“I’m sorry about Dante,” Charlie told her. “For what it’s worth, I think he’s going to regret losing you for the rest of his life.”
“I really hope so.”
Charlie grinned. “That’s my girl.”
Evie was led into the living room and settled in the middle of the sofa. All the other women gathered around. Her mom sat next to her. Jo handed out the peppermint martinis, which turned out to be delicious and went down far too easily.
Evie sipped, aware that everyone was watching her.
“I’ll start,” a redhead said. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, Alexander draped over one thigh. “I’m Liz, by the way. Married to Ethan.” She pointed at the triplets. “He’s their brother.”
Nevada groaned. “I suppose that makes what he did our fault?”
Liz laughed. “Technically, it does.”
“We’re sorry,” Montana told her.
“I accept your apology.” Liz turned back to Evie. “Ethan and I had a past, which made things complicated.”
“And a kid,” Charlie said.
“Yes. A son that Ethan didn’t know about. When things got ugly, I didn’t know what to do. I was trapped here, alone. But everyone came through for me.”
“Me, too,” Heidi said. “When Rafe was being stupid, my friends had buttons printed up. Team Heidi and Team Rafe.” She smiled smugly. “There were a lot more Team Heidi buttons around town.”
Charlie shrugged. “I can’t bond. I ran.”
While Evie appreciated the stories, they all had something in common. Each of the men in question might have acted stupid, but in the end, one by one, they’d come around. There was a shiny wedding band on every left-hand ring finger. Well, except for Annabelle and Charlie, who had engagement rings. No one in this room had lost the man of her dreams. Only Evie.
She swallowed against the familiar tightness in her throat. The last thing she wanted was to start crying. The problem was, she knew the truth. There wouldn’t be a happy ending for her. Not really. Dante had the best reason of all to avoid love. He believed the emotion was dangerous. His mother had died because he’d fallen in love.
Tears filled her eyes. She fought them, but one trickled onto her cheek, followed by another. Her mother pulled her close.
“Remind yourself he’s a jerk, and one day you won’t be in love with him anymore,” May murmured.
“Does saying that help?”
“No, but eventually it turns out to be true. You go ahead and cry. When you’re done, we’ll have ice cream, and I happen to know that really does help.”
* * *
EVIE’S BREAKUP PARTY HANGOVER lasted for nearly two days. The first day she’d had to excuse herself twice from rehearsal to go throw up, and if she never, ever tasted peppermint again in her life, it would be too soon. The second day the only lingering effects of the alcohol and cookies was a gently pounding headache. On the morning of the third day, she woke feeling like her regular self.
She rolled over and found Alexander was already up and busy with his morning ablutions. She watched him carefully wash his face, first licking the side of his paw, then wiping it across his face and over his ear. He was thorough and patient, but in the end, clean.
“’Morning,” she said when he looked up at her.
He started to purr and walked toward her for his cuddle. She pulled him next to her and rubbed him all over before finishing with a good chin scratch.
“You’ve been very good to me,” she told him. “I was really stupid with the martinis. That won’t happen again. I’ve learned my lesson. About liquor if not love.”
She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. She’d never been in love before, so had no idea how long it took to feel better. One thing she knew for sure. As soon as she got through the holidays, she was going to start looking for a new place. There was no way she could live next door to Dante. She would be around him too much to forget him.
Her friends would help with finding a place, she thought, that knowledge easing some of the pain. Plus her mom had offered to loan her the money for a down payment. Knowing May, she would probably want to make it a gift, but Evie would prefer to pay her back. It seemed the grown-up thing to do.
“Would you like a yard?” she asked. “Do you like going outside? I can see you lying in the grass, sunning.”
Alexander draped across her, his eyes half-closed, his purr comforting her.
She would keep busy, she told herself. Maybe take some classes at the college. There were also her ideas for the expanded teaching schedule. And that exercise class her mom had mentioned sounded fun.
“I’m going to get over him,” she told her cat. “I swear I will.”
But the ache in her heart seemed bigger every day, and sometimes she wondered how anyone survived losing a great love. How did you learn to forget? To be happy again? She wondered if maybe that was simply a matter of finding small joys in life and stringing them together. Maybe after a while they became bigger than the pain.
She could only hope.
* * *
“OKAY,” GIDEON SAID from his place backstage. “They win.”
Evie looked at the nearly sixty excited, squealing, running, jumping and dancing girls careening around the stage and nodded. “Right there with you. I feel like if we back away slowly and don’t show fear, they won’t attack.”
It was the long-anticipated afternoon of the dress rehearsal. Everyone was in costume for a run-through of the show. Wings quivered, sequins glittered and tap shoes rang out on the wooden stage. Evie had been worried about getting the girls dressed and having them work with their costumes. What she hadn’t anticipated was the excitement that would send them into a giggling, bouncing frenzy.
She told herself to simply pick up the microphone and speak with authority. That the girls would instantly quiet and listen. What she didn’t know was what she was going to do if she was wrong.
“Breathing isn’t helping,” Gideon said quietly. “I don’t like that.”
“They’re my responsibility,” Evie told him. “I’m going in.”
But before she could gather her courage, the door to the convention center opened and Dominique swept inside, followed by Morgan, who played the Winter King.
The petite former dancer moved with a grace that captivated the girls. As one, they turned to watch the elegantly dressed woman. Dominique’s hair was perfectly coiffed. She had on a trim, tailored suit, the color of her green eyes, and four-inch heels. She stopped in front of the stage and faced the students.
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
“Good afternoon, Ms. Guérin,” they answered in unison.
Dominique offered a smile. “I see you’re all ready for your dress rehearsal. What I want you to remember as you prepare for your moment in the spotlight is that each of you is a star. A beautiful shining light that will transform those privileged enough to see you.”
She paused. “When I danced professionally there were times when I was tired or hurt or ill. Times when I didn’t want to gather myself enough to give my all, but I always did. I remembered that, while this was just one performance for me, this was a memory for everyone watching. They had taken time out of their lives to come see me. They wanted to experience the joy and beauty that only comes from dance. They wanted the experience.”
Evie glanced around. Every single girl was staring, riveted by the famous woman’s words.
“You will give them that experience. Each of you will offer a memory that can be carried a lifetime. When you feel nervous, breathe deeply. If you start to shake, focus on the music. Evie has taught you well. We are both so proud of you, and I am very much looking forward to watching each of you perform.”
Talk about a memory, Evie thought, clapping for her boss, as the girls joined in. For the rest of their lives her students would remember being encouraged by Dominique Guérin.
Evie stepped toward the stage. “Thank you, Dominique. Now, let’s all move offs
tage. Gideon will start the music and we’ll take it from the top.”
Nervous energy now channeled productively, the dancers did as she asked. Evie turned off the microphone and walked over to her boss.
“Thank you for this. You’re exactly what they needed.”
“I’m very excited about the show.” Dominique put her hand on Evie’s arm. “I heard about your young man. I’m so sorry. After Christmas I’m visiting with friends in Fiji for a few weeks. If you feel the need to get away, I’m happy to loan you my apartment in New York. Charlie has the key.”
The unexpected generosity had Evie’s eyes feeling a little moist. “Thank you. That’s very sweet.”
“Some men are idiots.”
“I keep telling myself that. So far it’s not working, but soon, I hope.”
The opening bars of the first song filled the convention center. Morgan settled into his throne as Gideon’s smooth chocolate-and-velvet voice spoke over the music.
“Once upon a time there was a magical kingdom ruled by a kind and generous king. He was blessed with many daughters. Each beautiful and wise. The king loved his daughters so much, he decided he would keep them with him forever.”
The first group danced onto the stage, their wings quivering and catching the light.
Evie turned her attention to them. Whatever happened or didn’t happen with Dante was out of her control. Good ending or bad, she would get through it. Not because she was especially tough or determined, but because she wasn’t alone. She had her friends and her family. People who loved her. She belonged, and right now that was more than enough.
* * *
ON THE DAY BEFORE the performance, Evie knew the show was going to be brilliant. Beyond brilliant. Her dancers were amazing, taking to the stage with grace and style. Their costumes fit perfectly, the music was fabulous and Gideon’s changes to the narration added a heartwarming element that would have everyone in tears.
She walked into the convention center a half hour before rehearsal, knowing that between them, she and her girls had reason to be proud of themselves. There were—
Her cell phone rang.
Evie grabbed it and glanced at the unfamiliar but local number. “Hello?”
“Evie? Is that you?”
“Yes. Who is this?” She didn’t recognize the woman’s voice, but she sounded very upset.
“It’s Shelley, Grace’s mom. I’m so sorry, but there’s been an accident.” Shelley took a breath. “Grace and her friends went up the mountain this morning to find snow. Unfortunately, they also went snowboarding. I’d warned her not to, what with the show tomorrow and everything, but she snuck off. She slipped and fell and broke her leg.”
Evie sank onto the nearest chair. “Is she all right?”
“Yes. It’s a clean break. They barely had to do anything to set it, but she won’t be dancing anytime soon. She’s hysterical, of course. I was terrified, but now that I know she’s okay, I’m hoping this teaches her to be more responsible. Teenagers. Which doesn’t help you at all. Like I said, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about the dance,” Evie said automatically, relieved Grace was going to be fine. “We’ll figure something out.”
“We’ll all be there tomorrow night, to watch. Grace will be in tears, just so you’re braced.”
“Of course she’s disappointed.”
“And then some. Okay, I need to run. I have to get Grace home. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
Evie disconnected the call, then stared at the phone, not sure what she was supposed to do. Grace had a full minute solo in the most critical part of the story. It was her dance that finally convinced her father to let the girls go into the world. Her dance began the transformation.
Evie dug through her bag and stared at the notes she’d made. There was no way to change the music, so there had to be a one-minute transition. Something simple, she thought, wondering who could learn a new dance in a day. She was still working on options when her students began to arrive.
She waited until they were all there to tell them what had happened.
Abby Sutton rolled her eyes when she heard. “It’s because she likes this boy who loves to snowboard.”
Melissa nudged her sister. “Shh. Don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s true. Girls do stupid things for boys.”
Talk about telling the truth, Evie thought. She’d been an idiot over a guy herself.
“While I’m sure we all feel badly for Grace,” Evie said instead, “we have to come up with a way to fill the beats in the music. Grace had a solo at a pivotal moment in the story.”
Lillie shrugged. “Why don’t you do it?”
Evie blinked at her. “Me? I can’t.”
“Why not? You know all the steps. You know everyone’s steps.” Lillie giggled. “You could do the whole show yourself.”
“That would look pretty silly,” Evie told her.
Melissa and Abby glanced at each other, then back at her.
“You should do it,” Abby told her.
“Yeah,” Melissa said. “You’re better than all of us. Even Grace.”
Several girls nodded at that. Then they were all telling Evie to dance the solo.
“You can be one of the daughters, just like us,” Lillie said. “Please say you will.”
“I’d have to check with Ms. Guérin,” Evie said, not wanting to take the spotlight from her students.
“She’ll think it’s fun,” Abby said confidently. “Besides, if you dance in the show, you get to wear makeup and have your hair done. And that’s the best part.”
Chapter Twenty
Dante stood at the window of his suite, looking out at the mountains. The room was large and well-furnished, the view amazing. Logs crackled in the fireplace. New snow beckoned, and room service had just delivered breakfast. Everything was perfect, and he should be one happy guy. Only he wasn’t. He’d been through some crappy holidays since his mother’s death, but he had to admit this was the worst.
He wasn’t anywhere he wanted to be, and he sure as hell wasn’t with anyone who interested him. He was alone, on a mountain, on Christmas Eve, and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why he’d thought this was a good idea.
When he’d realized he’d gone too far with Evie, leaving had seemed like the only option. It would make the break quick and clean. He’d thought that would be easiest for her. He’d made up a story about a former girlfriend so Evie wouldn’t think they’d get back together when he returned. Then he’d taken off. He’d assumed that by the time the plane landed in Colorado, he would have forgotten all about her.
Only he hadn’t. He thought about her constantly. There were plenty of single women at the resort, and more than one of them had made it clear she was interested. He couldn’t have been less so. He didn’t want just some woman—he wanted Evie. He missed her. He missed talking to her at the end of the day and thinking about her when he should be working. He missed their dinners, their nights, their mornings. He missed everything about her.
Worse, he missed Fool’s Gold. He missed the stupid decorations and the idiotic people greeting him every other second when he walked down the street. He missed his friends, and he missed Evie more than he’d thought possible.
Right now she was getting ready for the Live Nativity, which this year would feature an elephant. Where else but Fool’s Gold? And was he there, secretly having the time of his life? No. He was stuck in some damn suite in Aspen.
He stalked across the room and told himself he had to get over this. Over her. He had to figure out a way to stop caring about her. Because if he didn’t, he would be in real danger. He would start imagining being with her for a long time. Months even. He would start to imagine that it was okay for him to have feelings and then he would… He would…
Dante stopped in the middle of the room. He turned in a slow circle, as if not sure where he was or what to do next. He needed to get home, he realized. Not just to F
ool’s Gold, but to Evie. Because… Well, hell, he was just going to say it.
“I love her.”
That’s what his heart had been trying to tell him. He needed her and wanted to be with her. He wanted to give her everything he had and know that she felt the same. He wanted to hold her and protect her and maybe even, someday, have children with her.
He’d only risked his heart once before, and that had cost him everything. So he’d vowed never to take that chance again. But this time he couldn’t help himself. Sometime when he hadn’t been paying attention, Evie had stolen his heart. The killer was, he didn’t want it back. She could have it. If she wanted it.
He ran to the phone and punched in the number for the concierge.
“This is Dante Jefferson, in suite 587. I need to book a flight out of here today.”
There was a moment of silence. “Um, sir, you do realize it’s Christmas Eve? There aren’t going to be any flights. It’s going to take a miracle for you to find a seat.”
“I’m thinking that maybe miracles do happen, so let’s give it a try.” He grinned. “Actually don’t bother looking for a commercial flight. Find me a private plane. Money is no object.”
“All right. Where are you flying to?”
“Fool’s Gold, California.”
* * *
“MOMMY, WHY DOES Baby Jesus have an elephant?”
Evie smiled at the question. The little boy stared up at Priscilla, his expression one of awe.
“Baby Jesus loves all the animals,” the boy’s mom said.
“Can I have an elephant?”
“Not this year.”
“Can I have a puppy?”
“We’ll talk about it with your dad.”
May linked her arm with Evie’s and sighed. “I do love a good nativity.”
“This one is very special.”
It was midday on Christmas Eve, and the Live Nativity had drawn a huge crowd. Most of the animals had come from the Castle Ranch. The sheep, a couple of goats, Reno the pony and Wilbur the pig. Along with Priscilla, of course.
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