He grinned roguishly. “How could I forget ‘just’ Kate?” He took her hand, his grip strong and confident, stepping out with a masculine grace, pulling her so close that she had to tip herhead back to look up at him. So tall. So strong. “You look radiant tonight,” he said, his rich, low voice sending shivers down her spine.
“Why thank you, Officer Ramsey,” she said breathlessly. It was as if they stood still and the room and everyone in it swirled around them. Yet she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. His eyes sparkled in the lamplight.
“Please, call me Garrett.”
“Thank you, Garrett.” She looked down, trying to hide her smile. “No one’s ever called me radiant before.”
He leaned down, lips by her ear, his warm breath sliding across her neck. “Impossible,” he breathed, and she forgot that anyone else existed. There were only his intense eyes, the muscles of his shoulder tensing beneath her hand, the feel of his strong hand warm on her back, pulling her closer.
It seemed that they danced for hours, and maybe they did; she couldn’t remember anyone even trying to cut in. He dazzled her with his smile and charmed her with talk of books and music, of stories of his glamorous life in Boston as the son of a wealthy businessman. “My father wanted me to stay, to take over the family business, but I knew I wouldn’t be happy. I needed to experience the world, to follow my dreams, so I joined up with the army to find adventure and glory.”
“And did you find it?”
“In bucketloads.”
“And what about your dreams?”
“Still searching for some of those,” he said, his eyes boring into her with their intensity.
“Oh?” she asked.
“Maybe I found one tonight,” he whispered, and Kate missed a step. He took her hand and looped it on his arm, whisking her off the dance floor. “It’s late. You’re tired. Allow me the honor of escorting you back.”
They were out on the night-shrouded street before she remembered. “My apologies, OfficerRamsey—”
“Garrett.” He kept walking.
“Please, Garrett, I was escorted here by a friend. It would be rude to leave without—”
“Oh, that tall fellow with the dark hair? He left ages ago.”
Her brow furrowed. “He left already?”
“He obviously didn’t appreciate how very special you are, Kate. How could anyone ignore such a stunning creature as yourself?” He smiled, teeth gleaming white in the starlight.
She frowned. Andrew had left without her? What had she done to make him so upset? Surely he wouldn’t be angry at her for dancing with others. It wouldn't be fair to all the men waiting for a partner. Besides—she glanced up at Garrett and blushed—she’d enjoyed herself very much. She didn’t even notice that they were already outside the fort.
Jacob slouched languidly against the wall, his relaxed posture masking a current of anxious restlessness. He’d enjoyed himself this evening, dancing with as many pretty girls as he could, but now the noise in the packed hall grated on his nerves. He loosened a button on his collar. Maybe it was the heat. Or maybe, he reluctantly admitted to himself, it was because he hadn’t managed to snag a dance with Kate McGrath.
When she had walked into the mess hall in a striking navy dress, with her chestnut hair all done up and shiny, and a pretty flush in her cheeks, he’d barely recognized her. She was beautiful. Stunning. But even more so because she didn't seem to be aware of the fact. She stood tall and stately, with a simple, reserved grace to her movements that made her seem somehow unattainable, like a rare flower enveloped in amber. She didn’t bat her eyelashes behind a fan and act all coy like most young ladies, or flaunt her curves like some others he had known. She didn’t slouch to hide her height, but neither did she demand attention fromanyone. She was just … Kate. His mouth turned up in a rueful smile. Although, that may have been the first time he’d seen her with real shoes on and not a speck of dirt to be seen.
She had proceeded to dance the night away, and no matter how hard he tried, there was always some other man at her side before he could snag her hand. Kate’s luscious curves and stately innocence proved to be an irresistible combination to all the bachelors in the room.
He tried not to notice the tinge of possessiveness that flared up inside. He wasn’t jealous. He just wanted to check on her, see how she was doing after that ordeal with the stampede. But he couldn’t help but think about holding her in his arms again. How had he not seen it before tonight? Maybe he’d just been unable to look past the broad-brimmed hat and the fact that she could handle those mules like a seasoned teamster to notice her blossoming womanhood. Jacob cleared his throat, loosening another button on his shirt. Maybe he’d try to find her one more time.
He scanned the crowded hall. Well, she wasn’t dancing anymore. Had she finally sat down to rest? It was getting pretty late; the crowd had started to thin. He glanced over the benches on the outskirts of the room and sighed. Andrew must have taken her home. His eyes narrowed. But Andrew sat in a back corner laughing with a young man in uniform. He saw a flask pass between them.
Scowling, Jacob pushed off the wall and wove through the crowd, his height and broad shoulders easily creating space. “Thompson, have you seen Kate?”
“Jake!” Andrew slurred, his drawl thickened by alcohol. “Would you believe it, Jake, this here Private Matthew grew up in Madison, just two streets over from where I was born!”
“That’s dandy, Andrew,” Jacob said with biting sarcasm. “Now tell me, where is Kate?”
“Probably off dancin’ with any man that can stand,” Andrew said crossly, taking another swig from the flask.
Jacob’s irritation flared. “Well, she ain’t here, Andrew, and last I checked, she was your responsibility.”
Anger flared in Andrew’s flushed face, but he slowly got to his feet and scanned the crowd. His expression sobered quickly. He grabbed his hat off the table. “Her brothers maybe?”
