He smiled.
“I'm frequently ridiculous.”
She shook her head.
“I can't dance like they can.”
“Neither can I.”
She looked at his outstretched hand.
“My legs won't manage much.”
“Then we won't do much.”
She hesitated.
The cowboy leaned closer.
“There's no law saying a dance must involve crossing the whole room.”
The woman glanced toward the guests.
They were occupied with the music.
No one appeared to be watching.
She looked back at him.
“Are you serious?”
“Entirely.”
Slowly, she placed her hand in his.
He helped her rise, allowing her to move at her own pace.
When she was steady, he positioned himself close enough to support her comfortably without restricting her movement.
They swayed gently beside the fireplace.
Only a few steps.
A small turn.
Then another.
The woman laughed nervously.
“This isn't much of a dance.”
The cowboy smiled.
“Feels like one to me.”
She looked up at him.
His green eyes were soft.
For a moment, the room seemed to disappear.
The fiddle continued playing.
The fire crackled.
His hand rested gently at her back.
She could feel the strength of his arm.
But there was no pressure.
No demand.
He was simply sharing the moment with her.
“You're staring,” she whispered.
He smiled.
“I know.”
“Why?”
He considered the question.
“Because you look happy.”
Her throat tightened.
“I am.”
He nodded.
“Then it's a good evening.”
She rested her free hand against his shoulder.
They continued swaying.
The movement was small and careful.
But to the woman, it felt like the grandest dance of her life.
When the music ended, the guests applauded politely for the musicians.
The cowboy helped her return to her chair.
He brought her water.
Then he leaned close enough to whisper.
“Thank you.”
She looked surprised.
“For what?”
“For dancing with me.”
Her eyes filled.
She had never imagined a man thanking her for something that had always seemed beyond her reach.
She looked down quickly.
The cowboy noticed.
“Have I upset you?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Then what's wrong?”
She looked up.
“Nothing. That's the strange part.”
He smiled.