They ended up with four dresses each. Mandy considered they were all too formal, but her sister seemed to be having such a good time, she didnt want to be the wet blanket.
In her dressing room, she put off the red dress to the very last. She tried a strapless, straight-skirted design in royal blue, but they all agreed the neckline didnt work. Then a basic black cocktail dress, which was too close to one of the few she already owned. Then she tried a patterned, empire-waist, knee-length concoction, with cap sleeves and a hemline ruffle. It made her look about twelve. Abigail actually laughed when she walked out to model it.
Abigail had already decided to go with the green, so she was waiting in her regular clothes when Mandy exited the dressing room in the red dress.
Her grin was a mile wide. Its stunning, she pronounced.
The salesclerk nodded her agreement. I wish I had legs like that, she commented, looking Mandy up and down. It fits you perfectly.
Mandy glanced to her legs. She didnt see anything particularly interesting about them. They held her up, helped her balance on a horse and could walk or jog for miles when necessary. Thats all that counted.
You probably want to shave them before we go out.
Thanks tons, sis.
But Ive never seen you look so beautiful, Abigail declared. You absolutely have to get it.
I dont know when Ill ever wear it again, Mandy glanced at the price tag. It was about three times as much as shed ever spent on a dress before.
Well, youll wear it tonight, said Abigail.
And after that?
After that, who knows. Youre about to become the sister of the Mayor of Lyndon.
The salesclerk gave Abigail a curious look.
Our brother Seth Jacobs is running for mayor this fall, Abigail put in smoothly. Make sure you vote.
Therell be the swearing-in dance, the clerk offered to Mandy. And thats always formal.
Were only going to the Weasel tonight, Mandy noted, considering different angles in the mirror.
Okay, so the dress did look pretty darn good. It accentuated her waist. It would twirl enticingly while she danced. And it showed just enough cleavage to be exotic without being tacky. She wouldnt mind Caleb seeing her in this.
Behind her, in the mirror, the salesclerk waved a dismissive hand. You can wear anything to the Weasel. Lots of the younger girls dress up to go there, especially on a Friday night.
There you go, said Abigail. She glanced at her watch. Youd better made a decision quick because we have to get to the Cut and Curl.
Mandy drew a breath. Okay. The red dress it was. Her lips curled into an involuntary smile. You talked me into it.
Mandy drew a breath. Okay. The red dress it was. Her lips curled into an involuntary smile. You talked me into it.
Nine
If Mandy was trying to drive Caleb stark raving mad, she was certainly going about it the right way. Her hair was up. Her heels were high. And the professionally applied makeup had turned her face from beautiful to stunning.
Her sassy red dress was enough to give a man a coronary.
When they walked into the Weasel, he hadnt even bothered asking her to dance, simply swirled her out onto the crowded dance floor and wrapped her tightly in his arms, before anybody else could get their hands on her. Since then, hed been shooting warning glares at any guy who dared look twice.
Abigail was also quick to attract her share of partners. Caleb and Seth parked it at the bar, ordering up a round of beers.
Once he recovered the power of speech, Caleb put his lips close to Mandys ear, keeping the volume of his voice just above the music of the country band. You look gorgeous.
You like? she asked.
I love.
She grinned at him, showing straight, white teeth, while her eyes flashed emerald. Abby made me buy it.
Abigails my new favorite person.
Shell be thrilled to hear it.
He spun Mandy around, then smoothly pulled her back against his body. You should do this more often.
Dance with you?
Well, yeah. That, too. But I meant dress up.
She arched a brow. Something wrong with my blue jeans?
Dont be so sensitive. I prefer silk to denim on my dates. Deal with it.
Well, I prefer blue jeans to suit jackets.
Caleb frowned at her. Then he made a show of glancing around the crowd. Any casually dressed guy in particular catch your eye? I could dance you over and let him cut in.
Sure, she teased right back. What about the guy in the yellow hat?
Caleb shook his head. Looks a little too old for the likes of you.
The one with the red boots?
Too short.
Well She continued to scan the room before returning her attention to him. Okay, what about you?
Im wearing a suit. And Im already dancing with you.
A girl, Caleb. Pick out a girl. Who looks good to you?
He kept his eyes fixed firmly on her. Im dancing with her.
Thats a cop-out.
Its the truth. If there are any other girls in this room, I didnt notice.
Smooth talker, she told him, but their gazes locked and held.
What are you doing later? he rumbled.
Im rooming with my sister.
This is ridiculous, he griped, frustrated by the barriers that kept flying up in their way. I feel like were in high school.
You think if it wasnt for Abigail, Id be jumping into bed with you?
Her question surprised and embarrassed him. Was he being presumptuous? Had he been that far wrong in reading her signals? Had he imagined her response to his lovemaking?
Sure, theyd argued afterward, but then theyd made love again. And shed been all he could think of ever since, despite the fact Travis had kept him away from the ranch and out of cell range for two long days.
Did Mandy feel differently?
Im sorry, he began, feeling like a heel. I didnt mean-
Thats the problem, Caleb. Her look was frank. I dont know what you mean. I just spent two days wondering what you mean.
What I mean is that I like you, Mandy, he answered her as honestly as he could. I like you a lot. I think youre beautiful and exciting and real. And I cant seem to get enough of you. I want to spend every minute in your company. His voice rose in frustration. And I want to ditch all of your siblings so theyll stop getting in my way.
She broke into a smile. That was a good answer.
Thank you, he grumbled.
But its okay if you just think Im sexy.
I think youre that, too.
Her expression sobered. When I didnt hear from you, I thought maybe once was enough.
Twice, he corrected.
Twice is enough?
No! I meant we did it twice already. He gathered her closer, adding some intimacy to the conversation by putting his mouth closer to her ear. Twice is definitely not enough.
You want to pick a number? There was a thread of laughter in her tone. Thatll keep me from guessing where this is going and when its going to end.
Fifty, he told her.
Ambitious.
Always.
The band ended the song with a pounding drum solo, and the lead singer announced they were taking a break.
Abigail appeared next to them, commandeering Mandy for the ladies room, and Caleb wound his way toward the bar.
He ordered a beer.
Travis stepped up. Make it two.
Find someone to dance with? asked Caleb.
Not a problem. I went to high school with half the people here.
I recognize a few faces. Caleb glanced around the room, seeing at least a dozen people hed known as a teenager.
The bartender set two bottles of beer on the bar, and Caleb handed him a twenty. He and Travis turned to face the crowd, Caleb scanning for Mandy.
I see the way youre looking at my sister. Travis took a long swig of his beer.
Again? Caleb really didnt want to have this conversation. Every man in the room is looking at your sister.
Every man in the room isnt dancing with her.
Only because I wont let them.
Travis opened his mouth to respond.
But Caleb interrupted him, squaring his shoulders as he angled to face Travis. He was getting this over with here and now. Youve got to back off, man. Shes a grown woman.
The piped in music throbbed through the speakers, and a few dancers took the floor again.
You dont have a sister.
Caleb crossed his arms over his chest. I dont. But that doesnt change anything.
It would change your attitude.
Lets assume my attitude is not going to change in the next five minutes.
Travis took another pull on his bottled beer. Yeah, I know.
Shes a smart woman, Travis. Shes realistic and self-confident, and Im not pressuring her to do anything.
Im backing off, said Travis.
The statement surprised Caleb, leaving him at a loss for words. Thanking Travis didnt seem remotely appropriate. So, he took a drink instead.
Seth appeared from the crowd. Whats going on?
Caleb shot Travis a sidelong glance, wondering what he was going to say to his brother.
Not much, Travis responded with a shrug.
Seth signaled for a beer and parked himself next to Caleb, facing the room along with them. I think were going to have to keep an eye on our sisters tonight.
Travis coughed out a laugh. You think?
I never think of them as particularly beautiful, Seth continued. But they clean up pretty good.
It was Calebs turn to laugh. Your sisters are drop-dead gorgeous, Seth.
I know, said Seth in some amazement. He scooped a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the bar. Im picturing them on the campaign trail.
What trail? Travis challenged. Youre running for mayor, not governor.
Therell still be photo ops. What do you think? One on each arm?
Therell still be photo ops. What do you think? One on each arm?
Youll look like Hugh Hefner.
Hmm, Seth mused. Guess Id better rethink that.
At the far side of the room, Mandy reappeared with Abigail.
Men immediately took notice, sending interested gazes and shifting themselves in the womens direction, some of them obviously setting up to make a move. Caleb abandoned his beer and pushed away from the bar, setting a direct course for Mandy. Seth and Travis could look out for Abigail. But Caleb wasnt letting Mandy out of his sight.
Back in the hotel room, Mandy stripped off her high shoes. Abigail followed suit, stretching her bare feet out on an ottoman in their compact sitting area.
My feet are definitely not in shape for strappy sandals, Abigail complained.
I hear you. Mandy flopped down on the opposite armchair, stretching out her own sore feet, sharing the ottoman. She liked to think she was pretty tough, but shed definitely been defeated by a dance floor. By midnight, even a few more minutes in Calebs arms hadnt been enough of an incentive to add an extra blister.