His cabin was built for comfort instead of looks. In the winter, it was warm and snug, and during the summer heat waves it was cool, even outside on the wraparound porch.
“Aren’t you going to the dance?” He noticed the older man’s more casual attire of a plaid shirt and jeans. As he looked at his grandfather, he realized the man’s hands had grown more gnarled from his arthritis and his face showed cracks and wrinkles of a life well lived. He also noticed the older man’s walk wasn’t as steady as it used to be.
It saddened Cooper to think the day would come when the older man wouldn’t be around to remind him to honor his ancestors and tell the story of the Woman of the River and what she meant. For some time, Laughing Bear had been convinced the woman would return and come into Cooper’s life, as she had come into the Sauk chief Black Hawk’s.
Cooper was convinced he’d see Homer Madison’s pigs fly first.
“Dances are for young people.”
“That’s not what Mrs. Peabody thinks. And she’s got to be ninety-four, if a day,” Cooper protested. “When she’s feeling frisky she can put all of us to shame on the dance floor.”
“Liza Peabody was a lovely young woman who had her choice of men in the town,” Laughing Bear mused. “She once told me she chose Walter because he had kind eyes. She listened to her heart instead of her head. It was the best choice she could have made.”
“Oh no!” Cooper threw up his hands for protection. “You already tried that a few minutes ago and I wouldn’t bite.”
Laughing Bear stared at his grandson for several moments. “Perhaps it would be a good thing if I go. But my truck is not running right.”
His grandfather was spinning a yarn, Cooper knew, since he’d just given the cantankerous pickup a tune-up on his last day off. The older man wanted to go, all right. As long as he went with Cooper and his date. Good thing Cooper didn’t think Caroline would mind.
“Go on and change,” he said gruffly. “You can ride with us.”
Laughing Bear appeared to hesitate. “She will not mind?”
“I have a pretty good idea Caroline won’t mind at all. Go on home and change. I’ll drive over there to get you.”
Cooper knew his grandfather had done what many a teenager had tried and failed to do with the deputy. The elderly man had just neatly manipulated him.
“You would have made a great lawyer,” he called after his grandfather.
“Yes, I would,” was his serene reply.
Cooper didn’t bother coming back with a retort. His grandfather was happiest when he had the last word.
“YOU LOOK LOVELY, dear,” Anna told Caroline.
“It’s all right?” Caroline struck a pose worthy of a haughty model in a fashion magazine. “I wasn’t sure what to wear, then I discovered I had this outfit and thought it would work. It’s one of my favorites.”
“It’s perfect,” her landlady proclaimed, but looked skeptical as she stared down at Caroline’s feet. “Are you sure you can dance in those shoes?”
Caroline’s black, silk knit top boasted a scoop neck and cap sleeves, and skimmed the waistline to her red-and-white checked skirt with its flirtatious ruffled hemline. Her strappy, high-heeled sandals showed her legs to their best advantage. She had the top part of her hair, divided into three sections, twisting the strands around to be held in place with red pearlized butterfly clips. Her only other jewelry was a gold bangle bracelet.
Caroline had just reached the bottom step when the doorbell rang.
“I’d say that is your date,” Anna said, moving toward the door. She opened it and stood back. “Cooper, now don’t you look handsome.”
“Anna,” he greeted the woman as he stepped inside. His gaze immediately shifted to Caroline. His voice turned husky. “You look lovely.”
She brightened immediately. “Thank you.” She headed toward him.
“We’ll see you at the dance,” Anna told them.
“I hope you don’t mind, but my grandfather wanted to come to the dance and he said his truck is acting up,” Cooper said apologetically as they went down the walkway.
“I don’t mind at all.”
Caroline looked at the Blazer with its official seal.
“There’s not enough of us to be off duty totally,” he explained, opening the passenger door.
Caroline looked in, noticed the rifle and the low voiced static coming from the radio. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer,” she quipped, as he helped her into the seat.
“With two of us, you will feel even safer.”
Caroline shifted, so she could rest her arms on the back of the seat. “You must be Cooper’s grandfather. I’m Caroline Benning.” She offered her hand.
“I am Laughing Bear.” He took her hand between his as he smiled at her. “You are a lovely woman.”
She smiled back. “Thank you. I can see where your grandson received his charm.” She shifted her gaze momentarily in Cooper’s direction.
“I tried to teach him well,” Laughing Bear said gravely.
“Are you trying to steal my date, Grandfather?” Cooper asked as he slid behind the wheel.
“Only if she wishes to be stolen.” His teeth flashed white in the dark.
“I bet all the ladies adore him,” Caroline said to Cooper.
“He’s a charmer, all right,” he muttered.
Caroline shared a secret smile with Laughing Bear. She somehow felt that the older men approved of her.
The hall where the dance was held was brightly lit, with music floating out of the open doors. Tiny twinkling lights threaded through the trees outside the hall gave the area a fairyland atmosphere. A romantic atmosphere for those who wished some privacy. Teenagers were already disappearing among the trees.
Out of habit Cooper scanned the grounds. He didn’t expect trouble. It was rare to have any problems on dance nights unless someone spent too much time in the parking lot with friends and beer. Only soft drinks were allowed in the hall for just that reason. In Cooper’s opinion it was a good rule.
Caroline took his arm and hugged it against her. Her movements sent the scent of her perfume drifting his way. Tonight her fragrance was heavier, with a hint of jasmine. Something rare and exotic. Like her.
“You’re off duty,” she reminded him, seeing him stare toward the rear of the parking lot.
“No cop worth his salt is ever off duty,” he said.
She kept his arm close to her. “Then I guess I’ll just have to make sure that you’re too busy dancing to worry about anyone else.”
Cooper ignored the soft laughter coming at him from behind. He could tell his grandfather was already having way too much fun at his expense.
When they entered the hall, Laughing Bear moved to one side to join friends.
“It looks as if the entire town is here,” Caroline said, looking around.
Her toes tapped and her hips swiveled to the beat of the Glenn Miller song the band was playing.
“Just about. All ages are welcome so no one has to baby-sit and miss out on the fun,” Cooper told her. “Care to dance?”
“Of course I do. I’m not letting you off that easy,” she quipped, allowing him to lead her toward the dance floor.
The moment she stepped into his arms she felt her pulse race. She moved with him as easily as if she’d danced