Fancy Dancer

by Fern Michaels

  “I know. We’ll have a good time. He’s got a few tricks to teach me.”

  “Yeah, well, just you don’t teach him any of yours. Like playing five-card stud. He’s too young for gambling.”

  “Nah, we play go fish and old maid.” Zeke cackled. “Go on now, I can take care of things here. Get yourself cleaned up. Sophia doesn’t like unkempt people in her establishment.”

  “Zeke, call the detectives. The number’s on the counter. Tell them to put some muscle behind their efforts.”

  “Okay, I can do that.”

  Jake’s eyes devoured the beautiful young woman walking down the steps toward where he was waiting. Angelica waved from the doorway. Jake waved back, but his eyes never left Fancy. She was dressed simply, in slacks, a white blouse, and a denim jacket. Her hair hung loosely to her shoulders. If she was wearing makeup, it was hard to tell. In his opinion, she didn’t need anything; she was perfect just the way she was. She smiled and slid into the passenger seat. The smile stayed on her face as Jake regaled her with Charlie’s latest efforts.

  “I’m not hopeful that we’re going to come up with a grandmother for Charlie, Fancy.”

  “As long as we keep trying, and Charlie knows we’re trying, he’ll be okay. It’s something to strive toward. I don’t know how to explain it, Jake. It’s like it’s Charlie’s mission in life to find a grandmother. My mission was trying to be a world-famous dancer like my mother, so maybe that’s why I understand it. Sometimes missions cannot be fulfilled. Like me with my dancing and you... whatever it is you’re striving for, Jake.”

  “That’s just it—I don’t know what it is. I don’t know who my father is, Fancy. Well, actually I do know, but I just found out. Jonah St. Cloud isn’t my father. My whole life has been a lie.”

  “Ooh. Are you sure you want to tell me all this, Jake?”

  “Of course. I would have told you sooner, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. Alex and Zeke know. And, of course, Alex’s mother. My whole life’s been one big lie. I don’t know how to deal with that. I’m trying. I suppose I should start back at the beginning so you understand fully.”

  “I’m a good listener, Jake, and I never make judgments.”

  By the time Jake parked his truck in the bistro’s lot, he’d finished recounting the story of his life. He looked at Fancy and saw tears in her eyes. The tears he knew were for him. He felt his insides go to mush as he waited for her to say something.

  “The part that is bothering you the most is your mother. Is that what you’re having trouble with?” Jake nodded. “Do you hold your memories of her any less dear? Do you love her any less?”

  “No.”

  “Then what’s the problem? Your mother was flesh and blood. In other words, human. All humans make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. It’s obvious your mother protected you at all costs. You were her reason for living. I’d say she did one heck of a job raising you, and if you’re right, she did it without any help from Jonah St. Cloud or Senator Trousoux. You can’t fault that.”

  “I don’t have a name, Fancy. I’m not a St. Cloud. Nor do I want to be. I’m not a Trousoux, either. Clement Trousoux died. I should have felt something, but I didn’t. I can’t claim his name. Nor do I want to. I kind of feel like Charlie does. He wants a grandmother, and I want a name to call my own. It bothers me that I’m nameless.”

  “You’re choosing to be nameless, Jake. A DNA test would confirm that you are Clement Trousoux’s son. You have every legal right to take his name if you want to. You can even go to court and pick a whole new name if you want to. The choices are yours. They’re options, Jake. If you choose not to avail yourself of those choices and options, that’s your prerogative, but you can’t say you are nameless. Because you aren’t. Are you getting my point?”

  “Yes, I am getting your point. I’m working on it.” Jake slid out of the car, ran around to the side, and opened the door for Fancy. He reached up for her and set her on the ground. He sniffed appreciatively. And then he laughed. “You smell good, but the smells from inside are even better. I’m starved. Let’s go.”

  Arm in arm, the couple strolled into the bistro and were greeted by a smiling Sophia Rosario. “Same table?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye. Jake nodded.

  Seated, glasses of the house wine in front of them, Jake found himself shifting into what he called his neutral zone. Meaning, he shelved all his worries and problems so he could give Fancy one hundred percent of his attention. They made small talk, played catch-up since their last meeting, discussed the cold weather that was due to descend on the state, the kids, Fancy’s mother’s health, and a hundred other things. But Jake wanted to talk about Fancy, to find out who she really was and how she was going to fit into his life. If that was even possible.

  Jake blinked. He must have given off some kind of signal that the conversation was going to change because Fancy’s hand went up to the scar on her cheek, and she went rigid. He reached across the small table and took her hand. “Don’t do that, please. I don’t even see it, and neither does anyone else. It defines you, Fancy. It’s who you are now. You can’t change it. You told me once you could use concealer makeup to cover the scar if you wanted to. And yet, on not one of our dates have you covered it up. That says to me you are finally accepting that scar. Until now. What did I say to make you self-conscious? And why would you feel self-conscious around me, of all people? I spilled my guts to you in the truck. I let you see who I am. Trust me when I tell you there are scars far worse than the one on your face. I’m talking about the scars that can’t be seen, and I have many of those.”

  Fancy tried to smile. “I’ve tried to let it go, but I can’t. My mother gets so upset with me. I get upset with myself. It’s not the scar, it’s that I’ll never dance again. The scar is just a crutch I use to try to make myself feel better. I’ve had years to get over this, but I just can’t let it go. It’s just so unfair.”

  “Nothing in life is fair, Fancy. Didn’t you just tell me I had choices and options? Doesn’t the same thing apply to you? What makes you so special?”

  “I’m not special. I wanted to be special. I wanted to be that prima ballerina. Now I’ll never know if it was ever possible.”

  Jake realized he was still holding Fancy’s hand. She hadn’t pulled away. “You’re special to me, Fancy. Actually, you’re very special. I wish I was a poet, so I could put it into words. But, hey, I’m just an oilman with calluses on my hands and oil under my fingernails that no amount of scrubbing can get rid of.”

  “They’re nice, strong hands. Hands that have known hard work. I was wrong about you, Jake. I thought you were a rich, wild, hard-drinking playboy. I believed what I read in the papers about you.”

  “There was a time when all that was true. I had my come-to-Jesus meeting and got back on the right path in the nick of time.”

  “You make it sound so easy, Jake.”

  “No, no, no, it is not easy. The soul-searching alone can about do you in. In my case, I had some help from a delicate little yellow butterfly. You have to look your dragon in the eye and swear out loud that you’re going to defeat him.” He told her the story of his visit to his mother’s grave site and the butterfly’s appearance, and about going to see Alex for the first time and seeing the butterfly on his windshield. “God works in mysterious ways, Fancy. My mother used to tell me that all the time. So did Zeke. If I hadn’t done all those things that day, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. I want you to think about that. Ah, here comes our dinner!”

  By the time they finished their dessert and coffee, Jake had a plan in mind.

  “Fancy, I have an idea. What are you doing tomorrow morning, say ten o’clock?”

  “Nothing I can’t put off for a little while. Why?”

  “Can you meet me somewhere at ten? I’ll explain it when we get there, okay? Can you take it on trust?”

  Fancy smiled, and Jake felt his heart start to thud in his chest.

  “O
kay. Where do you want me to meet you?” Jake told her. “No problem. I’ll be there as long as I don’t have to get dressed up.”

  Jake paid the bill and they said good-bye to Sophia, who just smiled and winked at Jake. He winked back.

  Life was looking good all of a sudden.

  Chapter 14

  Jake was forty minutes early to the meeting the following morning. He wanted to give the Symon brothers a heads-up so they didn’t collapse with his news when he introduced Fancy Dancer to them, along with his idea. His earlier call to Alex, asking him to meet with all of them, to keep him in the loop, was more than a courtesy.

  Jake hopped out of his truck and ran for the entrance to the office building that housed the Symon brothers’ law offices. The sky opened up a moment later, and rain fell in swirling sheets. He’d watched the early-morning news, and there had been no mention of rain in the forecast, only colder temperatures. It didn’t matter because there was nothing he could do about it, anyway. It was just that he hated rainy days. He took them as a personal affront to whatever it was he had going on for the day. For some reason, it was easier to get things done when the sun was shining.

  There was no one in the waiting room. In fact, Jake thought, there had never been anyone in the waiting room the many times he’d visited. The whole place was silent as a tomb. Then a door opened, and one of the brothers came out to welcome him. “Our receptionist is out with the flu, Jacob. Come in, come in. We weren’t expecting you, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t glad to see you.” Elroy called out his brother’s name, and Estes appeared as if by magic. These old guys were something else, Jake thought. If he could just keep track of who was who, he’d be home free.

  “I should have called, but I only got this idea last evening and didn’t want to intrude on your private time at home. I hope this isn’t inconvenient, Estes.”

  “It’s never inconvenient. We’re here to serve you and all of our clients. Now, would you like some coffee and a beignet?”

  “Of course. I could hardly wait to get here, knowing you would have some waiting,” Jake fibbed. The Symon brothers both beamed. Jake wondered who ate all the beignets since there was never anyone in the waiting room. He took two of the sugary delights, scarfed them down, and gulped at the hot, fragrant, Cajun coffee. Now he could get down to business.

  “Remember telling me about that thousand acres of land we needed to do something with?” Jake began. “Well, I know what we can do with it. And the rest of the property, too. Tell me if you can make it work to everyone’s tax advantage.” He explained about Fancy, her foundation, the kids, the mother’s precarious health, and Fancy’s own misfortune. Then he talked about Charlie and the grandmother search and his personal feelings for Fancy Dancer.

  “I know this is a lot to throw at you all at once, but my brother, who is not actually my brother, will help, I’m sure. I want that renovated barn on the property turned into a dance studio. It’s in excellent shape, so it shouldn’t take but a month or so to turn it all around with lighting, windows, and whatever else is needed. Even if Fancy cannot dance, she can teach ballet to others.

  “The main house, as you’ve told me more than once, is rock solid, all repairs current, and can house Fancy and the kids until we figure out what to do with all the other buildings. Workshops, classrooms, whatever is needed. Is this doable?”

  “But of course it’s doable. The tax advantages to you will be glorious. I wish you had thought of this a few years ago. I think it’s win-win for everyone, don’t you, Estes?”

  “I purely do, Elroy, I purely do.”

  Hearing that, Jake was ecstatic. “Okay, Fancy is probably out in the parking lot, waiting for me. I have to go get her. And then Alex is meeting us shortly. We’re good to go then?”

  “Yes, Jacob, we are good to go. Your mother would be so proud of you for doing what you’re doing.”

  Jake stopped in his tracks. He turned around. “How do you know that? Or are you just saying that to make me feel good?”

  Elroy and Estes huffed and puffed over their credibility being called into question. “Jacob, your mother told us on more than one occasion that when the time came, you would know what to do with the plantation. She expressed the hope that it would be something wonderful, but she knew it would be, because you are such a fine young man. You can’t make this stuff up, Jacob,” Estes said fretfully, or maybe it was Elroy. In the end, it didn’t matter because both men were nodding their heads up and down.

  “Okay, that’s good enough for me. I’ll be right back.”

  “You might need this,” Elroy said, or maybe it was Estes, holding out a huge black umbrella. Jake grabbed it and ran down the steps and out the door. When Fancy saw him she got out of the car and ran to him. He gathered her close like he’d been doing it for years. Even though the umbrella was huge, they both got wet.

  “If it weren’t so cold, I’d suggest we stomp in the puddles.” Jake laughed.

  “Let’s put that on our list of things to do when the weather warms up.”

  Now we have a list. Oh, this is looking better and better.

  “Listen, when we get into the office, there’s a kind of protocol to follow. I can explain it later. First, you eat a beignet, you say how delicious it is, then you drink the Cajun coffee, and it’s just as delicious. You thank them for seeing us on such short notice. The rest you just wing. You know, the social conversation. When that’s all done, we get down to business.”

  “Relax, Jake. I got it. I know how to act in public. I got it,” she repeated because of the concern she was seeing on his face.

  “Okay then, let’s do it!”

  Thirty minutes later, Fancy was so stunned she was speechless. “But why? You hardly know us, Jake. This is such a massive... I’m having trouble comprehending everything you all have said. Yes is my answer.”

  “The tax people will be so happy,” the Symon brothers said in unison.

  “I hope so,” was all Fancy could say.

  Alex took that moment to fly into the room, his arms flapping, water dripping everywhere. A commotion ensued while the Symon brothers scurried for paper towels to clean up the mess. Clearly no business would be conducted until everything was back to the brothers’ satisfaction.

  Jake decided to get a bead on the protocol and shoved the beignets under Alex’s nose. “Eat! And drink that coffee lickety-split. By the way, where were you last night? I tried calling you till midnight.”

  His mouth full, Alex said, “None of your business.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m gonna make it my business. I’m not involving you in any of this if you’re going to have secrets. I want full disclosure, and your life damn well better be an open book.” To make his point, Jake reached for Alex’s tie and dragged him across the room. “Now, where the hell were you?”

  “If I tell you, will you keep it a secret?”

  “Hell no! I said no secrets, and I meant it!”

  “Okay, okay. I was rehearsing with my band. I’ve been doing it every Thursday night for over fifteen years, since I was sixteen. We’re terrible, just so you know.”

  Jake’s head buzzed. “And you needed to keep this a secret... why?”

  “Because we’re terrible. In fifteen years, we haven’t gotten one gig. It’s just some old friends from high school. Country-western, Jake. Even my mother doesn’t know. You’re going to blow it for me, aren’t you?”

  “No. Not even one gig?”

  “Not a one. It’s not like we advertise or anything,” Alex said defensively.

  “Okay, I thought it was something... you know, nefarious. I can keep your secret. Not even one gig?”

  “Just shut the hell up, Jake. You ever tell anyone, and I will kill you.”

  Jake sort-of-kind-of promised with his fingers crossed behind his back. He couldn’t wait to get outside to laugh his ass off.

  Twenty minutes later, with the Symon brothers’ blessings, everyone was on board, and the young people were slogging acro
ss the parking lot in the downpour.

  The trio stood in the rain by their respective vehicles and smiled at one another.

  “I think this is a turning point for all of us,” Jake said solemnly. He leaned over and kissed Fancy while Alex timed them with his digital watch.

  Neither Jake nor Fancy saw or cared when Alex left the parking lot. Nor did they care that they were both soaking wet.

  “Kiss me again, Jake.”

  And, of course, he obliged the lady.

  From that moment on, time raced by. Halloween came and went, November blew in with a gusty storm that finally gave way to a bitterly cold December, something pretty much unheard of in Louisiana.

  The other thing that was pretty much unheard of in that particular state was the emotional condition of Jake St. Cloud, who professed to be hopelessly, helplessly in love with Fancy Dancer.

  He was standing outside Mulvaney’s jewelry store, waiting for his friends to join him to help him pick out an engagement ring for Fancy, which he planned to give her on Christmas Eve under the mistletoe.

  “Sappy,” Zeke said.

  “Romantic,” Sophia said dreamily.

  “Finally,” was all Alex could manage.

  An hour later, four sets of eyes—five if you counted the frazzled salesman—peered down at Jake’s selection. Jake defended his choice by saying, “Fancy isn’t fancy, if you know what I mean. She likes simple things.”

  “And you call a three-carat emerald cut with two-carat baguettes on each side simple.” Zeke guffawed. The salesman groaned and rolled his eyes.

  “I think what Zeke is trying to say is that this two-carat round solitaire would probably be more to Fancy’s liking,” Sophia said sweetly. “I’ve gotten to know Fancy well over these past few months, and I’m sure I’m right. I, on the other hand, speaking strictly for myself, would love that three-carat emerald-cut stone. Wink, wink, hint, hint.”

  Zeke flushed a bright, rosy red.

  “Mom’s never wrong, Jake. You better do what she says, or you’ll be bringing it back the day after Christmas,” Alex indicated.