Page 3 of Small Town Prince Charming

“Okay. Well, why don’t you change out of your costume and into your school clothes for me, then I’ll get you some warm-ups?” Tracey asked. “I’ll have your costume ready for you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” Maisey skipped to the changing room.

Tracey admired her spunk. The girl did have enthusiasm and rhythm. Tracey turned her attention to Donnah. “I’ve got them all and a few notes. Erin’s fits perfectly now and Maisey’s will be adjusted tonight. It’s nothing drastic.”

“Erin Simec and Maisey are friends, and Erin’s mother is one of the troupe’s biggest benefactors.” Donnah sighed. “She’s also pushy as all get out.”

“And Maisey?”

“She’s here because her father needed somewhere for her to go while he worked. You know her father—Ryan Greene.” Donnah shook her head. “He tries, but he’s got his hands full.”

“Oh?” She remembered Ryan Greene very well. She’d crushed on him all through high school. “Does he need help?” The last she knew he’d married Carol. Was Maisey their daughter?

“With this, yes.” Donnah lowered her voice to a whisper. “Maisey is Jessica’s little girl. She lost custody when she went to jail this last time, but everything hit the fan when she died without a will. Thank God the courts allowed Maisey to be placed with Ryan. He’s all she’s got left. It’s a mess and sad, but he tries so hard, and his two jobs aren’t enough.”

“What about Carol?”

“They split ten years ago. He works for Tom’s Renovation Services and here at the theatre. He’s the head of construction, but you’d think he’s not much more than a worker the way Derek shouts at him. Derek knows Ryan’s a good hard worker and dependable,” Donnah said. “Tom runs him ragged, but so does Derek. Then he’s raising Maisey because his sister was too busy sticking God knows what up her nose then overdosed.”

“Ryan?” She couldn’t wrap her mind around what she’d learned. Ryan wasn’t with Carol, but he’d gained custody of his sister’s daughter, and Jessica had died? It was too much to think about.

“Ryan tries to get Maisey into activities, but everything is so expensive. He can’t afford the gear or doesn’t have time to drive her to the practices. He’s here, so she hangs out with me at the dance studio. I’d love to have her fulltime in the troupe, but if I let everyone dance for free, I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills.”

“I know.” She tended to do too much for freebies, too. Still, she wanted to help out. “Do you have an extra warm-up outfit? Something that would fit her?” She owed Ryan that much. “I’ll pay for it.”

“You will?” Donnah rested her hands on her hips. “You’d better talk to Ryan, but I’ll get her suited out. Thank you.”

“Where is he?” Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him after all these years. “I’m assuming he’s here.”

“On the stage. His sets are fantastic, but Derek likes to find fault and make last-minute changes. Are you going to work on the chorus girls next?”

“I am, and I’ll touch base with Ryan afterward.” If she could avoid Derek, she would. “Leave Maisey’s costume in the cabinet, and I’ll get it before I leave.”

“Sure, and good luck.” Donnah waved, then turned her attention to the troupe, clapping her hands to get their attention. “Girls, one more time. I want to clean this up.”

Tracey stole a glance at Maisey, who went through the routine while wearing jeans and a flower embellished T-shirt. She looked so out of place, but like a tiny version of Jessica. So thin and pixie-like. The poor kid. What a lot to have in life. At least she had Ryan for a father-figure.

Tracey made her way out to the stage. Thoughts of Ryan weren’t far from her mind. They hadn’t been while she’d gone off to college and while she’d worked in New York, either. She’d been friends with him in school and crushed on him since the eighth grade, but Ryan had been shy back then. He came alive on stage, though and she enjoyed acting opposite him. In high school, she and Ryan wanted to be on stage. She enjoyed the costumes, and he built the sets, but with the small number of students trying out to be in the plays back then, she and Ryan ended up in the production, too.

Was he still the strong, silent type? Still rugged? He’d stepped into the role of father and that seemed so sexy.

She spotted Derek and winced as he berated one of the dancers. Derek never had possessed good people skills. He pointed to the dancer and growled. The girl rushed from the stage in tears.

“Derek, you don’t need to insult them.” Ryan climbed down from the ladder. “She messed up. Big deal. You mess up and no one yells at you. Let her try again.”

Tracey bit back a whoop. Derek deserved to be put in his place. Besides, now she could see Ryan before talking to him. He’d kept the muscle but remained lanky. From afar, he looked like he needed a haircut, but the unruly dark blond curls peeked around the edge of his ballcap and worked for him. The sound of his voice sent shivers down her spine.

He was a dad. A dad she’d like to... Oh boy. She couldn’t admit she wanted to sleep with him. Not now. She didn’t know him or the man he’d become. What if he didn’t like her? What if he wouldn’t talk to her? He might freeze her out.

“You are the builder,” Derek said. “You have no sway here.”

“No, but we’re all people, and you’re being excessive.” Ryan removed his hat, raked his fingers through his hair, then donned the cap again. “Relax.”

“Get back to painting. These sets are so dull. They should’ve been done and correct three days ago,” Derek said. “You’re the reason we’re so behind.”

She rolled her eyes. The productions were always behind and always managed to come together the week before the first show. One set painter or one builder wouldn’t break the schedule. “Derek, stop.” She strode out onto the stage. “Ryan’s right. You’re being a dick. Cut it out.”

Ryan met her gaze and electricity shot through her. For a split-second, she felt like they were in school again and practicing for the spring musical.

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