Read Online Rebellious Bride by Donna Fletcher - Free Book Online Page B

love,” Rolfe said softly almost in envy of such a relationship.
    Sam stood up and put on his hat. “I just wanted you to understand Lil a bit better in hopes that you could look more kindly on her. We all like to get along in Little.”
    Rolfe smiled at his last statement. “I have found most of the people of Little congenial. And I will gladly try to be patient with your daughter.”
    “Appreciated,” Sam said, holding out his hand.
    Rolfe took it, his grip firm.
    “See you at the dance Saturday night?” Sam asked, walking with Rolfe around the veranda to the front of the house.
    “I’m looking forward to it.”
    “Everyone looks forward to it, especially since the cold weather will soon arrive and then the snow. People, except those in town, don’t get to see one another as much during the winter. The dance sort of prepares everyone for the isolation. It also allows the ladies to show off their new dresses they’ve been busy working on all summer.”
    “Then I’m looking forward to the occasion with even more enthusiasm.”
    “See you then,” Sam said and headed down the steps to his horse.
    Rolfe watched him ride off. His thoughts weren’t on the sheriff or on the dance itself. They were focused on Lillian and what she would be wearing to the much awaited social function.
    ~~~
    “Ow!” Lil complained, feeling another pin prick her skin.
    “Well, if you’d stand still, you wouldn’t find yourself being used as a pin cushion,” Holly said, adjusting the pin that had stuck her.
    Lil was impatient. “Aren’t you done yet?”
    “If you hadn’t waited until the last minute for me to stitch this dress, it would have been finished by now,” Holly scolded in a motherly fashion.
    Lil rolled her eyes heavenward. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to attend the dance. And besides, this dress wasn’t really necessary.”
    Holly unfastened the row of buttons down the back of the dress and carefully helped Lil out of it. “It was necessary. You’ve been the talk of the town lately. A new dress will at least show the other women that you’re like them.”
    “But I’m not like them,” Lil said and hurried into her white blouse and dark blue skirt.
    Holly reprimanded Lil with a quick shake of her finger. “Gossip rules this small town, and you’re on everyone’s tongue lately. It wouldn’t hurt to act more like the other ladies before you find yourself being scorned by them.”
    Lil dropped down into the nearest chair and sighed. “I don’t have time for this nonsense. I can’t help it if the women of Little find the girls at Susie’s saloon socially unacceptable. Illness doesn’t distinguish between social classes. When those girls need medical help, I intend to see that they get it.”
    “Then be more careful how you go about it. You nearly caused a scandal when you walked into the saloon half undressed.”
    “Half undressed?” Lil jumped out of the chair. “I was not half undressed!”
    “Regardless, that’s how the women saw it.”
    “And you think this dress will improve my standing in the community?”
    Holly carefully laid the dress over the back of the chair. “It will show them that you share their interests and took the time, as did they, to make certain your appearance was special.”
    Lil plopped down again in the chair. Holly was right. These people were her friends. They truly did care about her. They didn’t really object to her tending to Bibi. They just preferred her to do it with at least a modicum of decorum. “I rush into situations without thinking.”
    Holly smiled. “That’s obvious.”
    “The dance will begin in a few hours. Will the dress be finished?”
    “A stitch here and there and it’ll be all done,” Holly assured her. “I was thinking about your hair.”
    Lil raised her hand to her hair. “What about my hair?”
    “We should sweep it up,” Holly said, her hands demonstrating her suggestion. “‘And curls would look nice on top. Come upstairs with me