With a firm tug, he opened the doors to the main ballroom.
He froze, stunned by what he saw. Soft blue light filled the entire room. The fabric on the ceiling and walls rippled gently, cascading into pools of electric blue light. He stepped forward, enchanted by the sheer beauty of the room.
His gaze lifted from the tables to the chandeliers, then to the huge floral arrangements that could have been suspended in the air by magic. He took a deep breath and listened to the music drifting across the room. The notes of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major washed over him, releasing the tension in his shoulders. His chest expanded, and he felt the energy that had gone into making this room perfect.
“What do you think?” Hannah whispered from beside him.
He looked at her and wished he could hold onto this moment forever. Hannah’s head was tilted toward the ceiling and her mouth formed the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.
“It’s beautiful.” When the music changed to Johann Strauss’ Blue Danube, he held out his hand. “Shall we dance?”
The surprise in Hannah’s eyes melted his heart.
“You can waltz as well as two-step?”
“Ida taught me.”
With a shyness he hadn’t expected, Hannah looked at him and nodded.
He held her hand as they walked toward the dance floor. As the first notes deepened, he gently swung Hannah into his arms, stepping into a slow Viennese Waltz. Under the light from the chandeliers, they spun to the right, then to the left. The music built and they turned again, moving faster and faster, until all that was left was the magic of the dance and the promise of what could be.
He knew then that, whatever happened, Hannah would always have a special place in his heart. And, no matter what, he would find a way to make sense of where they were heading.
As the music slowed, he held her tight, turning her slowly until they stopped beneath a canopy of roses. He dropped his head to her forehead, wondering what would come next.
Hannah rubbed her cheek against his. “That was wonderful.”
The air between them crackled with electricity. Brett’s pulse thundered through his body, leaving him breathless, needy, and so much more.
He wrapped his arms around Hannah, holding her against him, slowly moving to the next song. “We need to talk. About us.”
Her sigh drifted along his skin, sent shivers skittering along his spine.
“I know.” She kissed him gently on the mouth, then stepped away. “Before you say anything, I have something to tell you.”
Brett frowned. Whatever Hannah was about to say was upsetting her. Her blue eyes were wide with worry and directed straight at him.
“I’m going to Vancouver next week to speak to the staff at the college.”
He flinched. Knowing that Hannah could be leaving was a lot different than hearing her say the words.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“You’re still…” He cleared his throat, pushing down the disappointment that was threatening to overwhelm him. “You’re still thinking about accepting the residency?”
Hannah nodded. “It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
He stepped forward, holding the side of her face in his hand. “You’reeverything I’ve ever wanted. I haven’t told you how I feel because I wanted you to do what’s best for you. But if I don’t tell you that I love you, I might never get the chance. I don’t want you to leave Bozeman, but if that’s what you really want, we could find a way to make it work.”
Tears filled Hannah’s eyes. “It’s not just the residency. I don’t know what will happen after I leave Vancouver. I can’t promise that I’ll be back.”
The hope that had filled Brett’s heart disappeared. Hannah was saying goodbye, and it hurt worse than he thought it would. “My life is here. Pat and Ida need me more than ever.”
“I know.”
“I can’t leave Bozeman for months on end.”
Hannah wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have said something sooner. I really do care about you, Brett.”
