Mel's Arc

Chapter 4 of 36

The song with the Caldwell heir ended too soon. He bowed and turned back to the ranch owners who wanted his ear. Mel stepped off the floor, still warm from the dance. Then she saw Ted near the door, holding his hat in both hands, waiting. She had promised him a dance the day he took her to his aunt's house for the borrowed dress. She had almost forgotten. He had not. Ted watched her cross the room. He didn't smile or wave. He just stood there, turning the brim of his hat in slow circles. "You saved me one," he said. "Or you didn't." "I did." Mel took his hand and led him onto the floor. The fiddle started up. Ted danced plain and steady, no flourish, eyes down. Mel matched his steps. Over his shoulder she watched the heir laugh with the men. She wanted the heir to see her out here, claimed, spoken for. Then she caught herself. That was the wrong reason to hold Ted's hand. "You keep looking past me," Ted said. He didn't stop dancing. Mel felt her face go hot. "I'm sorry." "Don't be. I know where your eyes go." He turned her under his arm, easy as breathing. "I got Remy saddled outside. Trail runs two hours to a creek. Thought I'd ask if you rode." Mel slowed. Through the open door she saw a black horse tied in the dark, a worn leather saddle on its back, metal fittings catching the light. It stood calm while the noise spilled out around it. She owed Ted honesty. He had given her the dress, the flowers, the way into this whole night. He deserved better than a girl using his dance to look taken. "Ted." She stopped moving. Couples flowed past them. "You're a good man. You've been good to me. But I can't ride out with you tonight." He met her eyes then. "The Caldwell fella." "Yes." Ted nodded once. He let go of her hand and stepped back. "Figured. A man buys a lot of salt licks he doesn't need before he learns to just ask." A small, tired grin. "At least I asked." "I paid the dance back," Mel said. "I wanted you to know that meant something." "It did." He set his hat on his head, done with the room. "I'll take the trail alone. Remy could use it." He walked out to the black horse and swung up into the saddle. Mel watched him ride into the dark. The debt to Ted was paid, clean and clear. But when she turned back to the hall, the Caldwell heir was gone from his spot by the men. She scanned the crowd and found him at the far wall. He stood close to another girl in a pale gown, his head bent to hear her. He smiled the way he had smiled at Mel an hour ago. Mel's dance had cleared one path and closed another.