Her mom greeted her warmly, offering her the opportunity to have dinner with them and gently admonishing her inability to keep enough food in her carriage house apartment. Over dinner, Penelope asked her parents if they knew anything about the Langleys. Her meeting today had peaked her curiosity. Her father had not met them personally in his work as a mechanic, but he knew Doctor Carson Langley had a good reputation. Eloise was far too young to be in one of Mom’s middle school classrooms, so the two of them added little other than what she already knew from the dance studio. Normally she disliked talking about people behind their backs, but she worried she would inadvertently say the wrong thing when she spoke with the handsome doctor about his precocious little girl later tonight.
When she returned to her apartment, the clock read 8:10. Drumming her fingers on the kitchen countertop, she considered her options. First she opened a book, stared at a page, and then quickly put it back. The crossword puzzle failed to distract her. Then she turned on some show tunes and began belting out songs, complete with choreography. Before she knew it, the clock read 9:30. She dialed the number scribbled on the back of the card.
A deep masculine voice answered. “Hello.”
When she’d spoken with him earlier, she hadn’t noticed how sexy his voice sounded. It threw her for a loop, remembering his grey eyes and the masculine contours of his face. His voice came in a very attractive package. She paused as she caught her breath, reconsidering the notes in front of her. This was a professional matter.
“Good evening Dr. Langley, this is Penelope Glazier from The Dance School.”
“I remember. And please, call me Carson.”
The unexpected intimacy rattled her. With the other parents, she used their last names. Tapping her notes, she cleared her throat and returned to the task at hand.
“I wanted to talk with you about Eloise.”
“That’s what you said earlier.” A sexy voice, yes, but impatient as well.
“Looking at fall registration I noticed Eloise is not enrolled in my class.”
“She’s signed up for ballet on Saturdays. I paid the deposit last month.”
“Yes, I saw her name on Hailey’s roster.”
“I thought the director, Rosanne, taught that class. Who is Hailey?”
“The schedule changed a bit. I haven’t seen her teach, but Hailey is one of the top high school students at the school and intends to audition for several colleges. She’s assisted before, but this will be her first time in charge of a class of fourteen five and six-year-olds.” Penelope disliked the decision, but since she worked as a temporary hired hand, it wasn’t her place to complain. She hoped Carson would pick up on her concerns over Hailey’s inexperience. She worried about the teen’s ability to handle Eloise.
“Dr. Langley — ”
“Carson.”
Smiling at the correction and kind tone in his voice, she continued. “I primarily called about my creative movement class, which meets Tuesdays at six o’clock. It’s geared toward early elementary school students — ”
“I work late on Tuesdays. I couldn’t impose on her grandmother or a neighbor to drive her to class, when they already do so much for her.”
“I understand that but — ”
“Look, I don’t even know what ‘creative movement’ is. At least I’ve heard of ballet — even if I don’t get it.”
Smiling, Penelope admired Carson’s willingness to confess his ignorance. Her hand crept forward as if reaching for his hand to cover it reassuringly. Instead of the warm, strong hand she had touched earlier, the cold countertop brought back her focus.
“As near as I can tell, it’s a new class to the Western Suburbs. We’ll do a ballet-based warm-up each week. For the bulk of the class, we will engage in activities that emphasize movement and imagination. You saw an example of this today when the girls interpreted how fairies would move about in different situations. They ranged from the straightforward to the silly. We will have a different theme each week such as the ocean, art, and my favorite, amazing machines. I have a mechanical bank that I’ll show the children, and then I’ll have them work in groups of two or three to create their own version. Naturally, we’ll finish the session with a tribute to snow and the holidays. Each week will give the children the opportunity to demonstrate something they’ve created to the class as well as the chance to participate in small group and large group activities. We’ll also incorporate objects such as hula-hoops, scarves and balls to enhance skills and creativity.”
“This sounds a bit … out there. Are you having trouble filling the class?”
She wondered how often his skepticism clashed with his daughter’s imagination. “Actually, I filled all ten spaces during initial enrollment, but I’m willing to open an extra space for Eloise. I think she’ll benefit from it.”
“What qualifies you to think that?”
She exhaled in a puff. He had every right to question her credibility. She was no child psychiatrist. She hadn’t even finished her first year of college before embarking on her professional dancing career. She’d only known the girl a month, and despite her better judgment, part of her reasoning was based on hearsay. Nothing in her notes prepared her for this line of questioning. Time to speak from the heart.
“I’m not much for gossip, but before the class began multiple sources warned me that Eloise had, let’s say, some anti-social tendencies.”
Chewing her lip, she waited for an abrupt click to end the call. Silence ticked: one, two, three, four.
Finally, Carson answered. “I appreciate your discretion, Penelope, but let’s be frank. Eloise is banned from soccer because she spit on the other players whenever they came close. Two preschools expelled her, and I’m lucky the dance school didn’t kick her out last spring after she bit that girl. She’s a handful.”
No one had mentioned the biting incident to her, but then again, she’d only taught there one month. She only knew of the dent in the wall where Eloise threw a shoe. Suppressing her shock as best she could, she remembered to smile before continuing. Her mom always told her people could hear the smile in your voice. Knowing that he’d dealt with a number of adversarial calls about Eloise in the past probably explained why he looked uncomfortable after class. She needed to reassure him she only considered the present.
“Perhaps. But that’s not my experience with her,” Penelope said. “On the first day of class, she stood apart from the group, but I slowly coaxed her into participating. She clung to me a bit in the second class but by the third class, she lined up front and center. The other kids included her more as the course progressed. She contributed creative ways to move. As you saw today, her suggestion of fairies pretending to be elephants became a class favorite.
“I’m no expert on children and I admit that I don’t know your daughter outside of class. All I know is what I’ve seen these last few weeks. What I’ve seen is a shy, creative, beautiful girl who’s come out of her shell a bit. She went from frowning that first day to being one of the first to break into laughter. She went from meekly hiding in the corner to politely demanding that I lift her over my head for her grand finale. I’m only qualified to judge based on what I see, and in my opinion, she benefited considerably from the class. You’re under no obligation to answer this question, but before you dismiss me, please consider how Eloise has behaved outside of class.”
Instead of a click, she heard tapping. She wondered if he wore that slightly impatient look he had earlier as he tapped either his foot on the floor or his fingers on table. He might even be rubbing a hand through his dark brown hair. His daughter probably saw that look a lot, without realizing its charm. Penelope hadn’t expected the father to be quite as memorable as his daughter, but she’d spent a lot of time thinking of him today.
“If you’re that annoyed with me or if you have something better to do right
now, you could hang up. Although, I suspect you have better manners than that.”
“I hang up on telemarketers.”
Forgetting her professional demeanor, she laughed. The rich tones of his laugh joined with hers, creating a magical sound. Suddenly, she wanted to know more about Carson — the man, not the father. But the opening disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
“I’ll be honest,” he said. “Between the glitter, the fairies, and the stereo mishap, I expected you to be a flake.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“That’s not what I meant. You seem to genuinely care about Eloise.”
“I do. She’s a special girl who gives great hugs.” Thinking of the little girl’s springy curls and big ideas warmed her heart.
“She loved your class. Today was the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time. She’s struggled a lot in the three and a half years since my wife died. But with school starting, I just don’t know how she’ll do behavior-wise starting so much at once.”
“Certainly.”
“I’ll think about it,” he added.
“Please do. Eloise is a sweetheart. I look forward to seeing her in the fall.”
“I understand. Is that all you wanted to talk about?”
If he’d asked earlier after they joined in laughter, she might have come up with some excuse to keep him on the line, but the way he’d said “my wife” gave her pause.
“Yes, sir. Although, I should remind you that if you do enroll her, you’re always welcome to observe classes. And if you have any questions or concerns about how she’s doing in class, feel free to call me. Thank you for your time. Goodnight.”
She hung up, still wondering if he’d felt the same spark she did when they touched earlier and when they laughed tonight. She wouldn’t push, though. Her main concern was Eloise.
Besides, she remembered how he responded to the single mother in her class with a look of pure panic.
Chapter 2
November
Bzzzzz. The alarm clock interrupted the dream plaguing Carson since the end of summer. Every night, he dreamt a glittery fairy with blond hair, large blue eyes and gossamer wings swooped down and kissed him as he lay in bed. Some nights the fairy gently pressed her petal soft lips against his. This past night, she covered his mouth repeatedly before trailing kisses down his neck as her slender fingers made quick work of his shirt buttons. Some nights her hands slid down further. Slapping the clock, he opened his eyes. Catherine’s face smiled at him from a silver frame on the nightstand. Guilt surged through him.
He welcomed the busyness of his days. Fall sports kept his daytime schedule full. Eloise occupied his mornings and evenings. She was thriving this year. His only parent-teacher conference so far fell on the same day as everybody else’s. She remained prone to sulkiness and shyness, but seemed better overall. At the very least, she engaged more with the world around her.
After he closed his office for the Thanksgiving weekend he rushed to pick up Eloise at her creative movement class. He couldn’t explain the bounce in his step. Perhaps the prospect of a long weekend lifted his spirits. Perhaps it was his excitement over the birthday present he had for Eloise. It had nothing to do with seeing the fairy queen again.
But when he saw her, he called himself a liar.
Work obligations kept him away from Eloise’s class, although he occasionally invented a reason to stay late at the office. He didn’t want to think about why he avoided the class and, more pointedly, the dance teacher. Once, he saw her at the mall, walking arm in arm and laughing with a man closer to her age, not one who saw forty in the rearview mirror. He pulled Eloise into the closest store to escape a conversation with Penelope and her age appropriate guy. He couldn’t change the subconscious thoughts that permeated his sleep, but during the day, he worked hard to avoid complicating his single father routine. Until today.
The girls laughed as Penelope swung them round and round in a circle before casting them off. Each girl struck a pose as she staggered dizzily away from Penelope. The game seemed familiar from somewhere. After all the girls posed stock still, Penelope walked to the first girl on the left, who whispered something in the grown woman’s ear. She did this in turn with each girl, and then turned toward the assembled parents. He heard more several mothers sigh as they set aside knitting or smart phones because Penelope began to speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to show off my special collection of statues.” She walked to all of the girls and pretended to wind them with a key. As each girl moved in turn, Penelope announced the name of her “statue.”
He barely noticed anything beyond Penelope’s movements. He told himself it was an occupational hazard. That he watched her only to determine if her seemingly solid yet gravity defying gait would put her at risk of lasting physical injury. He grew uncomfortable at the ease with which he lied. He turned to his attention to Eloise, unabashedly bemused by her antics. She had landed on the floor, and rolled back and forth and occasionally jumping up and down as she interpreted “rabbit with a tummy ache.”
Carson remembered playing a game like this when he was a kid. Although part of him groaned at the notion of paying three hundred dollars so Eloise could play games he and the neighborhood kids played for free, he loved seeing her happy.
Penelope led the girls through a series of slow movements before releasing them to find their coats and rides home. Eloise hung back with the teacher and shouted for her father to come over.
Penelope greeted him with a kind smile and playful eyes that sparkled even without the glitter. “I’m so glad you came today. I hope you saw how much Eloise enjoys class.”
He nodded in acknowledgement. As he opened his mouth to speak, Eloise interrupted.
“Can you come to my birthday party on Sunday, Miss Penny? Please, please, pretty please?”
Shrugging apologetically, he added, “Sorry for the late notice. We understand if you can’t come, but here’s the information just in case.”
She opened the invitation he handed her. Her brows knotted briefly. She looked into Eloise’s excited face, then smiled. “I would be honored. I have a baby shower the same day so I probably can’t stay long, but I really want to see your birthday cake.” She crouched down. “Now, dear, how old will you be? Two?”
Eloise laughed. “Noooooo!”
“Hmmmm. You are pretty tall. I bet you’re turning thirty-seven.”
Even Carson smiled at the twinkle in the teacher’s eyes.
Eloise laughed again. “No, that’s way old. I’ll be six.”
“What a wonderful age.” She rose, tousling Eloise’s hair. “I may not be able to stay long, but Eloise is such a dear. How can I say no? Thank you for the invite. I’ll see you Sunday.” She touched his hand, slowly sliding her fingers along his skin, like in his dreams. He gulped.
“We’ll see you then.” He had half hoped she would be busy that day, but was now disappointed she could only stop in for a bit.
Chapter 3
Eloise bounced on the couch, looking out the window as often as possible. “When will she be here, Daddy?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. Let’s not ignore your other guests.”
Eloise ran to Grandma Sue and Pappy. She sat with them for a few minutes — until the doorbell rang. She ran to the door, but didn’t quite beat Carson there. Opening the door, he saw the two friends she invited from school. Under her mother’s watchful eyes, Jen’s little girl walked across the yard to join the party.
Eloise struggled so much socially that Carson hadn’t thrown a party before. Having so many friends turn out on a holiday weekend pleased him. Apparently the fairy queen’s influence had spread into Eloise’s school day as well. Her reputation as a troublemaker no longer seemed warranted.
Eloise asked her friends if they wanted to play dres
s-up and soon the girls were pulling dresses, feather boas, fancy hats and fairy wings from the laundry basket in the living room as Grandma Sue helped them fasten hooks and buttons.
Once Eloise looked sufficiently glamorous, she walked back to Carson. “This is okay, but where is Miss Penny?” Her lip started to tremble.
“She’ll be here, sweetie pie. She’ll be here.” If she disappointed his little girl, he’d have serious words for her. “Remember, she had something else to do, too.”
The doorbell rang again and they scurried to the door. Carson stood slack jawed at the sight before him. Penelope must have slicked back her hair the other day — today it hung in a short, wavy bob, held back with rhinestone fairy clips. She had a couple bags on each arm of her cream colored coat, and was wearing high heeled boots that put her nearly eye to eye with him. The cool air flushed her cheeks and her pink lips expanded into a smile.
“Sorry I’m late. The other party started earlier so I stopped by there first. Where’s the birthday girl?”
Eloise jumped from behind the door, throwing her arms around her teacher. “You came! You came! Come play.”
Carson laughed. “Hold on, tiger. Let Ms. Glazier take off her coat and get comfortable first.”
“Thank you. And please, call me Penelope.” She set down her bags. She may have bit her lip out of nervousness, but he felt tempted to take a nibble himself. “I stopped by a specialty grocery near the other party and picked up a few things. Would you mind if I put them in your fridge if there’s enough room?”
Tidings of Love Page 40