By Leaps and Bounds

by Diamond, Jacqueline

  He requested a new ballet for the fall. There would be other invitations, too, he assured her; she would probably be approached by some of the top companies. And he planned to look into the possibility of taping Of Cats and Pharaohs for a public television airing. Kerry's head buzzed with the possibilities that lay ahead.

  Without Chris, it would all ring hollow. But she believed in him, that he would find a way back to her. The love she felt was too deep, too lasting, to allow for any other outcome.

  She trusted him in a way she'd never been able to rely on her parents or George. Trusted him to be honest with his own heart and to care deeply enough about her to keep seeking a path that would bring them together.

  If he didn't find it, she would. Somehow.

  In front of Kerry, the beginners' class didn't look so much like little girls anymore as they executed their pliés at the barre. Only eleven, they were already tracing their childish mouths with lipstick and beginning to grow breasts and hips.

  Kerry sighed. Today she had to face the most difficult task of the year: deciding who would go on and who must be cut from the class.

  Giving herself a momentary treat, she watched Suzie work out. There was room for improvement, of course, and next year's transition to dance en pointe would be a major challenge. But the girl displayed the kind of poise and line, the lightness and charisma, that augured well for the future.

  Another Melanie? It was possible. This time, Kerry's hopes wouldn't be invested in her to the same extent. Still, a teacher always lived part of her life through her students.

  Most of the other girls had made enough progress and shown enough talent to continue, although they weren't likely to become ballerinas. Still, they might use their ballet in other ways—in musicals, or as a foundation for modern dance.

  There were only two she would have to cut. Kerry dreaded it.

  When the class ended, she asked each of the girls to come, one by one, to her office. She saw the looks of dread they exchanged, and her heart squeezed.

  In her office, Kerry handled most of the girls quickly. "Congratulations," she said. "We look forward to having you back next term."

  Then it was Rhea's turn.

  To Kerry's dismay, the child burst into tears when Kerry told her she wouldn't be returning. "Why not?" the girl begged. "I love dancing."

  "I know." Kerry leaned across her desk. "Rhea, you just can't bring yourself to take it seriously, can you? To put in those long hours, to concentrate."

  "I will!" The girl's eyes widened. "Please!"

  "I have something for you." Kerry reached into her desk and pulled out a couple of fliers. "Auditions for children's theater and for a children's mime troupe. I think you'd be terrific at it, Rhea. No one can be the best at everything. You'll never be a ballerina, but you could be an actress."

  "You think so?" Rhea sniffled.

  "I'm sure of it."

  The child managed a weak smile. "I dream about being a ballerina, but I don't really like all the hard work."

  "You'll go to the auditions?"

  Rhea nodded. "Thanks, Miss Guthrie."

  "Let me know how it turns out. Good luck." Kerry exhaled deeply as the girl left.

  Tiffany breezed into her office, having already changed into a designer T-shirt and jeans. The girl held her chin defiantly aloft.

  "I've been meaning to tell you," Tiffany said before Kerry could start. "My mom found a new ballet school for me in Newport Beach. They put on four productions a year with full costumes and everything."

  "That sounds terrific," Kerry said.

  "So I won't be coming back," the girl added, unnecessarily.

  "We'll miss you."

  "Have a nice summer, Miss Guthrie." Tiffany flounced out.

  That was a relief. Kerry greeted the last two girls with their good news, and then her work was over.

  She closed the office and went down the hall to Myron's studio, where the advanced students were taking their character dance class. Today's specialty was a Scottish reel, and everyone except Melanie seemed to be enjoying it. The students kicked up their heels and launched themselves through the figures, while Myron stood by grinning, not bothering to correct anyone.

  When he saw Kerry, he angled over to her side. "Quite a year," he said. "So. When do you leave for New York?"

  "I don't." She shrugged sheepishly. "It was a crazy idea and you knew it, didn't you?"

  "I hoped for the best," he said kindly.

  Kerry watched the youngsters dance for a while, saddened by the spiritless way Melanie wove through the reel. To Myron, she said, "Maybe we could use Larisa, though, if she's willing—as a guest instructor. It wouldn't hurt the kids to get a fresh point of view."

  "Agreed." Myron studied her closely. "You're not upset? This change of heart seems awfully sudden. Or does it have to do with last night?"

  "Yes and no," Kerry said. "I suppose it's been building for a long time. Things just came into focus."

  "Your new ballet is brilliant." Myron returned his attention to his class. "Tom! You keep that up, you're going to pull a muscle!"

  "Sorry." The boy grinned impishly and toned down his cavorting.

  The dance ended. "Okay, everyone." Myron clapped his hands twice. "See you in two weeks. Except Tom. Good luck on your tour!"

  The students bowed and trouped out, whooping and chuckling together. Melanie was trying her best to fit in, Kerry could see, but the girl drooped like a flower left out of water.

  Kerry greeted her at the door. "You look like you’ve had it rough."

  "I hardly slept at all," the girl admitted as they walked down the hall. "Kerry, I can't stand it. I don't know what I'm going to do."

  "Maybe I can help."

  At the sound of the masculine voice, they both glanced up in surprise. Neither had noticed Chris's approach.

  "Dad!" Melanie bit her lip. "I don't need a ride. I can walk."

  "I have something to say to you both." Chris guided them toward the Green Room. "This won't take long."

  "Oh, all right." Melanie trudged along as if to her own execution.

  Kerry tried in vain to read Chris's expression. He looked tired but less tense than he had these past few weeks. She could almost swear he was repressing a smile.

  Inside the lounge, he directed them to a couch and sat down facing them. "This morning I decided to make one more stab at finding that witness, the one I've been so sure must exist."

  “The one who saw Jamie in the car," Melanie muttered. "Right."

  "Well, I found him."

  Kerry felt the girl stiffen beside her. Neither of them could speak.

  "He's a gardener who works for several of the neighbors." Chris rested his elbows on his knees. "He doesn't speak much English and he's wary of police, which is why he hasn't come forward before."

  "And?" Kerry pressed.

  "He saw Jamie make that video of the girls a few weeks ago," Chris said. "And he saw the car the day of the firebombing."

  "I don't care!" Melanie's head snapped up. "He's lying! Jamie wouldn't—"

  "Jamie wasn't in the car," Chris said.

  It took a moment to absorb the impact. "You mean Jamie's in the clear?" Melanie said.

  "That's right." Her father's mouth twisted ruefully. "I should have trusted your judgment, both of you. We'll be picking up the other two boys this weekend. We'll need Jamie as a witness, but that's all."

  "Does this—does it mean I can see him again?"

  Chris nodded. "I'm sorry, Mel. This whole mess—it's just that I wanted to protect you. I love you so much."

  She reached across to clasp her father's hands. "Oh, Dad, I've been miserable. It was so unfair. But I'm proud of you. You didn't have to go out there today, on your day off, and find that guy."

  "I had to find out the truth," he said.

  "Can I call Jamie?" she asked. "Maybe I could meet him for a soda."

  When Chris nodded, Kerry said, "Use my office. You deserve a little privacy."

/>   "Thanks." Melanie bounced to her feet with more energy than she'd displayed in a long time. "See you guys later!" She breezed out of the room.

  After a quiet moment, Chris said, "I owe you an apology."

  "For what?"

  "For telling you that what happened between Mel and me was none of your business." He gazed at her levelly. "I couldn't have been more wrong. You're the best thing that ever happened to either of us."

  "You know what?" she said.

  "What?"

  "I'd kill for something to eat. Something with lots of fattening calories and tons of condiments now that I don't have to worry about staying in tiptop shape."

  "You don't?" Chris said.

  "I'm not going to New York." Kerry stood up. "Oh, maybe for a few weeks at a time. Alfonso seems to think I'll be in demand as a choreographer. But this is my home. Now and for at least the next five years."

  "What happens in five years?" He moved close to her, so close that she could feel his breath whisper across her neck.

  "Somebody might decide to take early retirement, and then who knows where we'll want to go?" Before he could reply, Kerry whisked out the door. "Your car or mine?"

  "Mine, if you don’t mind," he said. “I’d like to go for a little drive afterwards.”

  That sounded like fun.

  Brea Burger Palace was packed with the usual odd assortment of Saturday diners—families with little kids, biker types, two old ladies with blue-white hair tucking into the biggest hamburgers Kerry had ever seen, and three teenage girls setting a world decibel record for giggling.

  "Everything on it," she told the man at the counter.

  "This is where it all began." Chris feigned a dreamy expression. "Our first meal—"

  "Our first argument," Kerry reminded him.

  "Something about my daughter."

  "It figures."

  They collected their order and carried it to a booth. "You hardly touched your food, as I recall," Chris reminded her.

  "Force of habit." She attacked the hamburger and didn't come up for air until she’d made a significant dent.

  “Has Melanie said anything to you about her plans?” he asked. “Now that she’s not going to New York.”

  “She wants to go to college. With Jamie. They’re aiming for UCLA.” She wished they’d sat side by side, instead of across. Still, their legs tangled pleasantly under the table.

  "He's planning to go to college?" Chris smiled ruefully. "I'm always underestimating that kid."

  “You were protecting your daughter.” Kerry tilted her head. “I’m sure he understands. He tries to protect her, too.”

  “If that’s true, we might get along better than I expected.” He gave a start as a toddler ran shrieking down the aisle toward them. A heavily pregnant woman lumbered after him, losing ground. “Whoa.” Chris slid out of the seat and landed in a crouch, just in time for the tot to whomp into his chest. The shocked youngster bounced backwards, while Chris fell to his knees in his effort to reach out. He caught the toddler’s arm, saving him from a tumble.

  “Oh, thank you,” the mom gasped as she reached them. “He’s too quick for me these days.”

  “Me go fast!” the child proclaimed proudly.

  Chris stared the tot in the eye. “I’m a policeman. You know what that means?”

  The little boy nodded, then shook his head. Possibly confused by the lack of uniform, Kerry thought in amusement.

  Chris opened his jacket to reveal his badge. “It means I catch bad guys. Now, I think you’re a good guy. But running away from your mom, that’s not good. So don’t do it again, okay?”

  The child took a deep breath. “I won’t.”

  Taking his little hand, the mother thanked Chris again and retreated. He remained kneeling with a strange expression on his face.

  “Are you all right?” Kerry asked. “You landed hard.”

  “Barely bruised.” Chris frowned at a squashed take-out lid beneath his knee. “As long as I’m here…”

  “As long as you’re where?” she said.

  “I was planning to take you to a park with a beautiful romantic view. And I had this speech planned, only I’ve forgotten the whole thing. Anyway, I don’t want to wait another minute.” From inside his jacket, he pulled a green velvet jeweler’s box.

  Kerry could hardly breathe. Vaguely, she noticed people turning to stare and nudging each other. The restaurant went so quiet she could hear her heart drumming.

  Chris opened the box. Inside lay a delicate curve of gold holding a brilliant diamond. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, aside from Melanie.”

  “Who’s Melanie?” inquired a man at the next booth.

  “His daughter,” Kerry answered.

  “I was wondering.” Shushed by the people around him, the man fell silent.

  “I love you so much.” The tenderness in Chris’s brown eyes transfixed her. “Will you marry me?”

  Emotions clamped onto Kerry’s throat. George's proposal had been presented over an elaborate dinner at one of New York's finest restaurants. It had been formal, romantic and yet, in retrospect, cold. Now all the love in the world glowed on Chris’s face.

  “If you won’t have him, I will!” called a chubby woman wearing a baseball cap. A ripple of laughter ran through the room.

  “Yes.” The word squeezed out. Kerry cleared her throat. “Yes!”

  Grinning, Chris slipped the ring onto her finger. A little loose, but easily fixed. “Thank goodness!”

  A burst of applause accompanied him to his feet. It was, Kerry realized, her second ovation of the weekend. And by far the most wonderful.

  “Well, my beautiful wife-to-be,” Chris murmured, “shall we go celebrate?”

  “Absolutely.” Nodding acknowledgement to a chorus of congratulations, Kerry helped clear their trash. Then the two of them went outside into the evening air.

  In later years, they could never agree on exactly what they did next. Chris claimed they drove straight to the hilltop park and watched the lights wink on across Orange County, spread below them. She recalled dancing with him at Tony’s restaurant, where they shared their good news with friends—after calling Melanie, of course. He said they drank champagne; she swore they had root beer fizzes.

  But some memories never got mixed up. Every time she looked at her ring, Kerry remembered her great happiness when Chris asked her to marry him and the joy of saying yes. And she didn’t have to recall the love shining in his eyes, because it never went away.

  It was still there, lighting her way, for the rest of their lives.

  The End

  Author’s Note

  Technologically, there’s been a lot of progress since By Leaps and Bounds was first published, and I’ve done my best to update the use of cell phones, digital cameras and DVDs. Ballet and theater, however, are much the same—the human body and the human imagination don’t really change. As for police work, of course it’s altered dramatically due to DNA evidence, yet successful detectives still rely to a great extent on legwork, witnesses, basic crime scene analysis and instinct.

  About the Author

  Welcome to the romantic world of Jacqueline Diamond. Her ninety published books—for Harlequin. St. Martin’s Press, William Morrow and others--include bestselling romances, mysteries, Regencies and fantasy. A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jackie is a two-time Rita Award finalist and received a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine. Please join Jackie at her website, www.jacquelinediamond.com, and follow her on Twitter @jacquediamond.

  If you enjoyed this book and are willing to post an on-line review, it will help other readers find it. Thank you!

  Other books you might enjoy by Jacqueline Diamond

  Contemporary romance

  A Warm December

  Capers and Rainbows

  Old Dreams, New Dreams

  Swept Away

  Unlikely Partners

  Regency romance
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  A Lady of Letters

  A Lady’s Point of View (promotional price: 99 cents)

  Lady in Disguise

  Song for a Lady

  The Day-Dreaming Lady

  The Forgetful Lady

  Mystery

  Danger Music

  The Eyes of a Stranger

  Paranormal suspense and fantasy

  Echoes

  Shadowlight

  Touch Me in the Dark

  Nonfiction

  How to Write a Novel in One (Not-so-easy) Lesson

  Please enjoy the first two chapters of Jacqueline Diamond’s contemporary romance

  Old Dreams, New Dreams

  Chapter One

  When Genevieve Loos walked into the beauty shop, Emma noted, the mauve-and-silver decor suddenly glistened and a hint of some mysterious perfume breezed through the usual chemical smell.

  Hurriedly, Emma swept wisps of hair from around her workstation. She did not want to keep Genevieve Loos waiting.

  Eighteen months ago, when a new stylist joined Marta's Beauty Center and brought the retired movie star with her, Emma had recognized her big chance. She'd introduced herself, offered a few tactful suggestions and boldly stepped in six months ago when the other stylist moved back East.

  With Genevieve, Emma had achieved the empathy that came with her best clients—the ability to see through the other woman's eyes. The result had been a superb working relationship which, she hoped, would lead to important referrals.

  "Emma!" Genevieve advanced through the salon like a queen at the races. "Something simply extraordinary has happened."