The dancehall was owned by the community, so anyone of any age could be on the premises, but in order to drink, you had to show an ID that proved you were twenty-one. Or married to someone who was twenty-one. Or were a pretty girl who knew how to flirt with the male bartenders, as Beverly had learned.
But inside it was wall-to-wall people and the line to the bar was twenty people deep.
“Screw this. I don’t need a rum and Coke that bad,” Beverly complained. They exited out the opposite side near the front entrance and Carolyn scanned the area.
“If he’s here, he’ll find you.” She tugged on Carolyn’s blond hair. “You’re hard to miss.”
“We’ll see.”
Beverly fired up a cigarette. “So your folks don’t suspect anything?”
“I told my mom I met Carson, but nothing more. My dad doesn’t pay much attention to me unless I haven’t cooked.”
She rolled her eyes. Then she said, “Great. Just what I didn’t need tonight.”
“What?”
With her cigarette Beverly pointed to a group of women beside the stage. “See them? Catty little witches. The brunette is Edie, stay away from her. The skeletal-looking blonde is Tammy. If she sees me she’ll try and pretend we’re great friends and then she’ll rip on me the second my back is turned. The chunky one in the middle? That’s Missy. She’s getting married in a couple of weeks.”
“Did you go to school with them?”
“Yes. Unfortunately I have to be nice to them because they’re customers. They were in the fabric store the other day looking for ribbon for their bridesmaids’ dresses.” She blew out a stream of smoke. “You haven’t been in for anything new. What’s keeping you away?”
“I’m doing some piece work and alterations for Maxine Granger for the next few weeks so you probably won’t see me.”
“Too bad. I love to see what you’re creating.” She blew out a stream of smoke. “Wait, you’re working for Maxine?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Because Maxine made Missy’s wedding dress. And her bridesmaids’ dresses. When they were in looking for add-ons for the dresses before the final fittings, they were complaining that they didn’t know the seamstress that Maxine had pawned off on them. I’m assuming that’s you?”
“Most likely. But they haven’t scheduled an appointment yet.”
“Maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ve found someone else.”
They talked clothes and fabric trends. Beverly was the only friend Carolyn had who cared about that kind of stuff.
Then her friend’s face lit up. Mike must be here.
She scanned the crowd for signs of Carson, but with so many cowboy hats she’d never find him that way.
“Carolyn, we need a huge favor,” Beverly said.
“Sure.”
Mike draped his arm over Beverly’s shoulder. “I had to hitch a ride here after working in Aladdin because I left my car in Spearfish. I’ll pay you for gas if you could give us a ride.”
“To Spearfish? Now?”
“Yeah.”
She couldn’t say no because Beverly had done tons of favors for her. “Of course I can take you.”
Beverly grinned. “Thank you.”
They loaded up in Carolyn’s car and drove the forty-five miles to Spearfish. Mike filled her tank before she got back on the road. As the turnoff to the dancehall loomed, Carolyn debated on just driving home. Nearly two hours had passed and if Carson had gone there tonight looking for her, he probably thought she was a no-show.
But what if he’s still there waiting for you?
She made the turn.
There were even more cars. She found a spot at the far back of the lot and started toward the building. When she noticed Carson’s truck parked at the end of a row, her belly got all fluttery. She passed couples in various states of public displays of affection and in stages of undress. Guys were standing in groups drinking and laughing. She didn’t stop walking when they whistled at her.
At the door she showed her hand stamp and weaved through the crowd, figuring she’d find Carson at the bar. A hand circled her waist and spun her around.
Her brother Thomas grinned at her. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Hey. I didn’t think you were coming tonight.”
“Nothing else to do around here.” He tugged on her hand. “Let’s dance.”
“Thomas—”
“One song. Come on. I learned some new moves.”
She laughed. “All right.”
The dance floor was so crowded they could barely move. And Thomas was so determined to show off the swing dancing spins they ended up dancing to three songs. By that time she could hardly breathe and she walked out the open side door for some fresh air.