Saved by the Salsa

by Barbara Barrett

  She shifted farther back into the sofa cushions, regretting her suggestion.

  Seeing her reaction, he sighed, his shoulders drooping. “You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to sit them down and lay it all out for them. But I can’t. The one time I tried, when I was in college, I put my dad in the hospital with a heart attack.”

  “Oh, Jack.”

  He gave her a half smile. “I don’t know if the malaria years before had somehow weakened his constitution or if he’d been working too hard, but my mom freaked. Even though he recovered in record time, from then on, she acted as if he was an invalid and not to be pressured.”

  “In other words, his decisions weren’t to be challenged.”

  “Mom convinced Dad to step down from the company.

  “What do they do now besides make your life miserable?”

  He returned to the easy chair where he’d sulked earlier. “Travel. Every so often, they show up in town when they need to touch home base.”

  “Maybe they’re bored with this lifestyle?”

  Jack narrowed his eyes, considered her question. “Perhaps. Their destinations seem to get more and more off the beaten track. Why do you ask?”

  “You said they didn’t have a lot to do with you when you were a kid. So why now?”

  He rubbed his head again and gave her a blank look. “Beats me.”

  “Think about it, Jack. You have what they don’t, a job, a place to go every day. Purpose.”

  An incredulous smile seized his face. “You mean they miss working? That’s never occurred to me.”

  Because you’re too busy fighting them.

  Jack sprang from the chair and began pacing again, bumping into the end table in the process. His movements made her nervous. He needed an outlet. “Could you find a vase or something for those gorgeous flowers? There should be something in the upper kitchen cabinets.”

  While attempting to locate a container, he called, “What should I do about my parents—find them hobbies?”

  “Ask them about it, I guess,” she called. “Or start pinpointing when they tend to get involved and figure out how to avoid those times.”

  “Suppose I could come right out and confront them.” He entered the room, carrying the roses like a trophy. He set them on the same table where Ferdinand resided. When he thought she wasn’t watching, he snuck a whiff. “But I like the other idea better. Keeping an eye on them.”

  “You never know what a little attention will do. With some luck and a bit of perception, you may soon have them dancing to your tune.”

  She thought her words would encourage him. Instead, he stood bolt upright and thumped his forehead. “Oh my God! We’ve got a class tonight. It slipped my mind when I stopped to pick up the flowers and the bull. Looks like I’m going have to solo, and I have no idea what to teach those people.”

  She’d also forgotten about the class. The mere idea of putting weight on her ankle made her cringe, but she didn’t want to let Jack down.

  He took her hand again, his expression earnest. “Are we okay for now? There’s more we should discuss, but I need to head out if I’m going to pull off this class. Still, I don’t want to leave you hanging this time.”

  Her heart zinged at his concern. “What if I act as sideline coach? If you can get me there, I can sit without too much discomfort.”

  His brow furrowed. “You need your rest.”

  “I can do that there just as well as here. Besides, I’m bored.”

  He continued to frown while he rubbed the back of his neck.

  She knew he would give in, she’d seen the light flash in his eyes when she made the suggestion. But he needed to go through his chivalry act first.

  Eventually, he caved. “But you’re not to get up and demonstrate for any reason. Understood?”

  Boy, he was cute when he tried to bully her! Not like he could, of course. “Okay, if you insist,” she replied meekly. “This will give me an opportunity to observe our subjects without raising their suspicions. I’ll grab an occasional word with them as they’re resting.”

  He headed for the door. “I’ll be back around six. Rest ’til then.” He seemed to catch himself and returned to kiss her briefly. “Make friends with Ferdinand. This one’s here to protect you.”

  Once the door closed, she remained with her back against it, reliving the feel of his lips on hers. One kiss and liquid fire pooled in her stomach. She turned to her new companion. “Well? Start doing your job. You need to protect me from myself.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jack surveyed the Mackenzie and Associates conference room, where the second dance class was about to take place. Despite being unprepared, Lacey’s bad ankle, and the incessant rain outside, things seemed to be on track. Of course, it was still five minutes before the class started, but he was beginning to think he might be able to pull this off. He’d also bet against teams with a hundred to one odds.

  Lacey smiled at him from across the room. God, she looked great despite the trial their trip from her apartment had turned into. He’d literally picked her up and carried her to his car. She’d held his umbrella over them both, so he’d avoided becoming completely drenched. Unfortunately, with his obstructed vision he’d walked into a wall and inadvertently hit Lacey’s ankle, resulting in a thump on his head when she lost her grip on the umbrella.

  One of the early arrivals approached him. “So what’s it going to be tonight, Teach?”

  Momentarily, his brain went to gauze. “Our lesson? Tonight we pick up the tempo on what you learned last week.” He was still making it up in his head.

  The woman nodded as if she knew exactly what he’d been saying, and then wandered off to join Lacey and Janice Collier.

  Jack surveyed the room, ticking off the participants in his head. One missing. Jean? The woman was never late. Just then she slinked into the room, edging her way along the outside wall, glancing around nervously for something, or someone, refusing to make eye contact with him.

  Couldn’t start the class until he knew what was going on with her. He moved over to where she hovered, trying to appear inconspicuous. “The place looks as exotic as last week, Jean.”

  She glanced up at him, startled, and embarrassed. “Mr. Dalton! I-I’m so mortified. I can’t believe I let this happen. I try so hard to be on top of things. I never dreamed—”

  “Darling! Why didn’t you tell us about this little soiree?” His mother and father sauntered toward Jean and him, faces animated, absolutely unaware of the impact of their presence.

  What the devil? How had they found out about this class? Jean? Of course. It explained her mood. But not how they’d found out. Jean’s ability to keep her mouth shut would make a mime seem a chatterbox.

  “Nor did you tell us you’d picked up a new sideline, son,” his father added.

  Jack braced himself, forcing a smile across his face. “Just for tonight, Dad. I made the mistake of showing off my moves at Cam’s birthday party and attracted a following.” How was he going to conduct this class with them here? “What brings the two of you out in the middle of this monsoon? Surely you’re not into Salsa?”

  His parents exchanged guilty looks.

  “We sort of inadvertently learned what you were doing this evening,” his father began.

  Jean’s account of finding them looking through the calendar on her computer screen the previous week flashed through his mind.

  “We’ve seen so little of you lately,” his mother added, “we decided to join you tonight. That’s okay, isn’t it? Cam said he and Marianne wouldn’t be able to make it, so we thought we could be their replacements.”

  They had it all lined up. Bless their organizational hearts. Lacey was right. They needed something more to dig their teeth into than their little globe-hopping junkets.

  He glanced across the room at Lacey to get his bearings. Stupid! Obviously she couldn’t read his thoughts, but she caught his eye. Smiling, she nodded toward his parents and raised her e
yebrows. Maybe she could read his mind.

  This one’s for you, Lacey. “Mom. Dad. Got a great idea.” He switched into enchant-the-client mode. “My partner over there,” he indicated Lacey, “sprained her ankle and can’t help demonstrate the steps. How ’bout the two of you filling in for her?”

  “Us?” Both parents reacted at once.

  “I really could use your help,” he said as sincerely as he thought he could get away with. He didn’t want to lay it on too thick or they’d become suspicious.

  “It’s been ages since we’ve danced,” his father said.

  His mother glanced hesitantly at the assembled group. “I don’t know about this. In front of all these people?”

  They wanted to be coaxed. No problem. His stock in trade. He touched his mother’s arm. “Since when have you two been afraid of an audience? Choose your own steps if you want. Anything you do will be eagerly received.”

  Once again, his parents exchanged looks.

  “I’m game, if you are, Marcia.”

  His mother ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve never been one to ignore a challenge. Let’s do it!”

  Jack turned to the rest of the group. “Gather round, everyone.” He waited while his pupils cut short their conversations and assembled. He explained why Lacey was sitting this one out. “Fortunately, we’ve got some last-minute substitutes who’ll go over the steps for you instead. My parents, Gordon and Marcia Dalton.”

  His dad seemed to stand taller and his mother glowed. His father took his mother’s hand, spun her around, ending by dipping her halfway to the floor. Who were these people? What hams.

  “Uh, yeah,” he said, attempting to get his thoughts back on track. “Let’s start with a recap of last week’s lesson.” He ticked off all the steps he and Lacey had demonstrated. Then he turned to his parents. “How about it, you two? Care to walk us through our repertoire?”

  The older Daltons took their positions and executed the routine. Flawlessly. Even ending with a short flourish.

  Jack was impressed. He’d seen them on the dance floor before but had never paid much attention. They were good.

  The group erupted in a burst of applause.

  “Wow, guys, you were great!” he said without pretense.

  “Now we know where Jack gets it,” one of the men said.

  His mother fanned her face with a hand, appearing somewhat flustered. And delighted. She was eating this up.

  His parents went through the paces as if they were meant for ballroom competition. His mother kept her face close to her husband’s, her eyes staring directly at him. The effect was quite hypnotic and sensual. Jack was almost embarrassed to be in the same room.

  Attempting to reclaim his authority, he said, “Great show, you two. But these folks aren’t quite ready for such high drama. Let’s get back to the previous routine.”

  “Oh, but we do want to try those moves!” another of the women cried out. “They’re proving how hot we baby boomers still are.”

  “You think we looked hot?” his mother purred.

  Pandora’s Box had opened for business. Before Jack realized it, his parents took over the class, just like they glommed onto everything else. While his parents continued to show off new steps, Jack made his way to Lacey.

  She leaned toward him, a conspiratorial grin on her face. “Well done!”

  “I took your advice,” he whispered. “I’m not sure it worked.”

  “What do you mean? They’re having the time of their lives and it isn’t hurting you at all.”

  She had a point. “But isn’t it sending them the wrong message—they can take over whenever they want?”

  “Not if you pick the arena. They’ve got so much excess energy to burn, they simply needed a place to direct it.”

  “Better be careful, or I’ll direct them toward you and your sprained ankle.”

  Her eyes widened in alarm. “You wouldn’t!” Then she seemed to realize he’d been playing her. “Don’t even kid about such things. I have no experience dealing with parental scrutiny.”

  “You called this one to a tee.” About then, he noticed Jean nearby, still trying to avoid his notice. “Jean, you haven’t danced yet. Since I seem to be out of a job, how about you and me partnering up?”

  Apparently relieved he wasn’t blaming her for his parents’ arrival, Jean offered Lacey an apologetic look. “Will you be okay?”

  “Go. I’ll be fine. I couldn’t have a better cover for gathering my information. Everyone stops by to see how I’m doing.”

  “We’ll be back to check on you shortly.” Jack offered a hand to Jean.

  Lacey watched them go, Jean preening and Jack the perfect gentleman. Until they started to dance. Good grief! This was the first time she viewed Jack from behind when he was going through the steps. No wonder all the women hung around him, mouths agape. The man was a walking, well, swiveling, poster child for healthy butt cheeks. World class healthy butt cheeks. The pain in her ankle seemed to disappear.

  “Laney, is it?”

  “Lacey.” She glanced up to find Jack’s parents taking stock of her. Or so it seemed.

  “Lacey.” Jack’s mother extended a hand. She wore a broad though tentative smile, as if not quite sure what to make of her. “We’re having a great time tonight, especially leading the class.”

  Though it was light, social chatter, Lacey couldn’t get past feeling there were depths to this chitchat even her water witching couldn’t detect. Proceed with caution. “I’m so glad you could join us, Mrs. Dalton. You rescued our class.”

  “Call me Marcia. I’m sorry about your ankle, but it gave us the opportunity to do something for Jack for once.”

  “Oh?”

  “He’s so independent, we rarely get the chance to act like parents,” his father observed. “And I’m Gordon.” He offered his hand.

  “I’m pleased to meet you both,” she said with sincerity. “Jack and I are working on a project together here at the firm involving baby boomers. Your names came up in the course of our research.”

  “Baby boomers?” Marcia Dalton looked at her husband. “I guess we could be called boomers, couldn’t we, Gordon, since we fall into that age bracket? So what have you been researching, Lacey? Maybe we could help you there too.”

  Uh-oh. How was she going to dig herself out of this one?

  “You’re very gracious,” she began diplomatically, inventing as she went, “but this project is quite hush-hush. The slightest mention to the wrong parties of what we’re planning could lose us the business. Of course, you wouldn’t say anything,” she rushed on to say, “but we have to be very careful.”

  “We completely understand.” Gordon Dalton’s dark brown eyes appeared to sweep the room for potential competitors.

  “Confidentiality was the order of the day in our own business,” his wife added.

  Lacey took a deep breath. Thank goodness, they understood. Jack must have exaggerated their meddling natures.

  “We’re old hands at this, dear,” Jack’s mother said. “You can trust us to treat whatever you tell us with the utmost discretion.”

  “What?” Lacey looked around the room frantically. Where was Jack? She needed reinforcements. She forced a smile. “Uh, I’m sure I could, but actually I thought perhaps you could tell me something.”

  They returned her smile with bland ones of their own.

  “We’re hoping to expand our market share where boomers are concerned.” She desperately hoped she wasn’t giving away too much.

  Jack’s father nodded. “Makes sense. Baby boomers hold a lot of purchasing power.”

  His wife appeared to be stumped. “I’m not sure we can tell you much. We’re not really typical. We’re just two people who went after one goal in life only to find more than once we had to change course because life intervened.”

  Changed course more than once. Life intervened. Lacey froze, replaying the woman’s words in her head. Marcia Dalton had just delivered gold.

>   No wonder it had been so difficult getting a read on boomers! True, they were heterogeneous, but in addition, according to Jack’s mother, every baby boomer was a study in life changes. What was the saying? “Change is the only constant.”

  “Lacey? Are you all right?”

  Lacey came back to earth to find the Daltons staring at her with concerned expressions. They had no idea they’d given her the final piece of the puzzle. Wouldn’t Jack cringe when he learned his parents’ interference was the crowning touch to their design concept?

  “Oh, sorry. What you just said triggered an idea. I can’t go into it right now, but one of these days I’d like to take you to lunch and explain.”

  Both visibly relaxed.

  “We’d very much like to, wouldn’t we, Marcia?”

  For a moment, Lacey was afraid Jack’s mother wasn’t ready to drop the subject. But Marcia Dalton surprised her, taking Lacey’s hand. “What a wonderful idea, dear. We’ll look forward to it. Perhaps we could treat you to lunch at our club? They make the most fantastic lemon chicken. And peach cobbler. I’ll have to introduce you to—”

  Gordon Dalton put a fond arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Yes, Marcia, she gets the idea.”

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Lacey told them.

  “Look forward to what?” Jack finally came to her rescue, just a trace of trepidation in his voice. “I see you’ve met my dance partner.”

  “We were making lunch plans with Lacey,” his mother said. “She wants to thank us for—”

  “For salvaging our class tonight,” Lacey cut in, not yet ready to enlighten Jack about his parents’ help with their project.

  Though Jack’s expression suggested he’d downed sour milk, he managed a lopsided smile. “Lacey’s right. You really did save our skins.”

  They continued to trade thank yous until another couple joined the group and reminded Jack’s parents they were taking them out for drinks to celebrate. The four left in a flurry of excited chatter.

  Jack’s smile melded into a concerned frown. “What was really going on before I got here?”

  “What took you so long?” Lacey asked.