Plain and Fancy by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

hoping to buy some time.
    When Dean began tapping the side of his glass with the tip of his spoon, she finally answered. “I appreciate the offer, but I hadn’t planned on going to the party.”
    “Why not?”
    Laura wasn’t sure how to respond. She really had no legitimate reason for staying home. “I ... uh ... I’m leaving for Pennsylvania the day after New Year’s, and I need to get packed.”
    Dean leaned his head back and roared. It was the first genuine laugh she’d heard out of him all day, but it didn’t make her smile. “You have a whole week between now and the party. Surely that’s time enough to pack a suitcase.”
    When Laura made no reply, he reached for her hand. “Come on, honey, please say you’ll go with me. After all, I do work for your dad, and I’m sure he would approve.”
    Laura inwardly groaned. She knew she was losing this battle, and she didn’t like it one bit.
    Dean leaned closer, and she could feel his warm breath against her ear. “If you don’t have a wonderful time, I promise never to ask you out again.”
    She finally nodded in defeat. “Okay, I’ll go.”
    ***
    All during dinner, Wesley kept glancing across the table at Laura. She looked uncomfortable, as if she would rather be anyplace else but here. Didn’t she enjoy being with her family and friends? She’d always seemed to before. Surely she wasn’t anxious to get back to her studies in Pennsylvania. Maybe she was just tired.
    He looked over at his wife, sitting so prim and proper at the other end of the table. She seemed to be in her glory—chatting, smiling, soaking up every compliment that had come her way. He didn’t know why. She really couldn’t take credit for any of it. The meal had been catered. The house had been cleaned by their housekeeper. Irene’s flowing, peach-colored dress had been bought at one of the most expensive shops in town. Her hair and nails had been done by her beautician. She hadn’t done much of anything to prepare for this meal except tell others what to do.
    Wesley inwardly groaned. It was all superficial. There probably wasn’t a person sitting at this table who gave a lick about the person next to them. Except maybe Dean, who kept nuzzling Laura’s neck and whispering in her ear. Could Dean be the reason Laura seemed so fidgety today?
    “Wesley, did you hear what I said?”
    He looked over to his wife again. “What was that, dear?”
    Irene smiled sweetly. “I asked if you were still planning to host your office’s New Year’s Eve party at the country club.”
    Ethel wanted to know.”
    “Yes, it will be there again this year.” Wesley forced a smile. He would never have admitted it to his wife, but the truth was, he would much rather stay home on New Year’s Eve and watch TV or read a good book instead of dishing out the money for a party that no one would remember the following day. But he knew it was expected of him, and the gleam in Irene’s eyes was a reminder that at least one of them was looking forward to the gala affair.
    ***
    “What are you doing out here in the cold?” Eli’s sister, Martha Rose, asked, as she stepped out the back door and joined him on the porch.
    Eli shrugged and leaned against the railing. “It was getting kind of stuffy in the house, so I decided to get some fresh air.”
    Martha Rose shivered and pulled her heavy shawl around her shoulders. “This air is downright frigid—that’s what it is.”
    He smiled. “So what are you doing out here in it?”
    “Same as you—getting some fresh air.” She nudged him playfully with her elbow, but then her face sobered. “You’ve been quiet all day, and I was wondering if there’s something bothering you.”
    Eli pulled his fingers through the back of his hair. Of course there was something bothering him. Ever since he’d met Laura, he had been bothered. He’d been thinking about her off and on all day, wondering how she was spending her Christmas, wishing they could be together, and