner. No matter how he may act, he is a terrific dancer. There are few things I enjoy as much as I do dancing. When the time came to start the dance, there was a huge smile on my face.

I could feel someone staring at me. I hoped it was Ben. I stole a glance as we promenaded, but he wasn't in my line of sight. As we whirled around to walk the other direction, I saw him. He was staring at me. I gave him a small smile but his expression remained grim.

I turned my head and went back to the dance, determined to ignore him. George Straither was holding me close, closer than I liked. I pushed him back and he got the message, although that smug smirk was still on his face. I knew it would only be a matter of time before he was pressing again.

I closed my eyes and focused. The music and the dance was all I needed. Forget about Ben standing behind you. Forget that George Straither is a louse. Just dance. I opened my eyes and smiled at George Straither.

As he spun me out, the smile was still on my face as I looked out and saw Ben. My smile faltered. He was still frowning.

I could see out of the corner of my eye that three of the girls had broken off and were dancing with some of the brothers. I looked up at George Straither, at the smirk on his face and how I wished that I could do so too.

The next thing I knew I was grabbed from behind, twirled around and I found myself in Ben's arms. My smile came back, so wide that my cheeks hurts. We fit together. My heart leapt and pounded.

I closed my eyes and danced in Ben's arms. When I opened my eyes he was smiling. The dance became more difficult and I could see that Ben was slightly behind, his movements shuffle-y and not precise.

Then all of a sudden, George Straither was there in front of me, cutting me off from Ben. He took my hand and whirled me away. As we danced in a circle I could see the brothers together in a group, obviously miffed.

I saw one of the Pontipees advance towards Sarah and her partner, an angry look in his eyes. All of a sudden Milly burst onto the floor and was shaking her finger at him, leading the brothers to the side.

We all stopped dancing to watch. I watched the man in the red shirt dance with Milly, and I swayed to the music. Waltzes were fun, and I knew the steps perfectly, but nothing could ever give me a rush like this. I imagined Ben twirling and lifting me like that.

The music changed, two other brothers displaying their dancing prowess now. It had turned into a battle of sorts: the Pontipees versus the town boys.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Ben. He had a proud look on his face, but he was standing solidly, hands resting on his belt buckle. He showed no sign that he would participate in this dance.

Before I had a chance to realize what was happening, the action had moved off the dance floor to the area where the building supplies were being worked on.

I followed the rest of the girls slowly, hanging back until Ben had passed me. I stood, slightly apart from the other girls, knowing Ben was only a few feet away

I was concentrating, on their movements and how they fit to the music perfectly. It was like it had been planned out beforehand, and I smiled at the thought. The music changed again and I found myself again in Ben's arms, heading back towards the dance floor, when all of a sudden, we stopped. The brother in the purple shirt bumped into George Straither. I froze as I saw him make a fist and start to bring it up. George Straither was ready with a little smirk on his face. The brother stopped, opened his fist and offered it to George Straither. I smiled again. We were having such a wonderful time; it would be a shame if a fight broke out.

Then they were up on the boards, having some sort of an arm wrestle. I never knew George Straither was so strong. I watched as the one in the purple shirt went down. Then Caleb was up there, giving it a try.

"Come on Caleb!" I shouted; glad to be able to participate. Caleb was the only one I knew besides Ben. I gave a moan of disappointment as he fell too.

"Take 'em Frank." Ben yelled as the one in the red shirt jumped up. "You can do it." It was a tense moment, and the moment was shattered by Frank's triumphant win. I cheered loudly and looked at Ben, who was looking at me with a huge smile on his face.

"Frank's the strongest of us all." Ben said as he watched his brother with pride.

I nodded eagerly and kept my eyes fixed on the 'battle'. The five of them started a routine and I felt myself being pulled away by George Straither. And then we were back on the dance floor, spinning and whirling. I was lifted into the air, and I couldn't help but wonder how high Ben could lift me.

We stopped spinning and started the final curtsies. The pause came and I knew what I was going to do. I ran over to Ben and jumped into his arms. He didn't move a muscle and I shifted a little so that I could have a better hold on him.

I didn't want him to let me go, but when the others were put down he gently lowered me to the floor. "Thank you." I said softly.

"Any time."

A/N: I hope I did an okay job with this. At first I wasn't going to describe the dance at all, but then I was watching the scene and I thought "How can I NOT?"