Part 6 (2/2)
The organizers had done a great job of converting the school gym into a dance hall. The theme was Moonlight and Roses, and a huge full moon, redolent of the real full moon outside, was projected onto one wall. Garlands of paper roses were everywhere and every woman entering received a real red rose.
Susan hadn't exaggerated when she had said the dance was aimed at the whole community. Rachael saw all sorts of people of varying ages. There were grandmas with blue rinsed hair, grungy teenagers, pretty schoolgirls, s.e.xy ladies, goths, cool hip-hop dudes and cowboys. She even spied a gang of leather-clad bikers at one table.
54.
Some popular dance music was playing, and people were already on the dance floor, including Tom and Harry, who had a girl suggestively sandwiched between them.
”I need to speak to those two about appropriate behavior. This is a family event. Excuse me.” Colin rolled his eyes and headed onto the dance floor to collar his brothers.
Rachael and Susan found an empty table while Mark went to the bar.
”I'll fill you in on everyone I know and all the juicy gossip.”
Susan chuckled.
As she looked around, Rachael spotted the man who had ha.s.sled Janet. ”Hey, tell me about that guy.” She pointed him out to Susan.
”Roy Crossling? Local yahoo, more looks than brains and that's not saying much. His family owns property that borders yours and the Rydens. Why?”
”He was bothering a woman the other day.”
”It wouldn't surprise me. His momma left him and his daddy years ago. Couldn't put up with the abuse anymore, so the rumor goes. That boy needs a talking to and then some.”
”Well, he might get it tonight.”
”Really? Tell all.”
”I'll explain later. Right now, I need the bathroom.”
Susan pointed her in the general direction of the ladies' room, and Rachael wove in and out of the tables to get to the far side of the gym.
She recognized a few of the guys from the Sweet Water Ranch and smiled a greeting in pa.s.sing. It took twenty minutes to get across the room as friendly folks she'd met over the past few days inquired after her-How she was settling in? Did she need any help? Would she like a drink? She briefly exchanged pleasantries and her smile was open and genuine, until she saw a line of women along a wall. Typical.
There's always a queue for the ladies, but I bet not for the gents. It's enough to give a girl p.e.n.i.s envy.
55.
”Hey, I'm glad that you're here.” Janet was standing near the end of the line and gave her a big hug.
Rachael couldn't resist making a quick sweep of the room. She didn't see Joshua or James and relaxed a bit.
”I am so grateful to you. I told my brothers everything. At first, they were a bit annoyed with me for not saying anything to them sooner, but I gave them your boiling frog explanation and they backed off a bit. Even Josh understood. I think you have gone up even further in his estimation, and, let me tell you, that guy is hard to please.”
”I bet.” Rachael muttered, pleased with the compliment but telling herself to lock her feelings down because it just couldn't go any further. Suddenly, she noticed that Janet had visibly stiffened.
”Well, h.e.l.lo, Jan, fancy seeing you here,” someone with a menacing voice drawled. ”You shouldn't stand in line. Why don't you come with me? Next door is free.”
Rachael turned to see Roy Crossling leering at Janet.
”No, thank you. I can think of better offers than a trip to the toilets with you,” Janet said with her head held high and only a slight tremble in her voice.
”Ah, come on, Jan, or do you think you're too good for me?” he sneered slowly.
”Well, I certainly do. You are not getting the message. She is not interested in you.” Rachael punctuated the last four words.
”You're a nosy b.i.t.c.h, y'know that?” he said between gritted teeth.
”Not normally,” she said pleasantly then sharply dropped her smile. ”But I can make an exception for you. Now b.u.g.g.e.r off.” She maintained eye contact as he straightened. The other women in the queue were starting to take notice of the exchange.
”What makes you think you can tell me what to do?” he snapped.
”It's a thing called freedom of speech, Roy. What you decide to do is another matter, but we really don't want a scene here tonight.”
Thinking that she was backing down, he sneered, ”You're all bluff, aren't ya, Miss Sperm Collector?”
56.
”Gosh, Roy, is that the best you can do?” Rachael sadly shook her head. ”I suggest you save your breath. You'll need it to blow up your date.”
”What?” he spluttered.
Several of the listening women snickered.
”Hard of hearing, too? Even with my expertise and knowledge on the matter, what I can't understand is how, out of one hundred thousand sperm, you were the fastest?”
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