Her Hometown Hero

by Margaret Daley

  “Then you can leave Lexie or you can take her with you. Your choice.”

  Tears swam in Kathleen’s eyes. Had she made a mistake coming home to recover? In New York at least she’d been able to control her seesawing emotions.

  Picking up her cup, Beth rose. “Carrie and Jacob are inside waiting for you. They said something about Jacob challenging you to a game of Memory.”

  “Where’s Nate?”

  “Right after dinner he and Howard went to the barn to discuss details about tomorrow. You’re safe, at least from him. I can’t vouch for my children. They’re ready to beat the pants off you.”

  Gripping the wooden railing, Kathleen heaved herself to a standing position, then bent and grabbed her mug. “They’re cutthroat. I beat them yesterday and that’s all they’ve been talking about.”

  Beth shook her head. “I know. That has to be coming from their dad’s side of the family. My side is docile and carefree.”

  Laughter burst from Kathleen. “I beg your pardon. Who do you think I learned it from?”

  Beth tapped her chest. “Me?”

  “Right. You.”

  Beth opened the front door. “I’d better warn you. Carrie has a favor to ask you. If you don’t want to, that’s okay.”

  As Beth passed Kathleen to go into the house, she clasped her friend’s arm. “What favor?”

  “She’s auditioning for the Summer Dance Academy, and she wants you to be there.”

  Suddenly Kathleen was thrown back to her own audition, years ago, for the same program. Madame Zoe, her ballet teacher and mentor, ran it every summer to give children who wanted more intense instruction than during the school year an opportunity to train. “I can’t...I...”

  Beth turned and embraced Kathleen. “I tried to discourage her, but she is bound and determined to have you there. You’re her inspiration.”

  The hot ball in her throat made it difficult to swallow. Kathleen finally gulped and murmured, “Not anymore.”

  Beth pulled back, taking Kathleen’s empty mug. “What happened to you doesn’t alter that one bit. You don’t have to believe me, but Carrie’s feelings about her aunt Kit won’t change no matter what.”

  Kathleen smiled to placate Beth, keeping her doubts to herself. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll try and think of something to say to let her down gently.” Kathleen heard giggles and followed the sound to the den at the back of the house.

  When she entered the room, Carrie hid something behind her back. But Kathleen caught a glimpse of what it was. “Are you two ready to get trounced?”

  “Are you?” Jacob said, then giggled and covered his mouth.

  Carrie punched him in the arm. “He’s acting like a dork again.” She put on an innocent expression and continued. “Yes, we are. C’mon. I’ve got the cards laid out in a neat pattern like you taught us.” Carrie moved to the side to reveal forty animal cards in eight neat rows, all complete except one.

  “One’s missing?” Kathleen made her way to the game table and took her seat.

  “Oh, no. I still have this to put down.” Carrie held up a card with a goat on it. “We can all see where I put it. That’s only fair.”

  “Yeah. The only way to play a game is fairly. Whose turn is it to go first?”

  “Mine,” Jacob shouted then quickly flipped over two cards—matching penguins. Then he flicked over a pair of cows. When he finally lost his turn, he had five sets of animals.

  “My turn.” Carrie proceeded to make a few matches, clapping between each one.

  “You would think you children have X-ray vision,” Kathleen said casually and chose a rabbit and a cat card.

  Jacob reached for his first choice.

  “Another match. Remarkable.” Kathleen looked pointedly at her niece and nephew.

  Carrie’s mouth turned down in a pout. “Okay. Okay. We knew where the cards were.”

  “You did?” Kathleen widened her eyes as though she hadn’t already known that fact. “That’s cheating.”

  “We weren’t cheating. We were playing with ya.” Jacob shoved all his cards onto the others on the table.

  “Just joking?”

  “Yeah,” her nephew said, dropping his head.

  “For the record I knew you two were up to something. It was written all over your faces. But cheating is when you don’t play fairly and don’t give everyone the same chance to win.”

  “You have been so sad lately. We wanted to cheer you up. We were gonna tell you after the game was over, but then Jacob got greedy.” Carrie glared at her brother. “We were gonna match just one or two each turn.” She waved her hand at his matches strewn over the cards. “Five! You ruined our joke.”

  Her niece’s voice rose the more she talked, but all Kathleen really focused on was the first sentence about her being sad. When she’d visited the ranch in the past, she’d spent a lot of time with Carrie and Jacob. The whole family, her included, went on outings around Cimarron City. But not this time. Clearly the kids had noticed the difference.

  “Ouch! You hit me,” Jacob yelled.

  “No, I didn’t. You got in the way of my hand.” Carrie pushed her chair back and jumped to her feet.

  Kathleen grabbed Jacob before he flew out of his chair and went after his sister. His face red with anger, he plopped against the cushioned back.

  “Aunt Kit, she did it on purpose.”

  Carrie jammed her fisted hand against her waist. “I talk with my hands like Aunt Kit, and one day I’m gonna be a ballerina just like she is.” Her niece stuck her tongue out at Jacob.

  How did this get so out of control? flashed across Kathleen’s mind as she pushed to her feet and planted herself between her niece and nephew. Usually she was more attuned to Carrie and Jacob, but she’d been so absorbed with her situation that she’d neglected them. It was time to make things right.

  She placed one arm around each child and said in a soft voice, “Let’s sit on the couch and talk. I have something I need to tell you and should have days ago.” She still didn’t know how she was going to, but keeping it a secret wasn’t working, either.

  Carrie’s forehead crinkled with worry. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Mom said you’re still recovering and not to bother you.”

  Kathleen pulled the eight-year-old against her. “You can bother me anytime. But I will admit I haven’t been myself lately.” I’m not sure if I ever will be that person again. “And the reason for that...” The rest of the sentence lodged in her throat, burning it. One day I’m gonna be a ballerina just like she is. Carrie’s words robbed her of her voice.

  “It’s okay, Aunt Kit. We know you hurt your leg, and it’ll take time to get better.” Carrie threw her arms around Kathleen and gave her a hug. “I love you.”

  “Me, too.” Jacob joined in, forgetting about his fight earlier and embracing his sister as well as Kathleen.

  Carrie leaned away. “When you feel like it, we can go riding like we usually do. Go on a picnic. We’ll be out of school in two weeks. By then you’ll be much better.”

  Kathleen had known this would be hard, but like with Nate, she hadn’t realized how hard. As a ballerina she’d always strived for perfection in her dances. That was how she approached life. But she wasn’t perfect. She swallowed over and over, then murmured, “I love you two. I couldn’t ask for a better niece or nephew.”

  Carrie giggled. “Even when we fight?”

  “Yes, even then.” She kissed the top of each one’s head. “This is hard for me, but I have to tell you that I’ll never be able to dance again.”

  Carrie thrust herself back, her eyes round. “Why not? You were injured before and still danced again.”

  “Because—” Kathleen rolled up her sweatpants to reveal her prosthesis “—I lost the lower part of my leg in the
accident.”

  Jacob’s eyes rounded, and he touched her artificial limb. “Cool. How does it work? What’s it made from? How long have you had it?”

  Kathleen tried to explain the best she could as she showed them how she took it off. Then she put it back on and walked around for them. Carrie remained quiet through the whole demonstration.

  “Jacob. Carrie. Time for bed,” Beth said as she came into the den.

  “Mom, did you see Aunt Kit’s new leg?” Jacob pointed to it.

  “Yes, I have. You’ve got the bathroom first, then Carrie. Scoot now.” Beth shooed her son out of the room, then followed him into the hallway.

  Kathleen silently thanked her sister-in-law. She needed to have a word with Carrie without Jacob around asking questions. “Honey, do you have any questions for me?”

  “You can’t dance again?” Carrie’s voice squeaked out.

  A burning sensation infused Kathleen’s stomach, and her heart ached. “I can’t perform like I used to. But there’s more to dancing than that.” When she said the last sentence, something clicked inside her. Hope seeded itself in her. “I can still help you when you need it.”

  “Really? Great, because I want you to come to my audition for the Summer Dance Academy. Just knowing you’ll be in the audience will encourage me. There aren’t many openings for my age group.”

  She couldn’t run from seeing Madame Zoe, and it was time she faced that. Madame Zoe would be upset if she knew Kathleen was in town and didn’t come to see her like she always did. “When is it?”

  “Next Saturday, the day before my birthday.”

  “I’ll be there in the audience, cheering you on.”

  Carrie clasped her and said, “Thank you. Thank you. That’s the best birthday gift you can give me.”

  “So I don’t have to go shopping for a present?”

  Carrie grinned. “If you want to, I won’t complain.”

  Kathleen winked at her niece. “I figured you wouldn’t.”

  “Carrie. Jacob’s out of the bathroom. It’s your turn.” Beth’s shout sounded as if it came from the second-floor landing.

  Kathleen hugged Carrie, then walked with her to the entry hall. “See you tomorrow. Tell your mom I’m going to the cabin.”

  Using a flashlight she’d brought with her, Kathleen made her way to her place. Carrie and Jacob’s acceptance and love, coupled with Howard and Beth’s, gave her hope she could deal with this and discover something she wanted to do with the rest of her life. But when she thought about things that interested her, they all revolved around dance.

  Lord, I know I haven’t prayed to You in a while, but I need You. What can I do? Financially, I don’t have to work, but I want to. I need to.

  As she passed the barn she wondered if Nate was with Howard inside. Nate’s red truck was still parked in front of the main house. He’d made it easier to talk with Carrie and Jacob since she’d already broken the news about the seriousness of her injury to him. This time wasn’t as bad. But she also appreciated his absence when she arrived to see her niece and nephew.

  Tomorrow she would apologize for what had transpired in the barn. She knew he meant well.

  Kathleen stepped up to the cabin porch. A movement out of the corner of her eye seized her full attention. She swung her flashlight toward the swing at the end and illuminated Nate rising.

  Chapter Five

  Straightening from the porch swing, Nate frowned. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I need to talk to you, and tomorrow will be crazy.”

  Kit dropped the flashlight to her side, a glow from the front window of the cabin giving her enough illumination to follow Nate’s progress toward her. “I told the kids tonight. I’m tired.”

  “It didn’t go well?”

  “Actually it went better than I’d expected, but I exhausted myself worrying about how they would take it. It’s just now hitting me.”

  He stopped several feet from her, wishing he could erase the tired lines on her face and make everything right for her. “I won’t be long then, but I hope you’ll come to the barn tomorrow morning around ten to meet some of the kids in the youth group.”

  She attempted a smile, but it fell short. “You’re hoping they’ll persuade me to help you.”

  Although not a question, he said, “Yes. We’re trying to come up with something special. Something that hasn’t been done in a while. You know how creative I am. On a scale from one to ten on creativity, I’m a zero, whereas you’re an eleven.”

  “Thanks. If you’re trying to butter me up, you’re doing a good job. I’ll try to come, but I’m not making any promises. Okay?”

  He smiled. “I’ll take a ‘maybe’ over ‘no’ any day.”

  When he started to move away from her, she asked, “Did you and Howard come up with anything?”

  “A rodeo was about all, but that has been done to death.”

  “It’s Oklahoma. What do you expect?”

  “Something different but not too complicated.”

  “I’ll think about it. Good night.”

  He walked a few feet toward the road, then glanced back to watch her go inside the cabin. He was glad Beth had talked him into moving his meeting with Howard tonight to the barn. In the past he would rush in and try to fix things, but with Kit he couldn’t push her too hard. Beth made him see that.

  Kit would help him, and he would help her. He actually whistled “Oklahoma” as he headed for his truck.

  * * *

  The next morning Kathleen sat at her table, sipping a second cup of Earl Grey tea. She hadn’t slept well the night before, her dreams filled with Madame Zoe as she told the woman her star pupil would never dance again. Kathleen knew her mentor wouldn’t feel she had let her down, but Kathleen felt that way all the same. It was irrational, but hard to rid her mind of it.

  She had purposefully kept her amputated leg from Madame Zoe because it wasn’t something she wanted to tell her over the phone when she was in New York or even here at the ranch. But the audition for the Summer Dance Academy in a week wasn’t the time or place, either. Early this morning she’d decided she would accompany Carrie to her ballet class and talk with her mentor privately afterward. She didn’t want anyone else in town to know until she’d told Madame Zoe on Tuesday.

  She glanced at the clock in the kitchen area and realized she was already late for the meeting. Gulping down the lukewarm tea, she rose and crossed to the sink to rinse her cup.

  A knock cut into the quietness. As she made her way to the door, she tried to guess who was sent to get her. When she saw Nate, her heartbeat kicked up a notch, and she felt a smile twitch at the corners of her mouth.

  She stepped onto the porch. The spring air held a hint of a chill. Sunlight kissed the plants and animals all around her, beckoning her to enjoy the beautiful day. “I know I’m running a little late. I thought you’d send Carrie or Jacob.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you know I have a hard time saying no to them.”

  “But you can to me?” A gleam glinted in his gaze.

  “You don’t have big blue eyes and call me Aunt Kit.” She started toward the barn, seeing some teenagers going inside. “How many are going to be here?”

  “The fund-raiser committee is four girls and four guys. If the whole group tried to plan this we’d never get anything done.”

  “Probably a wise decision. What have you all decided so far?”

  “To hold the event at the Soaring S and to have a Western theme.”

  “And it’s six weeks away?” Kathleen slowed her gait, her glance sliding to his.

  He removed his cowboy hat and raked his fingers through his dark hair. “Yep. Now you see why I’m so desperate. The guys want to do a rodeo and the girls want to do a carnival. No one is b
udging.”

  “Both sound good.”

  “They’ve both been done in the past few years. I want it to be different.” Nate plopped his hat back on his head, pulling it lower to shade his eyes.

  “Why?”

  “A carnival has been done a lot in the past. We want something a little different. The rodeo is a competition, not to mention possibly dangerous. Some of the kids in the group aren’t into rodeo. I’m trying to meld the group together. We’ll be together for a week in August in Honduras. I want us to be as close-knit as we can be.”

  “That makes sense. I might have something.”

  “What?”

  “Let’s wait and see what everyone says. There may be a better idea.”

  When Kathleen went into the barn, she scanned the teenagers, noting all eight were present. Her brother, Beth and Carrie were also in attendance along with Bud. The barn was large but she could understand not having the whole group trying to plan the event. Fourteen was enough, especially when everyone took a seat on a bale of hay and began to talk at the same time.

  Nate put his two fingers in his mouth and blew a whistle so loud Kathleen’s ear rang for a few seconds.

  “Warn me next time you do that,” Kathleen said with a chuckle.

  “Loud but effective,” Nate murmured for her only, as the group quieted. “One person at a time will have the floor. If you want to talk, wait for me to call on you or no one will hear anything. First, I’d like you all to introduce yourselves since we have a newcomer—” he gestured toward her “—Kathleen Somers, Mr. Somers’s sister.”

  “Really?” one red-haired girl squeaked, her eyes saucer round. “I’ve been taking ballet for ten years. Madame Zoe has one of your photos on the wall in the studio.”

  Heat scorched Kathleen’s cheeks. Everyone stared at her. “Yes, she was my teacher when I lived here. And you are?”

  “Oh, I forgot,” the teen said, and covered her lips with her fingertips for a few seconds before smiling. “I’m Anna, a huge fan of yours.”

  Another girl, dressed in an outfit more suited for a runway of high-end clothes, chimed in. “My name is Debra. Where do you dance?”