Page 29 of Dancing in Lake Mistletoe

“You won’t let anyone down by taking care of yourself,” he says gently. “Trust me. Josie thinks you’re a superhero, and so does half this town. A little rest won’t change that.”

His words make something flutter in my chest, and I find myself smiling despite everything. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

“Well, the good news is, I’m off for the next couple of days. My actual dance partner will finally be here. Thank God. He won’t drop me. I’m sure I’ll be good as new by then.”

He gives me a stern look.

“I promise I’ll stay off of it until then,” I assure him, and he nods. “You’re good at this, you know?”

“Good at what?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow.

I gesture to my ankle, which his callous fingers are still holding gently. “Taking care of people.”

He laughs a deep, warm sound that makes the whole room feel cozier. “Just comes with being a girl dad, I guess. You get used to taking care of boo-boos.”

“Well, thank you,” I say, my voice softening. “I appreciate it.”

He holds my gaze a second longer than necessary, his hand still resting lightly on my ankle, and for a moment, the room feels smaller. Warmer.

“It’s no problem at all,” he says quietly. “I’m glad I could help.”

He moves to stand, and I take over holding the ice pack.

“I’d better go if you’re good. I have to pick Josie up from school,” he says.

“I am. And thank you again,” I say.

A knock sounds on my door.

“Come in,” I call.

It swings open, and Ellen comes barreling through. Her eyes fall to where I’m still holding the ice to my ankle.

“What happened?” she asks.

“I took a spill in practice. It’s minor,” I say. “Dutch here was kind enough to bring me home.”

She nods her understanding. Turned ankles, blisters, and loose toenails are just par for the course for us.

She walks over and takes a closer look. “No bruising. It should be fine in the morning.”

I look over her shoulder to Dutch and widen my eyes, as if to say,See? Told you.

He just shakes his head.

“Benny and I are going bowling at Sun Valley and wondered if you wanted to join us, but you should probably stay off that for now,” she continues.

“Yeah, I think I’m going to stay in and have dinner downstairs.”

“Okay. Text me if you need anything,” she says, and she smiles up at Dutch as she passes him. “Take good care of her, handsome.”

His eyes come to me as she disappears down the hall.

“Are you sure you’re okay here?”

“Absolutely. I’ll just change into my PJs, prop my ankle up on a pillow, and watch holiday movies.”

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