Summary:  A young lady invites the Cartwrights to her birthday party and then waits for the right man to ask her to dance.  But who is the right man?
Rating  G (2,450words)

Lady in Waiting

The Ponderosa ranch house was in a state of uproar. It was a Saturday night, there was a party at the Carpenter ranch, and all four Cartwright men wanted hot water for a bath at the same time. Finally, Hop Sing, the Chinese cook, threw up his hands in frustration and trotted back to his kitchen muttering in Chinese about impossible demands on his time. He was still muttering when he realized he was not alone in his sanctum – a half-dressed Hoss Cartwright was poking around in cupboards looking for a snack.

“You no touch Hop Sing’s stores!” the cook scolded.

“C’mon, Hop Sing, I’m starvin’,” the big man replied, not at all put out by the scolding; he’d heard it all too often in his life and knew Hop Sing’s bark was worse than his bite.

“You eat at party. Missy Jane good cook,” Hop Sing responded, shooing Hoss before him out of the kitchen. Hop Sing sighed: at least he’d have an evening of peace with no cooking once they had all left, and he was looking forward to it.

Hoss just managed to grab a couple of raisin cookies before he found himself back in the dining room, where he almost bumped into his older brother.

“Does your presence mean the washroom is empty and I can get a bath at last?” Adam asked in an exasperated voice.

Hoss chuckled. “Not for a while; Joe’s in there now.”

Adam groaned. “He takes all night. How come I’m the oldest and I end up last?”

Hoss shrugged and munched on a cookie. “You finished your chores last,” he mumbled with his mouth full.

“Only because I did half of Joe’s and finished up for him as usual,” Adam continued to grumble.

Ben came down the stairs, pulling on his jacket. “You boys all ready for this party?”

Adam threw up his hands. “No, my little brother is taking his time to get washed, as usual.”

Ben chuckled. “He likes to look good for the ladies.”

“Wouldn’t we all?” Adam muttered as he sank down in a chair to wait.

An hour later, it was Joe who was complaining. He was dressed up in his crisp white shirt, black tie and green jacket, his hair neatly combed and the powerful scent of bay rum emanating from him. “How come it takes him so long to get ready?” he moaned as they waited for Adam to emerge from his room.

“I wouldn’t let him hear you say that, little brother,” Hoss advised with a grin. “He’s late because he finished off your chores.” He pulled on his jacket and adjusted his tie. Hoss hated wearing a tie, and he hoped he’d be able to remove it and slip it into his pocket once they arrived at the party.

At that moment. Adam rounded the corner of the stairs and came down, still shrugging into his black jacket. Ben surveyed the three of them. “Yes, very presentable.” He raised an eyebrow at Joe. “Let’s keep it that way. This is Miss Jane’s birthday party, and we don’t want any trouble.”

Joe put on his most hurt expression. “Why you lookin’ at me. Pa?”

“Well, you have been known to cause a fight over a young lady,” Ben responded, moving to the door.

Hoss chuckled. “Even known the young ladies to fight over you!”

Even Adam smiled at that. “That’s because they think our baby brother’s sweet,” he teased, “and, of course, the effect of the bay rum he stole from me.”

Ben shook his head as the three gave each other good-natured pushes and shoves and headed for their horses. He wished they’d all act their ages – or maybe get married. Surely grandchildren couldn’t be so hard to handle.

Jane Carpenter stood watching the magnificent sunset. It had been a wonderful day, and the best part was yet to come. Soon the first guests would be arriving, and she would see him. She had hugged that thought to herself all day as her family fussed around her because it was her birthday. The good wishes and the presents meant nothing in comparison to her party – her chance to spend a whole evening in his company. He was so strong and handsome, it made her blush in embarrassment just to think of him. Tonight, she would be held in his arms as he whirled her around the dance floor: tonight, she would feel beautiful.

She had persuaded her father to hold a big party this year and, as she was his only daughter, she knew he could deny her nothing. All the neighbours would be here, and there would be music and a superb meal. The side of beef was already sizzling over the fire, and her two brothers were arguing over whose turn it was to work the spit. Andy, the older brother, won, and Pete was left to roast along with the beef in front of the roaring fire burning in the pit. She loved her brothers dearly, but they were forever teasing her that she would become an old maid if she didn’t make up her mind to marriage soon. Become one? By the standards of Western custom, she already was one – a spinster and a schoolteacher, 23 today. She took their teasing because all she wanted was him, and, one day, he would notice her. Maybe it would be today.

Andy came over and hugged her, then held her away from him. “You look real pretty tonight, sis. The boys won’t be able lo resist you,” he said, grinning.

She smiled dutifully. They both knew that none of the young men at the party would give her a second glance if she weren’t the hostess. “Who’re you going to make eyes at tonight?” she teased.

“Well, I was kinda hopin’ to spend the evening with Carrie; that’s if I can get to her before Little Joe,” Andy said wistfully.

Jane understood. Her brother had the same problem she had – competition. But at least he can do the asking, she thought angrily. I have to stand here and hope he notices me.

The first guests were arriving as she shook herself from her thoughts and went forward to greet them, friends and neighbours she had known since she was a small girl, just as she had known him. She was soon caught up in a round of dancing, talking and checking on her guests, but always with one eye toward the trail from the Ponderosa. He must come soon.

“Enjoying yourself, baby?” A voice at her shoulder about half an hour later startled her, and she looked up into the warm, kindly smile of her father.

“Yes, Papa. It’s a lovely party. Thank you.”

“Young Mark Hudson was asking after you. He’s got a real good career going for him at the bank. I think he’s over by the fire,” her father hinted, nodding in the direction of the young man.

Jane pasted on a smile. “I’ll talk to him later. Papa,” she said politely, though she had no such intention. Mark Hudson was boring. He talked banking and money all the time. She preferred a rancher -well, one particular rancher.

Her father nodded and smiled. He was a gentle man who adored his daughter and, as he walked away, wished she would find herself a husband who would make her happy. He sighed. Jane had been a good name for her: plain Jane. She’d never be a beauty except to him.

Jane watched him go. She loved her father, but she wished he wouldn’t call her “baby,” and she wished he wouldn’t push unsuitable men at her as if she were desperate for a husband. She wasn’t desperate for a man – just for one man, and tonight he would notice her: she was determined about that. Her rose-colored dress showed off her figure to perfection – and she knew she had a good figure; it was about all she had in her favour. Her face was angular and her skin pale with freckles. It had been hard to soften her features, but tonight she had tried. Her ash blonde hair was dressed in ringlets instead of its usual severe, schoolmarm style, and her eyes sparkled as she awaited his arrival.

Suddenly, she looked up and there he was with his father and brothers. She watched as he dismounted, taking great care with his horse. He was a good stockman who always looked to his mount. The affection between horse and rider was obvious: Like all good cowboys and their mounts, they were a team. She waited until she saw her father move forward to greet them before she, too, stepped forward. She didn’t want to appear too eager; no one else must know how she felt about him, especially her brothers or, indeed, his.

“Ben, it’s good to see you and the boys. Work’s been piling up and I haven’t had time to get by the Ponderosa lately.” Her father greeted his old friend with a firm handshake.

“Work’s always piling up this time of year, Jim. We never seem to catch up till fall.” Ben Cartwright turned to Jane. “Well, happy birthday, young lady. You’re looking real pretty tonight.” Ben had said it as a pleasant formality, but he realized that there was a certain sparkle in her eyes that did make her face animated and prettier than usual.

Jane smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. It’s lovely to see you all here.” She made sure her smile took in all four of them, but it was meant for one in particular. He looked so handsome in his black lie, crisp shirt and with his jacket open. She loved the way his hair curled; in fact, she loved everything about him.

Within minutes, the Cartwright boys had been claimed. She saw Mary Ann possessively take Adam’s arm and lead him away to discuss a piece of poetry, dismissing Jane with a loss of her beautiful dark curls. Hoss was claimed by Bessie Sue, and both were soon waiting in line for slices of the delicious beef that was being carved by her brother Andy. Little Joe was escorting Carrie to the dance floor – her delicate beauty was breathtaking, her dress simple but elegant. Jane pushed down her sadness. Like her, Andy was going lo be disappointed.

She sighed. How could she ever compete? She almost stamped her foot. Tonight was her birthday, and she would compete. She would dance and smile and flirt with all the men. She would make him notice her.

She tried hard to forget her disappointment and danced with everyone who asked. Once or twice, she stood alone for a few minutes watching him. He had removed his jacket after some particularly energetic dancing, and she could see his muscles ripple as he moved. She contrived to be beside him when the food was served, but, apart from commenting that it was a good party, he said nothing that was special for her. She wished she could think of something charming or witty to say; other girls never seemed to have a problem. She tried to think of some serious topic that would engage him in conversation, but her mind was blank. So much for her education, she thought crossly.

As the evening wore on, Ben watched his three sons dancing with all the pretty girls or deep in conversation with the girl of the moment. All three seemed to be having a good time, but he needed to have a word with them about manners. He waited until Carrie and Mary Ann were discussing dresses and Bessie Sue was involved in the fascinating topic of horse breeding with George Morrison. He moved in on his sons, cutting them out and rounding them up as effectively as he did his herd.

Adam raised an eyebrow at Joe. Both had an idea of what was coming.

“I haven’t seen any of you boys dancing with Jane. I thought I taught you better than that. It’s her birthday, and she’s your hostess.”

Joe sighed. “Oh, Pa, she’s so plain and she’s a schoolmarm. She makes me feel like I’m a kid back in a classroom again. Do I have to?”

Ben frowned at him. “Yes, you do. It’s polite, and besides she looks very pretty tonight with her hair done that way.”

Joe glanced across to where Jane was sitting and groaned, then muttered something under his breath about his father’s idea of pretty, which Ben chose to ignore.

“That goes for you two as well.” Ben turned to his older sons. “Hoss!”

“Yeah, Pa,” Hoss muttered. “You know I ain’t much at dancing. I’ll tread on her toes or somethin’.” Then, seeing that his father looked ready to explode, he hurriedly added, “I’ll ask her, but someone better make sure Bessie Sue don’t see us.”

“If she’s too much the schoolteacher for Joe, then you ought to be right at home with her, Adam. She’s intelligent and, like you, always has her head in a book.”

Adam didn’t react quite like his younger brother, but the sentiments showing on his face were much the same. “Mary Ann won’t like it, but I’ll ask.” He sighed.

“Oh, for goodness sake!” Ben exploded. “Anyone would think I was asking you to marry her. All you have to do is have one dance with her on her birthday.”

The three boys all sighed and looked as if their father had suggested a hanging. Then they set about deciding which of them was going to go into the lion’s den first. Ben walked away, shaking his head. Drawing matches was hardly what he’d had in mind, but he’d see that each one of them fulfilled their duty to their hostess. He had already done his and could now seek out a lady of his choice with whom to share the rest of the evening.

Jane’s heartbeat quickened, and she felt herself begin to blush. He was coining over now to ask her to dance. She had seen the discussion, even seen the drawing of matches. She knew it was a polite gesture because she was the birthday girl, and everyone would dance with her, but, nevertheless, it made her shiver in anticipation. In a few moments, she would be in his arms. As he walked toward her, she smiled. Maybe someday he would see how much she loved him and his smile would be one of a lover, not just a friend. For now she’d settle for friendship. He really was so handsome, and she loved his shy, gentle manner. Yes, Hoss Cartwright was definitely the most desirable man in the room.