Page 63 of Just Like Home

Hildy picked up her mug of coffee. “I do.”

“Thanks,” Charlotte said quietly.

Jewel appeared in the doorway, wearing what appeared to be a Princess Elsa dress-up costume.

“Oh my,” Hildy said. “Look at you.”

“I’m ready to dance,” Jewel said with a smile.

Charlotte sat unmoving for several seconds, trying to remember what she was like at Jewel’s age. By seven, she was already dancing six hours a day and tutoring when it was convenient for Marcia’s schedule. Had she ever simply gotten starry-eyed over the idea of dancing?

“Do you have an open space somewhere?” Charlotte asked. “Doesn’t have to be anything fancy.”

“Let’s clear away a spot in the living room,” Hildy said. “Maybe we can get Amelia to join.”

Together, they pushed the furniture out of the way and Hildy rolled up the rug to reveal a beautiful hardwood floor.

“Perfect,” Charlotte said. “Now, Jewel, let’s start with first position.” She demonstrated with her heels together, toes turned out, arms curved in front of her.

“I’ll leave you two.” Hildy excused herself from the room, and Charlotte focused wholly on the little girl at her side. She led Jewel through all the positions, and they were just getting to the plié when she glanced up and found familiar eyes staring at her from the doorway.

“Amelia.” Charlotte straightened. “Do you want to join us?”

Amelia’s gaze locked on to Charlotte’s, but she didn’t respond. Moments later, Hildy was back, wearing a kind, knowing smile.

“You haven’t danced in a while, Amelia,” Hildy said. “Come on out and give it a try.”

After a beat, Amelia dashed outside, the screen door slamming behind her like an exclamation point on a sentence she hadn’t said aloud.

Hildy sighed. “Time was, you couldn’t keep that girl off the dance floor.” She shook her head. “Poor thing.”

“Should we go after her?”

“Sometimes what they need most is a little time alone,” Hildy said. “But only a little time. I’ll keep an eye on the clock.”

Charlotte turned to the little girl in front of her and smiled. “You did a wonderful job, Jewel.”

“Thank you.” Jewel grabbed hold of the dress on either side and curtsied.

Charlotte stifled a smile as she curtsied back.

“Will you come back?” Jewel asked.

“I’ll try,” Charlotte said. “In the meantime, you can practice your positions.”

“Okay!” The little girl plunged herself forward, arms wrapped around Charlotte’s waist.

Charlotte’s hands went up as if someone had just said,This is a stick-up.

Jewel, still clinging to Charlotte, looked up and smiled. “You’re beautiful, Miss Charlotte.” And then she ran off, leaving Charlotte alone in the living room, basking in the glow of the heartfelt compliment.

And wanting more than ever to buy the dance studio and make a life in the little town that had wormed its way into her heart.

20

After the dance lesson, Jewel ran outside to play with the dogs, and Charlotte joined Hildy in the kitchen. She stood at the sink, filling a pitcher with water.

“She’s really sweet,” Charlotte said. “Maybe we could arrange for her to join a dance class or two?”

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