Sleepless Nights:The Donovans of the Delta 2(7)

Amanda lost track of what Maxine was saying as she caught a glimpse of Tanner. He had wasted no time in finding another woman. He had Evelyn Jo Goff in a tight huddle on the dance floor. A blaze of jealousy coursed through her, and she wondered if he’d already found his substitute.

“Yes. I was definitely wrong.” Maxine spoke loud enough to make Amanda jump.

“What?”

Maxine patted her frizzy blond hair, then reached over to pat Amanda’s arm.

“I said, ‘Here comes Wilford.’ And since I’ve already got him hooked and am probably going to say yes just because I can’t stand this unholy state of unmatrimony, I’m going to be generous and let you have the first dance with him. Bring him back to me in one piece.”

“Thanks. You’re a real friend, Maxine.”

“I know.” When Wilford came within grabbing distance, she took his arm and thrust him toward Amanda. “Do me a favor, sweet pea, and dance with Amanda. Believe me, it’s the only chance you’ll get, because she’ll be mobbed as soon as she gets out on the dance floor.”

“It will be my pleasure.” Wilford adjusted his glasses and swung Amanda into his arms. He held her carefully, like a Dresden doll, guiding her across the crowded floor, dancing with more enthusiasm than expertise.

o0o

Tanner saw them coming. As a matter of fact, he’d watched every move Amanda had made since she’d entered the room. Even after he’d walked away from her, pretending not to care, he’d watched her. When she’d thrown back her head, laughing in that full-throated, uninhibited way she had, he’d been jealous that he hadn’t been the cause of her joy.

The day before, he’d believed he could drive away and forget her, but he’d been wrong. She was still a fever in his blood, and he had to have her, even if it meant making a complete spectacle of himself in his hometown. That would certainly be nothing new. Shifting Evelyn Jo to get a better view of Amanda, he chuckled.

“What’s so funny, Tannah?” Evelyn Jo’s exaggerated accent was so thick, he could almost see it dripping from her mouth. If she hadn’t been such a good sport, he would have regretted his hasty choice of a substitute.

“I was just thinking how good it is to be home for Christmas, Evelyn Jo.” Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that Amanda had changed dance partners already. Good. He didn’t want one man to have his hands on her too long.

“We’ah always so dehlighted to have you home.”

“Tell me, Evelyn Jo, is Riverside Church having its annual Christmas cantata tomorrow night?”

“What a strange thing to be askin’.”

“I like to sing.” Amanda and her partner were dancing so close to them now that he could smell her perfume. She used to put her fragrance on every pulse point of her body. He remembered what fun he’d had tracing the scent and kissing every spot. He felt a sudden jealous urge to toss her partner out the window.

“I remembah. You have a beautiful baritone voice. Of course, they are. It’s tradition, you know.”

Now, what the hell was Evelyn Jo babbling about? he wondered. Then he remembered.

“Amanda always used to sing the lead soprano part,” he said casually. “Now that she’s back in town, I don’t suppose she’s singing at Riverside again.”

“Why, as a mattah of fact, she is. She’s doin’ that part tomorrah. It made old Corinne Luckett madder than hell, if you’ll pardon the expression. She fancies herself the best voice in the Delta. The rest of us are tickled to death to have Amanda back. We’ah tired of Corinne’s screechin’.”

Tanner threw back his head and roared. One of the things he missed most about living in Dallas was the small-town intrigue. As he laughed, he caught Amanda staring at him. He winked. She merely arched her eyebrows and danced on by.

“I think Riverside is going to have a new voice in its choir tomorrow.”

“Why, Tannah. You don’t even know the music.”

“I’m a quick study. Especially with a good teacher like you.”

Evelyn Jo laughed. “I can take a hint, Tannah Donovan. But if you dare tell anybody you spent the night at my house practicin’ for the church choir, I’ll call you the biggest liah in the Delta.”

“Evelyn Jo, you can tell them anything you want, and I’ll vow and declare it’s true.”

“Then get ready to have your reputation enhanced, Tannah Donovan.”

Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. It gave him wicked pleasure to see that Amanda shot him a murderous look.

“You’re a real sport, Evelyn Jo.”