Note from Betty: The Nutcracker Suite from which The Waltz of the Flowers is taken was not actually composed until the 1890's but this is a story...
All scenes between Betty and Adam were written exclusively by Betty, including the Waltz of the Flowers dance.
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It was Gene and Laura’s first anniversary party. A real, if small, orchestra played.
"Adam, you can dance with someone else," Michelle Kaufman informed her former fiancee after one number had ended, before the next began. Adam hadn't let Michelle out of his arms since the music began.
He had arrived in Stockton having accepted the invitation to Gene and Laura's anniversary party. And even though it had been discussed at length at Michelle's last visit to the Ponderosa, neither family had been told that the two were officially no longer a couple.
"Unless you're ready to tell your family in the middle of this affair..." Adam began.
"You win," Michelle conceded. Explaining to the clan about the decision not to marry had been difficult enough. No sense in starting a range war in the middle of a happy occasion.
Both were rescued by a delicate tap to Adam's shoulder by Jarrod Barkley. "If you wouldn't mind I would like to dance with my cousin."
Adam deferred with a slight bow and gesture of the hand.
All evening long Betty had danced only twice, with Jarrod and with Heath. It was always thus. No man who wasn’t a relative of some kind had ever asked her to dance with him. No one ever would. Betty had accepted that a long time ago; still, she sighed as “The Waltz of the Flowers” began- her favorite. Well, she could enjoy listening at least. If only Adam would ask her... Stop that, she ordered herself. You know better. In this day and age miracles don’t happen.
On the dance floor Jarrod guided Michelle away from where Adam had surrendered her. Glancing around the room Adam saw Betty in a pink gown with her hair up in a style favored by ballet dancers. She had no partner and was gazing wistfully at the orchestra.
Betty could dance, he knew. And that look she had given him a week ago from the train window when their eyes met; did it mean... could it mean....
Suddenly Adam decided to throw caution to the winds. He was attracted to this woman, he wanted to dance with her, to court her, and he didn’t give a damn what anyone else thought. To hell with society and it dictates. They weren’t going to order his life for him. Not any more. He’d worry about the Barkleys later.
“May I have this dance?”
Betty looked as though she might faint. Then a brilliant smile lit up her features. “Delighted, Adam!”
Adam led her out to the dance floor. The main theme began and together they broke into the classic glide. But their steps were larger and fuller and freer than those around them and almost immediately some people stopped to watch, giving them more room. Adrenaline surged through their bodies as they whirled and twirled and spun and dipped. Never before had Betty been so light on her feet. She seemed to float, to fly with Adam. And always they kept in perfect time to the music.
There could be no mistaking the glow as they looked at each other, moving together as if they knew exactly what the other was going to do.
The music swelled, reaching the crescendo, Betty moving arm’s length from Adam, then pirouetted back to him with the final one-two-three-four.
Enthusiastic applause nearly made Betty jump. For the first time she became aware that everyone else had long since stopped dancing and were gathered off to the side. No wonder they had had so much room. Scarlet faced she spoke in a rush, “Thank-you-so-much-that-was-wonderful-I-need-some-air.”
She bolted from the room, out the front door, into the courtyard to a bench where she sank down to catch her breath and relive the dance.
Nick had been watching ever since Adam handed his cousin over to Jarrod. With disbelief he watched as Adam approached Betty. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Nick seethed. Adam was asking Betty... Betty of all people to dance. Nick continued to watch in horror as the two moved effortlessly across the dance floor. And the way Betty was looking at Adam. How dare she? How dare THEY do this to Michelle?
With almost visible smoke coming from his ears Nick started after Betty as she fled the house. His attempt to catch up to her was delayed by well meaning guests who expressed to him what a wonderful dancer Betty was. Nick only managed to grumble something about Michelle having taught her everything she knows leaving them puzzled. Michelle was good, even great at many things. Dancing was not one of them. Competent was about the nicest thing one could say. Nick finally managed to make his way outside where he spotted Betty on the bench blissfully replaying the waltz in her head.
“And just what do you think you were doing in there?”
Betty glanced up. “Dancing? You know, the party, the music....”
“Every gossip in town will be talking about this.”
“About dancing?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“Nick, you’re not making any sense.” Then she added, “As usual.”
“Now you look here...”
“Nick,” Michelle’s voice stopped him and he turned to find her and Jarrod. “See, I knew we should follow him,” she told her cousin.
“If you knew what...”
“Good grief, Nick,” Michelle sighed. “What pray tell do you think Betty has done now?”
Nick pinned Michelle with a hard stare. For someone who was supposedly so smart she sure could be stupid. “Well, if you don’t know there’s no point in me telling you.”
Michelle gave her famous eye roll. “What do you want from her?”
Nick came to life. “I want her to pack her bags and go back to New York where she belongs.” He started to say something more but opted to stomp off in a huff.
Jarrod looked to Michelle. “You or me?”
“Me,” she decided almost reluctantly. With a tired breath Michelle turned and followed Nick.
Jarrod sat on the bench and draped an arm around his other cousin.
“Apparently, cousin Nick doesn’t approve of my dancing with Adam.”
“I thought as much.”
Betty spoke with resolve. “I had a wonderful time and I’m not going to let Nick ruin it for me.”
“I’ll personally see that he doesn’t.” Jarrod rose and offered Betty his arm. “May I escort you to the house, lovely lady.”
Betty accepted his arm. “You may.”
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In his room Nick leaned against his bureau and waited for Michelle. He knew she was coming. Whenever something happened either Jarrod or Michelle came to talk to him. He figured it was probably her turn. Or maybe they flipped a coin. Loser talks to Nick. Nick looked to the doorway. There she was almost the spitting image of his mother, determined expression, arms folded.
“Before you say anything,” Nick blurted, “I just want to know one thing.” When Michelle said nothing he figured it was permission to continue. “What exactly did that cousin of yours think she was doing with Adam?”
“Dancing.”
Nick made a groaning sound.
“Well, she did have the dance lessons....”
“There was a lot more than dancing going on and you know it.”
“You mean about Betty carrying a torch for Adam?”
Nick’s eyes went wide. “You mean you know?”
“Sure, I do. Half the women in the valley carry a torch for Adam. And more than likely the whole female population of Virginia City.”
“I can’t believe this.”
“Believe what?” Gene had appeared in the doorway.
“Nothing,” Michelle told him.
Gene shrugged. “Well, you two are going to miss the toast.”
“It’s not nothing,” Nick informed his youngest brother. Cousin big mouth is in love with Adam and Michelle here doesn’t see it as a problem.
“What about your friend Ray. He’s been panting over Michelle for years.”
“That’s different.”
Gene spoke sternly. “Why, because it’s Betty.”
Nick suddenly wanted to avoid answering. Starting for the door he said, “Come on. We’re going to miss the toast.”
Back at the party Nick quickly volunteered to propose the toast much to the surprise of the guests. Then, rather than addressing Gene and Laura he aimed flaming eyeballs at Adam and began talking about commitment, honor and loyalty. On the receiving end of Nick’s stare Adam had no clue as to what Nick was talking about. Michelle tried desperately not to laugh. Betty had to stuff a handkerchief in her mouth. Jarrod and Heath nodded to each other, then each took Nick by an arm and escorted him from among the confused guests. As they practically carried him from the room Nick’s head whipped from side to side, “What did I do? What did I do?” he demanded innocently.
Adam rescued the moment by raising his glass and saying, “What Nick was trying to say is ‘Happy anniversary, Laura and Gene. May there be many more.”
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“Brother Nick, a word with you please,” Jarrod approached as Nick was entering his room.
Nick stopped, figuring on a goodnight kiss.
“About the dance tonight,” Jarrod began. “I don’t want you mentioning the subject to Betty ever again.”
Nick was disappointed. No kiss. And Jarrod wanted him to be nice to Betty. “And why shouldn’t I?”
Jarrod was in no mood to argue. He reached back into the depths of persuasion, “Because Pappy says so.”
Nick glared rebelliously, but it was clear that Jarrod meant what he said. “All right. But mark my words we haven’t heard the end of this.”
“After all,” Jarrod continued. “It was just one dance. Adam was being polite.”
Nick grunted and turned away.
“I didn’t think you’d be that angry with me.”
Nick turned back.
“You were going to bed?”
Nick was puzzled for a moment. Then a realization hit. He stammered a bit trying to make up an excuse.
“Nick,” There was a pause. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Jarrod.” The two exchanged a kiss, something that had only been missed if one of the brothers was away. No matter what transpired during the day they confirmed their bond before going to bed.
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Betty lingered on the Veranda after all the guests who were not spending the night had left. Or so it seemed. Suddenly Adam was there in front of her. They gazed at each other. There was no need for words.
Adam bent and put his lips to hers. Betty reveled in her first kiss.
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