Page 38 of Magnolia Summer

The song ended as people began to crowd around the dance floor. A gangly young man approached them. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes focusing on Ruby. “Miss Ruby, will you dance with me?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Ruby’s face beamed as she unhooked her arm from Celia and followed him to the dance floor.

Celia was alone now. She caught sight of Truett Beverly’s head and shoulders. His mother handed him two pies. He and another man, an older version of Truett and Griff, carried them toward the refreshment table. Ah! That must be Truett’s father, home for the holiday.

Truett turned his head and she looked quickly away, not wanting him to catch her watching him.

“Miss Celia Wilcox.” Curtis Suggs closed the gap between them with two long strides and grinned down at her. “Will you honor me with this dance, Miss Celia?”

“Of course.”

The dance was announced as a quadrille, and the couples lined up opposite each other. Curtis’s grin struck her as cocky and predatorial. Celia was thankful it was a lively dance, with little opportunity for talking.

The men bowed and the ladies curtsied as the dance began. Soon they were skipping in a circle, exchanging partners with the three other couples in their square.

Curtis’s hand was clammy and cool, and she had to clasp it often—but only briefly, thank goodness. He had been very polite when she’d met him before, but if she wasn’t mistaken, she smelled whiskey on his breath. Drinking could certainly change a man’s personality.

Middle-aged and young couples, single and married alike took part in the dance. Celia’s heart lightened at the smiles on every face and the brisk movement of the dance, in spite of her growing aversion to her partner.

The dance ended and Curtis Suggs took Celia’s hand. His eyes, the way they were clamped on her, made her feel intruded upon.

“Miss Celia, might I say, you look particularly beautiful this evening.” He practically smacked his lips as his gaze slid down her figure.

She had a sudden urge to slap him but settled for snatching her hand away. “Excuse me. I’m going to get a cup of lemonade.”

She spun around before he could say another word and headed to the refreshment table. How dare he come to this party drunk and look at her that way? Her hands and knees shook. She kept her gaze straight ahead and focused on the pitchers of lemonade. She let one of the ladies pour her a cup and stood sipping it, concentrating on slowing her breathing.

“May I say, you are an excellent dancer, Miss Celia.”

“Nothing out of the common way, I’m sure.” She turned around and faced Truett Beverly. The way he was looking at her—respectful and humble, so unlike Curtis Suggs—set her at ease, and she remembered her promise to Lizzie to dance with him.

* * *

Truett spottedCurtis coming their way, fire in his eyes. “Don’t look now, but Curtis is coming over here.” The hound dog no doubt wished to ask Celia to dance the Virginia Reel with him.

Celia’s eyes opened wider, a look of panic in them. Curtis was closing the distance quickly.

Truett bowed and said, “Miss Celia, will you dance with me?”

She visibly relaxed, and her smile looked relieved. “Why, yes I will.”

His heart gave a little leap at her gratifying reaction.

Curtis reached them and narrowed his eyes. He stopped just behind Celia and glared at Truett.

“Evening, Curtis.” Truett gently took Celia’s elbow. “Have some lemonade.”

Truett forced himself not to laugh at Curtis’s confounded look.

He focused on Celia as they walked toward the dance floor. Her hair looked softer and prettier, not pulled back in her usual severe, spinster-ish bun. In fact, she looked prettier than he had ever seen her. Should he tell her? He didn’t want to say anything that wasn’t proper.

He was nervous, and he hoped he didn’t start to sweat. She’d already seen him sweaty. When he was splitting wood it was all right, but at a dance it seemed like a bad thing.

She was gazing up at him, straight into his eyes. Could she tell that he was drawn to her, that he wanted to make her smile so badly it made his mouth go dry?

They were almost to the dance floor. The band was talking over the music. Other partners were beginning to line up.

“You look beautiful tonight, Miss Wilcox.” He led her to her place.