A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold #9.5)

“Oh, right. I remember that from the brunch. It’s good to see you again.”


Dakota laughed. “You, too. My sister Montana is the one who’s missing tonight. She’s crushed not to be here, but her baby and mine both got a cold and are recovering. My mom is home with Jordan Taylor because we didn’t want Hannah to miss tonight.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Daddy is off getting us hot chocolate.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Evie said. “This is Dante Jefferson, my brother’s business partner.”

“Hi.” Dakota nodded at him, then turned back to Evie. “I was wondering if there’s a toddler class at the dance school. Hannah saw The Nutcracker on TV and can’t stop talking about it. I know kids can start dance classes pretty young. I went online, but there isn’t a website for the studio.”

Evie considered the question. “The youngest students I have are six,” she said slowly. “But you’re right. A lot of girls start much younger than that.”

A class for three-and four-year-olds could be during the day, which would be easier on her schedule. Maybe early afternoon. She could even consider a Mommy and Me type class. As for the performance, if the toddlers went first…

There was no point in thinking about that, she told herself. Her plan was to leave town long before next year’s show. So the toddlers weren’t her problem. But for a second, she thought about how adorable they would be as they danced.

“Let me get through the holiday show,” she told Dakota. “If you want to give me a call after the first of the year, we can talk about starting a class for the younger kids. I would enjoy teaching them.”

“Thank you. Have a great holiday. I’ll be calling.”

She walked off with Charlie. Clay paused to give Evie a brief hug before joining his fiancée.

“Can three-year-olds dance?” Dante asked, sounding doubtful.

“Sure. It’s good for them to study dance as they’re still developing. If done correctly, the practice will improve their motor skills, balance and posture. As long as the training isn’t too rigorous or boring. At that age, dance should be fun.”

“And when they’re older?”

“If they’re serious, then it’s a lot of hard work.” Talent was also required, she thought, remembering what it had been like when she’d been told she didn’t have what it took to make it at Juilliard. It didn’t matter that she’d trained the longest, had given the most. Without the raw ability, she would never be good enough.

They walked toward the square at the center of town. Light from the streetlamps reflected off the decorations, but until it was lit, the huge tree was little more than a hulking shadow in the darkness.

Evie recognized a few families in the crowd and waved at the people who had taken the time to help with her sets. She leaned into Dante.

“Thanks for talking to my brothers,” she said. “For getting them to help.”

“I didn’t do much.”

“You made sure they showed up. That was nice. Thank you.”

He groaned. “Not nice. Don’t say nice. I would rather be the hot, sexy lawyer you can’t resist.”

She grinned at him but thought privately that he was all that and more.

He looked at her. “They want to be there for you, Evie. You just have to give them a chance.”

Before she could decide if she agreed or not, Shane and Annabelle wandered up and stood next to them. Annabelle was flushed from the cold and munching on a funnel cake.

“I’m eating for twenty,” Annabelle announced. “That can’t be good, right?”

“You’re beautiful,” Shane told her.

“I’m going to need my own zip code.” Annabelle took another bite and chewed. When she’d swallowed, she looked at Evie. “I need you to be an elf.”

Evie stared at her. “Excuse me?”

“Okay, technically it’s not me. It’s Heidi. Even not pregnant I wouldn’t be a good elf. I’m too short.”

Evie knew for a fact that Annabelle wasn’t drinking, so she had no explanation for the confusing topic of conversation.

Shane put his arm around his fiancée. “You have to start at the beginning.”

“What? Oh. The ranch offers holiday sleigh rides. We decorate the sleighs and the horses. Of course if there’s no snow, then they’re wagon rides. We have hot cocoa and cookies and…”

“Elves?” Dante offered helpfully.

Annabelle nodded.

“I have to get everyone ready for The Dance of the Winter King,” Evie said quickly, thinking she didn’t have time to be an elf.

“It’s only for a couple of evenings. Heidi will know for sure.” Annabelle finished the last of the funnel cake, then looked hopefully at Shane. “Do you think I could have a cookie now?”

“Sure.”

Dante watched them walk off. “You have a weird family.”

“Tell me about it.”

“You’d be a cute elf. Do you think the costume has pointy ears?” He sounded hopeful as he asked the question.

“You have a thing for pointy ears?”

“No, but I’m picturing an elf costume. It’s very sexy.”