Grace helped Bill and Flo set up their stand for the chili. The big event was being held at the town community hall on Main Street. The large brick building was crowded with food vendors and town people ready to sample all the good homemade food. The smells of all the different dishes being offered made her feel hungry. She was excited about seeing Hannah and Jackson tonight. It was ridiculous how she felt attracted to Jackson. He said he wanted friendship and she should be glad that was all he wanted, but her body reacted instantly when he came close to her. Her heart would start beating wildly despite the protests her mind repeated about not trusting men.
“Grace.” Grace was helping Bill set up and turned when she heard her name being called. She saw Ida, Hannah, and Jackson at their chili stand across from Bill and Flo, and she waved to them in a greeting.
“Tonight they are the enemy, child,” Bill grumbled playfully, putting his colorful sign up announcing his famous chili.
Flo laughed as she set out her special homemade cornbread muffins. “Pay no attention to him, Grace. Go on over there with Hannah. Have fun tonight. You look really pretty. Wait until the dancing starts.”
Grace walked over to Ida’s table and Ida gave Grace a big hug and admired her pretty outfit.
“Ready for the big night, Ida?” Grace asked, looking at Ida’s table and smelling the wonderful aroma coming out of the large crock-pot Ida had sitting on the table. “I know it’s all Bill has talked about until Flo tells him to stop.”
Ida nodded with a grin, rubbing her hands together with glee. “I’m ready to win.”
Hannah laughed and teased her aunt playfully. “I don’t know, Ida. Bill might just win this year. I hear he has been practicing a lot.” Hannah was dressed in a pretty blue sundress that made her blue eyes shine brightly and white sandals.
“Nonsense,” Ida replied huffily, shooing them away with her hands. “Off you go, children. I have a judge to charm,” she said, fixing her apron and patting her hair.
Jackson pretended to be shocked. “You vixen, so that’s how you win every year.”
“I want to try the apple pies first,” Hannah said, rubbing her stomach with her hands. “I missed lunch and the smells here are amazing.”
Jackson looked at Grace. She could feel herself blush as he checked out her appearance and gave a wolf whistle. “What do you want to try, sexy lady?”
“Anything but chili, no offense, Ida.” She laughed, feeling light hearted and linking her arm with Hannah’s arm, feeling happy. It was an amazing feeling that she had forgotten but now she appreciated every little moment it came her way.
The three of them wondered off, listening to the country band playing and walking around all the food and arts and crafts tables, stopping by each one to get samples and chatting with the people they knew. People looked at her curiously since they probably expected to see Kelly with Jackson. Jackson ignored the looks and paid attention to Grace only. Jackson insisted on buying her a cowboy hat at one stand.
“You can’t dance at the square dance later without the hat, Gracie. It’s against the rules,” he insisted with a serious face, ignoring her protests about spending his money.
“He’s always right, Grace. At least, that’s what he’s been telling me all my life. Might as well give in and take the hat, and since you are being so generous, brother dear, I want one, too.” Hannah laughed with joy at seeing her big brother happy again and obviously over Kelly.
Jackson groaned playfully at his sister, taking out his wallet from his back pocket. “I guess I walked into that one.”
Grace gave in graciously and picked out a pale beige cowboy hat with a pink band on it. She modeled, flipping her hair out jokingly.
“Well, darling, how do I look?”
Jackson pretended to think about it rubbing his chin as if searching for an answer until Grace hit him in the chest.
“Okay, okay you look beautiful and glowing with happiness.” He answered truthfully grabbing Grace by the hand and not letting it go.
Hannah picked out a white one with a navy-blue band and put it on her head with a big smile. “I want this one, Jack. My brother is right, Grace. You look hot tonight.”
“Let’s go get some apple cider, shopping makes me thirsty.” he suggested, putting one arm casually around Grace and the other around Hannah. “And maybe a corndog or two. I’m getting hungry, too.”
Ben was standing in line at the apple cider table when he spotted them and smiled, winking at Hannah. He was dressed in blue jeans and a white button-down shirt. “Hey, Jackson, it is not fair for you to get two beautiful women. Let me take one off your hands.”
Grace blushed but Hannah rolled her eyes at Ben and snorted at his comment. “Here by yourself, sheriff? I thought you were dating Dorothy what’s her name.”
Ben chuckled at Hannah’s show of jealousy and he kissed her hand softly, looking her up and down in her pretty dress until her cheeks turned pink. “Pure gossip, but I am expecting a dance from you, sweetheart. That’s my only reason for coming tonight.”
Hannah pulled her hand away from him and folded her arms across her chest and said haughtily, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, “Sure it was, and we’ll see if I have time. My dance card might be full, sheriff.”
Ben was very tall and handsome, with wavy brown hair and green eyes. Being the town sheriff and single, the women all chased him, but Hannah refused to be one in a crowd of many. Ben chuckled at her sassiness and winked. “You know you are number one in my heart, baby. I will see you in a bit and I will get that dance Hannah.” He walked off to talk to one of the venders who was waving him over.
Grace looked at Hannah’s pink cheeks and laughed. “Wow, Hannah. He is definitely interested in you. I could feel the heat wave between you two. He is all man, girlfriend.”
Hannah laughed as Jackson scowled at Grace’s description of Ben. “I’m much better looking, Grace.”