Green River’s Town Hall Dance was not held in a town hall but instead took place in a large barn on the edge of town. Scott imagined somewhere in the history of Green River there was a well-to-do Eastern woman who arrived one day determined to share her knowledge of high-society. Nothing expresses sophistication better than a correct title. “Town Barn Dance” or “Town Hall Dance”? He doubted the vote at the Ladies Aid Society was even close.
Teresa was correct when she announced this was the biggest event of the summer. Men, women, and children packed the barn with the overflow streaming through large open doors to tables featuring baked goods and the heavenly smells of barbeque mingling with hickory smoke. Scott detected the sounds of the fiddle, concertina, harmonica, and banjos warming up to inspire even the shyest of dancers to tap their feet.
After the brothers tied up their horses, Murdoch assisted the young ladies down from the buckboard as Richard, Teresa’s latest main interest, approached to escort her to the dance. Scott observed his father towering over the poor boy while instilling the fear of God in him if one hint of inappropriateness were to occur. As her beau resembled a scared rabbit, the ever-patient Teresa endured the familiar lecture by smiling and nodding. The girl could no doubt recite the speech verbatim.
Earlier, Murdoch had taken Johnny and me aside to direct us in keeping an eye on Kinsey. Since this was Johnny’s plan all along, I wasn’t too concerned. Before leaving the hacienda this evening, I had my own private discussion with my brother regarding my little cousin and we came to an understanding.
“Half-pint, are you coming?”
Scott turned to see Johnny holding out his hand to Kinsey, who was glued to the spot where she stood.
Placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder, Scott spoke quietly. “Johnny, could you give us a minute? Meet you inside?”
“Try not to be long Scott. I heard the McGuire twins are around. There’re just so many places a man can hide from those two females.”
Scott crossed his arms and leaned against the buckboard. “Big shindig.”
Kinsey bit her lip.
“You know what’s nice about all of this, Freckles? Not one photographer or reporter to be seen for miles.” Scott held out his arm for Kinsey to take. “Can your old-ER cousin have the first dance?”
Kinsey nodded. “Yes, of course, I’m being starkers.”
“Starkers.” Scott smiled. “Down-under lingo for “goofy?”
Scott truly enjoyed sharing the first dance with his cousin. Over the last couple months she had found her way into his heart. Actually, chiseling her way would be a more accurate description for those first few days after her arrival. “I wouldn’t trade a minute of it.”
“A minute of what?”
Before Scott could answer his dance partner, there was a tap on his shoulder. Ah, Johnny has escaped the McGuire twins.
Turning around Scott was greeted with a set of dark eyes and a sly grin, neither belonging to his brother.
“Lancer! Good to see you again! Is this the cute Aussie cousin you have been telling me all about? Kinsey, isn’t it? Young lady, I would be honored if you would bless my poor klutzy soul with a dance. You don’t mind if I cut in, do you?”
Scott now realized there was, indeed, one reporter present tonight.
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