Moonlight Dancer (20 page)

He laughed, and they roared down the hill toward Janelle’s farm.

“I’ll clean up and be back to pick you up around nine thirty. If I remember correctly, the moon came up around ten last night.”

“Don’t be late.” Charlie was already nervous.

“I’ll be here.” Jason waved and sped off.

* * *

Charlie was beside herself with excitement when Jason’s truck pulled into the driveway shortly before nine thirty. She ran down the steps and climbed into the passenger side before he could get out.

“The ring is gone,” she said breathlessly. “I just checked.”

* * *

Charlie’s head swiveled from side to side as they drove through the silent town. “It looks different without all the fairy lights.”

Jason reached over and squeezed her hand. “You sound anxious.”

“I am, a bit. Here, pull in between the buildings and we’ll go in the side door.” She looked up at the darkened building.

“My hands are shaking” she whispered a few moments later. “I can’t get the key in the lock.”

“Here, let me try.” His voice was barely audible.

“Why are we whispering?” she asked, clutching his arm.

“I don’t know. You started it.” With a soft chuckle, Jason turned the key and the door swung open. “Boy, it’s dark in here” he said, his voice still subdued. “Where’s the light switch?”

Charlie dug in her bag and brought out a box of matches. “I thought we’d light some candles. What do you think?”

“Very romantic.” He caught her chin with one hand and tipped up her face for a quick kiss. “Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Scarlett?”

She looked into his eyes and in that moment she knew she loved him. “The thought had crossed my mind.” She waited for him to speak but he simply placed a hand over his heart. It was the sweetest, most poignant gesture a man had ever made to her and cemented her decision to stay in Clearwater Springs.

“But first” she said, shaking a second box of matches. “Let’s light all the candles.”

By the time they were finished the dance hall glowed softly and they stood side by side, observing the effect. She slid a hand into his. “Where do you think we should wait?”

Jason glanced toward a row of windows high up on the wall. “When the moon gets higher, it will shine through there.” He stood up and moved to the dance floor, a few feet from the carousel pole. “It will shine right about here. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if…”

“If she appears in a shaft of moonlight?” Charlie finished his thought, and then looked at him as though seeing him for the first time. “You really are a romantic, aren’t you?”

“I wasn’t always like this.” He held out his arms and she walked into them. “It’s your fault, you know.”

Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. “It’s the atmosphere,” she stammered. “And the story about Harm and Charlotte. That’s all.”

“You think?” he asked. The corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish smile. “Are you saying you had nothing to do with it?”

“Well…”

“Well nothing. It’s you, Charlie. You showed me that it’s okay to dream a little, to be romantic”

“I did?” She was tongue-tied again, but that suited her just fine. As long as he kept looking at her like that, she didn’t care if she ever spoke another word.

“Yes, you did.” He led her across the hall, his arm firmly around her waist. “Let’s go outside. I want to watch for the moon coming up.”

Charlie stopped beside the CD player. “We could put on some music. You know…set the scene.”

“I’m for that.” Jason randomly slid some CDs into the player. He adjusted the sound downward and they moved out into the starry darkness.

They took their place at the railing, shoulders touching. The water below lapped against the shore and as though on cue, a shooting star blazed across the horizon. They watched until it disappeared.

“You know what that means.” He pulled her closer. “It means I get to kiss you.”

“I thought it meant good luck.”

“That’s what I said.” His lips, warm and tender, brushed over hers with tantalizing softness. A soft gurgle of pleasure escaped her throat as his arms enfolded her. “Again” she murmured, and this time the shooting stars exploded inside her head.

“Do all farmers know how to kiss like that?” she asked when she could catch her breath.

“Dunno” he said, twirling her around in time to the music. “I haven’t kissed very many.”

She looked up into his laughing eyes. “Are you ever serious?”

“All the time.” He caught her against his chest. “I’m the boring one, remember? That’s why you’re so good for me.”

“You’re good for me, too. Even though I could have throttled you the first time I saw you.”

“No kidding!” His eyes flashed with amusement. “As if I could forget.” He led her into another series of intricate steps and she followed effortlessly.

“Am I really good for you?” he said after a while.

“Are you fishing for compliments again?”

“Whatever it takes.”

Her steps slowed and his hands slid down to hold her around the waist. They swayed together like reeds in the water.

“Being here has been good for me.”

He pulled back in mock consternation. “Thanks a lot.”

It was important that she make him understand how she felt. “You’re part of this place.” She hesitated. “The best part as far as I’m concerned. What I mean is that it’s a whole new way of life for me. You work hard and I like that. And here people are good to each other, to their friends and neighbors.” She shook her head. “I’m not saying this very well.”

“You said it perfectly.” He tipped up her chin. “Couldn’t have said it better.” His mouth covered hers and she let herself float on a rising tide of sensations. When he pulled away, she almost lost her balance. He turned her slowly, and no words were needed.

The moon was well above the horizon, flooding the sky with light.

“That’s the most beautiful moon I’ve ever seen.” She slipped her hand into his. “I’m afraid, Jason. What if it doesn’t work?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” He guided her to the door; they opened it tentatively and slid inside to stand with their backs against the wall. As the moon rose, the silvery light inched lower, creeping across the floor until it illuminated the spot Jason had pointed out earlier.

“Nothing’s happening,” she whispered. “Oh Jason, I can’t stand the suspense.”

He squeezed her hand. “I think we should move farther away.” He blew out most of the candles as they passed and they slid into a booth in the shadows. “Let’s just watch.” He put an arm around her and brushed his lips against her temple. “It’s going to be all right, you’ll see.” Charlie’s body stiffened and she stared at the open doorway.

Jason turned slowly and his hand tightened almost painfully on her shoulder. A tall figure filled the opening. “Who’s that?” he whispered. He blinked as though questioning his own eyes.

Charlie’s excitement was palpable; she had to fight to control her voice. “That’s Harm.” She shot a quick glance at Jason. “You can see him?”

“Clear as day.”

Harm paused in the doorway and his eyes swept the dance hall, resting for a moment on Charlie and Jason before continuing on. There was a moment’s silence as one CD ended and another started…a collection of waltzes.

Charlie squirmed on the bench. “Should I talk to him?” You know, tell him about the ring?”

“Let’s wait a minute” Jason said, his voice taut with anticipation. “I think he sees something.”

Harm’s eyes remained fixed on the shaft of moonlight as he moved forward.

A woman’s figure appeared, materializing slowly as though emerging from a heavy fog. Charlie’s nails dug into Jason’s thigh.

The woman turned away from Harm and her gaze rested briefly on each carousel horse as she slowly took in the interior of the dance hall. Her long skirt fell in soft folds, barely sweeping the floor as she turned around. The remaining candles flickered and in the soft light her lips turned up in a smile.

“She looks as though she’s remembering something” Charlie whispered in Jason’s ear, “but I don’t think she sees him.”

“Patience.” Jason couldn’t believe how much Charlotte looked like Charlie. “Let’s wait and see what he does.”

Harm seemed to glide as he crossed the dance floor to the pool of light. Eyes full of love, he watched Charlotte’s slow pirouette. His hand reached out and then he withdrew it, hesitant to break the spell.

As though sensing his presence behind her, Charlotte stilled. Her hand flew to her neck and the gold ring gleamed on her finger.

“Charlotte.” Harm’s voice was hoarse with years of pent-up emotion.

At the sound of his voice, Charlotte’s eyes closed for a moment. Then she turned to the man who had never stopped loving her.

“Harm,” she cried softly. And then she was in his arms, crushed against his chest. She lifted her lips to him and in that heartbeat of time Charlie believed in eternal love.

She buried her head in Jason’s shoulder. “I can’t watch,” she said. “It’s too personal.”

“No, look,” he said. “I think they’re going to dance.”

Charlie turned back to the couple on the dance floor. Shimmering with magical luminescence, they set out in a waltz, seemingly oblivious to the couple in the shadows.

“What happens now?” Jason asked.

“If they’re lucky, I think they’ll leave.” As she spoke, Charlie realized that the moon had risen past the open window. Inside the dance hall, the silvery light was fading.

The dancers swirled past one last time. As they did so, Harm looked directly at Charlie and nodded. Charlotte smiled in her direction, and for a moment Charlie thought she caught the scent of lavender. And then they were gone.

Jason slumped back and raked his fingers through his hair. “I wouldn’t have believed it.” He rose slowly and pulled Charlie to her feet. They were silent as they extinguished the remaining candles. Within a couple of minutes they had locked up and were back in his truck.

* * *

“I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around this.” Jason navigated through the sleeping town and onto the highway. He draped an arm over the back of the seat and she slid closer. There didn’t seem to be anything left to talk about; they remained silent as they drove along the deserted highway.

He drove past Janelle’s driveway and she looked up at him, silently questioning.

“I’m not ready to let you go yet.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Are you okay with that?”

She nodded and they were soon bumping along the service road which led around behind Jason’s house. They stepped out of the truck and looked overhead. The moon was partially hidden behind a cloud, but it still cast enough light to dim the stars. They walked hand in hand through the house and out onto the front verandah. Fireflies danced over the lawn, an extension of the magic they’d just witnessed.

Jason stood behind her and cradled her in his arms, his chin resting on top of her head. She’d never felt so secure, so loved.

“Do you believe that love lasts forever?” she asked, her voice little more than a whisper. “After what we saw tonight, I think I do.”

“For them it certainly did.” He turned her around, looked deeply into her eyes. “What about us?”