Page 20 of May I Kiss the Bride
Viola worked quickly, and as she set the ice bundle on Billy’s face, Rey knelt next to her.
“Here, I can hold this in place,” he said. “I still don’t trust this man.”
Viola nodded and let him take over. She wasn’t going to argue with the sheriff in front of all these people. They’d made enough of a spectacle as it was. Besides, Billy’s temper had been disturbing to see—drunk or not.
“Well, let’s get this mess cleaned up and see how many pies we can save,” Viola ordered to the onlookers. She wasn’t quite sure how she was feeling comfortable enough to boss everyone around, but she saw a need and wanted to do something about that.
“Help me out, Phil,” Rey said. “Let’s get this man to his feet.”
“I got ’im.” Deputy Thatcher appeared. He wasn’t wearing any sort of uniform but was spruced up for the dance.
Between Phil and Thatcher and Rey, Billy was helped to his feet. His legs looked a bit wobbly, but he’d survive.
“I need a doctor,” Billy complained.
“The doc will come visit you in jail,” Thatcher said. “You’re a fool for going after the sheriff. What were you thinking?”
Billy heaved a sigh and allowed the men to shuffle him forward.
“Elsie, stay with your friends,” Rey barked at his daughter.
“Can I help the baker woman clean up the pies?” Elsie said.
Rey hesitated, his gaze shifting to Viola.
“I’d appreciate the help.”
Rey nodded. “All right, then. I won’t be long. Stay close to Viola. She’s in charge of you until I return.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
Viola didn’t know why she was smiling. Billy had nearly clobbered Rey, and now there was a massive mess to clean up, but a smile pushed through anyway.
“Set the pies that didn’t turn upside down on the far table,” Viola continued her orders. “The pies that are ruined can be put into this crate. The pigs won’t be hungry for two days after tonight.”
A few people chuckled. Several townspeople pitched in to help, and it wasn’t long before the mess was cleaned up. The music began again and the dancing continued.
“You’re really pretty,” a little voice said next to Viola as she spaced out the remaining pies on the table.
Viola looked down at Elsie. Her bright blue eyes were curious. “Well, thank you. You’re a pretty girl too.”
Elsie grinned. She had a couple of teeth missing, but it only made her more adorable. “I’m going to tell Papa when he returns that you’re the lady he should dance with tonight.”
“Oh, uh …” Viola knew her cheeks were heating up. “He might be too busy with all that’s gone on.”
“They’ll put Billy in jail and figure out what to do with him tomorrow,” Elsie pronounced as if this was all a regular night of events. She’d probably seen a thing or two as the sheriff’s daughter. “But Papa will be back here soon, and he promised that I could pick out a lady for him to dance with.”
Viola didn’t want to get in the middle of a father-daughter agreement, yet … “You know, Elsie, your father and I are friends. I’m only in Mayfair for a short while though. Maybe he should ask someone else to dance.”
“No.” Elsie gave her a huge smile. “I’ve made up my mind.”
IF SOMEONE HAD TOLD REY a couple of hours ago that he’d be dodging a fistfight with Billy, then hauling him to jail, then dancing with Viola Delany, he would have laughed until his gut hurt.
But holding the real live, breathing Viola in his arms while they danced was no laughing matter. It might be a smiling matter, but it was also a nerve-racking event. Mostly because she was a much better dancer than he was, and also because she smelled like the peach pies she’d baked for the barn dance.
Oh, and her cheeks were definitely flushed, which only made her gray eyes sparkle and the color of her lips seem redder.
Viola was a beautiful, vivacious, and commanding woman. He’d seen that in her actions after Billy stumbled into the pie table. But Rey had to tell his brain that the woman was not a permanent resident of Mayfair. She’d be leaving at the end of the summer, and that would be that.
