Page 36 of No Place Like Home
“Duh. She has two sides.” Braided Bun rolled her eyes.
“Everyone, take your places at the barre.” Lettie’s deep voice easily overcame the sudden din. “And no fighting over the dolls.” She winked at Rosalyn. “Welcome home, darlin’.”
The word rolled around Rosalyn’s mind as she took her place with the younger girls.Home.
Did people who ran away to join the circus ever get that back?
* * *
Staring out at the bay reminded Cade what was at stake.
Home. Sun-tinted waves lapped the pier overlooking the sparkling water beneath him. Somewhere in the distance, a seagull let out a squawk, while the familiar, unmistakable scent of salt water filled the air. He breathed in a drag of it. He loved this town, loved this dock. It had long been the guys’ favorite fishing spot, only about half a mile from the Blue Pirogue Inn. So far this evening, he’d been the first to show up, which was perfect.
Gave him time to process the day’s myriad mistakes.
Cade pulled a drink from the ice chest and caught his reflection in the aluminum. He fixed a piece of wayward hair that blew across his forehead and spoke to his distorted image on the can. “You’re an idiot.”
His reflection looked back, unfazed. He took the opportunity to check his teeth. He’d made things weird with Rosalyn at the library, and in front of Mama D, no less. And all afternoon in his office, he’d shuffled through his Magnolia Days list and accomplished way more daydreaming than actual tasks.
He needed to get it together. The town was counting on him. But something about Rosalyn intimidated him, much like it had that night at the Lazy Spoon, watching the moonlight paint her face as they’d talked in the alley for what felt like hours.
Maybe Cade had accidentally acquired two dates for senior prom, but Rosalyn was—and would always be—out of his league. She didn’t need him. She didn’t seem to need anyone.
So why would she want him?
“Your hair is fine.” Linc’s scowl suddenly appeared in the can beside him. “Geez, I didn’t think we’d invited any women.”
Cade cracked open the can, taking time to form a wide smile, hide the embarrassment. “And that statement, my friend, is why you’re single.”
Linc snorted as he dropped his gear on the dock. “I highly doubt it.”
Cade quirked an eyebrow. “Well, I could give you a few more reas?—”
“Now, children. Let’s get along.” Noah set his tackle box near the cooler. Owen hurried along the pier behind him, flip-flops slapping the wood. A fishing pole bobbed on his shoulder.
“Cade was giving himself a pep talk.” Linc slapped his shoulder, jostling Cade’s drink. He held it away from his Rhoback shorts.
“What’s up?” Owen set his pole down, then looked around and winced. “Oops. I forgot to bring bait again.”
“Help yourself.” Linc opened his own tackle box. Owen reached for a lure and Linc lunged. “Notthat one.”
Owen grabbed a green lure from the opposite side of the box and waited for Linc’s nod before straightening. “So what exactly are we hyping you up for, Cade?”
“I bet I know.” Noah fished a drink from the cooler, then propped his sandaled foot on the lid. “Did someone decide to ask out a certain blonde aerialist?”
“Aerialist? Like a pilot?” Owen frowned as he fiddled with his line.
Noah shook his head. “No, think circus performer.”
“Like they do in Cirque Du Soleil?” Owen gestured above his head. “That’s impressive.”
“And dangerous.” Linc baited his line.
Noah snorted. “Since when do you care about danger? I’ve seen you standing in the bay during a thunderstorm.”
Linc shrugged. “When you gotta work, you gotta work.”
“Can’t work if you’re dead,” Owen pointed out.
