“That fiddler’s about to play a waltz,” he said.

Dulcie sighed. She did love the waltz. “How would you know, Tom Walker?”

“I made a request.”

Dulcie jumped to her feet.

“I’ll take that as a yes, you’ll dance with me.”

“Are you denying you ordered up a waltz just for me?” she answered, about busting with pride.

Mr. Beecham began his fiddling and the floor crowded up with dancers.

Tom put his big hand around her waist and grasped her right hand in his. She started off.

“Are you going to let me lead?” he asked.

She looked up into those brooding eyes, but she saw a flicker of amusement and something more. “I guess I’d better.”

He steered her to the middle of the room and started in. His footwork wasn’t as good as Maryanne’s but what did it matter? She was where she wanted to be, in his arms.

He held her steadily, guiding her with a firm hand on her back. They glided around the room. She’d never known a more perfect moment.

“I do declare you’re a fine dancer, Tom Walker.”

“I’m no dancer at all.”

“You’re determined to resist my compliments,” she said.

“You make a poor liar,” he said.

“I suppose I should be happy you’re saying so?”

“That’s up to you.” He pulled her closer to avoid colliding with another couple. The heat of his body seared her. She didn’t pull away.

“What’s got you acting strange tonight?” he asked, looking down at her.

“I’m practicing being a lady,” she confessed.

“You fit in well with the rest of the Hangtown ladies.” Tom knew how to give a compliment.

     “You could court me if you’d a notion to.”

He smiled a slow, lop-sided smile. Dulcie would likely melt into a puddle before long. “I’d like that.”

She squelched back a landslide of emotion. “I’d hoped you would.”

“Are you sure you want to step out with the likes of me? There are plenty of other good men in this town.”

“I already know that’s so.”

“I’ll never be rich.”

“I’ve got enough money for both of us.”

“A sheriff’s woman has to be tough as hide,” he continued. “The work is dangerous. There may be times when my life will be on the line.”

“Are you saying I’m not sturdy enough?”

His mouth curved into a smile with the most scrumptious lips a woman ever could lay eyes on.

“What I’m saying is…”

     “How long is this courting going to take?” she interrupted. There was no doubt in her mind he was the man for her, and she hated hearing the doubt in his voice.

“Not long, unless I miss my guess.”

“Good cause I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

The music stopped and the dancers started clapping. He held her a moment longer than need be. She looked up at him and felt his breathing. His gaze embraced her. Her heart was likely to stop beating.

She’d a notion he’d like to kiss her. She was ready to let him.

His hand slid away from her waist and he held on to her hand. They stood side by side in the noisy room. The dancers laughed and begged for another tune, and she and Tom joined them. They were a couple alright, enjoying a Hangtown dance among good friends and neighbors.

Dulcie looked over at Mrs. Walker. Tom’s ma watched them like a hawk watches her patch. When she caught Dulcie’s gaze, and a smile intended as a thanks, she smiled back.

A course of excitement raced through Dulcie, so strong she could hardly contain it. She squeezed Tom’s hand, to make sure the moment was real. He was flesh and blood. She’d like to ask him if he’d take her outside so they could do some courting in earnest, but she remembered Mrs. Walker’s words. A man liked to do the asking and so she put a damper on her desire and a lock on her lips.

The fiddler agreed to one more tune, a lively ditty that had the men stomping their feet and slapping their thighs.

Jasper was the first to take the floor leading a pretty girl dressed in pink gingham and matching pink ribbons woven in her straw colored hair. Jasper twirled her under his arm and the girl knew exactly what to do. Dulcie got dizzy watching.

Dulcie turned to Tom. He was laughing. Even his eyes were bright with laughter. She liked seeing him so.

They joined the circle surrounding Jasper and his partner, clapping and shouting out encouragement. Jasper didn’t need any. He lifted that girl off the ground like she was a sack of feed. She squealed but there was no fright in her.

When he put her down, she pushed him away. Jasper fell backward, exaggerating the force of her push, and a group of men behind him caught him and shoved him back toward the girl. Jasper caught her around the waist and she planted a kiss on his cheek.

Dulcie laughed so hard her sides ached. She wiped hot tears from her eyes with the kerchief Mrs. Walker had given her and that she’d stowed in the sleeve of her dress.

The rest of the circle joined in, making such a ruckus the sawdust jumped.

Tom stayed put, his gaze on the dancers.

Dulcie gave him a nudge.

“I’d better go do my rounds,” he said without looking at her.

“Again?” She immediately regretted the question. Of course he had to. He was a lawman. This was his town.

Tom shifted his gaze to her. He held a magic kind of power over her that no other man ever would.

“It needs to be done,” he said. “There’s nobody minding the streets of Hangtown.”

“I’ll go with you,” she said. She wanted to be by his side.

“No, Dulcie.”

Dulcie stifled a protest with difficulty. “Will I see you later?”

“I’ll be back in time to take you and Ma home,” he said. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

She squeezed his arm. Her whole body tingled with anticipation. “That’ll be just fine, Tom Walker.”

She watched him leave, tall and broad-shouldered, decked out in his best shirt and boots shining. She wanted to run after him, to tell him all that was in her heart.

She didn’t. Tonight he’d laid out what he needed from a wife, from her, and she would show him she could be that woman.