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Maybe if she made a nuisance out of herself he would go just to shut her up.
         “I told you, I’m not going.”
         “Fine!” she pouted, slamming the door behind her. “You’ve turned into such a party pooper,” he heard her call out as she stormed toward her car.
         He put the mail down and rubbed his eyes. He loved his sister but sometimes she could be a real pain in the ass.
    ***
         Marla would not give up so easily. She was a Wilkinson, after all, and Wilkinsons never backed down. She would get him to the dance somehow, she promised herself. She drove to the local Chamber of Commerce and saw that Stella was working the front desk. The woman looked up and beamed when she saw Marla.
         “Hiya, Punkin. Haven’t seen ya in a while, when did ya get back from school?”
         “Just a few days ago. It’s so nice to see you,” Marla loved Stella. She was big and boisterous, and one of the funniest people she had ever met.
         “It’s great to see ya too. How long ya staying in town?”
         “About another week. I’m taking a breather from school and decided to come see my big brother.”
         “Well, that’s real nice sugar. Hope ya have a good ole time while yer here.”
         “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Do you still have tickets left for the gala?”
         “Sure do, but just a handful. Y’all fixin’ on going?” Stella asked with a hopeful smile.
          “I’m thinking about it. I need to get Wade out of the house, all he does is work.”
          “I know what ya mean. That bitch did a real number on him,” Stella sneered. In this town if you hurt one you hurt all, Susan would forever be persona non grata. “Let me go get the tickets. Ya’ll need two, right?”
         “No, I’ll need three. My friend is also going.”
         “Ya bringing a boyfriend?” Stella asked, a wicked gleam in her eye.
         “No, I left him back at school. This is for a girlfriend of mine.”
         “Oh, okay hon.” Stella sounded a little disappointed, Marla thought, smiling to herself. “I’ll go get ya those tickets.”
         On the drive home Marla wondered how she was going to get Wade to that ballroom. Asking him again was obviously not going to work, it had to be sneakier than that. She’d have to think.
         When she got back to the ranch she went looking for Jenna and found her sunbathing in the back yard.
         “Hey Jenna. Listen, I wanted to ask you if you’d go with me to the gala at the Grand Manor this Saturday. I asked Wade to go with me but the old fuddy-duddy said no.”
         Jenna thought about it. “I don’t know Marla. I’d love to get out of the house, but I wouldn’t know anyone there.” 
         “You’d know me, and it’s always a lot of fun. There’s a mix of cowboys and doctors and attorneys along with small business owners of all kinds. It’s wonderful to see everyone get together for a night of fun and dancing. Aw, come on, please say yes.” Marla said with pleading eyes.
         Jenna thought about it and decided, why not? She came to the ranch to clear her mind and forget about John and Heather’s treachery. What better way to do it than to go out and meet new people?
         “Okay, I’ll go. But I have nothing to wear to a ‘gala’,” she said, smiling.
         “I have dresses that I keep here for just such occasions. I’m sure we can find you something you like.” Marla was getting more excited by the second.  
         Jenna was getting excited herself. Wade wouldn’t be there so she wouldn’t feel inhibited, she thought, remembering the disapproval in his eyes when he saw her dancing with that nice man. Why she cared about what he thought was beyond her, but she did care.
    ***
         Part one of Marla’s plan was in place, now onto part two. On Saturday morning she walked toward the stables and saw Wade