And at last, she leapt into the air.
The music switched, singers as familiar as high school memories filled the room, encouraging her to remember old recital pieces, favorite combinations, different times.
An hour later, just as Eric Church was singing about memories, perspiration was running down her back, and her toes and ankles were protesting, Shannon at last drew to a stop.
When she looked at her reflection again, she couldn’t help but smile. She was a sweaty mess, but something had returned to her eyes that she hadn’t seen in far too long: satisfaction.
She could still do something that she’d worked hard to do. Could still encourage her body to perform in a way that was pleasing. But, more importantly, she’d found herself again.
“Welcome back, girl,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you.”
* * *
Two hours later, she had showered and was sitting at The Works with Traci and Kimber. The pizza place was in the old train depot in downtown Bridgeport. There was a large stone fireplace taking up one of the walls and worn red brick under their feet.
Shannon was dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, an oversized sweater, and her favorite pair of duck boots. Her sisters were wearing much the same thing, though Traci was wearing a pair of Sorrels and Kimber was looking as fashionable as ever in her sleek black leggings, fitted turtleneck, and flats.
One thing they all had in common were glasses of red wine in front of them.
After they ordered two large pizzas—guaranteeing leftovers—each of them seemed to practically dissolve into their chairs.
“Has any day ever been worse?” Traci said. “I thought I’d seen everything there was to see back in Cleveland, but today’s been awful.” Picking up her wine, she took a long sip. “I need a two-week vacation.”
Shannon grinned. “Any chance of that happening?”
“Not unless I want to get fired.”
“It was awful for me, and I wasn’t even out hunting for Jennifer with Dylan,” Kimber said. “I can’t imagine how stressed you were.”
“I wasn’t as much stressed as worried,” Traci explained. “I hate feeling out of control, and that was definitely how I felt this afternoon.”
“You had reason,” Kimber said. “It had to be hard.”
“But Dylan hung in there,” Shannon said.
“He was doing his best, but to be honest, he was a real mess and I kind of was, too. I’ve walked into some really bad situations over the years, but spending the day with a cop who is dwelling on every awful scenario that could have happened to his sister? It was bad.”
Shannon gulped. “How did it go when y’all found her?”
“Honestly, I think by that time we were all so wrecked, I didn’t feel anything but relief.”
“And Dylan?” Kimber asked.
“Poor guy. I think he was trying not to dissolve into a pool of tears.”
Kimber patted Traci’s arm. “Hey, you did it though, right? She’s okay. That’s something.”
Traci’s frown slipped into a half smile. “Yeah. It was a good day. It could have been so much worse.” Raising a glass, she said, “Here’s to happy endings on stressful days.”
Kimber chuckled. “I need to remember this toast.”
Shannon clicked her glass and attempted to feel more optimistic. Of course she was very thankful that Jennifer was okay, but Dylan’s blame was still weighing heavy on her heart. She’d thought that after her workout she was better . . . but maybe not.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Traci asked.
“Me? Oh, nothing.”
“Okay. So . . . Kimber told me about your country music ballet.”
“What?” Horrified, she glanced at Kimber. “What did you see?”
“Only you in a pair of toe shoes doing things that I’ve only seen at the Kennedy Center. You, girl, have been holding out on us.”
Still trying to get over the idea that Kimber had watched her dance and she hadn’t realized she’d had an audience, Shannon shook her head in dismay. “Come on, you knew I was a dancer.”
“I knew you fox-trotted around your studio to boring music. I didn’t know you were a ballerina.”
“I can’t believe I missed the show,” Traci said. “Tell me when you do an encore.”
“You didn’t miss anything,” Shannon said quickly. “I was just messing around.”
“You were leaping and twirling on one foot to a bunch of country songs. It was amazing,” Kimber said as she sipped her wine.
It was official. She was embarrassed. “Whatever. I don’t do ballet much anymore. Just when I’m having a tough day,” she added as their server brought over two huge pizzas and placed them in the center of the table.
After placing a thick slice of pepperoni and mushroom pizza on her plate, Kimber said, “What happened with you?”
Did she really want to go there? She wasn’t sure. “Something happened with Dylan.”
“What?” Kimber asked.
“I’m not sure I want to talk about it.”
“I think you should,” Traci said. “I wasn’t going to mention it, but I heard Dylan’s part of the conversation.”
That made her feel even worse. “If you heard what he said, then you probably have a good idea about why I don’t want to talk about it.” Like, ever.
“For what it’s worth, I told Dylan he was wrong to chew you out like that.”
“What did he say?” Kimber asked, her voice a full octave higher.
“He, um, he pretty much said it was my fault that Jennifer was missing.”
Traci dabbed her mouth with the paper napkin. “I could say that he had a good reason for freaking out and saying something so stupid, but I don’t know.”
“How was it your fault?” Kimber asked, her voice outraged.
“Because I didn’t try to keep her from going to have lunch with that guy.”
“But you aren’t her mom. And besides, he was really nice. I would’ve had lunch with him, too.”
Shannon shrugged. “I thought the same thing. Plus his mom was so nice. That means something, don’t you think?”
Kimber nodded. Traci just looked sympathetic. “When we saw Jack he was as upset as the rest of us. This wasn’t on him.”
“What are you going to do when he calls to apologize?” Kimber asked.
After a momentary burst of hope, she tamped it down fast. “I don’t know if Dylan will do that.”
Kimber pursed her lips. “But Shannon, what if he does?”
“If he does call, I don’t know if I’ll answer.” She cast a glance at Traci. “Sorry if this puts you in a bad spot.”
Traci shrugged off her comment. “Don’t worry about me. Like I said, I told him what I thought about him talking to you that way.”
After finishing her second piece of pizza, Shannon decided to go ahead and say what she was thinking. “Y’all, this year—discovering I had sisters, starting my business, moving . . . all of it—well, I’ve given a lot up and made a lot of changes. It’s been hard.” She looked at both of her sisters. “At least it has been for me.”
“You aren’t lying, it’s been real hard.” Kimber agreed.
“That’s what makes me think I don’t need to get into a relationship like that.”
“Like what?” Kimber countered. “Shannon, you really like him.”
“I know.” But did she want to fall in love with a man who could blame her so easily? And had she really just thought about loving Dylan Lange?
Oh, for Pete’s sake. Did she even know what love was?
“Listen to me, sister. You don’t have to decide anything right now.”
“Kimber’s right,” Traci said. “Guys are fine, but they can be a pain in the rear even on their best days. Try not to think about Dylan.”
After motioning for the
server to bring her a second glass of wine, Shannon smiled. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s already out of my life.”
After sharing a look with Kimber, Traci raised her glass. “Cheers to that.”
As their drinks clinked, Shannon realized right then and there that she actually did know what love was.
Love was when her sisters didn’t point out that she was lying through her teeth.
CHAPTER 29
“When a body moves, it’s the most revealing thing.
Dance for me a minute,
and I’ll tell you who you are.”
—Mikhail Baryshnikov
Dylan had stayed late at work. He’d had a report to type. Paperwork was an essential part of his job, but this report had taken a really long time, especially since he’d been called into the lieutenant’s office for a lengthy meeting to discuss how he and Traci had handled the day.
Though Dylan had known his report, written in the most factual, impersonal way, had been correct, it still left a bad taste in his mouth. Because while he and Traci had performed well enough to receive praise from his lieutenant, he’d done so many other things wrong. He might know how to keep his emotions in check when summarizing police procedures, but he had a long way to go before he was able to keep cool when it came to his personal life.
In the span of a few hours, he’d managed to hurt his sister, irritate his partner, and surely tick off Shannon.
Now, as he walked into his house, Dylan knew he was going to have to apologize profusely to Jennifer. He’d said some words that he really regretted. While he did believe that his sister needed more help when it came to dealing with the trauma that she’d endured, he realized that he’d been letting his hurt and frustration show. He’d hurt her instead of helped, which was always his greatest fear.
Well, all he could do was apologize and try to make amends. It wasn’t like he could change the past.
“Sorry I’m so late, Jen!” he called out as he walked into the kitchen. “You wouldn’t believe how long the report was that I had to write. I didn’t think I’d ever finish it.”
But as he looked around the space, with its modern appliances and granite countertops, it was obvious that Jennifer hadn’t been cooking. Actually, it didn’t look like she’d even set foot in the room, which was a rarity. Even though he knew better—and that he’d just chided himself for doing the very same thing—the fear that was his constant companion where she was concerned loomed large.
“Jennifer?” he called a little louder.
One second passed. Then two. He walked into the hallway, peeked into the living room for her coat and boots that she always took off and left scattered around.
But the room was immaculate.
Just as he was about to start searching the house, she appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Dylan?”
She was dressed in soft looking corduroys and a lavender sweater. She looked rested. That was good. “Hey.”
Leaning over the bannister, she frowned. “Dylan, is everything all right?”
“Yeah. I, um, I wasn’t sure where you were.” That was a little better than admitting he’d been afraid something had happened to her again.
She pointed to her hair, which he hadn’t noticed was wet. “I was in the shower.”
“Oh.” Well, now he felt stupid. Looking for something to say, he said, “You didn’t make supper.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re right, I didn’t.” Her voice hardened. “I thought I’d order a pizza or order something in tonight.”
“There’s no need for you to do that.” Eager to be of help, he pulled out his phone. “What would you like? I’ll order it for you.”
“I can order a pizza.”
“I know that,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean you couldn’t. I just want to help.” No, what he really wanted to do was apologize but he wasn’t sure how to get started on that.
Looking resigned, she walked down the stairs. Her feet were bare and her hair was still streaming down her back in wet waves. Thanks to the plummeting temperatures outside, their house was cold. On another day, he might suggest she go put on some socks or maybe dry her hair a little bit. Tonight, he didn’t dare.
After she stopped a couple feet from him and folded her arms in front of her chest. “Dylan, I think we need to talk.”
“Okay . . .” He looked around. “Do you want to go sit down?”
“No, I don’t want to sit.”
“All right. So, what’s up?” And yes, he realized that he was sounding like he had nothing in between his ears except a lot of hot air.
“Well, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about everything, and I’ve decided something. You were right. We are in a rut. You are used to looking out for me, and I’m used to asking you for help. I need to start doing more things on my own. A lot more things.”
Relief poured through him. She wasn’t going to be mad at him forever. “That’s fine,” he said with a smile.
“No, Dylan. You don’t get it,” she countered impatiently. “What I’m trying to tell you is that I’m going to move out.”
Move out? Move out when she still got rattled by big crowds? Move out when that Lance guy was still at large? “Jennifer, don’t you think you’re overreacting?”
“Stop being so condescending!”
“I’m really trying here. But—”
“You wouldn’t even listen to me when I tried to tell you that I was looking for a dog today. I wasn’t freaking out. I wasn’t running from an imagined person. I got lost in the woods and the snow while looking for Harvard.”
“I realize that.” Now.
“It sure didn’t sound like it.”
She wasn’t wrong. “You’re right, and I’m real sorry about that. I shouldn’t have gotten so freaked out that I took out everything on you. I’m so sorry for the things I said.”
She sighed. “I’m not looking for an apology,” she said softly. “I’m saying, that this is the right time for me to move forward. It’s the right time for both of us.”
“Where do you plan to go?” Maybe she was headed to their parents? That might be best. They could take care—
“I’m going to ask Shannon, Traci, and Kimber if I can move in with them.”
She wanted to room with his partner and the woman he was dating? He couldn’t think of a more uncomfortable situation for himself. “Jen . . . you can’t do that.”
“Why not? Shannon told me that her money situation is tight. Plus, they have an extra room. It sounds like an answer to a prayer.”
“You don’t need to move,” he said in a rush. “ If you want more space, I’ll give it to you.”
Her expression softened. “Dylan, I really do think living with those girls is going to be better.” She smiled. “Not a one of them can cook, they need me.”
Just as he took a deep breath, one word that she said resonated with him. Need. Jennifer needed to be needed. That was something he could understand. Hell, hadn’t that been half the reason he’d become a cop in the first place? He’d liked helping others in the community. “Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure.” As if she realized that he finally got what she was saying, she smiled softly. “I need to stop standing still and start dancing a bit.”
Dancing. His sister turned before he could ask if she meant that literally or figuratively. After all, she was about to be living on the upper floor of a dance studio.
Jennifer was back upstairs before he realized that it didn’t matter.
CHAPTER 30
“Thanks to dance, I can change my hair, costume, and makeup in five minutes.”
How had everything gotten so mixed up? It wasn’t that Shannon wasn’t happy to have Jennifer move in with them—she was. Jennifer was nice, her rent was going to take the edge off of their money troubles, and sh
e was even going to cook for them. Traci, especially, was thrilled about that.
But, it was all quite a surprise.
Luckily, she was beginning to realize that unexpected developments were a part of life. People were imperfect, and life wasn’t supposed to be so simple, so cut and dried.
She reckoned it made things more flavorful and rich.
Now, showing Jennifer her small room in their loft, which happened to be located right next to the kitchen, Shannon wondered if it was Jennifer who was having second thoughts.
Not that she would blame her. The room didn’t look like much, not even after she, Traci, and Kimber had cleaned it out last night.
“What do you think?” she asked Jennifer. “I know it’s not much, but at least you have a pretty window seat.”
Jennifer was standing right in front of the little alcove. Honestly, it was every teenage-girl’s dream. It already had a pretty set of cushions in coordinated blues and green paisley patterns. A perfect place to sit and read or even just to enjoy sitting in the sun and watching the world go by below.
Turning around, Jennifer smiled. “I love this window seat. It’s cozy. I think the rest of the room is going to be just fine, too. It’s big enough for my double bed and dresser.”
“There’s no closet,” she warned.
“I noticed that, but I’ll make do. I’ll get one of those portable closets from the discount store.”
“And you’re going to have to share a bathroom with three of us.”
A hint of a smile played on her lips. “I can share a bathroom.”
Thinking of her classes, she added, “Also, this room is right above my dance studio. That means you’ll sometimes be hearing the music float up. Especially when I have my teenage girls. They can be loud.”
Jennifer looked even more amused. “Shannon, are you trying to encourage me to move in or stay out?”
Feeling foolish, Shannon shrugged. “Sorry. I guess I don’t want you to get moved in and then realize that this situation is a far cry from your beautiful house.”
“I knew that it was going to be different.” She bit her bottom lip, then added, “Honestly, this might be a better situation for me than living with Dylan. He was gone a lot, both with work and his social activities. There were times when I got kind of scared, being so alone.”
Shall We Dance? Page 18
