“But you started so young!” Toria exclaimed. “You don’t seem at all old to me.”
“You make me feel young.” They rode along in silence for a bit before he pulled into the ranch yard where they were headed. He parked among the other buggies and wagons, carefully tying his horses to a tree. Walking around, he held his hands up for her, catching her waist and helping her down.
She immediately turned to get her covered dish, which every woman knew was her key to get into a party like this. They walked in together, and she was aware that people were watching them. It was their first social event as a married couple, so it was natural.
Walking over to where Marta was standing with children surrounding her, Toria handed her the covered dish. “Thank you so much for inviting us. I’m looking forward to the dance.”
Marta smiled, her eyes a bit sleepy. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Are you feeling all right?” Toria asked, immediately worried about her new friend.
Marta nodded. “I’m just tired. It takes a lot out of a woman having so many people depending on her. I love to cook and clean, and the children make me happy, so please don’t think I’m complaining.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying things. Don’t dance so much that you can’t make it through tomorrow.”
Marta laughed. “I’ll dance, at least a little. I didn’t have this barn cleaned out for nothing.”
Toria nodded, moving away from her friend. There was a small band in one corner of the barn consisting of a fiddle, a harmonica, and a guitar. It wasn’t the kind of dance people went to back east, of course, but it looked fun to her.
Royce stepped into the middle of the barn and removed his hat. “Let’s thank the Lord for this meal, and then we’ll get into the most important part of our evening—having fun!”
After the prayer, they all lined up and filled their plates from the smorgasbord in front of them. Toria was genuinely amazed at all the dishes that had been provided, and she was sure they’d be able to feed everyone at least twice over. She herself had brought enough food to feed at least four people, instead of the two of them. Then she spotted John, who was off to one side of the room, looking excitedly at the crowd. She raised her hand in a wave, and he nodded at her.
After their plates were filled, Mortimer led her over to a hay bale that would serve as their bench. They both held their plates in their laps, prepared to eat. John walked past them with his plate. “I’m going to find the other young men,” he said.
Mortimer nodded, watching him carefully. He didn’t seem to be under the influence of drink, but he knew that John’s friends often brought their own entertainment to parties.
As soon as they were finished eating, Mortimer held his hand out for her and helped her to her feet. “May I have this dance?”
Toria smiled, nodding emphatically. “I can’t think of anything I would like more.” The band was playing a slow tune, and she was happy to be able to dance in his arms.
As they danced, Mortimer realized the second thing Toria had no talent for. She couldn’t dance. She tripped over her feet, his feet, and once a speck of dust on the floor. But just like when she sang, she was happy, her whole face lit up. He would deal with bruised toes to keep his wife so very happy.
As they danced, Toria saw Grace behind them, and she was beaming. She looked genuinely happy that Toria and Mortimer were happy. Toria nodded to her as they continued their dance.
The next time she twirled to where she could see Grace, the angel’s face looked panicked. She was gesturing for Toria to follow her.
Toria looked at Mortimer. “I need to excuse myself for a moment,” she whispered, then she hurried toward the angel, following her.
When she got outside, she saw John slowly backing away from two other young men, a look of fright on his face. She saw one of the young men pull a knife. He wielded it with more enthusiasm than skill. The other young man pulled a knife and the two of them circled each other, both looking for just the right time to attack. Toria called for John to come beside her, needing him away from the danger.
John hurried over, his eyes wide as he watched the fight. There was a dark figure over the young men. Toria didn’t know who it was, but he frightened her.
“It’s the Angel of Death. One of them isn’t going to make it. Don’t try to stop it. Nothing will work once Death gets here,” Grace whispered to her.
Toria thought for a moment about trying to stop it, but she knew it wouldn’t end well. Instead, she took John’s arm and pulled him back into the dance. “Were they drinking?” she asked softly, with no accusation in her voice.
“Yes, and they wanted me to drink with them.”
“But you didn’t?” Toria asked, almost afraid of the answer.
“I didn’t.”
She squeezed his arm. “I’m going to go let Royce know there’s a knife fight in his barnyard.” She was surprised no one else had seemed to see what was happening.
John stayed beside her as she went to Royce, whispering to him that he was needed outside, and Royce rushed out. She sat down beside Marta, who looked even more tired than before. “Are you all right?”
Marta nodded. “I need to get a drink of water. Other than that, I’m just fine.”
John hurried to get the water, bring her a glass back.
The men quickly ran from the barn one at a time, but John stayed beside Toria. She wasn’t sure if he just didn’t want to be part of the altercation, or if he needed to stay where he could be seen so no one thought he was part of it. Either way, she was glad to have him there.
Mortimer came into the barn a few minutes later, making a beeline for his family. “Are you all right?” he asked John softly, more asking if his son had participated in the drunkenness going on outside.
“I got away as soon as I knew what was going on, Dad.”
Royce came back into the barn, and he raised his voice. “There was a little problem outside. Jim Thompson was stabbed, and he’s dead. I think it’s time for the party to be over.”
Chapter Ten
Mortimer took Toria’s arm. “Let’s get out of here.”
Toria nodded. She felt almost guilty that she hadn’t done anything to stop the fight, but the whole situation had seemed too dangerous to her. She simply wanted to get John away from the fight as quickly as possible.
John frowned at her as he headed for his own wagon. Toria grabbed the dish she had brought, feeling a small sense of pride that it was completely empty, and she walked with Mortimer to the buggy.
She could see there was a group of people surrounding Jim, the boy who had been stabbed, but the Angel of Death was no longer there. She had to assume that he had gotten what he came for.
On the drive back, she was mostly silent, not certain what to say at all. She was simply relieved that her own family was untouched.