Chief Cook and Bottle Washer by Rita Hestand

realized it before, but he'd been thinking about that face
all morning. And other things, like how she laughed, how she
smiled, and about the night he'd caught her reading a fairy tale
story to the baby. Something had hit deep inside him when he saw
her cuddling that baby to her, her face shining with love.
    "That's very sweet of him, but I don't think
I'll go."
    "Why not?" he blurted out then regretted it
when he saw her face pale. "I mean it would give you a chance to
meet a lot of people in the area."
    "I'm not much of a dancer. Charlie used to
say I had two left feet." She hit the rug once more her voice going
lower as though she might be ashamed of the fact. She had no party
clothes, she couldn't dance, she had a baby. How many reasons did
he need to hear?
    "Who is this Charlie, you keep referring
to?"
    "Oh, just a friend."
    She wasn't going. And if she didn't go, how
would Clint ever see her as a real woman. If she dolled up, he'd
notice, he'd have to. Clint wasn't blind, most of the time.
    "Sounds like a kinda important friend."
    "He was my boyfriend. My ex-boyfriend."
    "Sammie Jo's daddy?"
    "No. Charlie had nothing to do with Sammie
Jo. That was the problem. He couldn't see me as a mother."
    "I see. So this Charlie, you still have
feelings for him?"
    She looked away. "I thought I did."
    "Well, then would you go with me?" Deke found
himself asking and wondering how he got himself into such deep
waters. He knew it was a mistake, even before it was out of his
mouth, but he couldn't recall his words.
    "You? Is that proper? I mean, you're my boss.
I'm sure you must know dozens of girls to ask. Don't you have a
girl, Deke?"
    "I'm askin' you. And it'd be more than
proper. It would give you a chance to meet people around here.
You're young Emma, you should get out more."
    Emma put her hand on her hip and leaned into
it, staring at him with a frown. "And you are old, I suppose?" When
he didn't answer she dropped the broom and sighed, "Thanks for
asking, but–I don't have any party clothes."
    It took a lot to admit it, but that was the
real reason she didn't want to go. She was embarrassed.
    "We'll make a run to Sweetwater, and you can
get what you need. I've got to pick up some supplies, anyway." Deke
turned away and started walking, so she wouldn't refuse.
    "B-but–"
    Good, he had her where he wanted her. He'd
take her to town, find a nice dress shop and let her have whatever
she wanted. She'd show that rodeo brother of his.
    He didn't need any supplies, and he knew it.
But Emma didn't. He'd make it look real good. And his plan would
work, tonight.
    First he needed to find his dad, though. He
didn't go around inviting his father to baby-sit, but this was
important, and if need be, he'd tell him all about his plan.
    Cal was talking to the vet, when Deke caught
up to him.
    "So how's she lookin', doc?" He glanced from
Too Bit to the two men in front of him.
    "She's fine. Just a bad lot of grain looks
like, nearly everybody had some sick ones from it. Although I
checked with the manufacturer the other day about this same thing,
and no one outside this area has had the least bit of trouble. It's
an ingestion problem. So it's got to be the grain. Good thing we
caught it early. It could have been a disaster. Although with this
drought it might not be a bad idea to check your springs and creek
beds."
    "Tainted?"
    "Could be."
    Deke nodded with an exasperated frown. "Let's
hope not. So, you going to the barn dance, tonight, doc?" Deke
asked glancing at his dad.
    "Probably not. I've got a couple of problems
over at the River's Ranch. Be there most the night. I guess you
boys will be there, though."
    "Wouldn't miss it," Deke replied with a
grin.
    Cal seemed to study him as the doc moved
towards his truck. After a short conversation, and the doc left,
Cal came back to stand in front of Deke. "You planning on going to
the dance?"
    "Y-yeah. I thought I'd take Emma, introduce
her to the people in the area. She'll probably get a little