The longing in his gut for a loving family had crept to the forefront of his mind recently. Ever since he returned from Germany. Even to the point of pushing his business plans further down the line of things to do. But how many girls were left in Howell? Most had been waiting for their boyfriends to come home from the war, and he’d left no one special behind. And he had no one but himself to blame. He could have dated, but books had been his only true companion since graduation. Since Victoria had made him feel like an ogre when he’d only tried to be a gentleman.
A gust of cold wind swirled behind him. Wallace Wysse and a cute girl blew through the door in the back…the girl from the dance production in Lansing. Corrine or Florine. No, Florence. Victoria Banks’s friend. What was she doing with Wallace Wysse? Must be she lived in Howell after all, not Lansing. And she was with Wysse?
Wysse walked by and smiled in that smarmy way that he got when he thought he was one-upping those around him. “Joseph. Good to see you, old man. How goes it?” Then he lifted his nose a bit, sniffed and looked down at Joe from his lofty position. My, he thinks well of himself.
“Fine.” Joe nodded. “Mr. Wysse.” He smiled at Flo even though Wysse made no effort to play the gentleman and introduce her. “Florence. Nice to see you again.” He held out his hand.
Her face lit up and she shook hands, apologized for how cold hers were. Wysse noticed but ignored him like a flea on the bottom of a shoe. Instead he fiddled with the neatly clipped mustache under his nose. Florence’s smile, however, was sincere. “Yes, the soldier from Lansing. Did you come to see Victoria dance or one of her students?”
“Victoria?”
“Victoria…you know. My friend.” Her eyes lit in a strange way. “Then you didn’t? That’s interesting.” She ignored Wallace tugging at her arm. “Very interesting. You’re in Howell for how long?”
Joe let go of her hand. “For the last six months and planning to stay.”
Wysse eyed him as if wondering how they knew each other, then stepped between. “Yes, six months working for me. Isn’t that right, old man? Just another laborer in father’s company. My company now.” He made it clear to Florence who the better man was and how lucky she was.
With a dismissive but polite smile, Joe glanced again at Florence. “See you around, Flo.” She beamed. He’d bet Wysse had her along for no other reason than that he didn’t want to be seen alone.
Wysse grasped her elbow and steered her away. “Don’t stay out too late, Joseph. Work comes early.”
Not for you. For Wallace Wysse, work didn’t come at all. Joe wished the business would go up for sale, and soon, while there was still a viable company to buy.
*
Surrounded by sparkling hair and glittery eyes, Victoria put the finishing touches on the tutus as her littlest girls pranced about. Such darlings. With all the ribbons and feathers and bows, folks would barely notice the dances. Suki’s green ribbon teetered to the side and Victoria tied it tighter into the curls on the little redhead’s hair. “There you go.”
“Katie, over here. Let’s get you dressed.”
Her older girls had created their own wonderful modern routines. All of them modest, so hopefully none of the families would be upset by Isadora’s influence. One of Victoria’s goals was to show that dance could be beautiful without being unladylike. She wanted no part of upset parents. In spite of what some studios were teaching, her intent had never been to cross the line of tasteful, and that was the way she could continue. Happy dancers with happy parents.
As she tied the bow at Katie’s neck, footsteps clacked on the red-and-black linoleum floor behind her. She turned and Florence pulled her aside. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. Wallace Wysse, Victoria Banks.”
His face lit up in a way that Victoria didn’t appreciate. She looked from Mr. Wysse to Flo and back to Wysse again as he surveyed her in her dance costume. “How do you do?”
His hand covered hers in a much too familiar manner. Wasn’t he supposed to be Flo’s date? “Very well, Miss Banks. I hear you’re the grand dance mistress of Howell. In fact, I think my little brother, Stephen, may have gone to school with you and Florence.”
Maybe he was just being friendly after all. If he knew Flo well, then it made sense he’d want to make her happy by being kind to her best friend. “I’m not sure that’s what you’d call it. Dance mistress, I mean. But I do dance and these are my students, Mr. Wysse.” Her hand waved over the curly tops before her. Then she pulled two tickets from her pocket. “Here you go, Flo. I was sorry to hear your folks wouldn’t be able to come tonight.”
“Mama wasn’t feeling well and Daddy didn’t want to leave her alone. You know Daddy.” She seemed almost pleased they couldn’t come. Was Mr. Wysse a love interest or merely a friend? By Flo’s expression, Victoria would guess yes, Flo was very interested, but she couldn’t read the escort. His stare sent mixed signals. One second he seemed enraptured with Florence, and the next made Victoria feel as if he could see straight through her costume.
She hugged her arms across her chest.
“I’m sorry,” Victoria said. “I know how much your mother enjoys the recitals. Well, there’s always the spring production. My mom decided not to come, either. Dad didn’t make it back from the job site in time and you know Mom, the world’s greatest worrier. Until she has Daddy safely home and fed, she won’t stir from the home fires.”
Mr. Wysse nodded. “As well it should be with wives toward their husbands. At home waiting instead of running about working. No factory worker will be bringing me my slippers.”
Ugh. Hadn’t his kind gone away with the dinosaurs? Not that she didn’t think home and family were important, she simply did not see herself sitting at home pining for a man like Mr. Wysse. His slippers, indeed. And he obviously didn’t approve of a woman running her own business. Victoria certainly had an opinion of Mr. Wysse, but she kept silent for Flo’s sake.
After Wysse took the tickets from Flo, they walked toward the front of the small recital hall. He turned just before they exited the dressing room, pointed his finger and winked. Her stomach clenched as if snakes had somehow slithered through.
Victoria took a deep breath; she didn’t have time to worry about Wysse right now and his fresh manner. Pink, yellow and pale blue fairy princesses pirouetted across the stage to the piano music of Gwendolyn Ferris. Gwendolyn’s fingers, though challenged by arthritis, stroked the piano keys like a master carpenter smoothing a plank. Victoria’s youngest class danced mostly in time with the wonderful music over the petals strewn on the floor. Butterflies couldn’t have fluttered better or done more justice to their movements. She had to smile at their enthusiasm. Girls might dance better as they got older, but they didn’t have the same heartfelt love for it as the little ones.
When Victoria peered around the edge of the curtain to soak in the crowd of excited family members, her gaze came to rest on broad shoulders. She looked up from the shoulders to the face where striking dark eyes were taking in every detail of the recital. Black hair, like frosting on the cake, topped the image. And altogether, the looks belonged to none other than Joe Huntington. What was he doing in the audience? Even now she still hadn’t figured out what he was still doing in Howell.
Good looks or not, he needed to go back to Lansing where someone probably cared.
Without thinking, she pulled her sweater closer around her dance costume, covering her shoulders. How could she dance in front of him with nothing but ballet slippers and a flimsy dance costume? All right, so it wasn’t flimsy, but it would still feel strange dancing before him. Then again, she couldn’t send her junior girls out without their fearless leader. She had promised.
Oh, horsefeathers! What a mess to be in. She let the curtain slide back into place and leaned against the wall. Her heart pounded from…embarrassment? Yes, that had to be it. She couldn’t possibly have feelings for the handsome man in the third row. It had been months since she’d seen him cross the street. So it
made sense he’d returned to Lansing and was simply visiting again. But why here? Why at her dance recital? Surely none of her girls were old enough for him. Were they?
A drink of water would help calm the nerves; she didn’t have time. She and the older group were next. Horsefeathers! As Minnie slid into position, Victoria smiled and draped her sweater over the back of the nearest chair. “Here we go. Heads up, ladies. And…smile.”
They danced en pointe to the middle of the stage. Victoria trapped a sob in her chest as Minnie stole the show. Her exquisite moves and raw talent thrilled the audience until they were on their feet in the midst of applause. Victoria waited back, allowing her pupil to soak in all the admiration from the crowd; then one by one, all of the dancers joined them onstage and took a final bow. While they basked in the limelight, Victoria eased behind the curtain and quickly changed. Almost immediately, one of her older dancers slid onto the stage with long lingering strides that brought the folks to their feet a second time.
*
Joe searched the stage. Unless he was mistaken, that had been Victoria spinning on her toes. He was sure of it. After what Flo said, he must be right. How beautifully she had controlled the flow of dancers through their moves. Beautiful—yes, in more ways than one. But where had she gone in such a hurry? Didn’t she want to take her bows along with the students? In all honesty, he wanted the opportunity to see her again. Wanted a chance to look into those huge eyes so full of wonder. She danced with the same enthusiasm and talent she’d given the pitcher’s mound. Only this time, she hadn’t stuck her tongue beneath her teeth as she concentrated.
He craned his neck until the woman behind him asked him to sit still. “Sorry, I was searching for…my niece. Oh, yes. There she is in front. The little pink fairy.” The sudden need to explain and make excuses overwhelmed him, causing the rapid-fire comments.
“Yes…that’s nice.” The look she gave him said she didn’t believe him and that a man sitting in an audience shouldn’t be staring at little girls. He didn’t know exactly what to say next, so he turned back in his seat and shut his mouth. The nerve of the woman.
She must think he was an idiot to boot. Well, he was behaving like one, ogling a woman he had known as a teenager. What must she think? Had she even seen him sitting here?
“Uncle Joey!” His princess of a niece didn’t wait for the applause to end after the last dancer when they all took their bows; she jumped down the steps in front and ran across the auditorium. “Did I do good?”
He nodded to the woman with a smile that came across as smug, he was sure. “My niece.” Then he stared into the wide eyes full of excitement. “You were wonderful, Katie girl.”
“Thank you.” She giggled and kissed his cheek.
He glanced to the side where his sister-in-law, Thelma, sat with the boys. “Wasn’t she, sis?”
Thelma cuddled Katie in her arms. “You were the best fairy dancer ever.”
The boys pulled faces and made gagging sounds with their fingers in their throats until Joe raised a brow. A Huntington expression that put fear into the hearts of many. “Treat your sister with respect, boys.” Your father might not be here, but I am, and I’ll stand for no funny business.
They sat back in their chairs, gazes on the floor and feet jiggling. “Yessir, Uncle Joe.” Joe saw Kenny tug at his tie and nearly laughed aloud, but as the standin parent, he had to keep a fatherly expression.
Thelma buttoned Katie into her coat and tied her hat securely over her head. “I don’t think we’ll stay for cake and punch, Joe. Kenny had a stomachache and I don’t want to take chances. After all the excitement, I’ll get them into bed early tonight.”
“All right. If it’s okay with the princess here.”
“Sure, Uncle Joey. I don’t want Kenny to feel bad.”
He scooped her into welcoming arms. “You really are a princess, Katie. Inside and out.”
Instantly, her gap-toothed smile reached into places of his heart that hadn’t been touched before. While he’d been overseas doing his part, his brother had remained behind, but he’d made a beautiful family that Joe was able to share now. There went those feelings again. If he ever got the financing to set up a company, or if Wysse committed to selling his place, he’d make every effort to meet just the right girl. If such a girl existed. Because he wanted the whole dream. The family, beautiful children and a warm house to come home to.
No sense whining about it or even thinking about that until the issue stepped up and slapped him in the face. He smiled. If he clomped on another girl’s foot, his vision might very well slap his face.
Hair tickled the back of his neck. When he glanced up from the program, soft blue eyes locked on to his. His throat dried up and he had to lick his lips in order to speak. “Miss Banks. According to the program, you are responsible for this production.”
“I can’t deny it. But why are you here? I have to say, it’s not often we have men come off the street to partake of our performances. Not like Phillipe Mandrin expects.”
“My niece.” He turned toward the door in the rear, but they had long since vacated the auditorium. “Oh. I guess she’s left already. I’m filling in for her daddy, though I expect I’d have been called on to come see the show anyway. She’s such a sweetie, I couldn’t say no if I wanted to.”
Victoria put a hand to her chest. “I should have put two and two together. Of course. There can’t be that many Huntingtons in town. Katherine’s a darling girl.”
Joe nodded. “My brother was supposed to escort her, but he was called out of town. And she knows I can’t resist her. So here I am.”
“Did you have any cake or punch before they left? The ladies have prepared quite the spread. I believe there are even some snickerdoodles.” In spite of their history, her face seemed to invite him. No, he must be reading into her good nature. She probably offered the same kindness to any lost-looking gentleman left behind to fend for himself.
“I thought with them gone…it wouldn’t be right.”
Florence and Wysse appeared behind the beautiful dance instructor. Florence gasped. “Victoria, they were wonderful. You were wonderful.” She tugged at Victoria’s arm. “C’mon. Let’s go have cake. I’m sure the parents are all waiting for you before starting.”
Victoria made a face, rolled her eyes and headed in the direction of all the noise. Joe couldn’t help noticing the way Wysse’s gaze raked over Victoria’s well-toned body. He didn’t like it one bit. No, sir. Not one tiny bit.
“Wait up, Victoria. I’ll have some cake after all.”
*
Shoving past Flo and half a dozen other ladies enjoying the refreshments, Wysse handed Victoria a cup of punch. Clearly, he saw himself as some kind of loverboy. Well, not where she was concerned. How dare he leave Flo alone? She was his date, not Victoria. She also didn’t care for the way he’d ogled her older dancers.
She looked down and pressed his hand away. “I think you meant this for your lady friend.” But Flo saw what happened and her eyes narrowed on…Victoria? She hadn’t done a thing to encourage him. She wouldn’t even if Flo wasn’t his date. She’d heard things, not so good things in high school. Of course, people did change, but she doubted this character had evolved one iota.
Even though Victoria snubbed Wysse, Flo stepped away and looped her arm through Joe’s. Her own version of “I’m not going to allow you to treat me this way”.
“Do you think we could get some punch, Mr. Huntington?” He stared for a second, and then, obviously reading the humiliation in her eyes, he took action. Hero or show-off? Victoria didn’t know yet.
“Of course. I’m a tad thirsty myself.” Joe patted her hand. “If you’ll excuse us.”
Victoria grumbled under her breath. Now she was left with Mr. Thinks He’s So Much. “If you’ll excuse me, as well. I need to see to the girls.” She watched Florence and Joe walk toward the refreshments. He seemed to be playing the gentleman well. Had she misjudged him all along?
Wysse cupped her elbow. “But I thought you and I might—”
“Then I’m afraid you are incorrect in your thinking, Mr. Wysse. I believe you and Florence are together this evening.” Poor Flo.
His eyes roved over her once again, causing no end of discomfort as she tried to walk away. He gripped her arm tighter. “Flo and I are only friends.”
“Well, that’s more than we are.” She offered her best phony smile that she reserved for the worst of mankind and jerked from his grasp. “If you’ll excuse me.”
As she passed by the rest of the folks enjoying the lemon cake and citrus punch, she didn’t miss how enthralled Flo was with Joe. Was her laughter, a tad too loud, intended for Victoria or Wysse? Unable to tell, Victoria ignored it, at least she tried, by cleaning up. Dirty paper napkins…crumpled and left for dead. Busywork to keep her from wondering about the mysterious Joseph Huntington.
“You certainly are the knight in shining armor, Mr. Huntington,” Flo said. “I can’t thank you enough.”
He smiled. “Joe, please, and not a knight, Florence. I simply can’t tolerate a lovely lady being treated poorly.”
Florence beamed.
Victoria picked up a stack of punch cups, half-full but deserted.
“All right…Joe.” Flo blushed to her roots and beyond, if that were possible.
Paper streamers slipped from the hooks that held them and fell to the floor. Victoria snatched the last of the decorations and packed the used materials in a box. She stepped toward the back of the building but couldn’t miss the fact that Florence kept her hold on Joe. She wasn’t interested in him, was she? Of course, if Victoria were choosing between Joe and Wallace, she’d pick Joe, too. But he’d shown no particular interest. She bit her lip. If only… But he’d made his intentions clear enough. He had only come tonight to fill in for his brother. To encourage Katie. Not to see Victoria for any reason, which suited her just fine. She’d had her moment with him and it had ended badly.
Victoria returned to the refreshment table, and in no time at all, Wysse dropped a smirk in Florence’s direction, then sidled over to claim his prize. Victoria’s blood simmered, ready to boil over. He was such a cad. Didn’t Flo see that? She glanced again in their direction. Still, Flo didn’t seem to notice anyone other than Joe.
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