Chapter Twenty-Nine

A light breeze lifted my hair off my shoulders, and bright sunlight warmed my face as I stood beside Sunny at the May Day festival. I flicked strands of dark hair away from my face and slid my sunglasses back up my nose and surveyed the festival, now in full swing.

The vacant lot beside the town hall had been transformed into a vibrant space filled with decorated booths and food trucks. At one end of the lot, an electronic piano, drum set, and other instruments sat on a small stage fronted by a temporary dance floor. A few musicians took their places on the stage, but everyone’s attention was drawn to the tall pole draped in a rainbow of wide, fluttering ribbons that had been planted in the middle of the lot.

Richard’s dancers, attired in dirndl skirts and bright embroidered vests over puffy-sleeved white blouses, formed a circle around the maypole. Wearing a plain black T-shirt and black yoga pants, Richard stood off to one side, undoubtedly giving them final instructions and a pep talk.

Sunny nudged me with her elbow. “Look at those faces. They obviously adore him.”

“And why shouldn’t they?” I met her amused glance with a smile. “I bet half of them have a crush on him, but that’s okay, because he’s very careful around them.”

“I know he’d never take advantage.” Sunny tipped her head, indicating the cluster of people standing off to our right. “Unlike some others.”

I looked over at Chris, Ethan, and Hope, who flanked Lacey’s wheelchair. Lacey, who’d been discharged from the hospital to a rehab facility, had been granted permission to attend the festival for a few hours.

“Hope said that the doctors were reluctant to allow Lacey to come, but apparently they relented. I’m glad, because Chris told me that they have something special planned right before the maypole dance,” I said. “Not exactly sure what.”

“Something to honor Mona, I bet.” Sunny shaded her eyes with her hand. “I see Hugh made it.”

“He’s been visiting since Sunday. Which means Aunt Lydia has been pulling out all the stops on meals.” I patted my stomach. “Which also means I’ve probably gained five pounds. No festival food for me.”

Sunny tossed her hair behind her shoulders. “Nonsense. We have to try those fried candy bars.”

I made a face. “You can. I think I’ll take a pass.”

“Here comes the special announcement, I guess,” Sunny said as Chris jogged to the stage and grabbed a portable microphone from one of the musicians.

“Hi.” He grimaced as feedback roared out of the speakers on stage and tapped the microphone before speaking again. “I’m sorry to interrupt the festivities, but my friends and I”—he motioned toward Hope and Ethan, who’d pushed Lacey’s wheelchair closer to the stage—“have an announcement. It’s about a memorial for Professor Ramona Raymond.”

“Good idea,” shouted someone from the crowd.

“Yeah, we thought so,” Chris said. “Anyway, we’ve collected a little money and plan to raise more. We thought we’d try to get together enough to commission a plaque or even a statue or something that will commemorate the tale of the mountain lights and credit Professor Raymond’s research on the story.” He waved the microphone toward the crowd. “If any of you want to contribute, we’ll be over by the entrance to the town hall until the end of the festival. And after that, you can give any donations to Ethan Payne at the firehouse. Okay, that’s all.” Chris offered a slightly embarrassed smile as a portion of the crowd clapped. Handing the microphone to the musicians, he made his way over to his friends before they headed off toward the town hall.

“That was sweet,” Sunny said. “I’ll have to try to give them a little something.”

“Me too.” I glanced across the field. “There’s Walt and Zelda, holding hands. I’m so glad they’ve finally decided to take their romantic relationship public.” I smiled as Walt leaned in to kiss Zelda’s cheek. “I also love that fuchsia-pink hat Zelda’s wearing. And, oh—there’s Brad.”

“And Alison. They seem to be joined at the hip these days,” Sunny said, without rancor. She drummed her fingers, which were decorated with a different spring flower painted on each nail, against her other wrist. “I think I’ll go over and say hello.”

“To show you’re okay with it?”

“To show that I am a free and independent woman who doesn’t need a man to be happy.” Sunny gave me a wry smile. “Which I am, you know.”

“You are. Always.” I hugged her slender waist before stepping back. “Go on. I think I’ll watch the dance from here.”

As Sunny walked off to talk with Brad and Alison, I focused on the maypole. Richard had moved to the side while the dancers took up the ribbons. Strains of a lively folk tune wafted from the stage.

“Hello,” said a voice behind me. “Are you Amy?”

I turned to face the speaker. A tall woman built like a statue of Diana the huntress looked down at me. Brushing a few locks of her chin-length sienna-brown bob behind her ears, she studied me with tea-brown eyes.

“Yes, I’m Amy Webber.” I gazed up at her with a puzzled smile. “I don’t think I know you.”

“No, but I think you may have heard of me,” she said, glancing over my head.

“Have I? I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t place you at the moment.” Turning to follow her gaze, I watched the dancers weave in and out, wrapping their ribbons about the maypole in an intricately designed pattern.

“Amazing that they don’t just tangle up their arms and feet, isn’t it?” the woman said. “But then, Richard choreographed it, so of course he would make certain that didn’t happen.”

I shoved my sunglasses up on top of my head as I slowly turned to face her again. “You’re Karla.”

The stranger’s smile lit up her broad face. “That’s me. Karla Dunmore. Well, Karla Tansen is the name I use now. It’s my married name, which is the only thing I kept after my divorce.”

I looked her over, wondering how any company could have turned away this goddess just because of her larger-than-life build. Especially if she could dance as well as everyone claimed. “Does Richard know you’re here?”

“Not yet.”

I wiped beads of perspiration off my upper lip, aware how ordinary I must appear in my worn jeans and blue-and-white Lindsey Stirling T-shirt. “He’ll be thrilled, I’m sure.”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t very nice to him the last time we met. Maybe you heard about that?”

“I did.” I drew a circle in the dirt patch under my foot with the tip of my sneaker. “But he understood. Really, he did. And I’m sure he does want to see you again.”

“I hope so.” Karla focused back on the dancers. “Looks like they’re about done.”

“Then you should wait here with me. Richard’s bound to come over to join me eventually, and then you guys can talk.”

Karla glanced down at me. “Thanks. And”—she touched my arm—“I want you to know, Amy, that you don’t have anything to worry about. Richard and I always were, and always will be, just dear friends. I know some people find that hard to believe, but it’s the truth.”

“He told me that as well,” I said, meeting her steady gaze. “And I believe him. But I’m curious—how did you know that Richard and I are dating?”

Karla elegantly swept one hand through the air. “Oh, when Kurt Kendrick called and asked me to attend this festival, he told me all about you and Richard.”

I took a stumbling step backward. Kurt’s busy fingers, pulling the strings again. “You know Mr. Kendrick?”

“I do. We met a few years ago, when I was trying to set up a dance studio for children with physical or mental challenges.”

I gazed up into her honest, open face. “And he helped you fund it?”

“Yes. I didn’t realize his connection to Richard at first, but apparently he’d been following both our careers for a while.” Karla shrugged. “Not that I had a career for quite some time, but somehow he still knew where I was and what I was doing.”

All his little birds … I shook off the chill that had raised the hair on my arms. “He’s the one who told you that Richard would be here today?”

“And asked me to come and talk to him.” Karla examined me, her light-brown eyes narrowing. “He seemed to think that Richard needed to resolve his issues with me so he could move on. ‘Take the next step’ is how he actually put it.”

“I’m not quite sure what he meant by that, but I’m happy that you’re here.”

“Good.” Karla beamed at me. “Kurt told me that you were a special person. I can see that he’s right.”

“Really?” I fanned my heated cheeks. “I don’t know how special I am, but I do love Richard.”

“Which is what matters,” Karla said as applause erupted around us.

I joined in as the maypole dancers took their bows. One of the girls rushed over to drag Richard off the sidelines.

He joined them with obvious reluctance, making one short bow before stepping aside and motioning toward the dancers.

“Now it’s time for the rest of you to dance,” Richard called out, pointing toward the stage. The musicians switched gears and jumped into a lively rendition of some popular song from the 1940s.

Richard called for his dancers to follow as he jogged over the stage and leapt onto the temporary dance floor. One of the girls jumped up to join him in executing an energetic swing dance.

“He just can’t stop himself, can he?” Karla fixed her gaze on Richard and his partner as others joined them on the dance floor. “Sometimes I think he loves dancing more than breathing.”

“Sometimes I think that, for him, it’s the same thing,” I said.

Karla looked down at me, her face wreathed in a smile. “You’re absolutely right.”

As we watched the dancers, Karla tapped her foot, then swung her leg in a tight circle, bouncing one hip.

“I think you might feel the same,” I said, touching her arm. “You should join them.” I lifted my chin as Karla met my fierce gaze. “Dance with him.”

She didn’t say anything, just laid her fingers against my breastbone right above my heart for a second before heading for the stage.

Richard’s back was to the audience when Karla reached him. She placed her fingers on his shoulder, and he dropped the hand of the student he’d been partnering and spun around to face her.

He knows that touch, I thought, without experiencing even the slightest tinge of jealousy.

As the music faded away, Richard and Karla faced one another, still as the ancient Greek statues their bodies resembled. Obviously sensing the electricity crackling between them, the other dancers stepped off the stage and mingled with the audience.

I spied a tall, white-haired man beside the stage. He whispered something to the pianist, and after a moment the music resumed. But now it was a slow, haunting tune. Something I’d heard just a few days before.

Walking forward, I found a place in the crowd not far from Aunt Lydia and Hugh.

The strains of “Wayfaring Stranger” filled the air as Richard held out his hand.

Karla took hold of his fingers and they began to dance.

“Perfection, isn’t it?” said a familiar voice behind me.

I replied without taking my eyes off the stage. “Yes, it is. It’s like …”

“Two souls dancing as one?” Kurt Kendrick laid his large hand on my shoulder. “I saw them once before, when they were young. A performance at their conservatory.”

“And you’ve followed both their careers since?”

“Yes. Because perfection should be cherished, don’t you think?” Kurt lifted his hand and stepped around to stand at my side. “Anyway, I believe such art should be nurtured. It’s the only thing worth anything in this world.”

“Not the only thing,” I said, as Richard and Karla finished their impromptu performance and the audience burst into cheers as well as applause. They shared a beatific smile before turning to take their bows. “Love is worth something too. At least I think so.”

“Ah yes, but you know when you are a tin man …” Kurt motioned toward his chest. “No heart for such things.”

“Don’t try that scam on me,” I said, turning to face him. “I know you’re lying.”

Kurt raised his eyebrows. “Am I? You think I have a heart after all?”

“I know you do.” I met his amused gaze with a lift of my chin. “You invited Karla here. You’ve even supported her dance studio.”

“I simply thought it would be a worthwhile investment, and that has proven to be true. As for inviting her”—Kurt looked up at the stage—“perhaps I just wanted to see them dance again. Maybe it was just something I desired, merely to please myself.”

I leaned in and tapped him on the chest. “Stop it. I’m on to you now. You’re as big a romantic as Richard.”

“Oh dear, is it that obvious?” Kurt grinned and clasped my hand as I pulled it away. Pressing it back against his chest, he gave me a stern look. “I hope you will keep my secret, Amy Webber. Otherwise, I’m afraid my business affairs might suffer.”

“It seems like I am always keeping your secrets, but okay. I won’t squeal, as long as you tell me one thing.”

“What’s that?” Kurt asked as he released his grip on my hand.

“What did you mean by telling Karla that Richard needed to move on and take the next step, or whatever it was that you said?”

Kurt’s blue eyes crinkled as a grin spread over his craggy face. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to share that information, my dear. Not yet, anyway. But if you will keep my secret, I promise to share what I know someday soon.”

“Very well, I suppose that will have to do,” I said, lowering my hand.

Sunny appeared at my other side. “Wasn’t that amazing? I could watch those two dance all day.” She peered around me. “Oh hi, Mr. Kendrick. Good to see you.”

“Nice to see you as well, Ms. Fields. But I’m afraid I must leave you both. I brought Mary Gardener with me today, and I’m afraid she’s been sitting over there under the trees all alone for quite some time. I’d better head back to her.”

“Sure,” Sunny said, waving goodbye as Kurt moved away. She pointed toward the stage. “Is that the old partner you told me about? She’s absolutely fabulous.”

“That’s her.” As the regular dance music resumed, other peopled flooded the stage.

I squinted to try to pick out Richard and Karla in the crowd, then realized that they were walking toward us. Richard had one arm around Karla’s broad shoulders. His face was so bright it appeared illuminated from within.

“Look who I found,” he said.

“I found you.” Karla gave him a nudge with her hip.

“Well, however it happened, I’m glad,” I said, as Richard dropped his arm and strode toward me, leaving Karla standing a few feet away.

He swept me up and off my feet before I could do anything except throw my arms around his neck. “Best day of my life,” he said, spinning me around once before kissing me and setting me back on my feet. “And it isn’t even over yet.”

“No, and you and Karla should spend some quality time together before it is.” I pulled away and tugged down my rumpled T-shirt. “In fact, I think you guys should go out to dinner or something where you can really talk. Sunny will keep me company this afternoon, won’t you, Sunny?”

“Sure,” said my friend, making a comical face. “Good ol’ Sunny doesn’t have anything else to do.”

“Nonsense,” Karla said. “We can all go out together.”

I shook my head. “No, you have a lot of catching up to do.” Meeting Richard’s questioning gaze, I gave him a warm smile. “Go on. I’ve got Sunny and Aunt Lydia and Hugh to keep me company. Besides, you can introduce Karla to your students. I’m sure they’d love to meet her. Now, shoo.” I waved my hands at them. “Oh, and by the way, the two of you dancing …”

“Simply amazing,” Sunny said with a dreamy smile.

“Yeah, it’s that. Go on now and have a good long chat. Just make sure you discuss dancing together again.” I pointed my finger at Richard and Karla. “That’s an order.”

Richard pulled me close and kissed me again. “All right, boss,” he whispered in my ear. “But I want to see you later tonight. Will you promise to meet me in Lydia’s garden around nine?”

“Okay,” I said, kissing him back before I pressed my hands against his chest and pushed him away. “Now go. Talk. Discuss dancer-y things. Or whatever.”

Richard and Karla both smiled and offered Sunny and I heartfelt goodbyes before heading off toward the young dancers still clustered by the stage.

Sunny’s gaze followed their progress across the festival lawn. “You really do trust him, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.” I smiled as Richard’s dancers crowded around him and Karla. “Which is the most amazing, wonderful thing.”

“Sounds like true love to me.” Sunny threw her arm around my shoulders. “Now come on. Let’s chow down on some disgusting fried food.”

“Lead on, my friend,” I replied. “Acid reflux waits for no man. Or woman.”

Sunny just grinned and herded me toward the food trucks.