Fifteen minutes later, she stood back against the wall and watched them dance. And . . . they were better! When they curtsied, she clapped and clapped.
And when Shannon smiled brightly and called out, “Well done, snowflakes!” Kimber felt like she’d done something good too.
“Thank you Miss Kimber,” Erin said as she gave her a hug at the end of class. “I hope you help us all the time.”
“I’m sure I’ll come back. I had a good time, sweetie.”
She waved to her again when she was at her mother’s side. Then waved to a few other girls who told her goodbye. And then, at last, they were gone and it was just her, Shannon, and a bunch of fallen nutcrackers.
The room felt strangely silent.
“Did you have a good time?”
To her surprise, she had. “I did. It certainly cured whatever was ailing me.”
“I find the same thing happens to me with them. Every class has its own personality. But I can’t deny it. These little girls have my heart.”
Ten minutes later, another group of ballet students entered the studio. Shannon greeted the older girls and instructed them to warm up.
Kimber was just about to ask if Shannon wanted her to help out some more when her cell phone rang. Surprised—she’d forgotten it was even in her back pocket—she swiped the screen to connect. “Hello?”
“Kimber, why haven’t you answered my letters?”
It was Peter Mohler. Her skin crawled. “How did you get this number?”
“How did you think? I’m still watching you.”
“You need to stop.” Hurrying to the corner of the room, she whispered, “I have a restraining order against you.”
“Did you think that would keep me away? You’re mine.”
Rattled and seriously creeped out, she disconnected, then turned off her phone for good measure. She knew she should be contacting the police, but they would probably just either think she was exaggerating or ask her why, if she was so scared, hadn’t she gone to see them when she first moved to Bridgeport.
And what would she say then? That she’d wanted to pretend he was going to simply fade out of her life?
“Kimber?”
She looked up at Shannon. “Yes?”
Shannon’s expression went from curious to worried. “You look like you’re about to faint. Are you okay?”
“Sure. I’m fine.” She smiled weakly.
Not seeming to care that the little girls were inching out of their formations and a few brave ones had even started to giggle, Shannon stepped closer. “Who was on the phone?”
“Nobody. It was just the wrong number.”
“The wrong number got you that shaken up?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”
Just as Shannon was about to speak again, two girls peeked in the room.
“Can we come in, Miss Shannon?”
“Of course, Diana. Warm up and I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” After a pause, Shannon reached for Kimber’s hand. “These girls are the angels. They’re all about seven and eight. Would you mind staying for this class too?”
Did she want to help little girls or go sit alone and worry about her stalker? There was no choice. “Of course. I’m happy to help.”
Ten minutes later, when Shannon put the music on and started counting, Kimber walked over to one of the girls who’d been making the most mistakes and seemed to be near tears. “I promise that you’ll get it, honey. Just take your time and stop worrying so much.”
“I’m having a hard time.”
“I know you are, but things will get better. I promise.”
The little girl stared at her before awkwardly lifting her right arm when Shannon called out the directions.
“That’s right,” Kimber whispered. “You’re doing real well.”
“Thanks.” She smiled.
And so it continued. She smiled and encouraged and redirected. Peter Mohler’s voice echoing in her head all the while.
CHAPTER 20
“A good conscience is a continual Christmas.”
—Benjamin Franklin
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t,” Kimber said. “I leave for New York tomorrow.”
Gunnar was disappointed but he knew he was a fool to think that she would have arranged her day with his schedule so they could see each other. “I understand. So, ah, when will you get back?”
“I’m not sure yet. Either Friday or Sunday”—she paused—“or maybe Monday.”
“The job is that up in the air?” He would have thought they would be on a pretty tight schedule.
“Oh, no. Those days are set in stone. I’m trying to coordinate plans with my parents. I’m still waiting to see if they have time to see me.”
“They don’t know if they can fit you in?” He knew he sounded incredulous, but he couldn’t help it. He would’ve thought her parents would’ve moved heaven and earth to see her.
“It sounds worse than it is. My father’s dad is sick and my mom’s job is crazy right now. Plus, they don’t really like going into the city.”
“I would have thought seeing you would be their priority.”
“Like I said, I’m making it sound like they’re uncaring, but they’re not.” She sighed. “Honestly, everything with them and me is kind of complicated.”
“Sorry, it’s none of my business.”
“I kind of think it is,” she said, surprising him. “I don’t want you thinking that I’m being evasive on purpose.”
“I didn’t think that.” Realizing that she had enough stress in her life, he changed the topic. “So are you ready for your big trip?”
“I hope so. I haven’t gotten up the nerve to get on the scale, but I think I’m good. My measurements were fine last week.” She laughed softly. “And, Lord knows I’ve done enough crunches over the last three weeks.”
Glad she couldn’t see his look of incredulousness, he shook his head. She had already been really thin and toned, at least it had seemed that way to him. “I know you’re going to be busy and all, but text when you can, okay? I’ll be worried about you.”
“I will, but I promise that New York City isn’t as scary as you think.”