Accustomed to Libby's boldness, Bennett found himself impatient with this girl's bashfulness. But he played the gentleman and escorted her to her table, where she melted into her seat, her doleful eyes still glued to his face. "Thanks for your help, Caroline." He hummed a couple of bars from the song, grinning as Caroline fanned her still-red cheeks with both hands. Then he winked at her friends, who giggled hysterically, before he swaggered back to his own table.

Just as he lifted his tray, Libby and Pete entered the dining hall. He scowled at them as they approached. "Now you show up. Where've you been?" He bounced his empty tray. "I'm all done." He didn't mention his impromptu concert. He also didn't ask why Libby was with Pete when he'd invited her to have lunch with him. you show up. Where've you been?" He bounced his empty tray. "I'm all done." He didn't mention his impromptu concert. He also didn't ask why Libby was with Pete when he'd invited her to have lunch with him.

"Sorry I'm late." Libby stuck out her lower lip and blew, lifting the fine strands of hair along her forehead. "It took longer than I thought it would to get to the newspaper offices in town."

Bennett frowned. "Newspaper offices?"

"I was seeking employment."

They'd all need to find jobs to help with spending money. Their scholarships covered school expenses but nothing else. And they didn't have parents to send them a monthly allowance. Pete was lucky-Mrs. Rowley had arranged for him to be a student a.s.sistant for the biblical professors. But of course the Rowleys hadn't bothered to set anything up for him or Libby; they were on their own. He wished he'd known that's what Libby'd been doing all morning-he could've gone with her and done some job-seeking himself. "Find anything?"

A secretive smile creased her cheek. "Yes. Something completely unexpected." Before Bennett could ask her what she meant, she turned to Pete. "Well, I'm glad we ran into each other. Since Bennett's finished, I'll just eat with you. a.s.suming there's anything left."

Pete looked at Bennett. "Do you want to stay and visit with us while we eat?"

Bennett snorted. "Nah. I've been here long enough." If he'd left sooner, he might have been able to avoid giving the concert. Of course, that hadn't been without its benefits. He glanced over his shoulder. Caroline and her friends continued to gawk at him, all looking moon-eyed. He couldn't resist waggling his eyebrows at the trio, which created another round of giggles, before turning back to Pete and Libby. "I'm heading to my room-gonna enjoy my last afternoon of freedom before cla.s.ses start tomorrow."

"All right. We'll see you at supper?"

Bennett nodded. "I'll be here." He dumped his tray in the bin and headed for the doors. He encountered Jim and Ted heading out at the same time. He clapped Jim on the shoulder. "Hey, thanks for giving me the chance to sing." He raised one eyebrow. "The ladies sure like it when a fella sings to 'em. You did me a real favor."

Ted cleared his throat. "You're about the worst singer I've ever heard."

Bennett laughed. "Does that mean you don't want me to pledge . . . what was it again? Delta Cow Delta?"

Ted scowled. "That's Delta Tau Tau Delta." Delta."

Bennett feigned embarra.s.sment. "Oh. That's right." He rubbed the underside of his nose with his finger, hiding his smile. "Sorry, fellas."

Jim said, "You're welcome to pledge, but we're only taking three new members this year. So . . ."

Bennett knew what the man was intimating-his chances weren't good. Nothing new there. When had Bennett ever received a break? The two started to walk away, but Bennett dove into their pathway. "Hey, before you go, can I ask you a question?"

Jim shrugged. "Sure."

"Do you know a tall guy . . . curly hair. Name's Roy?"

The two gaped at him. Jim said, "Hey, you're the one who . . ." He grabbed Ted's arm.

Ted grunted and pulled away.

Jim gave Ted's arm a whack and grinned from ear to ear. "You know who we've got here? This's the guy who socked Roy in the nose last night. Am I right? Wasn't that you?"

The admiration in the man's eyes almost made Bennett blush. Almost. He puffed out his chest. "Yep, that was me."

Jim shook his head. "I've never seen anybody stand up to Roy like that." He leaned forward and added conspiratorially, "He's a big man around here, you know."

Bennett snickered. "He didn't look so big all bent over, holding his nose."

The other two laughed, although they glanced around as if afraid someone might overhear them.

"So are you friends of his?" Bennett withdrew a slice of bread from his pocket. He munched while he waited for an answer.

"Oh, not friends exactly . . ." Jim scratched his head. "But we know him."

"You mean, know of of him," Ted added. "He's in Beta Theta Pi, like most of the athletes. We, um . . ." He cleared his throat, looking at the ground. "We don't mix much with that group." him," Ted added. "He's in Beta Theta Pi, like most of the athletes. We, um . . ." He cleared his throat, looking at the ground. "We don't mix much with that group."

Bennett swallowed a smirk. "Oh. Well, thanks." He stepped off the porch.

"Wait!" Jim stumbled after Bennett, Ted on his heels. "Are you going to pledge Delta Tau Delta? You can even bring your friend-you know, the one Roy was pestering. His wooden leg's no problem for us."

Bennett's fist formed without effort. So Pete's wooden leg wouldn't bother them, huh? For reasons he didn't understand, the statement rankled. He pressed his fist against his thigh to keep from popping Jim right in the mouth. "As I said, I don't know if I'm going to pledge. I'll let you know."

Without waiting for a reply, Bennett turned and headed for his dormitory. By the time he reached the rock building, he'd made a decision. He would pledge to a fraternity. But it wouldn't be Delta Tau Delta. He had his sights set on Beta Theta Pi. And he intended to bring Pete in with him.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

His fingertips grazed her cheek. She gasped. "Oh please, sir, how forward you're being! You mustn't . . . mustn't . . ." She gulped as his firm, cool hand curved along her jaw.

"I cannot resist," he whispered. His breath stirred the errant curls falling across her forehead. "Your exquisite beauty, my darling, is"- "h.e.l.lo, Elisabet!"

The cheerful greeting sent the imaginary characters in Libby's head scrambling for cover. Libby slapped down her pencil, whirled on her seat, and glared at her roommate.

Alice-Marie's bright smile faded. She dashed to the desk and perched on its edge. "Why, what's the matter? You look so cross." Her focus flitted to the pad of paper on Libby's desk.

Libby smacked the pad of paper facedown and rested her linked hands on it. "I was . . . busy. You startled me." She nudged Alice-Marie's leg lightly with her elbow.

Alice-Marie missed the hint. She folded her hands in her lap and beamed at Libby. "Oh, I do apologize most sincerely. Mother says I really must stop rushing into rooms and calling out, but I can't seem to stop myself!" She hunched her shoulders and t.i.ttered. "I'll try, though, so I don't keep you from . . ." Once more, she turned a curious look toward the pages.

Libby scooped the pad off the desk and dropped it into the desk drawer. She closed the drawer with a firm snap. "What time is it?"

Alice-Marie glanced at her dainty wrist.w.a.tch. "A quarter to six."

Libby jumped up. "I'm meeting my friends for supper." After missing lunch with Bennett, she shouldn't keep him waiting.

Folding her arms over her chest, Alice-Marie affected a pout. "Oh, but I hoped you might eat with me. That's why I came up here before going to the dining hall."

"You're not eating with Kate and Myra and . . . ?" Libby couldn't remember the name of the third girl from breakfast.

"Margaret," Alice-Marie supplied. Her lip poked out farther. "I've made no plans with anyone . . . except you."

Libby nibbled her lower lip. She and Alice-Marie were roommates, but she didn't fancy forming a friendship with the girl. Yet, looking into her disappointed pale blue eyes, Libby couldn't refuse. She knew how it felt to be rejected.

"Well then," she said through gritted teeth, "why don't you join my friends and me?"

Alice-Marie's bright smile returned. She bounced up and slipped her hand through Libby's elbow. "Oh good! I hoped you might introduce me to your friends friends." Her giggle rang as they headed down the hall to the stairway. "So which one is your beau? I wouldn't want to accidentally flirt with the one you've already claimed."

Was it possible to flirt accidentally? Libby gently disengaged her arm from Alice-Marie's hold. "Neither Petey nor Bennett is my beau. We're all just good friends. Since childhood."

Alice-Marie caught Libby's arm and drew her to a halt in the dormitory lobby. "Since childhood? They're orphans, too?"

Knowing whatever she said would be repeated, Libby chose her response carefully. "One is. One isn't." Sometimes Libby thought Petey carried deeper scars from being abandoned than she did from losing her parents. But Alice-Marie didn't need to know the details. "If we don't hurry, we'll miss supper. Let's go."

Petey and Bennett were waiting on the lawn outside the dining hall. The pleasant aromas wafting out the open doors stirred Libby's hunger. She skipped the last few steps to join her friends and jammed her thumb at Alice-Marie. "This is my roommate, Alice-Marie. She's eating with us." Then she gestured to the men by turn. "Alice-Marie, this is Bennett Martin and Petey Leidig."

"Pete," Petey corrected.

"Pete," Libby repeated, offering him a grin, which he returned. He'd been pestering her for two years to drop the childish nickname, but to her, he'd always be Petey.

Alice-Marie bustled forward and shook Petey's hand. Then she reached for Bennett and clung. "Oh, it's so nice to meet Elisabet's good friends from childhood. I hope you won't find my presence an unwelcome intrusion. I wanted to have supper with Elisabet, but she said she already had plans to meet you. I was so very, very disappointed that she relented and said I could come, too." She giggled, covering her lips with her fingertips. "And I must say, it isn't often a girl gets to dine with two such dashing men. I feel so very honored."

Libby shook her head. Would Alice-Marie stop talking long enough for them to eat? She grabbed Alice-Marie's elbow and gave her a little push toward the door. "Let's go." She sent an apologetic look over her shoulder as Petey and Bennett fell into step behind them. They joined the line that snaked along the wall from the serving table all the way to the door. The line moved slowly, but they chatted about their chosen courses of study-to Libby's surprise, Alice-Marie hoped to become a nurse one day-and filled the time.

When they reached the serving table, Bennett zipped around the girls and handed them each a tray. "Here you are, ladies."

"Oooh." Alice-Marie tipped her head and fluttered her thick lashes at Bennett. "Aren't you the gentleman?"

Libby rolled her eyes. If Alice-Marie only knew. Instead of gesturing the ladies forward, Bennett retained his spot ahead of them and began filling his plate. Libby looked at Petey, and they exchanged a grin. In his blue eyes, she read her own thought: Bennett just wanted to be first.

When they'd all made their selections, Bennett led them to a table along the south wall. He pulled out Alice-Marie's chair for her, earning another simpering look, and then quickly sat down beside her. Libby plunked down her tray and reached for her chair, but to her surprise Petey pulled it out and held it for her. Embarra.s.sed yet pleased, she slid into her seat.

Petey started to sit, but his peg leg slipped on the smooth tile floor. He tilted sideways, banging his elbow into Libby's shoulder.

"Petey!" she cried in alarm and grabbed his arm with both hands.

He caught the table edge and lowered himself into the chair. "Whew." He flashed a grin around at the others. "I'm all right. Just clumsy." He looked at Libby's hands. "You can let go-I'm safe now." Although his tone was mild, she sensed irritation in the firm set of his jaw.

Rebuffed, she jerked her hands back. Her fingers trembled slightly as she needlessly lined up her cutlery next to her plate like soldiers at attention. "W-would you bless the food for us, Petey?"

Immediately, Alice-Marie bowed her head. Bennett released the salt shaker he'd just picked up. Petey folded his hands and closed his eyes. Libby did likewise. Petey's low voice was nearly swallowed by rowdy conversations, clanking silverware, and squeaking chairs in the crowded dining hall. But by leaning sideways slightly, Libby was able to hear his simple prayer of thanks for the food.

He said amen and Libby straightened. Her shoulder lightly b.u.mped against his arm, and he sent her a quick smile. Whatever had irritated him earlier seemed to have fled. Relieved, she grinned back and then turned her attention to her food.

While they ate, Alice-Marie plied them with questions. Before long, she directed every question to Bennett, ignoring Petey and Libby. She seemed particularly enamored with Bennett's tales of caring for himself on the streets. The girl had seemed dismayed- even repulsed-by Libby's orphan status, yet she offered only admiration and sympathy to Bennett. Libby jabbed her fork into the mound of mashed potatoes on her plate and tried not to seethe.

Bennett sc.r.a.ped up every last crumb on his plate and headed for seconds. Alice-Marie watched him go, her expression rapt. Then she leaned forward and fixed Libby with a scolding look. "Elisabet Conley, I could throttle you!"

Libby jolted, her spine connecting with the back of the chair. "What on earth for?"

"You didn't warn me what a charmer Bennett is. Had I been warned, I would have prepared myself. I must look a mess in the same dress I wore all day all day. And I didn't take the time to apply rouge or brush my hair . . ." She pinched her cheeks and then smoothed her wavy blond hair behind her ears, her gaze seeking Bennett across the room.

Libby held back a huff of annoyance. "You look fine, Alice-Marie."

Alice-Marie heaved a deep, dramatic sigh. "Oh, I'm so relieved you haven't laid claim to him. I should hate to have a man come between us, but I'm positively smitten!"

Smitten? With Bennett? Libby almost laughed. She looked over her shoulder at Bennett, who was busily loading his plate with slices of roast beef. Turning back to Alice-Marie, she asked, "But why?"

Alice-Marie stared at Libby. "Why? Oh my!" She fanned herself with one fluttering hand, her lips forming an O of astonishment. "That unruly red hair; those boyish freckles; his broad shoulders and dimpled chin . . . Elisabet, my dear, he's simply darling darling!"

Bennett . . . darling? Libby opened her mouth to protest, but Petey interrupted.

"I'm going to get some dessert." He pushed against the table with both palms, rising. "I saw apple pie and a white cake. Do you want something?" He looked back and forth between the girls.

"No thank you," Libby said.

Alice-Marie shook her head. Petey ambled away in his. .h.i.tch-legged gait. Libby turned to Alice-Marie again. "I suppose one might consider Bennett . . ." She couldn't quite bring herself to use the word darling darling. "Appealing," she finished.

Alice-Marie sighed dreamily, resting her chin in her hand. Then she sat upright. "And how wonderful it would be, Elisabet, if he and I were to begin . . . well, keeping company." She giggled. "Especially if you and Pete did the same."

Libby dropped her fork. "What?"

"Oh, silly girl, if you could only see your face! Don't look so shocked." Alice-Marie released another scale-running giggle.

Libby carefully closed her mouth and flicked a glance over her shoulder. Had Petey heard? To her relief, he was already several tables away.

Alice-Marie continued, "You and Pete would make a striking couple-you so pet.i.te and him so tall; you with your spirit and him with his calm demeanor; you with such dark hair and him with hair as pale as moonlight . . ."

Hair as pale as moonlight? Maybe she could use that line in her romance story. Maybe she could use that line in her romance story.

"You and Pete seem opposites in every way." Alice-Marie yanked Libby back to reality. She toyed with a lock of hair coiling along her neck. "But Mother says opposites attract."

To Libby's relief, Bennett returned. "Sorry it took me so long. Ran into a couple of fellas from Beta Theta Pi. I'm thinking about pledging to their fraternity."

"Oh really?" Alice-Marie beamed up at him. "The sorority I plan to pledge is the sister group to Beta Theta Pi."

Bennett plunked into his chair and picked up his fork. "Well, that'd be something if we both got in, wouldn't it?"

"Indeed." Alice-Marie could melt b.u.t.ter with the sultry look she offered Bennett. Libby wanted to throw her roll at the flirtatious girl.

Bennett pointed at Libby with his fork. "If you want seconds, Lib, you better hurry. They didn't make nearly enough potatoes tonight." Bennett grinned. "So what did you ladies discuss in my absence?"

Motioning toward Petey's empty chair, Alice-Marie laughed. "I've been doing my utmost to convince Libby that she and Pete would make a darling couple."

Bennett covered his mouth with his napkin and coughed. Then he dropped the napkin, yanked up his gla.s.s, and took a noisy drink. He snickered. "Libby and Pete?" He threw his head back and laughed, holding his stomach.

Alice-Marie's brow puckered. "What is so funny?"

More irritated than she could understand, Libby snapped, "Yes. Why is that so funny?"

Bennett cleared his throat several times, bringing the laughter under control, but his eyes continued to sparkle with suppressed humor. "Sorry, ladies. I wasn't laughing at you. I was just trying to imagine Lib and Pete as a couple." He laid his arm on the back of Alice-Marie's chair but looked toward Libby. "You and Pete are great friends-always have been-but it could never go beyond that."

Alice-Marie tipped closer to Bennett. "Why not?"