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nice. He’s a fine young man. I’ve been worried that she is still entertaining thoughts about Ben Haynes, but surely she realizes that such a union would never work out, much less have our approval.”
    He leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek. “Amelia has too much sense to become involved with a cowboy who lives as far away as Kansas.” At least he prayed that was so. The last thing he wanted to do was forbid Amelia from her pursuits, but if they included Benjamin Haynes, he may have to do just that.

Chapter 8
    A nticipation for the evening sent shivers of delight through Amelia’s whole body. In just a short time she’d see Ben at the Farnsworth mansion where the cotillion would be held, and she and her friends would be officially presented to society. He’d been in town since Thursday, but Mama and Papa had kept her so busy she’d had no opportunity to see him before tonight. Would he still be as interested in her now as he had been over a month ago?
    With only two letters from him since he’d left, she feared that perhaps he’d lost interest, and the very thought of it filled her with dread. After all, they had only seen each other a few times, which gave them little opportunity to really get to know each other. None of that mattered now. Tonight, the last night of September, she’d find out if what she felt was real or only a fancy cooked up by her imagination.
    Despite her usual lack of concern for her appearance, this evening she took extra care with her dress. Maeleen had done wonders with her hair, and Amelia admired the effect of the upswept hairstyle with six perfect curls falling from just below the crown. She secured the silver comb embellished with six small diamonds atop her hair. It had been a gift from her father just for this night.
    â€œAmelia, it’s time to go.” Her mother entered and stopped. “Oh, my dear, you are beautiful. Your father is going to be so proud to be your escort this evening.”
    â€œThank you, Mama. This is going to be a wonderful night.” Not just because of the meaning of the occasion, but also because of a certain Kansas cowboy.
    She followed her mother downstairs where Murphy waited with their wraps. Papa grasped her shoulders and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful, my precious girl. I’ll be the proudest father at the ball tonight.”
    â€œThank you, Papa.” Amelia pulled her cloak together and fastened it at the neck.
    A few minutes later she sat in the carriage with her parents. Once again her thoughts wandered as her parents conversed with each other. If she could see Ben right away, she’d be able to put his name on several of the spaces for dances, that is, if he still wanted to be with her as much as she did with him.
    When they arrived at the home, the twelve girls to be presented were escorted to a room where they would assemble before the presentation. Names were checked and places assigned for presentation alphabetically, which meant Carlyle would come very close to the beginning.
    Mary Beth made her way to Amelia. “This is so exciting. I’m so glad Ma and Pa were willing to let me stay for this. Of course Mama went through hers years ago and wanted me to have the same experience.”
    That was fine for Mary Beth, but Amelia wanted to know about Ben. Before she had the chance to ask, Mary Beth said, “And you should see Ben. I must say my brother looks quite handsome in his formal clothes.”
    Amelia’s heartbeat quickened. Only a few more minutes and she’d see him. Everything else paled in comparison to being with him tonight.
    Ten minutes later the hostess for the evening lined the girls up and led them to where their escorts waited. Amelia breathed deeply and willed her heart to stop pounding as she stepped through the door to the hallway where her father greeted her.
    He grasped her hand and tucked it around his elbow.