Читать книгу A Mom For Christmas - Lorraine Beatty - Страница 12

Chapter Three

The Sunday morning air was cool but pleasant for early November as Beth strolled through the courthouse park. Above the giant old magnolias and moss-draped live oaks, she could see the white steeple of Peace Community Church like a friendly hand beckoning her home. She’d agreed to meet her mother and family for late services today. She’d begged off her first two Sundays here, but she knew she couldn’t do that any longer. Surprisingly, instead of dreading going to church, she found herself looking forward to it. She’d realized last night that worship had been one of the things missing in her life the last few years. She hadn’t turned her back on God or lost her faith, but it had taken a seat high in the back balcony of her life to other things. It wasn’t something she was proud of.

The front steps of the old brick church were crowded with members chatting and laughing. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about her career or her reasons for being home. It was too painful a topic. Skirting the front entrance, she took the walkway along the side of the building and entered through one of the side doors. It didn’t take long to find her family. They always sat midway up in the sanctuary. Her older brothers, Linc and Gil, were already seated with their wives and children. Her mother was talking to Evelyn Carlisle. Beth groaned inwardly, hoping they weren’t talking about her. Too late. Her mother spotted her and waved her over.

“Beth, Evelyn tells me that she asked you to help with the Christmas show. That’s a great idea. I think you should. It would be good for you to get involved.”

The woman laid her hand on her heart. “You would be an answer to my prayers.”

“What about my job with you?”

Her mom waved off her concerns. “Don’t worry about that. I’m used to running my business alone.”

Beth forced a smile. Evelyn and her mom had skillfully funneled her to a point where her only option was to say yes. “I’d love to help you out. When would you like me to start?”

Evelyn grinned. “Wonderful. We rehearse two nights a week and on Saturdays. We’re having a board meeting at the theater Tuesday evening. Why don’t you come, and I’ll introduce you to everyone. Oh, and let’s keep this between the two of us for the time being. I want it to be a surprise for the board.”

The organ began to play softly, and Evelyn excused herself and moved off. Beth saw her stop at a pew near the front, where Noah and Chloe were seated. Noah glanced over his shoulder, and their eyes met. Her heart skipped a beat. For a moment she felt the old link between them. She wanted to go to him and ask him to help her sort out her life. But he looked away, leaving her adrift again. She had the horrible feeling that he would never forgive her for leaving the way she had. She wasn’t sure she could live with that fact, because despite the years and the distance, she still cared for him. He was the best friend she’d ever had, the only person who understood her. She couldn’t make that go away.

Beth forced thoughts of Noah and the past out of her mind, suddenly craving the comfort and peace she’d always found in the historic church. In her drive to reach the top of her profession, she’d lost that feeling. She was beginning to think she’d lost far more than an active faith life.

Despite her best efforts, her mind wandered through the early parts of the service. Her gaze drifted to Noah, then to her brothers. Gil had his arm draped across the back of the pew, wrapping Julie in a subtle hug. Linc held Gemma’s hand, which was resting on his thigh.

A surge of longing swelled from deep inside. She wanted that kind of connection. A hand to hold, someone to depend on. For the last twelve years it had been her career, but that had failed her and set her adrift in a world she no longer knew how to navigate.

Reverend Jim Barrett’s gravelly voice pulled her from her negative thoughts.

“The first commandment is ‘You shall have no other Gods before Me.’ Have you considered how hard it is to follow? It’s the most important of the ten, but we treat it lightly. What God have you set in place of the Lord? What goal, passion, hobby or desire have you, unintentionally probably, set in place of God? What is it that you work harder for, strive for, push everything and everyone else aside for to achieve?”

A warm rush heated Beth’s cheeks, making her squirm. Was he talking to her? Had he known she would be here today?

“I know we all have to do certain things to meet our goals to get that promotion or earn that raise. We tell ourselves it’s so we can provide a better life for our family or for ourselves. But the problem lies in the definition of better life. If you’re ignoring your family, your friends and your God, then how can that make anything better? Ask yourself what is your goal really costing you? People, jobs, dreams will all fail you. Put Him first always, and He’ll take care of the rest.”

Beth stood for the final hymn, her mind replaying the things she’d heard. Had she done that? Had she pushed aside those she loved in her drive to achieve her lifelong dream? The answer wasn’t hard to find. She had. A sour feeling formed in her stomach. The buzz and push of people making their way out of the sanctuary pressed in on her. Her mother was talking to a friend. Her brothers and their families had exited the pew on the other end, leaving her a clear path to the side door. Quickly she made her way to the side aisle, but before she could reach the door she heard her name called. Chloe hurried toward her.

“Daddy says I can take dancing lessons from you. When can I come?”

Noah stepped forward, resting his hands on his daughter’s shoulders and looking absurdly handsome in a dark suit and crisp white shirt that contrasted pleasantly with his sun-darkened skin. The sky blue tie lying against his chest made his eyes even bluer. But the deep scowl on his face said he still had strong reservations about the situation.

Ignoring the wince of discomfort his look caused, she looked at Chloe. “I was thinking we’d meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, right after school.”

Chloe frowned. “Not every day?”

“No, that’s not good for your muscles when you’re starting out. Even I have to take some downtime. And I have a surprise for you. My niece Abby and her friend Hannah are going to come, too.”

“Really? Cool. Abby’s here today. Dad, can I go find her?”

He nodded, giving her a loving smile before turning his blue eyes on her. She knew exactly what he was going to say. “Yes, I spoke with Pete and he’s all for the ballet lessons with a few exceptions. But those are things she wouldn’t be learning for a few months anyway.”

“What time will the lessons be? I need to work it into my schedule.”

“You plan on watching the entire hour?”

“Yes.”

“I wish you wouldn’t. It’s not good for Chloe if you’re hovering all the time.”

“I want to make sure nothing happens.”

Evelyn joined them, giving her grandson a light swat on his shoulder. “Noah, stop behaving like an overprotective father. Beth is a professional, and I’m quite certain she knows what she’s doing.”

Beth stifled a smile at the resigned look on Noah’s face. “Thank you, Miss Evelyn, for the vote of confidence. I’ll take good care of all the girls.”

Noah set his jaw and made an excuse to leave. After he stepped away, Evelyn slipped her arm in Beth’s and walked her toward the side door.

Evelyn pulled her a little closer. “We have some things to discuss, dear, and now that you’re part of the little theater we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

Beth wasn’t sure what she meant exactly, but she liked the idea. She had a feeling there was a lot more to Noah’s attitude than she knew. They’d been close back then, and she’d been able to sense his moods—except for the day she’d given him his graduation gift and he’d handed it back. Figuratively, of course. She had to find out why he was still holding an old grudge.

Maybe by accepting Evelyn’s offer, she could learn more about Noah’s attitude and find a way to repair the damage from the past.

* * *

Beth couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this anxious about anything. Not even her first solo performance as principal ballerina had tied her stomach in this many twisted knots. She scanned her small studio again. It was cleaned up and ready for her first students. Abby, Hannah and Chloe would be arriving soon for their first class.

Beth had conferred with Pete Jones a few more times about things she wanted to teach to make sure she fully understood Chloe’s condition. He’d offered to work with her, too, if she needed any help with her ACL rehab.

She exhaled a long sigh, clasped her hands together and glanced for the tenth time at the clock, fighting the churning sensation inside. For most of her dancing career she’d been the student, attending daily classes and rehearsals. She’d helped other dancers in her career, but they’d been professionals seeking advice. She’d never taught beginners, especially children. What if she was too technical? What if she pushed too hard or became impatient? What if—

“Aunt Beth, they’re here.” Abby charged through the door, all smiles.

“Hi, Miss Beth.” Chloe followed behind, and Hannah brought up the rear.

“Hello, ladies. You look excited.”

Hannah giggled. “We’re not ladies. We’re girls.”

Beth tapped her shoulder. “You are young ladies who are going to learn the first few positions of ballet.”

Chloe clapped her hands. “On our toes?”

“Not yet. You have to work up to that. Put your things over there and we’ll get started.”

Beth’s new sister-in-law, Julie, stopped at her side. “Thank you for doing this. Abby and Hannah were so excited on the way over, I thought my eardrums would burst.”

“I have to admit I was nervous about this at first, but I think it’ll be fun.”

“And much needed.”

“What do you mean?”

“Abby has wanted to take dancing for a while, but the only school near here is in Sawyer’s Bend. I’ve been reluctant to let her attend there. I’ve heard some disturbing things about the kind of dance moves they teach.”

Beth looked to her sister-in-law for an explanation.

“A lot of the moms here in Dover have pulled their girls from that school. At the last recital Hannah was in, she looked like a pole dancer. Her mother was furious.”

Beth was well aware of the suggestive movements popular in today’s world, though she couldn’t imagine teaching some of them to children. “I had no idea that was happening.”

“How do you teach your daughter Christian values and modesty when the world tells them it’s okay to dance like a stripper? Maybe you should think about opening up a school here. I know dozens of mothers would love to sign their children up if they knew they didn’t have to worry about inappropriate dances.”

Julie waved goodbye, and Beth focused her attention on her students. But her sister-in-law’s suggestion began to churn in the back of her mind.

“Okay, ladies, let’s get started. First we have to stretch out all our muscles.”

She noted with interest what each girl had decided to wear. Abby had chosen black tights, leather dance flats and a purple-and-black leotard. Hannah wore bike shorts and a tank top. Chloe proudly wore traditional pink tights and a leotard with a net tutu to match.

Hannah chuckled. “You don’t need a tutu to practice, silly.”

“I don’t care. I want to look like Miss Beth, and that means I have to have a tutu.”

“But she’s not wearing a tutu today,” Abby pointed out.

Beth chuckled and gestured to her all-black dance ensemble with a knee-length wrap skirt.

“You wear what makes you comfortable. And today I’m comfortable looking like a teacher. First we warm up.”

Watching the girls’ excitement as she introduced simple steps and explained various movements chased away her lingering nerves. They were sweet and eager to learn. She’d take her cues from them and use this first class as her barometer to gauge how she would proceed.

An hour later the girls were pulling on their jackets and gathering up their things. The warm glow filling her chest as she watched them brought a smile to her face. Teaching these girls had been more enjoyable than she’d ever expected. Their energy and enthusiasm had filled her with joy. The idea of a dance school didn’t seem like the end of the road, but a possible new bend in it.

Abby and Hannah waved and hurried out the door. Chloe stood at the barre pretending to be on her toes as she waited for her father to pick her up. A flash of light and a soft squeak filled the studio as the door opened and Noah strode in. In his leather jacket, which showed off the breadth of his shoulders, and faded jeans that hugged his muscular legs, he bore little resemblance to the tall, skinny boy she remembered. He grinned in her direction, his blue eyes soft with affection. Her pulse hiccupped. It quickly stilled when she realized his warm welcome was directed at his daughter and not her.

Chloe ran toward him and gave him a quick hug, chattering about what she’d learned. He gave Chloe a pat on the shoulder. “I’m glad you had fun. Why don’t you wait in the car? I want to talk to Miss Beth for a second. I’ll be right there.”