“No, I want to pilot the plane, not walk on it.” He made a face. “Though if I found a pretty girl who wanted to walk on my wings . . .”
Tuesday laughed and kissed his cheek. “You will most definitely find a pretty girl. Hopefully one who makes you feel likeyouhave wings without an airplane.”
LJ blushed and shrugged off her hand. “Did Pa make you feel like you had wings?”
The older LJ became, the more keenly he noticed his parents’ relationship. “Your pa made me feel grounded and protected. Which was what I wanted.”
“Does he still?”
“What are all these questions?” She shoved LJ out of the minuscule kitchen. “I’ve decided you have the rest of the night off. Go find your friends. Have fun. Ginger, can you take over here with the hot dogs and cocoa?”
Back out to the rink, Tuesday worked the crowd and caught the rest of the Van Horns’ show. They were spectacular. When she spied her youngest leaning against the ticket booth, arms folded, she made her way over to him. Dupree Knight had grown another two inches over the summer, matured a little, and became smitten with Mimi, a girl from school.
“I can do what they’re doing,” he said, scowling. At seventeen, he swam in young man pride. He believed he could fly to the moon if you gave him a rocket. “Me and the fellas turn tricks like that when we’re not trying.”
Dupree was a talented skater but hardly like the Van Horns. He couldn’t toss a girl through the air like Earl just did Inez, catching her as she landed.
“Why not enjoy the magic, Dup? Don’t compare, have fun. Where’s Mimi?”
Dup jutted his chin toward the benches. “With her friends, gushing over the Van Horns.”
“Well then, next time she comes to the Starlight with her skates, you show her what you can do.”
Dup grinned as he lowered his arms and defenses. “Guess I’ll go sit with her.”
Tuesday watched him head over to the group of girls, passing Daisy and William Anderson, a lovely young couple, new to Sea Blue Beach. Tuesday started to say hello when Leroy appeared with several other men just beyond the lights. For a moment, everything stopped. There was no music, no skating sensation on the rink floor, no crowds filling every space. There was just Leroy.
He looked fine. Mighty fine. In his dark jacket over light gray slacks, his hat set jauntily on his head. The scar on his cheek had faded more since she’d last seen him.
Of the three men accompanying him, Doc was not among them. He’d not been around much since his near confession. Tuesday missed him but thought it was best he find comfort elsewhere. Leroy saw her and removed his hat. Doggone it, he melted her every time.
The sudden explosion of cheering and applause startled her. The Van Horns circled the rink, taking their bows.
“Tuesday, Miss Stenuf is up.” Burt handed her the microphone and fed her the long cord. He jerked his head toward Leroy. “What’s he want?”
“Don’t know.”
“Whatever it is, tell him no.”
With Burt’s advice riding in her chest, Tuesday skated to the center of the rink. “Thank you, Van Horns. Weren’t they marvelous?Simply marvelous. Three cheers. Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!”
Earl and Inez waved and shook a few hands before disappearing into the back room.
“Give another round of applause for the Van Horns. They’ll be back later tonight. But now, ladies and gentlemen . . .”
Leroy and his boys were on the move.Where are you going? What are you doing here tonight of all nights?
“Give a Sea Blue Beach welcome to Miss Heddy Stenuf.”
The beautiful blonde burst into the spotlight as the band begin to play. Tuesday hurried off the floor and handed the microphone to Burt with a sense of foreboding.
“They’re in the office,” he said.
“Bring four hot dogs, will you? And some coffee.” At the door, Tuesday squared her shoulders, raised her chin, and stepped in. “Good evening, gents. Lee, I’m surprised to see you.”
Leroy sat at her desk, while two others leaned against the wall, arms propped on her file cabinet. The third man watched her from under a dark, thick brow, possessing an air of authority. She didn’t need introductions to know he was the one Lee worked for, the one who kept him away.
“Can I get you seats to the show?” she asked. “It’s quite something.”
