Chapter 3
Seth and Maureen arrived at the dance promptly at seven. Seth had hoped to avoid meeting Jessica on the way in, and he'd chivvied Maureen out the door when he picked her up. That cast an awkward pall over the drive over. Seth hoped things would improve when they began mingling with the other couples. He had a sense of foreboding, not quite dread, as he escorted her through the door. Ridiculous, he thought. He stifled a sigh. He hadn't liked the way he'd left things with Jessica, but what was the alternative? He knew what he wanted, and he knew she wasn't able to give it to him. Perhaps he could find some happiness with Maureen. His conscience tweaked him at that. It wasn't right to use her as a proxy, but perhaps he could fall in love with her, now that the path was more or less clear. She was an attractive, intelligent woman. He felt a frisson of excitement when he kissed her. He found Maureen to be warm and receptive, and physical attraction was as good a foundation as any. Perhaps he could relax with her, perhaps he could allow someone else in, stop being alone. He tightened his grip on her as they made their way through the room. He spied a table in the corner and steered her towards it.
Maureen looked up at him. "A dark corner, Dr. Hazlitt?" She grinned.
Seth looked down at her and smiled. It felt phony, and he felt sick, but he soldiered on. "We're going to have a nice evening, Maureen." He pulled her chair out and settled her in.
"Thank you, Seth." She looked around, smiling. "What's on the agenda for tonight?"
"Eating, dancing, avoiding the worst Cabot Covers."
Maureen laughed. "Then why are we sitting here with our backs to the wall? We're pretty far from a viable exit."
Seth barked a laugh. "I wanted to see 'em coming, but I didn't think through our escape. We might have to slip out the back."
"I trust you, Seth," said Maureen lightly.
Seth let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He squeezed her hand gently. "Sounds like the music's starting. Would you care to dance?"
"I'd love to," she said and allowed Seth to help her up and escort her to the dance floor.
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Jessica fretted over what to wear and what time to arrive. Finally she decided to arrive at least an hour into the dance, and she arranged for a taxi. She still had plenty of time to get ready, but she had no idea what to wear. She'd been anxious and preoccupied all week. She'd made no headway on her novel, and she hadn't seen hide nor hair of Seth since their last terrible conversation.
She'd participated in the preparations for the dance in a desultory way. Usually, she became the de facto leader of the committee, and Seth followed her around, helping some, but mostly making pointed, witty comments that had her nearly dissolving in laughter. She hadn't realized how he lifted her heart. She'd cried, actually cried, after he left that morning. That wasn't like her at all. Was she becoming a weepy, doddering old woman? She heard Frank's soothing voice in her ear. "You, Jessie? Never." How she missed him! And how she missed Seth. It was all so mixed up, and she didn't like that at all. She liked all the puzzle pieces to fit.
Seth had offered her a chance to be with him, for them to be together, and she'd tossed it back. Why hadn't she thrown herself in his arms? That's not like you, Jess. She sighed. How could she look him in the eye tonight? How could she face them tonight? She'd just have to brazen it out. Suddenly an infamous scene from Gone With The Wind appeared in her mind's eye: the scene where Rhett forces Scarlett to attend Ashley's birthday party. She knew exactly which dress she'd wear tonight.
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The dance was in full swing now. He and Maureen danced several times, sampled the buffet, and endured the seemingly endless parade of people wanting to meet her and converse with them. All in all, Seth was pleased with the evening, but he knew Jessica hadn't arrived yet, which mystified him. The dance had been going on for a good hour, and usually she was one of the first to arrive at any Cabot Cove event. She was oddly punctual that way. In fact, he'd expected her to be early. It was strange, given the importance she ascribed to Founders Day, that she wasn't already here. He felt Maureen touch his arm.
"Seth?"
"Yes?"
"You seem a million miles away. Everything ok?"
"Of course!" Seth boomed guiltily. He patted her hand. "I'm having a wonderful time. You?"
"Yes, I'm really enjoying myself. I do need to excuse myself for just a moment."
"I'll be right here when you get back," promised Seth.
He watched as Maureen weaved confidently through the crowd, noting that Eve and Phyllis made a beeline toward her. Poor Maureen! Well, he was certain she could handle those two.
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Eve and Phyllis had the grace to allow Maureen to use the facilities before engaging her in conversation.
"Lovely evening tonight, isn't it?" began Eve.
"Oh, yes," agreed Phyllis. "The Founders Day Dance is always lots of fun. Are you enjoying yourself, Maureen?"
Maureen paused in the act of reapplying her lipstick and glanced at their reflection in the mirror. "I'm having a marvelous time." She smiled and expertly applied a final swipe of lipstick to her bottom lip.
"How long have you known our dear Dr. Hazlitt?"
"Several months now."
Eve exchanged a look with Phyllis. "But surely you've not been seeing each other that long?"
"Oh, no. We've only been seeing each other for a few weeks now."
"I see," said Eve thoughtfully. "Things seem to be going well."
"I'd say so."
"I suppose you've met Jessica?"
"Yes, we met last Sunday as a matter of fact. Seth and I were down at the docks. He was showing me around Cabot Cove. Such a charming town."
"Yes," said Phyllis absently. "I've not seen Jessica tonight. She's usually quite prompt. Early even. She takes her responsibilities as our leading citizen quite seriously."
Maureen arched an eyebrow. "Does she indeed?"
Phyllis put up her hands. "I don't mean that the way it sounded. I just mean Jessica is a sort of self-appointed ambassador for the Cove. You understand."
Maureen smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's been a pleasant chat, ladies, but I've left Seth waiting for me."
The women nodded at Maureen as she left, and Eve rolled her eyes as the door closed. "I don't see that one lasting too long."
Phyllis shook her head in agreement. "She's not the one for Seth."
Eve grimaced. "We both know who that is, and so far she's ceded the field."
Phyllis grinned. "Come on, Eve. The night's still young! Jessica could show her face any minute."
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Seth scanned the room and felt a prickle at the back of his neck. He turned to see Jessica framed in the doorway. "My God," he breathed. She was wearing a figure-hugging red dress, cut somewhat low in the front, lower than he'd ever seen her wear in Cabot Cove. The skirt swung gently around her hips and fell to her knees. She was wearing heels that made her legs seem ten feet long. She looked stunning.
Her gaze swept right over him, and he found himself starting toward her, but he caught himself just in time. Maureen. You're here with Maureen. He noted that all of the men were looking at her, and he felt unreasonably jealous. He saw Howard Bracknell weave over to her. Seth snorted. A little over an hour in, and you could count on Howard to be three sheets. Jessica nodded politely at him, and he drew her to the dance floor. "Why that...," Seth sputtered. He watched Howard like a hawk. He was known to have wandering hands. Why Jess would agree to dance with him was a mystery beyond his capability of solving. As he watched them dance, he felt his chest tighten and he shook his head. Maureen, he reminded himself. You're here with Maureen. The song ended, but Howard wouldn't let go of Jess. As he heard the familiar tinkle of piano keys from a favorite song of his, Seth began walking towards the dance floor.
Crazy, I'm crazy for feeling so lonely
I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so blue
He tapped Howard on the shoulder and leaned in so Howard could hear. "I'm cutting in, Howard."
Something in Seth's demeanor caused Howard to swallow the argument he was about to make. He handed Jess to Seth with poor grace and wandered off the dance floor. Seth turned to Jessica, smoothly gathering her in his arms.
I knew you'd love me as long as you wanted
And then someday you'd leave me for somebody new
They swayed slowly, each staring intently at the other. The feel of her in his arms, the smooth slide of her dress under his hands, the light scent of her perfume tickling his nose was all so overwhelming. It took all the discipline he could muster to hold himself apart from Jessica. He just swayed with her to the music, letting that tender, evocative voice wash over him.
Worry, why do I let myself worry?
Wondering what in the world did I do?
He pressed their joined hands against his chest, just over his heart, and he felt her move just a hair's breadth closer.
Oh, crazy for thinking that my love could hold you
Without conscious thought, he let his other hand drift down to her lower back, pulling her closer still. He felt her cheek against his, and he saw in his mind's eye the delicate curve of her neck, the creamy expanse of her chest, lightly dusted with freckles, that he might one day press his lips against.
I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying
And I'm crazy for loving you
He pressed his mouth against her jaw, against the warm hollow under her ear. He heard her sharp intake of breath and felt her shiver in his arms, and Seth felt his own tears threaten.
Crazy for thinking that my love could hold you
I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he felt eyes on them, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He was holding Jess in his arms, and he was clasping her to him just as eagerly as she was burrowing into him. He could feel the fluttering of her heart, which matched the excited thrum of his own.
And I'm crazy for loving you
The music stopped, but he and Jessica continued to sway together on the dance floor, oblivious to those around them.
"Seth?"
Seth started, abruptly dropping his arms from Jessica's back. "Maureen! I-"
Maureen turned on her heel and stalked toward the door. Seth flung a last, desperate look at Jessica, then followed in Maureen's wake.
A/N: I guess it's no secret now that Seth and I both are big Patsy Cline fans. This song is a particular favorite, but you really can't go wrong with any of Patsy's songs.