Page 28 of The Soldier and the Cowboy

Two days later, Bailey received a package.

“You get more ammo?” Jinx asked. In addition to changing up their routine, she had instituted a policy that sent cowboys in pairs when they had to go to the south pasture. She also added target practice to their daily routine. The men were fair shots, but their guns were hardly used, only to frighten away the occasional mountain lion or coyote intent on poaching a calf. Last year Jinx’s son, Corrie, shot a rattler, and it was still a topic of great interest for the men as there was some debate over how close he’d come to shooting out the toes of his brother, Jonah.

“No,” Bailey said, not bothering to explain as she knelt and cut open the box. She unfurled a dress and held it aloft before stuffing it quickly back into the box and removing a pair of shoes. Then she held onto Jinx’s arm for balance while she whipped off her combat boots and socks before slipping into the new shoes.

“If this is some kind of new uniform, the men ain’t going to be happy,” he said.

“Not breaking in new shoes before a dance is a rookie move,” she said and then took Jonah’s rifle, checked the sight he complained was misaligned, and shot through the heart ofhis target.

“Sight’s fine, it’s your aim that’s off,” she told him, patting his back to soften the blow.

She finished the rest of the day in the new shoes, and it was a testament to how well the men were beginning to know her that no one thought twice about it. In fact no one seemed to notice them much at all besides Cal who did a double take at supper.

“Those for the dance?” he guessed.

“Yes, sir.”

“So you are planning to wear a dress,” he said.

“It’s a dance, sir,” she returned.

“Huh.”

“Is there a problem?” she asked.

“No. I’m sure Sully will be thrilled with the transformation.” He took a bite of his stew, chewed and swallowed. “I have to say I was a little surprised he roped you so easily into the dance.”

She shrugged.

“He didn’t exactly trick you, did he?”

“I spend a lot of time in a man’s world. Sometimes it’s nice to put on a dress and remember I’m a woman,” she said.

“Strange, I’d be hard pressed to forget it,” he replied.

They shared a smile until she finally dropped her eyes to her stew.

On the day of the dance, she worked like usual. She and Cal ate supper together and then she disappeared while he retired to the porch with a glass of tea.

Sully arrived in his personal vehicle instead of his work truck so basically he had traded the white pickup for the red one. He wore khaki pants and a button down shirt and his ubiquitous white hat.

“You look good enough for church,” Cal called.

“Thanks, but I already have a date,” Sully returned. “Where is she?”

“Dunno, haven’t seen her in a bit,” Cal said.

“I’m here,” Bailey said, appearing in the doorway.

Neither man replied because neither could. For a few beats, they were rendered speechless. Since her arrival she had worn some variation of jeans and a t-shirt with her hair in its tidy ponytail, her face free of makeup. Now she wore a gray dress, fitted at the waist and flaring to her knees, the spaghetti straps up top showcasing her tanned, toned shoulders and arms. Her hair hung in soft waves and she wore enough makeup to highlight her eyes and lips.

“Goodnight, Cal,” she said softly, alerting him to the fact he was staring.

“Goodnight, little bit.” He should probably tell her to have fun, but he couldn’t make the words emerge.

She faced forward, toward Sully. “Am I allowed to tell you how good you look?” he asked.

“No,” she returned.

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