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seven, okay?”
         “Sounds good,” Jenna said, taking the dress and shoes into her room.
    ***
        Jenna decided to take a nice soothing bath to relieve some of the tension. She was a little nervous about tonight, but she was also excited. She’d never had much time for dances, or parties, her life had revolved around work. Today she was going to let loose and have a good time.
         After her bath she began experimenting with her hair. She tried several styles before deciding to go for the basic, letting her naturally curly hair cascade down her back. Earlier in the day she had gone to one of the department stores at the mall and the girl at the makeup counter had given her some pointers on how to apply the cosmetics and on how to accentuate her eyes. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought she had done a decent job. At seven she went downstairs and met Marla who was already waiting.
         “Wow Jenna, you look beautiful. Doesn’t she look beautiful, Wade?”
         Wade had just walked in from the stables and had to do a double take when he saw Jenna.
        “Yes, very nice,” he said dismissively as he started up the stairs.
         “Jenna, I wouldn’t be surprised if some gorgeous hunk sweeps you off your feet tonight.” Marla said, loud enough for Wade to hear. Still no reaction from him.
         “I guess we better get going,” she said to Jenna and they set out. When they got to the car she suddenly stopped.
         “Oops, I forgot my purse. Let me go get it.”
         “Okay, I’ll wait for you in the car.”
         Marla trotted upstairs and knocked on Wade’s door.
         “Come in,” she heard Wade say.
         Wade was sitting at his desk looking over some papers, or so it appeared.
         “Hey bro, I’m leaving now. Are you sure you wouldn’t want to come with us?”
         “I told you, I’m staying home tonight,” Wade said, trying to forget how beautiful Jenna looked.
         “Well, if you change your mind I left the extra ticket on the coffee table.” Marla turned and walked downstairs.
         Wade put down the papers he’d hastily picked up when Marla had knocked on his door and thought about what she said. What if someone did sweep Jenna off her feet? That would actually be a very good thing, she would latch onto the new man and leave his uncle alone. Then why did he feel such a knot in his stomach at the thought of her in another man’s arms?
         He thought that maybe a beer would relax him and headed toward the kitchen. On the way there he glanced into the living room, his eyes settling on the lone ticket. He turned his head away and continued toward the fridge. He stopped again and looked back at the ticket. Maybe going to the gala wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Comparing notes with other ranchers would be good for business, wouldn’t it? He thought about it for a few more seconds before heading back upstairs and into the shower.
         A half hour later he was on his way. He used some of the expensive aftershave Marla had given him last Christmas, refusing to speculate as to why he would want to smell good when all he wanted was to talk shop with other men.

Chapter five
     
         He arrived at the banquet hall and handed his key over, taking the numbered ticket the valet offered and placing it in his pocket. He entered the grand ballroom, his eyes searching through the crowd. He was looking for a green dress when he caught sight of Marla and headed her way.
         “You came!” Marla said when he reached her side, giving him a big hug and a kiss.
         “I figured I might as well see what’s new in the ranching industry,” he lied. He was there for one thing and one thing only, and that was to see Jenna, he finally admitted to himself. 
         “I’m so happy you’re here. We’re having a blast,” Marla said, looking over the dance floor.
         Wade followed her eyes and saw