Chapter 9: The Christmas Dance]
My, don't you two look lovely! Thank you, Virginian. You look really pretty, Josie. Thank you, Jamie. You don't look too bad yourself. Up you go, Josie. Thank you, Jamie. Up you go, little miss. Thanks, Jamie. This dance is going to be so much fun. You'll enjoy it, Jamie. I'm sure I will. I've never been, but everyone's told me how much fun it is. So, what do you want for Christmas, Lottie? A doll. Good choice. And Randy just may be bringing a few of his guests to the dance tonight. So be good and be courteous. Oh, I will, Josie. We're finally here, Lottie. I hope you have fun. There should be other little girls and boys here, too. Down you go, Lottie. Thanks, Jamie. Josie? Thank you, Virginian. You can put your coat here, Lottie. I see Randy and Ellie, Josie. Looks like he did bring a guest with him. Alright, let's go say hello. Hello, Randy, Ellie. How have you been? Hello, Josie. We've been just fine. Hello, again, Lottie. Hi, Randy. I'm pleased to see you again. Same here, Lottie. Hi, Ellie. Nice to see you, Lottie. Would you introduce us to your guest, Randy? Oh, I'm sorry. Josie, Lottie, this is Miss Glory Claiborne. I'm very pleased to meet you, Miss Claiborne. Likewise, Josie. And do call me Glory. Randy's told me a great deal about you and Lottie and your uncle. I thought he already had a niece. Oh yes, Glory, that's my cousin Jennifer. I was adopted, you see. My real uncle Frank Dawson was my Uncle Henry's friend. I assume Randy's told you how he came to adopt Ellie? Oh my, yes. What do you think of her? I love her already, Josie. Randy told me about how you and your uncle have taken in Lottie. I think that was very good of you. She needed a good home. She's a lovely little girl. She and Ellie are fast friends already. Oh my, the dancing is starting already! I know. It was a pleasure, Josie. Same here, Glory. May I have this dance, Josie? It would be a pleasure, Jamie. Look, there's Lottie with all the other boys and girls. They've got their own little square dance going. I'm so glad she came to stay with us, Jamie. So am I, Josie. I'll get you some punch, Josie. Thank you, Jamie. Hello again, Josie. Hello, Glory. Having a good time, Lottie? Oh yes, Josie. How old are you, Lottie? I'm seven, ma'm. My, aren't you polite. Please, do call me Glory. Everyone does. I'd be pleased to, Glory. Randy said you're going to be Ellie's new mama. He did? That's what he told me. See you later, you two. She is a sweet little thing, Josie. Yes, she is. What part of the South are you from, Josie? Texas. How did you guess, Glory? Oh, you can always tell when you're in the company of someone from the same part of the country as you are. And your young man you came with tonight, what's his name? Jamie. He's from Texas, too. How'd you two meet? Well, actually I found him. I was riding one day and I found him injured on our range and we took him back to Shiloh. And he's been at Shiloh ever since. You care for him, don't you? Yes, I do. I could tell by just watching you two. May I have the next dance, Josie? I'd be pleased to, Jamie. See you two later. Oh, and tomorrow afternoon there's a Christmas gathering at our local church. You'd be welcome to come, Glory. I'll be there, Josie. I can't believe it's almost Christmas, Jamie. Neither can I, Josie. My whole year has been nothing but good because of you, Jamie. I care for you a lot, Josie. I care for you too, Jamie. Matter of fact, I love you. I loved you from the minute I first met you. I love you too, Josie.