Crystal nodded with satisfaction. “You understand poor Saul. By the way, our seats are next to you and Ezra. I’ll make sure to sit between you and my husband. I don’t think he’ll throw up on you, although I guarantee he’ll cry. And don’t tell Ezra I told you, but he bought your ticket from my father. Ezra bribed Dad with a ridiculous amount of money so he could invite you. And my shameful father let him.” She lowered her voice. “I think Ezra may be smitten with you.”
Claudia’s face flamed. She was grateful the lights were already low as she, Crystal, and a delicately green Saul met Ezra at the entrance to the auditorium. She thought she caught sight of Peter waving from the balcony but was too flustered to respond.
A new awareness of Ezra Prosper slowly overtook Claudia. She had no idea if he was attracted to her, to the drama that had inadvertently accompanied her into town, or to a chivalrous notion that he needed to care for hapless females. She attempted to analyze reciprocal feelings. After the accident she’d been in a long dry spell until Peter showed interest. Handsome, sophisticated Peter. She’d fallen for that slick charm too easily and didn’t want to make the same mistake so soon. Ezra’s own mother, she thought, couldn’t call him handsome or slick.
She looked sideways at Ezra’s profile, his regular features, and high forehead. He turned, caught her eyes, and flashed those nice teeth at her. Claudia smiled back. Not slickly charming. Just kind and decent and caring.
The next two hours were memorable from the sheer volume of information fed her by both Crystal and Ezra. The tiniest dancers came on first. Ezra pointed out his niece, who never took her eyes off the dance teacher coaching the little students from the shadows.
Crystal reminisced in Claudia’s ear about her daughter’s premier recital years ago. Rachel, as Crystal explained, had shown exceptional promise. She knew every move. She responded to the rhythm of the music and performed each simple step with unusual grace.
Saul had breathed a sigh of relief. His pretty little five-year-old daughter was the star. He glanced around to make sure all eyes were on Rachel. Then the unthinkable occurred. People began to laugh. Uproariously. In horror Saul, looked back at the stage. Had his darling made a mistake? No. Still flawless. But another little one, seized with fright, had retreated to just a foot outside the curtains where she assumed no one could see her, and danced her little heart out. At the end she pulled up the courage to head to center stage and was rewarded with a huge ovation. Saul had been crushed.
Crystal finished her story just as the current crop of little dancers were finishing. Ezra’s niece looked away from the instructor long enough to notice that the little boy to her left wasn’t bowing correctly, and delivered the poor child a piece of her mind.
“Bossiness runs in the family?” Claudia whispered to Ezra.
“You bet,” He whispered back, “Now clap for her.”
Claudia learned which child belonged to the mayor over in Weary, that the boy with long hair and longer legs was the only son of the new doctor, and that Ezra’s niece and nephew in the intermediate class were twins.
The elite dancers, according to the program, would perform next. Claudia looked sideways at Saul. He gripped the armrests and took deep, slow breaths.
“He’s trying to avoid hyperventilating this year,” Crystal whispered.
Little beads of sweat coursed down his face, and in the reflected light from the stage, Claudia watched with fascination as one hung perilously from the tip of his nose before splashing onto his upper lip. He never noticed. Rachel and her troupe were onstage.
There were six girls and three boys in this, the advanced class. For this jazz number the dancers wore spangled pants, white shirts, and bow ties and did clever feats with top hats. Rachel indeed proved an exceptional dancer, elegant and willowy. But something was wrong. Saul muttered and Crystal rubbed the back of his neck. A dancer on the stage was even better than Rachel. Rachel had a classic dancer’s build with her long legs and neck and high waist. This new girl, a bit smaller, more wiry and athletic, could dance like no one Claudia had ever seen. While Rachel moved in perfect time to the music, this girl beckoned the music to slow down and wait for her. She always seemed just a quarter of a heartbeat after the notes, leading from behind.
“Who is she?” Claudia breathed into Ezra’s ear. She didn’t have the heart to ask Crystal. Ezra needed no help figuring out whom she meant.
“That’s the new girl who started this year,” he whispered back.
His breath moved a wisp of hair on her face to tickle her cheek. Goosebumps rose on her skin, and she clasped her arms tightly with a little jolt of exhilaration.
“Poor Saul,” Ezra continued, after a glance at Rachel’s parents. “This was going to be Rachel’s year to shine. She’s excellent, but Noah is magnificent.”
“Isn’t Noah a boy’s name?”
“Amos made certain to inform us of a very honorable woman named Noah in the Bible. She just didn’t get the press of the male who built the ark.”
Intermission arrived. Saul, heedless of small children and grandparents with walkers, hurtled to the exit.
“Bathroom,” Crystal told them. “This may be the year he finally needs to recognize that Rachel is not the number one dancer in the universe.”
Peter and Philip joined them as they queued for lemonade. Peter once again teased Philip about Rachel and commented on dance steps and skill levels with the knowledge of a true cosmopolitan. Philip displayed some of the greenish cast Saul had exhibited, and they all took care not to mention Noah. Unfortunately, everyone around them spoke of little else. When glaring at the throng had no effect, Philip decided to take matters in his own hands.
“So Peter and Claudia,” he said loudly. “You’ve seen a lot of good dancers, what with living in Chicago and all. How did Rachel compare?”
Claudia had to admire a man who would open himself so ingenuously for his woman.
“She’s a natural.” Claudia made sure she also spoke with raised voice, though it made her uncomfortable. “She’ll go far. Is she from Barley? Has she been in dance long?”
That was a cue for those before and after them in line to chime in with anecdotes about Rachel through the ages. Philip relaxed and his normal color returned. Crystal smiled her gratitude and murmured that she should go make sure Saul hadn’t passed out someplace. Peter grabbed Philip’s arm and maneuvered him in front of a dawdling group of teens, others turned to their own companions, and Ezra and Claudia were alone. Claudia could not think of one blessed thing to say and neither, it seemed, could Ezra.
The line split, and they were the last ones waiting for lemonade. Someone moved in behind them and bumped Claudia’s shoulder. She glanced up and met the eyes of Roi, who had been so abysmally rude to her at Blossom’s. Not much had changed. He muttered “excuse me” and, shoes squeaking loudly enough to be embarrassing, made for the balcony.
Ezra also muttered—something that sounded like “Jerk”—and pulled her up to the counter to order lemonade. Their uneasiness dissipated.
“Professional women must frighten him,” she told Ezra with a straight face, and he laughed.
“Any woman with a brain frightens Roi. I wonder why he’s here? I can’t think of any kids he knows well, and dance recitals aren’t up his entertainment alley.”
“He doesn’t have the same problem Felix Rich has, does he?”
“No, no. Nothing like that. Roi’s not a bad guy. He just hasn’t changed since high school. Except he changed his name from R-o-y to R-o-i. Even had it made legal. I can’t seem to completely trust a guy like that.”
The lights flickered. Back in the auditorium they climbed over Saul and Crystal. Ezra leaned ahead and caught the eye of Rachel’s father.
“Rachel is doing a great job, and no one can take that from her. She’s just going to get better, Saul, so relax and don’t have a heart attack. She’ll need you to stay healthy and pay for that tuition when she gets accepted at Juilliard. And for her agent, and
her auditions, and her swanky New York apartment...”
Saul gave a thumbs up and settled back with his arm around his wife.
Crystal whispered to Claudia, “Ezra is a man in a million, in case you wondered.”
The second half of the program was as impressive as the first, with the small difference that Noah teetered after a difficult ballet leap, a leap Rachel landed with ease. Each graduating senior was given a standing ovation, and while Noah’s was thunderous, Rachel’s was longer and more affectionate.
ELEVEN
In the lobby, Claudia remained on the periphery of swarming dancers and their families. It was after ten-thirty but no one seemed in a hurry to leave. Ezra went to congratulate his little nieces and nephew. Rachel, with her customary poise, stood next to her display. Each senior girl had a table littered with her dance photos, her awards, and her first tutu. People tended to congregate by Rachel and heap compliments on her smooth blonde head. Saul and Philip, proud and relieved, flanked her.
Noah also received praise but people didn’t know her as well, and didn’t linger to chat. Except Peter, who paid flattering attention to her display. As Claudia neared, she heard him ask Noah about her future plans. Peter seemed impressed when she mentioned that she planned to spend a year in Europe studying with the Salzburg International Ballet Academy.
“I’ve been to several of their performances and they take only the best. But you were flawless tonight. They’re lucky to get you.”
Noah thanked him, and added ruefully, “All I can think about is almost falling off my pointe shoes during the ballet number. That one will haunt me for a long time.”
Peter stood silent. He looked disconcerted. Claudia waited for him to say something comforting, but his experience with teen girls must not extend to salvos.
“No matter, you’ve got a lot of potential.”
He turned with a frown and saw Claudia watching him.
He’s angry about having to sit alone. “What did you think?” she asked as they moved from Noah. “The kids put on a pretty good show, don’t they?”
He shrugged. “I always like a performance where the unexpected happens.”
“Gee, sorry they disappointed you with their professionalism.”
He relaxed. “You’re right. Now what? Back to the inn?”
“I’m ready.”
Peter motioned to Ezra who was posing for photos with his family. “Shouldn’t you wait for your boyfriend?”
She refused to satisfy his attempts to irritate her. “I’ll let Ezra and the Gomers know I’m leaving. Then I’ll head back. See you.”
Ezra looked torn between accompanying her and spending time with his family. He clearly doted on his siblings’ children, and Claudia, although pleased that he still wanted her company, was reluctant to take him from family time. He thanked her for being his dance recital companion, and she thanked him for inviting her.
He spent half a minute glaring at his boots before he asked her to dinner at his house the next evening. “I don’t cook often, but I do have a few tricks up my culinary sleeve.” He looked hopeful.
“Ezra, this is such an odd situation. I should really be heading out of town and back home, but Peter is my ride, and for the time being he seems hunkered down. Which is all right because I wouldn’t mind one bit seeing that watch fob, and Amos is pretty sure he can find it so I can have a photo for my grandfather.”
“I’m not sure. Is that a yes or a no?”
“Sorry. It’s a ‘certainly, and thank you.’”
“I’ll pick you up at six. Will that be all right?”
Claudia agreed it was fine and dove into the remaining crowd to find the Gomers. Not until several strangers nodded and smiled at her did she realize she again seemed to be grinning like an idiot. In her current mood she could probably float the eight blocks to the inn, but Bud and Ann wouldn’t think of allowing her to go back alone.
“I got the neighbors to give us a lift,” Bud told her in low tones. “It’s still snowing and Ann is a little tired. She has to save her energy, especially since more guests are coming this weekend, so she’ll be busy cooking and cleaning.”
The elderly neighbor ladies who provided the ride introduced themselves to Claudia. She promptly forgot their names as a brainstorm struck. She shared it with the Gomers.
“I know you’re undercharging me. I can read the little card on the back of the door with the posted rates. To minimize my guilt, will you let me help with the cleanup this weekend?”
In the short silence that followed, she wondered if she’d given offense. Or probably—she gave herself a mental kick—they had perfectly competent paid help already. Just because she hadn’t seen anyone didn’t mean they didn’t exist.
“Claudia, you are a darling.” Ann gripped her hand. “I’ll take you up on the offer. Be warned, I’ll wake you up tomorrow before six. My regular cleaning girl is dancing in the recital. She’s the stocky senior with the big smile. I wasn’t looking forward to doing everything alone.”
Bud cleared his throat, and she hugged his arm.
“I know, my love, you are a great help, but you have twelve chairs to get finished.” She explained to Claudia, “Bud restores antiques for a boutique in Minneapolis. A dining room set needs to be done by the end of the month.”
Bud responded with something that sounded like agreement. The neighbor lady who’d driven ten miles under the speed limit stopped in front of the Weary Traveler and chirped a good night. Every light on the ground floor was lit, and a few on the upper floors, just for symmetry. Claudia betted the electric bills were more than her Chicago rent but decided almost any price to be worth the warm ambience.
Bud led his wife up the snow-covered steps and unlocked the front door.
“I never thought of how Peter would get in if he came home before us,” Claudia exclaimed, with a little frisson of guilt. She could have saved it.
“I lent him a key to the back door,” Ann told her. “With strict instructions to lock it again the moment he walks in. Even if we didn’t have a fortune in antiques around here, I’ve got all those blasted trinkets and soaps and doilies the local entrepreneurs want me to sell. If anyone takes off with so much as one scented packet of bath salts or one jar of cherry jam, I’ll never hear the end of it. By the way, is Peter here yet?”
Claudia knocked on his door. “Doesn’t seem to be. Which makes sense if he didn’t get a ride back.”
She stopped talking when she saw Ann’s face. It looked slightly gray, as if she’d aged several years in the past few minutes.
“Oh honey, I’ll be OK! I just need to sit. You heard I have heart disease, probably because of a bad viral infection I had as a baby. We’ve had a few scares, but the doctor tells me as long as I don’t tangle with any crazed guests I could live to be ninety. I know my limits, and right now my feet are swelling so I better put them up.”
Bud had disappeared, and showed up at his wife’s elbow with a small pill and some water.
“Digoxin,” he explained to Claudia, and watched impassively while Ann swallowed it. She handed back the glass and smiled up at him. He didn’t smile back, just put his hand over hers when he reached for the glass. Claudia thought she would happily kill to have a man look at her as Bud looked at his wife. He nodded at Claudia and left the room. Claudia started to follow but Ann stopped her.
“Stay and talk with me, if you don’t mind. I want to stick my nose where it has no business and the best time is when I look like my next stop is an oxygen tent. I’ll bet you are too polite to deny me the pleasure.”
Claudia threw up her hands. “This town has the most agreeable collection of manipulative snoops I ever met. I can’t imagine why I like you all so much. Let me put my coat away and get slippers on. I’ll be right back.”
Her short absence was long enough for Bud to set out a tray with a teapot, two cups, and a few small, square cookies. At least Claudia assumed it was Bud because, though he was nowhere to be seen, Ann hadn�
��t moved, and seemed to be dozing. Claudia debated tiptoeing back to her room but Ann stopped her. “Don’t even think of leaving. Bud is hurt when his innkeeper moves are rejected.”
“Your Bud is a remarkable man.”
“Don’t I know it? I don’t take him for granted one second. He’s a great husband, and a great dad, grandpa, friend, provider. No one holds a candle to him. Although Ezra comes close.”
She reached for a cookie, looking so smug that Claudia snorted.
“I can see where Philip gets his sledgehammer approach to subtly. What is with you people? Matchmaking two perfect strangers just because they’ve had several conversations?”
Her color rose and she tried to convince herself it came from indignation. But Ann remained deliberately oblivious.
“It does sound too good to be true, doesn’t it?” she asked. “Some of my favorite movies end up with perfect strangers in each other’s arms. Why shouldn’t life imitate art?” Ann’s voice had a dreamy quality but the eyes between her half-closed lids glinted.
Claudia had lost control of the ridiculous conversation almost before it was started. “Aside from the fact that we don’t really know each other,” she exclaimed in exasperation, “that we aren’t necessarily attracted to one another, and that I live in Chicago and Ezra lives here, he is obviously still in love with his ex-wife.”
Ann waved away her first objections and pounced on the last statement. “Did he tell you he’s still in love with her?”
Claudia was confused. “Not exactly. He hasn’t remarried, he didn’t want to get a divorce, and he wears his ring yet.”
“He’s too much of a gentleman to tell you what happened. But I’m not. Sit back and get comfortable.”
She waited until Claudia settled in an armchair.
“Ezra and Melody were high school sweethearts. Everyone knew they would get married and they did, as soon as they were out of college. Melody is a relative of mine, a cousin’s daughter, and quite a bit younger than I am. My cousin spoiled her but Melody was pretty and good-natured and a lot of fun, and it was easy to overlook her selfish streak, or put it down to immaturity. In spite of our age difference we were friends.
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