I walked into the Saturday night community dance knowing I would be one of the two most beautiful girls there. My competition for top spot would come from the fair and lovely Audra Barkley, but that was of no matter to me. Audra might have a goal in mind for the evening, however, I knew my goal was much different from hers and we would not be at odds. My father, my escort for the evening, stopped just inside the door. He glanced at me. "Stand here for a while, Ellie. Let everyone take a good look at you."

My father's goal for the evening was the same as mine. Since my return to the Valley from my aunt's home in Charleston, South Carolina, my Papa, Earl Gethers, had been hard pressed to think of anything other than finding me a husband. Having lost his wife, my mother, to typhoid three years earlier, he had sent me, his only child, East to live with his sister. When I departed the Valley at the age of seventeen, I had been less than beautiful, much less. My legs were like sticks, my hair was straight and dull, and I had not developed well in other ways which were important to a woman.

"They're lookin' at you, girl," Papa said to me, grinning. "I knew it would be this way. Why, these good folks can't believe you're the same girl that went away three years ago."

Papa, too, had trouble at first believing it was me. Upon my return two months before the dance, he'd stared at me when I stepped off the stage, stared as if I was a stranger and not his own daughter. Almost from that moment, he began talking about marrying me off to someone important, and not just any someone either. Papa's idea, and I must admit, not an idea I in any way objected to, was for me to

marry a Barkley. Yes, a Barkley. A member of the most powerful family in the Valley. After all, as Papa said, there were four of them available. Surely one of them would find me attractive, perhaps more than one.

"I'm nervous, Papa," I said. "Everyone's staring, yet no one is asking me to dance."

"Oh now, don't be nervous," Papa scolded. "These ole cowboys haven't seen a pretty miss like you in a while, maybe never. Just wander over there to the refreshment table and get yourself some punch. One of these boys here will get up the nerve to ask for a dance. Don't go gettin' yourself too hot, though, 'cause the Barkleys aint even here yet."

I did as my father suggested. I walked away from him and headed toward the punch. It wasn't that I didn't have self confidence. I did. In Charleston, my aunt had sent me to a finishing school. I, Ellen Jonelle Gethers, had blossomed with the training they gave me. I'd learned to do my dark hair so that it shone with vitality. It fell to my shoulders and curled slightly at the ends. At the school, I was taught how to dress for the purpose of best showing off my tiny waist, my dark eyes, and how to highlight my rather long neck. Tonight, I was wearing a floor length, blue and white checked dress, a dress suitable for the occasion, one which was cut low at the neckline.

Moving in time with the music, I made my way across the floor. I wasn't dancing exactly, for, after all, I had no partner, but one can sway with music when one walks, and that's what I did. Aware that every male eye, even those dancing with other females, was on me, I began to lose my nervousness. This would be fun, Barkleys or no Barkleys! The piano, fiddles, and guitars suddenly quieted. Several gentlemen rushed to my side to offer their assistance in pouring my punch. I glanced toward the doorway. And there, in all their splendor, were my four choices for a husband.

Even as they stood side by side in the doorway of the community building, I began making my decision. Which Barkley would I choose?

They were, all four of them, very handsome. As Papa had warned me, though, and I now remembered well, it could be I would not be the one making the chose. One of them, if I was lucky, would choose me. If more than one Barkley fell under my charms, then, and only then, would I have a chose. So, I suppose what I could be said to have been doing upon their arrival was evaluating which one of them I wished to charm the most.

Almost immediately, my father moved from his spot against the wall to greet the family Barkley. That number included Audra Barkley, the brothers' lovely and most eligible sister. As I tended to be the jealous sort, I eyed Audra suspiciously, even given the fact I had already decided her presence that night would in no way hinder me from reaching my objective.

Papa shook hands with each Barkley brother as if he was his oldest and dearest friend. In fact, we, the Gethers, were small potatoes indeed compared to them. Our ranch was one-sixteenth the size of the Barkley spread, and we had always been only casual acquaintances, neighbors but not friends. That, if Papa had his way, would change tonight.

"Ellie!" my father called my name, motioning at me to come to his side. The music began once again. I swayed toward Papa, my prettiest smile on my face. I was moments away from meeting my future husband, whether it be my former classmate, Eugene, now in college studying to be a physician, Heath, the illegitimate son of Tom Barkley, and now, according to Papa, a respected member of the family, Nick, the Barkley who ran the ranch, or, Jarrod, the oldest and a lawyer.

When I reached Papa's side, he took my hand and began the process of presenting me to the Barkleys. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Audra being led away by an admirer. No doubt she had many and I was glad to have her out of the way. My gaze swept the four men as Papa spoke. "This is my daughter Ellen," he began. "She's been in the East with my sister since her mother died. Ellie, this is

Eugene, Heath, Nick, and Jarrod Barkley."

As Papa pronounced each name, I nodded and studied the face belonging to the name. Eugene had been a classmate and, therefore, a playmate in school throughout my lower grade years. In the higher grades, we had barely spoken, not because I didn't like him, but because he was so introspective, so studious, he was nearly unapproachable. Always short, I saw now that he still fell a few inches shy of any of his brothers, but was taller than my 5'4" frame, also by several inches. Eugene, according to my father, was probably my best bet. He was my own age, for one thing, and, as I've explained, perhaps not in the same category as a suitor as his more worldly brothers.

I shifted my eyes as my father said Heath Barkley's name. I found myself totally enraptured by the set of eyes gazing back at me. This Barkley's demeanor was quite different upon acknowledging me than had been Eugene's. My former classmate said, "Ellie, how nice to see you again." Heath, on the other hand, said only, "Ma'am," while giving me a slight nod of the head. And what an extremelly handsome face adorned that head! I recalled that Papa believed my chances at capturing this one in marriage ran next to that of landing Eugene. My father rationalized that Heath might have trouble finding a girl to marry him, because of the very nasty nature of some folks' thinking when it came to the circumstances of his birth. Papa said Heath might very well settle for a girl from lower means, a girl like me.

Heath's eyes held mind, but almost seemed to apology for doing so. He smiled a soft, sweet smile, and then that smile disappeared so quickly I wasn't sure I'd seen it. When Papa announced the name of the next Barkley brother, I was reluctant to pull my gaze from Heath.

I did so anyway. "Nick," said my father. I felt overpowered and dwarfed by the Barkley who ran the ranch so well known in our territory.

Nick Barkley, a tall, very handsome man with dark, thick hair and twinkling hazel eyes, smiled down on me. "I must say, Earl," Nick said to my father, without taking his eyes from me. "I didn't know you had such a pretty daughter hidden away somewhere. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ellie."

It would be difficult to ignore a man like Nick, I thought. He had such magnetism, I wanted to fall over against him. Papa said, and I realized it was true, that this one probably would not be interested in marrying me. For one thing, he was several years older, and, for another, he wasn't the marrying kind evidently. He'd been known to fall quickly in and out of love. At that moment, I planned to try to make him fall in love with me. As with Heath before him, I was reluctant to pry my eyes from Nick. There was one more Barkley brother to meet.

"Jarrod," said my father, and I gazed into two of the bluest eyes I'd ever seen. I was instantly in love with Jarrod Barkley. My woman's intuition told me he found me charming. "Miss Gethers," he said politely. "What a pleasant surprise you are."

I had been introduced to my future husband. According to the plan my father and I had worked out before arriving at the dance, one of the Barkleys would become my suitor after tonight, and eventually ask for my hand in marriage. It was up to me to charm one and all and hope one of them fell hard. I now believed I knew which one of them I wanted it to be. Jarrod was the least likely, if Papa was any judge, to be interested. He was much older, very intelligent, quite sophisticated, and on and on. I positioned myself directly in front of the eldest brother. He had no choice but to ask me to dance.

"Miss Gethers, would you do me the honor?" invited Jarrod.

I took his offered arm. "I'd be delighted," I said and allowed him to lead me out on to the dance floor.

Chapter 2

The band was playing something in 4/4 time, but just as Jarrod Barkley placed his arm around my waist, they stopped, and immediately began playing again, now in the 3/4 time of the waltz. My dance partner smiled at me. He emitted charm with his every move. Totally captivated, I allowed him to lead me around the floor. "You have no doubt been well trained in the waltz, Miss Gethers," he finally said.

"You dance it divinely."

Actually, I had been trained in dance at the finishing school, not only the waltz, but every dance step popular to mankind. "I've had some practice," I told him, hoping he would believe I'd been the belle of many a ball.

"You are a very lovely woman, Ellen," Jarrod suddenly said. "I can hardly believe I don't remember you, but, of course, you are much younger than I."

I smiled as if embarrassed by what he said. "Well, uh, I have changed in these last three years."

His blue eyes bore into me. "And all of the changes, dear lady, are for the better, I have no doubt."

Jarrod liked me. Enough to begin a courtship which would end in marriage? I could not be sure. As I contemplated how to further endear him to my charms, someone tapped on his shoulder. "My turn, Jarrod," said Eugene Barkley. "After all, Ellie was my classmate.

We need to catch up on old times."

Jarrod graciously gave way to his young brother, and I attempted to hide my disappointment. As I eased into Eugene's arms, I chastized myself for my feelings. Papa would be unhappy if I concentrated too heavily on one of the Barkleys. As he'd said, Jarrod was the least likely to want to marry me. And Eugene was the most likely. I concentrated my full attention on my new dance partner.

"Are you still called Gene?" I asked, as we glided across the floor. The music, I noticed, had switched back to the two step tempo most folks around here were the most comfortable with. Eugene handled it well.

"Yes, my family calls me Gene most of the time. Sometimes, I'm Eugene to them, if I'm being bad."

I laughed. Gene's eyes twinkled when he made the remark. "Surely, you're too old to still be considered a bad boy by your family," I suggested.

Eugene wore a bright red short and a black western tie. His brown hair was curly on top just as it had been in school. His smile was contagious. He seemed very kind. "As long as I'm the youngest, and I don't think there's much chance of that changing, I'll always be a boy to my sister and brothers, and, when I do something they don't like, I'll be a bad boy."

"I'll just bet they won't call you a bad boy when you become Dr. Barkley," I said.

His brow wrinkled. "Don't count on it. I'm not."

I smiled and we danced for a bit in silence. Gene tightened his grip and pulled me closer. The music now was slow and dreamy. "Ellie, you've grown into a beautiful woman," Gene whispered in my ear. I felt wonderful. This one was definitely falling.

"Move out, college boy!"

Gene, reluctantly, loosened his hold on me. He gave me an, oh well, what can I do? sort of look, turned to his brother Nick and said,

"She's all yours, Nick, but only for this dance."

I glowed inside. My plan was working on Eugene. I took his statement to his brother to mean he would be back to dance with me and, most probably, to ask for the opportunity to see me again. I was pleased, but quite frankly, Eugene faded from my mind quickly. The magnetism I'd noticed upon being introduced to Nick Barkley became evident again. Something about this tall, robust, handsome manmade me want to fall in his arms. I fought down the urge and assumed the proper position to dance with him. I supposed this Barkley might not be a very good dancer. Many gentlemen as tall as he were not. They tended to be awkward, especially those who made their living as Nick did. He probably barrels his way through life like a bull in a china shop, I thought. My dance training had prepared me to make the worst of partners look adequate on the floor. As Nick took me in his arms, I was prepared to do just that for him. I wasn't necessary.

Nick made Eugene look clumsy and he displayed more gracefulness than Jarrod. We danced to a slow two step tune at first, but then the music livened to a hoedown pace. Oh no, I thought. As large a man as Nick is, he won't handle this well. How wrong I was.

Throwing his head back in a hearty, contagious laugh, the second Barkley son took a firm grip on my hand and waist and we were off. In his white shirt and black string tie, he flew around the dance floor in perfect rhythm to the music. I stayed with him, but barely.

The music slowed. Nick brought me to a stop. "Whew, that's work!" he said, drawing a deep breath. "Let's get some punch and go outside for some air."

So, this one was to be the first to attempt to get me alone, to separate me from the crowd. Not much chance with him, Papa had said.

At that point, I wasn't so sure. I started to speak, to say I would accompany him outside, when, the last of the Barkley brothers to ask for a dance with me made an appearance at Nick's side.

"How about movin' over and lettin' me dance with the lady?" Heath Barkley asked his brother.

Nick appeared about to explode at the intrusion Heath had made on us. Instaed, he winked at me as if to say, "later," and turned me over to his brother. The music remained slow, an easy two step, but I knew when Heath Barkley assumed the dance position, I would be using my skills at making a partner look good. This Barkley was awkwkard and uncomfortable on the dance floor. He held his shoulders in a very unnatural position. "Just relax," I said. "It's fun. Just move to the music."

Heath favored me with that quick, heart warming smile he'd shown me upon our introduction. His blue eyes seemed to be an extension of his blue shirt, and vice versa. Blue was dominant, and it suited Heath perfectly. He spoke. "I'm not much for dancin', Ma'am."

"You're doing fine, Heath," I told him, and he was. He'd picked up on my movements, and, although I was forcing him to lead, he was, in a way, following. His beautiful smile broadened. "There was no way I could have a chance with you tonight, if I didn't ask you to dance.

So, here I am."

"I'm glad you're here, Heath," I heard myself say. I felt as if I might drown in those sensitive eyes of his. They weren't quite as blue, I noticed, as Jarrod's, but there was an expression there that was missing in Jarrod's eyes. For the life of me, I couldn't put a name to what Heath expressed with his eyes that Jarrod didn't, but I knew there was something. We danced on. Heath became less clumsy, or, perhaps, I noticed it less. "There's a church social next Tuesday night," he said quite unexpectedly. "Would you like to go with me?"

The music stopped. I'd received my first invitation to spend another evening with a Barkley. I faced a dilemma. Should I accept? Papa felt I had a chance with this one. Should I pounce on his invitation, even if it meant his brothers might step aside and leave me to Heath?

Or, should I put him off a bit, play the field with all of the Barkley brothers a while longer? They all seemed interested in me, and I had fancied myself in love with Jarrod. I reached a decision.

"I'm not sure if my father has plans for me on that evening," I told Heath politely. "Please allow me to check with him first."

Heath, too, was polite. "Sure, I'll get back with you later."

Chapter 3

An announcement was made that the next round of dancing would begin in ten minutes. I sought out my father. I wanted his advice on how to proceed. Jarrod Barkley liked me. Eugene had called me beautiful. Nick wanted to take me out for air, and Heath asked for a date. What would happen when the music played again?

I spoke to Papa during the break. None of the Barkleys came near me during that time. In fact, they seemed to all have disappeared.

My father spoke as if he were pleased at the progresss being made. He said that if it turned out all of the Barkleys tried to lay claim on me, I should use my own judgment, that I should follow my heart. Papa wandered away, leaving me alone. The band struck up again.

Almost immediately, Eugene Barkley asked me to dance.

The first number was a waltz. It passed through my mind that I wished it was Jarrod whirling me around the floor. Such a fine performer of the waltz he was, but Gene was good enough at it to make him an enjoyable partner in 3/4 time. "Before any of my brothers interrupt,

Ellie, I want to tell you again how lovely you've turned out to be."

"Thank you, Gene," I acknowledged the compliment. "Tell me about college."

He chuckled. "Now, you don't want to hear about that, do you? But," he hurried to add, "In case you do, how about going with me to the church social next Tuesday night? We could catch up on old times, and, well, Ellie, quite frankly, I love being with you, and hope you feel the same."

The band suddenly kicked into a polka. Eugene smiled warmly at me, even though I had not responded to his invitation. I was glad for the diversion. I now was well on my way to a courtship with either Heath or Eugene Barkley, which ever one I saw fit to choose. As I did the polka in the arms of Gene, I considered making the chose between those two and to stop playing the game of pitting the quartet of Barkleys against each other. Which one, though, would I choose, if I were to do that? Eugene was more comfortable, but Heath was so mysterious, making him more fascinating. Heath was for more handsome, but Gene was headed for a better station in life.

The polka ended. Eugene gazed at me expectantly. He was, I know, waiting for an answer. "May I have this dance?" a familiar voice

asked. I turned and was quickly in the arms of Jarrod Barkley. The music was slow, allowing me a breather from the exertion of the polka, and allowing me to imagine what dancing through life in Jarrod's arms might be like. "You seem to be causing quite a stir among the brothers Barkley tonight, lovely lady," he said, smiling at me, and gazing intently upon me with those gorgeous blue eyes of his.

"Oh?" I pretended ignorance.

"Oh yes," Jarrod went on. "My brothers are falling all over each other to dance with you. You mean you haven't noticed?"

I decided to be brave. "You speak as though you were not among those falling all over each other," I said. "And yet, here you are, dancing with me as often as the others."

Had I gone too far? Ruined my chance with this one? I was not to learn that for a while. "Alright, Jarrod, my turn!" Nick Barkley's loud voice intruded upon the moment. Jarrod stepped away immediately, bowing to me slightly.

I was swept away in the powerful arms of the tall one. Instead of grinning happily at me, though, as during our initial dance, he scowled down at me now. "You've got quite a game going for yourself, haven't you?" Nick questioned me.

My heart nearly stopped. "Game, Nick?" I said innocently. "I don't know---"

"Cut it out, Ellie!" he snapped. "Your father has warned off all the men here, warned them to leave you to the Barkleys. My brothers know it, but they're still insisting on making fools of themselves."

We continued to dance. The band had changed smoothly over to a waltz. Nick Barkley changed just as smoothly. He was a good dancer. "There's nothing wrong with a girl choosing the men she wants to dance with," I told him finally. "And if your brothers like me, there's nothing wrong with that."

Nick's scowl deepened. "You're pitting them against each other. That will cause trouble among us. Which ever one you choose, the others are going to be angry and hurt. Stop the game, Ellie. Tell Eugene or Heath it's him you want. And do it soon!"

I noticed he had omitted Jarrod's name. The music stopped. Nick dropped his arms from me as if I was distasteful to him and walked away. I went to find my father.

Chapter 4

Papa, predictably, advised me to choose between Heath and Eugene, to accept one or the other's invitation to the church social, and to do it promptly the next time my chose asked me to dance. I did not mention my feelings for Jarrod, nor did I go into detail about how hostile Nick had seemed. I only told Papa I'd received the two invitations.

Leaving my father, I returned to the punch table. I poured myself some refreshment. Those men there who were not Barkleys were doing as Nick suggested my father had warned them to do. They were avoiding me like the plague. At first, while sipping the punch, the Barkleys seemed to be avoiding me as well. Then, just as the third set of music for the evening began, one of them, Heath, appeared at my side.

"Do you think you could put up with me for another dance?" the man who might possibly become my husband inquired, favoring me with that quick, almost apologetic, smile.

I set my punch glass on the table. Was this the one for me? "You are a pleasure to put up with, Heath," I said. And it was true. He was a pleasure to be with. Gloriously handsome, quiet and mannerly, all wonderful attributes. We danced in silence to the strains of a dreamy love song. Heath, still a bit awkward, was doing much better.

"Did your father say whether or not he has plans for you on Tuesday?" my partner inquired. I looked over his shoulder and bit my lip. My eyes fell on Jarrod dancing with Audra, his sister. The sight of him rendered me speechless. Darn! He was the one I wanted. Wasn't he? I looked into the blue eyes of Heath as the music stopped. "I have something of a problem, Heath. One of your brothers has also invited me."

He grinned and shrugged. "Well, which one asked first?"

Was it that simple? "You did," I replied.

"Then go with me," he said, making it sound as if I had no choice.

"I'll try to make him understand," I told him, without mentioning which brother it was I needed to give my regrets to.

"Good," Heath smiled. "And best to do it soon. I don't want Jarrod hurt."

Jarrod! He believed Jarrod to be his competition for my hand at the church social! Did that mean Jarrod was more interested in me than I percieved? But Nick had led me to believe otherwise! He'd advised me to make my choice between Heath and Eugene! "No, no," I mumbled to Heath. "I don't want Jarrod hurt either."

"I don't plan to be hurt, my dear."

I did not glance at Heath as I drifted off to be the dance partner once again of the suave Jarrod. I was playing a very reckless game now, one I should end. Papa had told me what to do, Nick had suggested a solution, and, until I danced away in Jarrod's arms, Heath believed the problem to be solved. Trouble was, I had not come to terms with any solution. I was not completely happy with any of the

suggestions, yet I wasn't certain I could have what I wanted.

"Whatever made you think I was going to be hurt, Ellen?" Jarrod asked, as we dipped and swayed to a familiar waltz. "Something Heath said?"

I hesitated. If I really wanted this one, then I must be careful. But did I want him? He'd had ample opportunity to make it known he'd like to be in competition for my comapny at the social or elsewhere, yet he'd not done so. Other than to continue taking his turn dancing with me, Jarrod had not been nearly as forward as Eugene or Heath, or, even Nick, who, with his dour warning, had been very forward in his

own way. "Yes, something Heath said," I, at last, admitted. I decided honesty was the best policy. "Heath felt you might be hurt if I accepted his invitation to the church social," I blurted out.

"Oh!" Jarrod exclaimed, raising a brow in a very sophisticated manner. "And what, my dear, do you suppose would make him think that?"

I shook my head. "I really wouldn't know," I hurried to say. "You haven't invited me, although Eugene has."

"Eugene?" Jarrod questioned, seeming to be truly startled at the revelation.

"Yes, Eugene," I said.

"And Nick? Hasn't he invited you to the social?"

The music stopped again. I was puzzled and, to be honest, intrigued at the web I seemed to be entangled in. Before I could respond to Jarrod, the youngest Barkley brother, Eugene, was again requesting my company on the dance floor. Jarrod walked away. I averted my eyes from his as he did so.

The musicians picked up the pace almost immediately after Gene had me in his arms. Another hoedown filled the hall. At least I won't have to talk for a bit, I thought. I really needed to think things through. I tried to piece together what each brother had said, tried to figure out what impression each one had attempted to leave me with. Heath thought Jarrod was his competition, Nick left me to think he didn't

believe Jarrod was in the game, and Jarrod seemed surprised Nick had not made a move. Nick was the only one of the older three who apparently gave any consideration to Eugene as a rival for my hand. And what did Eugene think? When the music slowed, I stopped dancing and put the question to him.

"Gene, before we dance again, I need to talk to you," I said to him seriously.

Puffing a bit from the pace of the hoedown, he grinned. "I need the rest anyway. I hope you're about to tell me you accept my invitation to the social."

I started to speak. "Gene, I---"

He held up his hand to stop me. "I hope that, but I don't really expect it. I'm not much competition for my brothers, I know. Someday I'm going to leave this territory and make my mark on the world. If there ever was a hard lesson to learn, I've learned it tonight."

The music began anew. Slow. An easy two step. I truly did want to dance longer with Eugene, to talk with him further about the meaning of his statement. At that moment, I would have gladly accepted his invitation and if it led to marriage, so be it. I felt deeply for my classmate of old just then. "I'm sorry, Gene," I said. "I'd be happy to--"

"That's long enough, Eugene!" roared Nick Barkley. "Ellie's not your property, you know! Not yet, anyway!"

And so the tall, powerful, magnetic one took over once more, and I seemed helpless to stop it. Nick moved me gracefully away from Eugene. I noted that the youngest Barkley wore a sad smile as he watched my departure. I looked up at Nick. "I didn't suppose you would want to dance with me again," I ventured. "You seemed very angry before."

He grinned. "Well, I was. I still am. But I decided, if you can't lick 'em, join 'em. Consider me in the game. It is a game, isn't it, Ellie?"

We were waltzing. I thought of how well Jarrod waltz. I thought of Heath, awash in the color blue, which somehow matched his personality. I thought of Eugene, young and honest, and saddened at my behavior. And there was my current partner, larger than life, and somehow able to see right through me. "I'm no longer sure, Nick," I finally replied. And then the music stopped.

Chapter 5

Nick shook his head as if disgusted with the world and walked purposefully away. He took long strides. I wondered again at how such a powerful and large man could dance with such gracefulness. He disappeared through the door which took him outside. I glanced around. No Barkley was to be seen. There was one more set of dancing to come and then the evening would be history. Had I blown my chance with any and all Barkley brothers? Had my game, as Nick called it, exploded in my face?

I dared not, I believed, speak to my father about it. I had not followed his advice and made a choice between Heath and Eugene. If I came away with none of the brothers as a potential suitor, therefore, a potential husband, Papa would be livid.

I, again, walked to the refreshment table. I must make a decision. Although all four Barkleys were upset with me, I felt certain they would play the game out to the end. I glanced toward the doorway, and saw them enter en masse. Eugene looked resigned to his fate. Heath wore a tiny smile, but appeared as though he didn't give a care what happened next. Nick appeared restless, and, still disgusted. And

Jarrod? Why he radiated good will! He smiled my way, and I suddenly realized I'd been wrong. Jarrod Barkley in no way had displayed anger toward me. Did that mean he expected to win my hand, or that he didn't care?

The announcer began to explain how the last dance set would work. "Pick your partners and start dancing. When I yell "change partners," do so. You want to be sure to be dancing with your favorite partner at the end. I'll give you fair warning before the last dance.

Alright, let's have the music, gentlemen. Oh, and just for a change of pace and to make it interesting, let's make this a ladies choice."

Ladies choice! That meant it would be up to me to end the evening, have the final dance with the Barkley I would choose for a lifetime.

Did I yet know which one that was? Was it Jarrod, the Barkley I believed myself to be in love with, but, to be honest, wasn't sure if he would escort me to a rooster fight, let alone marry me? Was it Nick, the magnetic one whose only interest seemed to be in scolding and ridiculing me for my treatment of his brothers? Was it Heath, who, in fact, had shown enough interest to invite me to a church social, but who, too, seemed put out over my method of choosing? Was it Eugene, my contemporary, and the one who had, I believed, been the most honest with me?

The music began. The ladies in attendance hurried here and there on the dance floor, rushing to pick a beginning partner for the final set of the evening. It wasn't who you began with that was important, I reflected, but who you ended with. So, why not throw Jarrod Barkley a curve? Why not lead him to believe he wasn't important. Perhaps that would give him pause, if, indeed, as Heath believed, the suave one in the gray suit was interested in asking for my hand.

Another girl approached Jarrod. I ran across the floor, stepped in front of her, and smiled at Jarrod. His blue eyes twinkled in apparent delight. We danced. "Well, now, my dear Ellen, it must give you pleasure to get to choose for a change," Jarrod said to me. "At the end, we will all surely know your favorite Barkley."

Somewhat surprised, I queried him. "And does it matter to you, Jarrod, whom that might be?"

"I believe it matters to me. Yes, I believe it matters a great deal."

"C H A N G E P A R T N E R S!"

I nearly suggested to Jarrod we ignore the announcer, that we continue dancing together. Alas, another girl tapped him on the shoulder and he danced off with her, smiling sweetly at me. I quickly scanned the floor for another Barkley. Only Eugene was available. I grabbed him just as the two step became a waltz. "I'm not very good at the waltz," he said.

"Gene, you're a fine dancer," I told him honestly.

"But not much competition for those brothers of mine. Right, Ellie?"

"Gene, I don't know---"

Ellie," he interrupted me. "I'm in love with you. I know it sounds crazy, but I am. Don't make a hasty decision tonight. I know they're all handsome, charming, and all that, but you don't know any of them."

"Gene, I don't know you either--I--"

"C H A N G E P A R T N E R S!"

Darn! I hated this changing partners business! As with Jarrod before him, I wanted to hold on to Eugene, to talk further with him. No such thing was possible, for, although Gene might have been more willing than Jarrod to ignore the announcer, the other ladies were not. Someone I vaguely recognized

from school claimed him. Once again, I was left to find another partner. Nick came barreling across the floor and I tapped him on the shoulder. The band cut loose with a polka.

Nick whirled me around the dance floor. We weaved in and out of the other couples. The handsome, tall one with the animal magnetism impressed me once again with his dancing ability. The music slowed to a two step. Before we could catch a breath to speak, there came the now familiar cry.

"C H A N G E P A R T N E R S!

Nick dropped his arms from me as if I were a hot potato and took up the dance position with his sister. It seemed only natural for me to dance next with Heath. My eyes searched for him. He stood in the doorway, all in blue. I headed toward him. When he realized I was seeking him out, he gave that heart wrenching half smile. I rushed into his arms with such enthusiams I frightened myself.

Did my sudden emotion mean my heart had made a choice my mind wasn't aware of? "Where have you been?" I asked, again surprising myself. It had occurred to me my eyes hadn't fallen on Heaeth's perfectly formed face for several minutes. "Outside," he replied. "When the polka started, I headed out."

"You shouldn't put yourself down, Heath," I informed him. "You dance very well, really."

He smiled. "I can get by, I reckon." Then, he switched subjects as smoothly as the band had switched tempos many times during the evening. "Ellie, I don't know what you want, I don't think you do, but you'd be a lot better off with me than with any of my brothers."

"Oh?" was all I could think of to say.

"Yea, and even if you don't care why, I'm going to tell you. They're over your head, Ellie. You aren't used to their life, not used to the means they have at their disposal."

Puzzled, I pressed for details. "But you're different from them?"

"I live as they do now, but I haven't always. I know what it's liek to be thrown into a different world. If that's what you want, and it looks to me like it is, then marry me. I'll take care of you, Ellie."

I stared into those blue eyes. I'd just received a marriage proposal. He had not said he loved me as Eugene had before him, but I didn't love Eugene.

Did I love Heath?

"C H A N G E P A R T N E R S!

"Think about it, Ellie," Heath's melodic voice said as an older lady claimed him for the next dance. I felt reasonably sure I'd found the Barkley for me. I rushed across the floor to seek another dance with Eugene, to explain my decision. Half way there, I stumbled slightly and was caught by the ever suave

Jarrod.

"I would be delighted to dance with you, pretty lady."

Astonished, I automatically moved into a waltz with Jarrod. I said something quite stupid as a consequence of my astonishment. "Jarrod, I had not intended to dance with you now."

"No?" he asked. "Surely you weren't going to save me for last?"

My resolve to settle on Heath crumbled. "A lady doesn't give away secrets like that," I said.

"It was no secret to me you believed I was the one for you the moment you set your pretty brown eyes on the four Barkley brothers."

"And did that please you?" I inquired, feeling at last I was accomplishing my goal.

"At first it did. Very much so. But as this marathon of a dance proceeded, I realized it isn't me you really want."

He may as well have slapped me. "But you said it showed from the beginning how I felt about you."

"You are lovely, Ellen, a bit wild and unpredictable, but I would be willing to try to reign you in--if it was me you really loved."

I stared at him and finally stammered. "But, well, I do care for Heath, a lot, and I care about Gene too, but I don't love him."

"C H A N G E P A R T N E R S, L A S T D A N C E!"

Panic struck me. Jarrod had confused me. I searched his face. "If you want me, Jarrod, I'm yours--"

"Go to him, Ellen. Go to him. You know who among us you love. Go to him and dance the last dance. The rest of us will accept it. Go now."

I glanced around the room. Next to the refreshment table stood Eugene, Heath, and---I kicked up my heels as the band made a hoedown the final dance of the evening. I ran to Nick. He lifted me high in the air, set me down, and off we went, flying to the music, laughing as we began our life together.