The Texan Read Free Page A

mother enjoyed socializing.
    Sarah watched proudly as Emmie made her way across the room to join her friend. Emmie had grown into a beautiful young woman, and to night, in a new shimmering satin gown and with her dark hair styled up in a sophisticated arrangement, she looked absolutely lovely. It was Sarah’s hope that KennethSt. James would be smitten and ultimately propose. The thought left Sarah smiling even more brightly as she moved off to join her own circle of friends.
    Emmie was smiling, too, as she watched Millie openly flirting with the young men who were hovering around her. Her pale pink gown was elegant, and she was wearing her blond hair down around her shoulders in a tumble of fashionable curls. Millie might appear to be the perfect lady, but Emmie knew she had a wild side to her. In fact, the last time they were together, Millie had mentioned that she wanted to go to Texas with her when she went for her next visit. Emmie had been truly surprised by the notion, but the more she’d thought about it lately, the more she wanted her friend to go. Emmie loved being with her father, but there were times when she did get lonely, and Millie would certainly liven the ranch up.
    “I was wondering when you were going to show up,” Millie teased as she greeted Emmie. “Did you come late just so you could make a grand entrance?”
    “Hardly, although I’m sure my mother enjoyed it.” Emmie laughed. “The truth is, she insisted on styling my hair up this way, and it took longer than we expected.”
    Millie eyed her, smiling. “You look lovely.”
    “Why, thank you, and so do you,” Emmie responded. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
    “Yes, and soon you will be too,” Millie said with confidence, adding, “Kenneth is here.”
    “Oh, good.”
    Millie didn’t think Emmie sounded too excited, but she had no chance to say more as the music started up again and one of her own suitors claimed her for the next dance. As she was whisked away onto the dance floor, Millie spotted Kenneth on his way to join Emmie.
    “Good evening, Emmie,” Kenneth said, his gaze warm upon her.
    “Hello, Kenneth.” She smiled up at him. He was a handsome young man with his brown hair and blue eyes, and he was certainly a gentleman.
    “May I have this dance?” he asked.
    “Of course.”
    Kenneth took her into his arms to squire her about the room.
    On the far side of the dance floor, Sarah was looking on with delight. The evening couldn’t have been working out more perfectly. Perhaps Kenneth would even propose to night.
    The party passed in a whirlwind.
    Kenneth spent most of the time with Emmie, and it was past midnight when he managed to slip out onto the balcony with her.
    The night sky was a canopy of stars, and the moon was a mere sliver of light low on the horizon. The distant sound of the music indoors just added to the romantic feel of the evening.
    “It’s a beautiful night,” Emmie said, enjoying being away from the crowd for a moment.
    “Not as beautiful as you,” Kenneth said in a deep, suggestive voice as he drew her over to a quiet corner,away from prying eyes. “I’ve been wanting to do this all evening.”
    “What?” She looked up at him questioningly “Come outside?”
    “No. This.” He answered her with a kiss, pulling her into his arms and holding her close.
    Kenneth had kissed her before, but never quite so boldly or so passionately. She was surprised by the heat of his ardor, and a little relieved when they heard someone coming and had to move apart.
    “We’d better go back inside,” she said, knowing how her mother would feel if someone started gossiping about her and Kenneth being out on the balcony unchaperoned.
    “I’d like to call on you tomorrow, if that would be all right. Say around three in the afternoon?” he asked as they started indoors.
    “I’ll be looking forward to it,” she answered as they went in to join the others who’d gathered near the refreshment table to partake of