“You could sit over here closer to me, you know. You act like we’re old married people or something,” Bo said as the truck carried them away from the Buchanan ranch for a night out.
Nora scooted across the truck seat close to Bo.
August had rolled into September, and Bo and Nora were on their way to Brannigan’s Ranch for the barn dance. Neighboring rancher, Ed Brannigan, held a dance in his barn the first Saturday of every month April through September. It all began when some local men started meeting in Brannigan’s barn to play music together. Then their wives began bringing potluck dishes to add food to the fun, and a tradition began. Bo and Nora hadn’t been to the dance for several months because Bo had been too busy; but with the new ranch hands hired, Bo was able to get away. He glanced at Nora as the truck left a trail of dust on the gravel road between the highway and the barn.
“Did I tell you how gorgeous you look tonight?” he asked her.
“Gorgeous? Well...no. You said ‘pretty’ the last time. So, now it’s gorgeous? I like that,” she said kissing his neck.
He smiled. “It’s good to see your legs...I’m so used to seeing you in blue jeans now. The sight of those legs and you nibbling my neck makes me want to pull this truck over somewhere. Maybe I will on the way home…”
“Ooooh...that sounds like fun. Is that a promise Mr. Buchanan?” she asked, eyes sparkling.
He glanced at her with longing eyes. He loved it when she was flirtatious like this. It made him want to…
But his thoughts were interrupted as a black truck sped past them leaving them in a cloud of thick dust.
“Damn!” Bo sputtered. “What’s the big hurry!?”
Nora squinted through the dust. “Is that the Palmer brothers’ truck?” she asked.
“Yeah, I think it is,” Bo replied.
Nora continued, “I’m surprised they got everything done in time to come to this tonight.”
“Well,” Bo responded, “they are good workers. They’ve been a great help around the place.”
“They’re a little...unique though, aren’t they?” Nora queried.
“How do you mean?” Bo asked.
“Oh...well...Tate is just so quiet...and then Chet...well, he’s almost too friendly...ya know?”
“No, I don’t know,” Bo said, instantly alert and casting a glance her way. “Too friendly? Has he been inappropriate or…?”
“No! No, not really. I don’t know...they are just complete opposites, that’s what I’m trying to say...I just…”
But the conversation was cut off abruptly as they parked the truck and someone shouted, “Bo Buchanan! Howdy! How you been?!”
* * * * * * *
It had been a long time since Bo and Nora had been dancing, so after enjoying the buffet, they spent the rest of the evening in each other’s arms. The boys played a lot of country love songs, Bouquet of Roses, I’ll Hold You In My Heart, and Yellow Rose of Texas, as well as some sentimental favorites such as Moonlight Serenade and I’ll Be Seeing You. When they began Moonlight In Vermont Nora giggled.
“Never thought I’d hear this song at a Texas barn dance,” she whispered to Bo.
“I think the boys are just trying to keep everybody happy. Wish they would play Sentimental Journey,” he whispered back looking into her eyes.
She smiled and buried her head in his neck.
Across the room, Chet watched as he took another swig of his beer. The resemblance was uncanny...the willowy body, red hair, brown eyes… His eyes roamed over her as he polished off that beer and asked for something stronger...some whisky.
He heard a voice beside him. “Chet?”
Turning, Chet saw Joe Rawlins by his side, an old friend from high school.
“Hey, Chet,” Joe continued, “I thought it was you. Someone told me you were...uh...out...and doing better. Glad to hear it…”
“Thanks. Yeah, I’m fine,” he said keeping his eyes on Bo and Nora.
Joe went on, “I understand what you’ve been through...been there myself...so, if you ever just need to spill your guts or anything, give me a call...we can get out, have a beer or two...shoot the breeze…”
Chet didn’t respond. Joe’s eyes went across the room in the direction of Chet’s glazed watch. When Chet didn’t speak again, Joe said, “Well… guess I’ll see ya around then... Don’t be a stranger…”
Chet nodded.
After Joe left, Chet ordered another shot of whisky. When he turned around, he noticed Nora standing alone. Bo wasn’t with her. He casually made his way toward her.
“Enjoying your evenin’, Mrs. Buchanan?” he asked.
“Oh...Hi, Chet. Yes, I am. It’s nice, isn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am. Good music, good eats...doesn’t get much better than this. Unless…..well...would you like to dance? Bo wouldn’t mind, would he...just a little dance between friends?”
Nora hesitated. She glanced around hoping to see Bo reappear. But he didn’t. Oh, why not? she told herself. He’s just being friendly...I think...
She accepted, and Chet put a hand on her waist. They made friendly small talk about the music, the weather, the ranch. It was nothing to Nora, but Chet was taking in everything about her from the way her hair fell along her face, to her scent, to her small waist against his hand. It was just like….Ellie he thought.
Across the room, Tate watched his brother as he danced with Nora. It was almost like revisiting the past...something he knew neither of them should do.
Bo tapped Chet on the shoulder. “I’m back,” he said simply.
“Yes sir, here ya go,” he said releasing Nora. “Thank you, ma’am,” Chet nodded before heading back to the bar.
Bo pulled Nora back into his arms. “How did that happen?” he asked, swaying to the music.
Nora shrugged. “He asked and I didn’t know how to say ‘no’,” she replied.
“Like this,” Bo said forming a circle with his mouth and slowly voicing the word ‘No’.
“Hmmm. Is that how it’s done, Mr. Buchanan? I wasn’t sure since I’m so accustomed to saying the word ‘yes’.” She smiled at him with wide eyes. “Besides,” she continued, “It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t left me here all alone. Where did you go anyway?”
Before he could answer, she heard a familiar tune.
“Listen to that,” Bo murmured looking into her eyes. “I think they’re playing our song.”
“Did you have anything to do with this, Bo Buchanan?” she asked as he twirled her to the opening bars of Sentimental Journey.
“Maybe,” he replied pulling her closer. “Do you remember, Mrs. Buchanan, the first time we danced to this song?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, I do...my partner had a black eye as I recall....but, he was very charming and handsome, so I let him walk me home.” She smiled just inches from his face. “And I think...” she murmured, “that I’ll let him take me home again tonight…”
Bo let out a sigh as he twirled her to the music.
“What’s wrong,” she asked him quietly.
“Nothing...nothing at all,” he said looking into her eyes. “Is it getting hot in here?” he asked suddenly.
She chuckled quietly. “A little bit, yes,” she whispered.
“I have a plan,” he said still gazing into her eyes. “We’ll finish this dance because I requested the song; but I’m going to dance us close to the door, and when the song is over, we’ll make a hasty exit. What do you say?”
“I’ll follow your lead.”
They danced close to the door; and, on the final notes of the song, they slipped out, Bo dragging a giggling Nora by the hand. They jumped into the truck cab where Bo gave Nora a kiss that promised more to come before he backed the truck out and headed toward the highway.
Chet observed it all as he slumped in his truck seat with a bottle of booze. Hours later he was awakened as Tate entered the truck.
“There you are!” Tate said angrily. “I’ve been searchin’ all over for you!”
“Well, ya foun’ me,” Chet slurred drunkenly.
“And you’re in fine shape! Give me the keys. I’ll drive.”
Chet tossed the keys at his brother and took another swig of his bottle before slumping back in the corner to sleep.