Page 12 of Moonlight Over Mistletoe
“It's proper form and will take some getting used to. Imagine you're balancing a cup of hot cocoa on your elbow. You wouldn't want to spill it all over your beautiful dress, would you?”
A ripple of laughter spread through the gymnasium.
Another hand shot up. “How do we know which foot to start with? I forget.”
“For heaven's sake,” Eleanor muttered under her breath. Louder, she said, “Gentlemen, you always start with your left foot. Ladies, your right foot. Now, everyone, take a deep breath, and we’ll take our first step.”
As she surveyed the room, Eleanor's eyes landed on Caleb, who was attempting to lead his partner. His face was a mask of determination, but his movements were stiff and awkward. Despite herself, Eleanor felt a twinge of something. Fondness, perhaps?
She smiled. “All right, everyone, let's try it with music,” she said, striding over to the ancient record player she'd dropped off earlier in the day.
As the strains of a waltz filled the air, Eleanor watched the couples move. It was far from graceful, but as time passed, there was a marked improvement from the beginning of the class. She allowed herself a small nod of satisfaction.
They were not entirely terrible, she thought as the music faded.
Several beaming faces turned towards her. “Eleanor, that was so much fun. Will you be teaching more classes? I mean, after the ballroom dance competition, so that we can get better?” a young woman gushed, her eyes sparkling enthusiastically.
Eleanor blinked, taken aback by the earnest request. “Well, I hadn't really considered it. Perhaps,” she said slowly, her mind already spinning with potential lesson plans.
As the participants filed out of the gymnasium, chattering excitedly about the upcoming dance competition, Eleanor lingered. She ran a hand over the smooth surface of the record player, but surprisingly, she wasn't lost in memories. She was thinking about the future.
10
Christopherstompedthesnowoff his boots as he and Nora entered Martin's cabin.
“Dad, we're home,” Nora called out.
Martin came to greet them at the door. “And how is your Aunt Jamie, Nora?”
“She's good. Her birthday party was awesome. It's too bad you couldn't make it. Oh, and the cake Rosie and Jack made was incredible.”
“Good, well, hopefully I can make it next year.”
“Yes, that would be great,” Christopher said. “Other than on Zoom calls, I can't remember when all my grandchildren were together at once.”
“We are spread all over the world,” Martin reminded him.
“Yes, yes, I know. But it's not like you're flying economy. Santa magic makes travel much easier, does it not?”
Martin rolled his eyes. “Well, come on in for a drink before you head home. I just made some tea.”
Christopher nodded and removed his boots and coat. Martin's cabin was always so cozy. He dropped onto the worn leather sofa, hoping he wouldn’t fall asleep. It had been a long day.
Martin soon joined him in the family room, handing him a steaming cup of tea.
“I was at the general store today, and you should have heard Caleb. All he could do was talk about Eleanor's dance lesson. Apparently, she taught a group the waltz last night,” Martin said with a chuckle. “I never would have guessed that Eleanor would have the patience to teach, but Caleb said she was terrific.”
Christopher nodded. Eleanor had already revealed her past experience to him at The Cozy Caribou. “If I have learned anything, it's that humans are complex and multifaceted. Sadly, we often judge them too quickly.”
Nora plopped down into the armchair, and Christopher noted the devilish flicker in her eyes. “Why don't you ask for a lesson, Great-grandpa? I know you can dance, but how often do you do it? I'm sure a refresher lesson or two couldn't hurt.” She waggled her eyebrows. “A private lesson or two, that is.”
“Nora,” Martin chastised. “Be respectful.”
“I am,” Nora protested. “I'm just trying to move things along. I think Great-grandpa likes her, so why waste time?”
“Nora,” Martin repeated, and this time she held her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay.”
Christopher was grateful for his beard, as he was certain his whiskers would hide the blush on his cheeks. He thought of dancing with Eleanor, as they had at the wedding, and honestly, he quite liked the idea. Oh dear, was his blush deepening?
