Page 68 of Moonlit Temptation

I laugh. “Yeah, it sounds like it would be fun for him. Sure, I'll go say hi just so he knows who I am.”

She pats my shoulder. “That'd be wonderful. Thank you, Evangeline.”

She disappears through the glass front door leading outside, and I make my way over to the back of the room. I can hear the soft murmur of a child's voice, almost like singing. And my heart swells with a sudden longing.

I don't know what it is about kids that makes me feel this way. I can't explain why my heart squeezes and flutters when I spend time with them.

I spent almost every winter break for a decade teaching an expression of movement dance class for elementary-age kids. Outside of my summers in Rosewood, it was the only other place that came close to feeling like I belonged.

I press down on the handle and the door creaks open. Inside, a small boy with deep brown eyes and a mop of disheveled brown waves sits on a bean bag chair in the corner.

He looks toward the door, holding a green dinosaur toy mid-air. A Disney movie plays from a small TV on the opposite wall.

“Hi, I'm Evangeline.”

His eyes grow wide and his lips part. “Evangeline? Gosh, that's a lot of letters.”

I laugh. “Yeah, you're right. It was hard for me to learn them all when I was about your age. My friends call me Eve.”

He nods and sets his dinosaur down. “I already know how to spell my name. H-U-N-T-E-R.” He recites the letters of his name with a wide grin.

“That's really impressive, Hunter. You're so smart. Your grandma had to step out for a second, but she asked me to watch you. Do you mind if I join you?”

“Sure. Wanna watch this with me? It's getting to the good part,” he says, eyes glued to the TV.

I take a step inside the room and sit down against the wall. “What are you watching?”

“Moana!” he exclaims. “Nan loves movies with music, so we watch a lot when I'm here.”

“Oh I love musicals. I used to be in one when I was little. Learned how to dance that way.”

“My dad says he's too old to dance, but sometimes he'll dance with me in the living room.”

“That sounds fun. I bet you're a great dancer.”

“I am,” he says, nodding seriously.

I smile at him, feeling a warmth spread throughout my chest.

The door opens and Dixie steps in. “Well, look at you two getting to know each other.”

I push to my feet, swiping a palm over my backside on reflex.

“Hunter was just showing me a movie.”

Dixie smiles, love shining from her gaze as she looks at him. “That, I believe. Your car's ready, honey.”

“Perfect. Thanks again, Dixie. I really appreciate it.” I pivot to look at him and offer him a little wave. “Nice to meet you, Hunter.”

He jumps to his feet and waves with his whole arm. “Bye, Eve!”

I wiggle my fingers and follow Dixie out of the room.

“I hope he wasn't too much trouble,” she says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Not at all. It was only a few minutes,” I reply, shaking my head with a smile. “Besides, I like kids.”

Dixie stops before she opens the door leading to the parking lot and turns to me. “Evangeline, before you go, I have a job offer for you.”

---