Page 62 of Just Like Home

Hildy smiled. “Connor’s kids are very short-term. I insisted on giving him a break over the weekend, and we’ll only have them for a few more days.”

Charlotte thought about the last time she’d seen Connor. Would a few more days be enough?

“And we weren’t about to split up those brothers. We just go with the flow.” They smiled at each other and Charlotte saw their mutual love and respect so clearly it might as well have been a living thing.

A deep sense of longing pulsed through her body. She wanted that, she realized now, more than anything.

“Well, it’s wonderful,” Charlotte said, gathering herself. “I’m sure you’re wondering what in the world I’m doing here.”

Steve and Hildy both laughed. “Not at all,” Hildy said.

“But if you stick around too long, we’ll put you to work,” Steve said with a smile. “Just look at Cole.”

Charlotte didn’t really know what Cole’s relationship to Haven House was, but it was clear he was no stranger here. He was a walking box of contradictions. She wouldn’t have expected someone like him to volunteer at a place like this.

“I’m told Julianna was a fixture out here,” Charlotte said. “So, I thought you might want a chance to be a part of her dance recital.”

Hildy frowned. “How?”

“I’m organizing it,” Charlotte said.

Hildy gasped. “Charlotte, that’s wonderful. It would’ve made Julianna so sad to think of her students not being able to perform.”

Charlotte nodded. “That’s exactly what I thought.”

“What did you have in mind?” Steve asked. “Did you want me to wear a tutu?”

Charlotte smiled. “Some of her friends and family are going to do tribute dances, in Julianna’s honor. I think the teachers are planning to choreograph something to one of her favorite songs, that sort of thing.”

Steve took a sip of coffee, then set the empty mug on the counter. “I’m going to go check on the football practice outside. I’m sure Hildy will tell me what I have to do later.”

The man walked out the door, and Hildy turned her attention back to Charlotte. “You were saying?”

“I wondered if you and Steve would want to participate,” she said. “I know you meant a lot to Jules.”

The other woman groaned. “I’m not a dancer, Miss Ballerina.”

“Most of these people won’t be dancers,” Charlotte said, “Everyone will have an instructor, someone to help choreograph their number. We’re not going to let you go out there and make fools of yourselves.”

“Don’t you want to see what a hopeless case I am before you ask me to do this?” Hildy gave her a wry smile.

Charlotte shook her head. “I think you’re going to be just fine.”

The older woman shook her head. “Well, aren’t you the optimist?”

“What do you say?” Charlotte asked. “Are you in?”

“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, but fine.”

Charlotte smiled. “And Steve?”

Hildy leaned closer. “Let me worry about him.”

“Thanks for doing this,” Charlotte said. “I really want this recital to be special.”

“I like you, Charlotte,” Hildy said.

“You do?” Charlotte was struck by the words. They were so simple, but so kind. Did anyone in her life actuallylikeher? Mostly, other dancers saw her as competition. Some saw her as a person who didn’t deserve the good fortune she’d had. There were always jealous comments behind her back, and while she usually pretended not to be bothered, she was always, always bothered.

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