Chapter Sixteen
THERE WERE MORE PEOPLEcrowded into the grassy area behind the church than Nate had been around in a long time. While Ruthann stepped forward, he hung back, trying to steady his breathing.
“Are you all right?” Ruthann asked, her fingers still clasped in his.
The sweet concern in her eyes was enough to banish any fears that lingered. There was no reason to be anxious. After all, this was where he’d grown up. He knew most of the people present, even if he hadn’t seen many of them for years. The familiar faces made it easier to breathe, but mostly it was Ruthann’s gentle strength that made him nod and step forward to stand beside her.
Ruthann scanned the crowd, some of whom were dancing along to the lively band, while others stood about talking or visited the tables laden with lemonade and other treats.
Nate spotted Stuart, standing off to the side with Norah. He raised his hand to greet them.
“Shall we join them?” Ruthann asked, casting a joyful smile up at Nate.
His heart soared at just that simple look. With Ruthann at his side, it seemed there was nothing else for which he could want.
He realized a second too late that he was still grasping Ruthann’s hand. Stuart’s smile flickered into a frown. Nate squeezed Ruthann’s hand before letting go.
“Your brother,” he whispered as an explanation.
“Yes,” she said, although her voice was uncertain.
Nate glanced down at her, but her attention was already on Stuart and Norah, who had a slight flush to her cheeks.
Ruthann and Norah embraced, as Stuart eyed Nate with a curious look. But whatever was on his mind—and Nate suspected it was him and Ruthann—he didn’t get to voice it, because Norah gasped.
“What is it?” Ruthann asked.
“Sissy is here,” Norah replied. “With that gentleman she’s been seen with.”
Nate followed Norah’s gaze, and certain enough, Miss Flagler was dancing with a man Nate didn’t recognize. He was taller, with a balding pate that was evident even beneath his hat. “That looks like good news to me.”
“It does indeed,” Stuart said. “And I believe it calls for celebration. Would you care to dance?” He held out an arm to Norah, who gave a merry laugh and took it.
As Stuart led Norah to the dance floor, Nate glanced at Ruthann, who watched her friend and her brother with her head tilted.
“You don’t see that man who grabbed you here anywhere?” It was a concern that had been on his mind, although he could hardly picture someone of that nature showing his face at a church dance.
What he hadn’t mentioned to Ruthann was how unnerving it was that the fellow apparently didn’t mind the possibility of Ruthann recognizing him. If he had, he would have covered his face in some way.
She looked around the crowd now and shook her head. “Thankfully, no.”
“In that case, Mrs. Harper, would you care for a dance?” He extended a hand to her.
Ruthann’s face brightened and she gave him the smile he’d hoped for. “I would, Mr. Harper. Thank you.”
The band played a lively fiddle tune that required a fast pace. Nate whirled Ruthann around the makeshift dance floor. She laughed when he twirled her about a corner, and he thought there was no better sound in the world.
Making Ruthann happy made him happier than he’d ever thought possible.
Out here, with her in his arms, with a smile on her face that was only for him, and with all the trust in the world, he felt so very . . . whole. The memories of the past were still there, but they were just that—memories. Far away, cloudy, and unable to hurt him.
When the fiddler stopped and took a bow, and the rest of the band picked up a slower melody designed to allow the dancers to catch their breath, Ruthann looked up at him.
