Chapter 11

Millie glanced outside. Huge snowflakes floated from the sky, covering tree limbs and the road. Father said the carriage would have no problem getting to the Hightower Ball tonight. She looked at him. "Someone might pick me up."

He raised an eyebrow. "Who might that be?"

"Oh, just someone I ran into the other day." Suddenly, she didn't relish a fight with him. And if she'd said Preston Chadwick, she'd have a whopper of an argument.

Father let it pass. "If he doesn't show up, you can go with me and Fritz. We'll be getting there early. I have someone I am meeting."

That caught her attention. Father never mentioned an interest in another woman. He'd been alone for many years. Millie didn't begrudge him a life, but his statement came as such a shock. He was young at heart and had many years left. She hoped so, anyway.

She wanted to ask him who that might be, but he had already left the room and gone upstairs to get ready. After a quick look at the clock, she saw she needed to hurry and get dressed. Millie wasn't going to disappoint Preston if he came by to get her.

If he came down the drive to her house, it would be a surprise. She wondered what her father would say. Well, she had always liked Preston. Father should understand. That he was a Chadwick shouldn't prevent her from being friends with him.

Millie went upstairs to her bedroom and pulled out her new gown. She held it to her and waltzed around her room. It was going to be such a special night. Sighing, she fell on her bed and thought about Preston.

She had dreamed about him for years. Even as a child, she had always thought that someday they would be married. Now, as a grown woman, she wondered if he felt the same way. Meeting him at the dress shop had given her hope.

His eyes had lit up when they saw one another, how she had missed him. He'd been gone for four years in Boston to become a doctor, but he'd come back with no wife or fiancé and was staying in Denver.

Millie sighed again and smiled. This was her chance. Finally, she had an opportunity to show Preston who she was. Before, she'd been Lila and Corinthia's friend. Now she could show him she'd grown up and was no longer a little girl. She just hoped he felt the same way.

Her hair was done up in a pretty braid. The maid had helped her. Her gown was on and fit perfectly. All she had to do was go downstairs, put on the warm fur coat that Father had gotten for her, and wait.

She looked out the window and saw the snow still falling, early darkness approaching, and wondered if Preston was going to make it to her house. If he wasn't there before Father left, she'd go with him and Fritz.

Once downstairs, Millie paced across the parlor, stopping to peek out the windows. No Preston. The clock chimed the hour.

Father came from his study. "We're about to leave. Are you going with us?"

"Yes. I am." Though disappointed, Millie hung onto the idea that Preston would dance with her at the ball. She wasn't going to let him go so easily.

Father smiled. "I'm glad. Fritz said he thought Preston might come by to escort you to the dance. You know he is not welcome here."

"I welcome him. What is it that has you so hateful to the Chadwicks?"

"That's my business. You don't need to concern yourself with it." Father adjusted his coat and reached for the door.

"I am concerned because I like Preston. I bought my clothes from Corinthia. I like them, Father." She pulled his arm to face her. "I hope you won't disown me."

"Don't be silly. There's Fritz with the carriage." He held the door open for Millie and followed her outside.

She stared at him and then followed. His answer hadn't matched the stiffness she'd felt in his arm. Courting Preston would bring trouble between her and her father. Stupid feud. She doubted the men could remember why they were even fighting.

Millie had to admit Fritz was handsome in his suit and hat. She could get used to looking at him. He had taken the time to help her pick out her clothes. At least he was here and willing to help. Preston was nowhere in sight.

Fritz smiled at her and held the door for her. "You look lovely, Miss Burnett."

"Thank you, Fritz." Millie hated the fact that she couldn't stop blushing, but the warmth creeping up her neck and face told her she'd failed. Fritz was so in control. She doubted he ever blushed. It wasn't like she cared what he thought. She turned from him and wanted to disappear.

Father spent the brief trip to the Hightower's grand mansion looking out the window. What was he thinking, and who was he meeting at the ball? Millie would watch and see. There were too many secrets between her and her father.

Edward drove the carriage up the drive and then stopped by the grand entrance to the mansion. The valet opened the door and helped her down. Millie waited for Father to come to her side, but he passed by her and let Fritz escort her into the grand room.

As always, the decorations and splendor of the Hightower ballroom took her breath away. They were the oldest and richest family in Denver, and it showed. Once a year, they opened their home to the dance.

She curtseyed to the hosts. "Thank you for this wonderful ball and the use of your beautiful home."

Mrs. Hightower nodded. "I hope you have a lovely time, dear."

Fritz bowed and kissed Mrs. Hightower's hand. "Thank you."

"You are a welcome addition to Denver, Fritz Schwartz."

Fritz escorted Millie into the room. "Want to sit at the ladies' table?"

"Yes, thank you." Millie hoped somebody would sign her dance card. She sat down but noticed Corinthia walking around the room and talking with people. Her dance card was in her hand, and she'd hand it to a gentleman. Maybe Corinthia knew what she was doing.

So far, Millie hadn't had one gentleman come to her at the table. By the look of the other ladies, they weren't doing much better. She gazed around the room, hoping to see Preston yet dreading if she did. After all, he'd all but promised to take her to the dance.

Her decision made. Millie got up from her chair and started going around the room. Her first stop was Fritz. She smiled and fanned her card in front of her face. "If you want a dance, now is the time to secure it."

Fritz grinned.

At first, she was afraid he was going to pass and send her on her way. After all, he was talking to Sylvia Owens.

He took her card. "Only one?"

Millie smiled. "Two if you like."

Fritz nodded and put his name down for one in the middle and the last. "There. Now, make sure you get someone for the first dance." He turned and took up his conversation with Sylvia.

Millie looked around the room. She saw Phil Carstairs standing alone. She dodged through the crowded room and stopped. "Phil, it's good to see you?"

Phil stood back and eyed her. "This can't be Millie Burnett?"

She laughed. "It is. All grown up."

"I'll say." Phil recovered his forward manner and bowed. "May I write my name down for a dance?"

"Yes, please do." She looked around. "You don't have a fiancé, do you?"

"No, not yet." He wrote his name down for the second dance. "I'm looking forward to our dance."

Happy with her efforts, Millie walked around the room looking for any other men not attached to or attached by a woman. Candace had a group of men around her. With a grin, Millie decided Candace was just who she needed to talk to. Or at least the surrounding men.

Finally, she had all but a couple of her dances claimed. She sighed. No one had put down for the first one.

A tap on her shoulder had her turn in anticipation. Preston? She whirled, only to see her father standing before her.

"Millie, can I have the first dance?"

He must have looked over her shoulder and saw it was blank. But then, a father is a daughter's first love. "Yes, I was saving it for someone special."

He grinned. "You look so lovely and remind me of your dear mother."

"Father, who did you come to see tonight?"

"I was hoping to talk to you earlier, but time got away from me. I've been seeing Ann Green at the general store. We've talked and had lunch and dinner a few times. I invited her to come tonight." He looked around. "So far, she hasn't made an appearance."

Millie wanted to tell him she knew exactly how he felt. Preston wasn't here yet, either. Millie liked Ann and hoped her father would pursue time with the woman. She had just turned around when she saw Frank Chadwick walk into the ballroom.

Wanting to find out about Preston, she went to him. "Frank, how are you doing?"

He turned and smiled at her. "Just fine. Preston said he was going to see you tonight, but I don't see him here. He went to the mine yesterday and was probably snowed in."

"I was wondering what happened to him." She studied Frank. He'd grown up since the last time she'd seen him. Gone was the wild look he used to have. He was a handsome man. He smiled at her but was looking around the crowd as if he were searching for someone.

As if suddenly remembering he was talking to her, Frank faced her. "I was wondering if you've seen Mr. Vander?"

"Not here." Millie wondered why he'd be asking about the man who ran the mine for Father. "He doesn't usually come to town for such events."

"I just thought he might be here tonight." Frank smiled and then nodded. "You have a dance left?"

She chuckled. "A Chadwick and a Burnett dancing would cause quite the stir."

"It would have happened if Preston was here. My brother has good taste. Besides, I owe my brother a favor. I don't think he'd mind if I danced with you."

Millie shrugged. "I have one left." She handed him her dance card.

Father came up to her. "I don't want you dancing with a Chadwick."

Frank shook his head. "You and my father need to settle this crazy feud you have with each other."

Father stuck a finger in Frank's face. "Stay away from my daughter. You can tell Preston the same thing."

Millie grabbed her father's finger and pulled him away from Frank. "You're embarrassing me."

His face was red. For a minute, she thought he was going to yell at her or, even worse, slap her. "You mind me, Millie. Stay away from the Chadwicks." He shook her hand from his and stormed away from her.

Millie watched him go and prayed that he'd calm down. She glanced at Frank. "It's the third dance. I'll be waiting for you."

Frank grinned. "I'll be there."

With a hand to her forehead, Millie went to the table to get a drink to slow down her raging heart. What was wrong with her father? Sometimes, she hated the stupid mine. It had caused them so much trouble.