Fredward answered for me. "That's quite all right, Squaw. I'll take things from here."
Squaw flinched, and stared wide-eyed at Fredward, who whose expression could pierce the heavens.
"Hey, I didn't see you there," he mumbled. "I guess I'll see you around, Bella." He stepped back, waving half-heartedly.
I smiled. "Yeah, sure."
"Sorry," he said again before he turned for the door.
Fredward's arms wound around me as the next song started. It was a little up-tempo for slow dancing, but that didn't seem to concern him. I leaned my head against his chest, content.
"Feeling better?" I teased.
"Not really," he said tersely. "I don't understand why they give those people land and then let them run around and make trouble."
"Don't be mad at Billy," I sighed. "He just worries about me for Charlie's sake. It's nothing personal."
"I'm not mad at Billy," he corrected in a clipped voice. "But his son is irritating me."
I pulled back to look at him. His face was deadly serious. "Squaw? Why Squaw?"
"First of all, he made me break my promise."
I stared at him in confusion.
He half-smiled. "I promised I wouldn't let go of you tonight," he explained.
I looked at him blankly. "Oh. Well, I forgive you."
"Thanks, but there's something else." Fredward returned to frowning.
I waited patiently.
"He called you beautiful," he finally continued, his frown

494

Chapter 25

←

→

main contents contact