One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

for her. She thought about Ramona for less than a minute before tossing the memory out into the darkness along with those of John. Jane had made a big mistake in judgment. That didn't mean she'd do it again. Life was meant to be lived and she wasn't going to miss another moment—or dance.
       When the song ended, the male singer picked up the mike and started, "The Dance" by Garth, a slow waltz, and Slade didn't miss a beat. He drew her a little closer and kept dancing. At least until the blonde tapped Jane on the shoulder and cut in. She stepped back gracefully only to find herself in the arms of another cowboy, who hugged her close and told her his name was Kevin. He wasn't nearly as smooth as Slade and twice he stepped on her toes, but he kept her laughing the whole time with his humor.
       The next dance started the minute "The Dance" ended and Kevin kept her in his arms. Halfway through the song, Ellen tapped her on the shoulder. "Let me at him, darlin'. I think I can teach him some better moves."
       Jane laughed and stepped back only to find herself in Slade's arms again. The crowd didn't part to watch them and she enjoyed the dance even more without the attention. The band kept the songs coming with no time in between. It was easier to play to a live crowd who danced, clapped, whistled, and yelled out requests than to a bunch of folks who were content to sit around tables and drink.
       At one point Jane felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Kristy standing there in her skin-tight jeans, sleeveless western shirt, full makeup, hair all piled up on top of her head, and a grin on her face. "Mind if I cut in?"
       "Have at him," Jane said and turned to be swept into Beau's arms.
       "Who is that?" Beau asked. "Slade looks mad enough to kill something."
       Jane shuddered.
       "I didn't mean he'd really kill a woman, but he is pretty angry. I don't remember Milli mentioning inviting someone like her. Oh, now I remember, that's the lady Slade brought to Aunt Nellie's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. She had two little girls who were mean to Lizzy. Milli was ready to pinch her head off and feed it to the buzzards by the time we got home. If anyone ever treated Katy Scarlett like those two little girls did Lizzy, Milli would be hauled up for whippin' someone else's kid with a peach tree switch," Beau said.
       When the song ended, Jane slipped away to a corner. She didn't want to cause a problem with Kristy and ruin the party, so the best thing for her to do was stay away from Slade. Evidently he had the same idea, because he finished the dance with Kristy and left her on the dance floor while he went to the bar.
       Kristy squeezed up tight with another man and Slade headed for the bar and downed half a bottle of beer before coming up for air. That could mean a couple of things, Jane decided. He was mad either because she was there or because she was glued to another man and he was jealous. Lord, that beer looked good. She sucked in a lung full of air and made her way to the bar. No one, Slade or Kristy, was going to put her in the corner and keep her from having a good time.
       Ellen wasted no time getting to the bar at the same time Jane did and standing between the two. "How did that hussy get here?" she asked Slade.
       "I wouldn't know. I didn't bring her. You sure you and Granny didn't have something to do with it just to watch the fireworks?"
       "I promise. I wouldn't do that to Milli and Beau for anything. Wouldn't be right, causing a scene at their barn dance."
       "Guess she crashed the party," Jane said.
       "I'd like to crash her head," Ellen said.
       "Here comes your chance. Looks like she's hauling Mr. Clumsy Feet over here for a drink," Jane said.
       "Who?" Slade frowned.
       "That man. I don't know his name, but he doesn't dance as well as you do," Jane said.
       "I'm leaving. Can't trust myself around that hussy. She's trouble on