What a charmed, privileged life she’d lived.
She’d never seen that as a negative thing until now. She wanted to learn how to work in a garden. She wanted to ride the horses and make her own bed.
She wanted to be a better person, to contribute something good and meaningful to the world. She had a feeling just being around people like Hildy and Steve was a good start.
“But most of those kids aren’t teenagers,” Charlotte said.
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 actually like her? 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.
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.