Kingston paused, judging whether she was serious or not. But Tanner wasn’t smiling, and he realized they both thought they had to contact his admin to get his attention. What kind of brother was he? “No. Call me directly. I promise I’ll pick up and get you on the schedule.”
Anita smiled, and Tanner slipped his arm around her waist as he guided her out the door. Kingston waved and watched them as they got into their car and drove off.
His father appeared at his side, giving the two of them a quick wave even though they were already leaving the neighborhood. “You’ve never stayed at brunch this long.”
He turned to his father and saw his pleased expression. His mom was more outward with her emotions, but he could see his father was just as happy. “Want to watch the rest of the golf match?” Kingston asked, glad for the extra time he had to extend his visit. “Or we could do a little putting practice on the green.”
Dad grinned. “I’ll get the putters.”
Chapter7
“Erma and Myrtle! So happy to see you. Now I know tonight is going to be a blast!”
Erma grinned at Sunny Abernathy’s over-the-top greeting as they walked into the dance studio. The woman absolutely lived up to her name. Young, maybe midthirties—although everyone under sixty-five seemed young to Erma these days. Sunny had bright hazel eyes that sparkled and a toothy smile that beamed bright, as if she’d swallowed her namesake sunshine, and she was dressed in a red leotard with a light-pink skirt wrapped around her thin waist. Her dark-brown hair was wrapped into a tight bun.
“Welcome to my studio,” Sunny said, her grin widening. “Thank you for coming.”
Erma had met Sunny at church, but this was her first time in the studio, even though it was across the street and half a block from Knots and Tangles. She’d had no reason to come here before, although she wished she would have thought to bring Sunny a “Welcome to Main Street” gift.Maple Falls was improving, particularly the downtown area, but progress was slow, and the last tenant in this space hadn’t stayed very long. Hmm. Maybe the town should start its own version of the Welcome Wagon and visit new businesses and people moving into town. She would suggest that to Hayden.
She glanced around. Mirrors covered one wall, and a barre was positioned on the shorter wall next to it. An old upright piano sat in the back corner of the room, and a small table with audio equipment on it was situated next to it. There were several brown folding chairs near the front entrance, and a coat of pale-gray paint covered the exposed walls. One would never know that a musty antique store had recently lived here.
It was six twenty-five, and the only other people there were Pastor Jared and Bubba Norton, who were chatting quietly as they sat on two of the chairs. Jared was dressed in khaki shorts, a powder-blue T-shirt that saidJesus Loves You, and plain tennis shoes, a contrast to Bubba’s standard uniform of overalls, a white T-shirt, and cowboy boots. For a change, he wasn’t wearing a beat-up baseball cap, and his dark-brown hair was combed down and looked neat except for the ever-present cowlick sprouting on the back of his head.
Myrtle checked her watch. “I didn’t realize we were so early,” she said, glancing around the nearly empty room.
Sunny’s toothy smile became a bit strained at the corners. “I only started publicizing this two weeks ago, so it takes time to get the word out. We’ll still have fun, even if the group is small.”
Erma gave her an encouraging smile, but she was disappointed on Sunny’s behalf. And where was Bea, anyway? Her friend had called Sunday night and told her that Olivia refused to attend. “You can cancel the Singles, Inc., account too,” Bea had added. “I’m butting out of her business.”
While Erma approved of Bea’s decision, she’d detected a note of sadness in her tone. She’d encouraged her and Bill to come to the lessons, and Bea had said she’d be here. Oh well. Maybe Bea had changed her mind at the last minute.
She walked over to the two men. “I didn’t realize you wanted to learn ballroom dancing, Jared,” she said.
The lanky man stood and bent to whisper, “I don’t. I’m just here to support Sunny and her new business.”
Erma smiled. The man was tirelessly involved in the community, something their previous pastor hadn’t been. Youth was on his side, though. That and being single.
Why is he still single? He’s a good catch.
She rolled her eyes at her busybody thoughts.Erma Jean, mind your own business!
The door opened behind her, and she turned around.Well, good gravy on a biscuit.As Jasper Mathis shuffled into the studio, she couldn’t help but smile. Now things were getting interesting. She’d never imagined in a million—make that a billion—years that the old coot would take a dance lesson.
Unable to resist, she went to him. “I declare, Jasper. If I wasn’t seeing you here myself, I wouldn’t believe it. Finally ready to do something about those two left feet of yours?”
He scowled and stared at his grubby old work boots.“Zip it, Erma. I’m here under duress, thanks to your grandson-in-law.”
Hayden had put him up to this? Erma’s smile grew.
“He said I needed some exercise,” Jasper grumbled. “What does that boy know? I get plenty of exercise walkin’ to the diner and workin’ at the store.”
Her grin faded. Jasper’s house was near everything he needed, and not a day passed that she didn’t see him walking, even though he was north of eighty years old, so she knew he got plenty of exercise. He was in good shape for his age, having retired from his job in construction over a decade ago. Sure, he spent a lot of time sitting on that old stool behind the counter at the hardware store and ate every meal the Sunshine Diner. Her heart pricked. She hadn’t thought about what he ate on Sundays when the diner was closed. And his job at Price’s was basically a volunteer position, although Hayden did pay him a small salary. If he didn’t have the job, what else would he do with his days?
What she knew for sure was Hayden had a reason for encouraging Jasper to take dance lessons. She was also sure Jasper had put up a good fight not to. The way he was shoving his hands in and out of his pockets was a bit endearing, but she didn’t like that he was uncomfortable. Without a thought she threaded her arm through his. “You’ll be my partner tonight.”
He resisted, but only slightly. “Lord help me,” he muttered.
“Lord help us both,” she joked and guided him to the center of the room. Myrtle, Jared, and Bubba followed while Sunny fiddled with the audio equipment.
