by Jane Tesh
“What’s all this, Cam?”
“There’s something I need to ask you.” He took her hand and led her to the island.
I wanted to give them some privacy, so I went into my office, but I couldn’t help overhearing.
“I can stay only a few minutes.”
“This will only take a few minutes.”
I was pretty sure he’d gotten down on one knee. In a few moments I heard Ellin gasp, and I knew she’d been impressed by the fiery sparkles of diamond and emerald.
“Oh, Cam.”
“Will you marry me, Ellie? You’ve always been the one. Please say yes. I’ll do my best to make you happy.”
I heard the odd little sounds that meant she was crying. “Cam, you couldn’t make me any happier. I love you more than anything in the world.”
Wow. Didn’t think she had it in her. All was quiet for a while, and then she appeared at my door. She held out her hand to me. “Randall, did you see this?”
“Really nice, Ellin. Congratulations.”
“I’ve got to call Mother.”
As she hurried away to use her phone, Camden came to the door. “Whew.”
“Say that again.”
“No, I mean it. I wasn’t sure if she’d like it.”
“Can you hear yourself?”
He looked annoyed. “Well, I didn’t know.”
“No, can you hear yourself. Your voice is back.”
“Oh, my gosh! It is.”
“I’ll send you my bill.”
He looked at me in wonder. “Do you suppose it really was all in my mind?”
“Isn’t everything?”
“Randall, you’re good.”
“Hey, you lose it, I find it.”
He gave me one of his long considering looks. “I’ll have to find some way to return the favor.”
***
Camden and Ellin went out that night to celebrate their engagement. When I came into the dining room, the dishes had been cleared. The DVD of Lindsey’s dance recital lay all by itself in the center of the table.
Okay. I get the message.
I opened one more box.
I put the DVD into the player, turned on the TV, and pressed “play.” I fast-forwarded through the first few numbers of chubby four-year-olds in tiny tutus, then older girls in black and gold leotards, then Lindsey’s group.
There were twelve little girls in her class. They had on shiny white leotards and tights, and each girl wore a different colored skirt. Lindsey’s skirt was green. She had a green ribbon in her hair. She was the only one keeping the beat, her eyes steadfastly on her teacher sitting in the orchestra pit, the only one gracefully lifting her arms at the right moment, the only one turning, one foot pointed, the other in place.
At first, I didn’t recognize the music. Some easy listening tune, Barry Manilow, perhaps, and then, as the girls pirouetted in their rainbow-colored costumes, the title came to me.
“Could It Be Magic?”
Concentration shone on Lindsey’s face. She was completely in the moment, circling, raising her arms above her head, then slowly bringing them down.
The dance was over. She smiled her perfect radiant smile, the smile that said, I did it exactly right. I loved every minute and can’t wait to dance again.
So I pressed rewind and she danced again.
Could it be magic?
Yes.
It could.
More from this Author
For other books, upcoming author events, or more information please go to:
www.poisonedpenpress.com/Jane-Tesh
Contact Us
To receive a free catalog of Poisoned Pen Press titles,
please contact us in one of the following ways:
Phone: 1-800-421-3976
Facsimile: 1-480-949-1707
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.poisonedpenpress.com
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave. Ste 103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251