LITMIR.BIZ

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about getting the steps perfect. It was about a little girl’s delight when she learned the five positions and got distracted watching herself in the mirrors. The way she tried to stand on her toes the first time she wore ballet slippers, even though she shouldn’t, just because she wanted to be like the older girls in pointe shoes. It was about falling in love with dance the way Lucy had so many years before.

      When they’d arrived at the studio with barely any minutes to spare, Lucy had scrounged through the share bin—a place where dancers left items that no longer fit them—and found a skirt and shoes for Mattie. Total score. The dance school had a small area where they sold a few necessary items, and Lucy had snagged a leotard and tights there. A small price to pay for the way Mattie kept twirling in the outfit even though class had already finished.

      Yes, the morning had been worth it. But now that Lucy was removed from the encounter with Graham, she really wished she would have handled things better. Niggling doubt about the way she’d acted snatched her joy at seeing Mattie so happy. Why couldn’t she just be calm and reasonable? She’d always been passionate. Sometimes her emotions ran a bit...dramatic. She rarely thought too long before making a decision, usually jumping right in. But this time, she might have been a little too Lucy.

      At least her intentions had been good.

      She’d just wanted to help Mattie, not ruin her own newly improved relationship with Graham. Or hurt Mattie’s chance to do dance in the future. She hadn’t even thought about that. What if Graham never let Mattie come back and it was all Lucy’s fault? That would be awful. Mattie really did seem to love it.

      She sent up another of her trademark help-fix-what-I’ve-already-done prayers, hoping God could help her and Mattie out. They could certainly use some divine intervention.

      Lucy corralled Mattie and Belle—the other little girl from class who hadn’t been picked up by her parents yet—into the waiting area so that the next class could start. Just as they walked into the space lined with chairs and couches, the door to the studio opened and a female police officer walked in.

      Panic climbed Lucy’s throat. Graham wouldn’t really... He hadn’t...

      The cop scanned the room, and Lucy broke out in a sweat worthy of a marathon runner. Had Graham seriously called the cops? She needed a place to hide. But would that be considered resisting arrest?

      Mattie and Belle were chatting and comparing ballet shoes, completely oblivious to Lucy’s turmoil.

      She dived behind the closest chair, body barely fitting in the space. She was probably overreacting—as usual. Maybe the officer had already moved on. Lucy leaned ever so slightly from behind the chair and peeked out.

      Drat! The woman’s black boots were headed right for her! She ducked back behind the seat, hoping the officer hadn’t seen her.

      “Excuse me, but are you Lucy? Lucy Grayson?”

      Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no.

      Lucy winced, slowly standing from her position. She was going to use her one phone call to call Graham and yell at him. As if she had actually kidnapped Mattie. He could have stopped her if he wanted to. She wouldn’t have left if the man had put up a fight. He’d been wavering the whole time. Lucy had simply taken advantage of his indecision.

      And now she was going to suffer the consequences. Lucy squared her shoulders. Time to take it like a woman. “Yes. That’s me. I can ex—”

      “I’m Peggy.” The officer extended her hand. “Belle’s mom. It’s nice to meet you.”

      Lucy’s mouth flopped open. Belle’s mom. Graham hadn’t really called the police. Yet... Lucy had just been hiding behind a chair.

      “You are the new instructor for beginning ballet, right?”

      “Yes.” Lucy shook the woman’s hand. “I am. I was just—” She glanced at the chair that had recently been her safe haven. “We were just...playing hide-and-seek.”

      It was the truth. Only Lucy had been hiding from a police officer, not Belle and Mattie. She could have told Peggy more of the truth, but I hide from law enforcement hadn’t seemed like the better option.

      Thankfully Peggy was gracious and didn’t ask Lucy about her strange behavior. She did ask about Belle’s time in class, and by the time they left, Lucy hoped she’d redeemed herself and her escapades would be forgotten.

      Hoped, but didn’t necessarily believe.

      After Belle left with her mom, Lucy stuffed Mattie’s ballet shoes into her own dance bag and helped her put on her pink tennis shoes.

      They walked outside, and again, Mattie’s hand slipped into Lucy’s. The child still sported that dreamy look. One Lucy understood well. Dance had always been that place for her. Olivia had played volleyball, creating a bond with Dad, and Lucy had danced her way through life.

      Even if Graham didn’t forgive her, the morning had been worth it.

      They got into the car, and Lucy pulled out her phone and texted Graham.

      Are you still mad? She had THE BEST time. She’s got natural talent. No injuries.

      His reply came back in record time.

      Maybe a little.

      The man must have been glued to the phone. Remnants of guilt slithered across her skin. She definitely could have handled this morning better.

      Lucy would have to work on that whole think-before-you-do thing.

      I’m sorry I stole your daughter.

      I’m still considering pressing charges. :)

      He’d included a smiley face? He was putty in her hands.

      If it makes you feel any better, when one of the dance parents arrived in a police uniform to pick up her daughter, I thought you HAD called the cops on me.

      Ha! That does make me feel better. Did she really have fun? She fit in okay? She didn’t get hurt?

      Overprotective man. His barrage of questions made Lucy grin.

      “When are we going?”

      “One sec, Mattie.” Lucy had forgotten about the little girl in the backseat.

      She looked so happy. Like she was living a fairy tale.

      That might be overdoing it a little, but Lucy needed to plead her case a bit. She continued texting.

      It’s dance. There’s not that many ways to get injured.

      Not completely truthful. But at Mattie’s age, the steps and classes were simple. The older girls had more chances of injury.

      Any chance I can keep her for another hour? I think the first dance class deserves an ice cream celebration.

      Crickets. No answer. Lucy glanced in the rearview mirror. Mattie was staring out the window. Patient, serious little thing.

      Fine.

      Graham’s begrudging response made Lucy laugh. He didn’t exactly sound excited, but she’d take it and run.

      “What’s so funny?” Mattie piped up from the backseat.

      “I was just texting your dad that I thought we should grab some ice cream before I drop you off. What do you think?”

      Mattie’s eyes grew to the size of quarters, and she nodded quickly.

      Lucy’s phone beeped again, and her mouth curved, picturing another text from Graham. Directions on what Mattie could and couldn’t do, most likely.

      When are you coming home? I miss you.

      Disappointment sucked the air from her lungs. It was from Bodie. Not Graham.

      Bodie Kelps. Lucy had gone on a total of three dates with him back in Colorado. After which, Bodie had started talking about the future and Lucy meeting his parents. He’d

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