Lynda swayed gently on the dance floor, holding both of Tommy’s hands as he carefully tried not to step on her toes. The eight-year-old’s face was a picture of concentration, his tongue poking out slightly as he focused on remembering the steps Frank had taught him earlier.
“You’re doing wonderfully, Tommy,” Lynda encouraged him, smiling as he executed a careful turn.
“Grandpa says knowing how to dance is important,” Tommy informed her seriously. “He says ladies like a man who knows how to dance.”
Lynda bit back a laugh. “Your grandpa is a very wise man.”
“I know,” Tommy agreed, looking up at her with earnest blue eyes. “I saw you dancing with Dr. Matt earlier. Was he good at the Sapphire Bay Stomp?”
“He was wonderful,” Lynda replied. “I didn’t think I’d remember the steps, but he was a good teacher.”
Tommy grinned. “He taught me how to listen to animal heartbeats with his stethoscope. He says I could be a vet when I grow up if I want to.”
“I think you’d make a great vet,” Lynda told him. “You’re very gentle with animals.”
The song began to wind down, and Tommy looked relieved that he’d made it through without any major missteps. As the final notes played, he gave a formal little bow that made Lynda’s heart melt.
“Thank you for the dance, Dr. Morth,” he said with childish formality.
“The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Tommy,” she replied, matching his serious tone.
Tommy grinned, then his eyes focused on something over her shoulder. “Dr. Matt’s coming,” he announced. “I think he wants to dance with you.”
Before Lynda could respond, Tommy darted away through the crowd, leaving her alone on the edge of the dance floor. She turned to see Matt approaching. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he looked a little nervous.
“Has Tommy abandoned you?” Matt said, coming to stand beside her.
“He was a perfect gentleman,” Lynda replied with a smile. “He even bowed at the end of the dance.”
“Frank said he was teaching him how to dance.” Matt glanced at the couples around them as the band started to play the next song. “Would you like to dance again? This one’s a bit slower than the Stomp.”
Lynda smiled. “I know how to waltz, so I’d love to.” Her heart beat a little faster as Matt placed one hand lightly on her waist while taking her hand with the other. She placed her free hand on his shoulder, feeling the solid warmth of him beneath his dress shirt.
“The auction seemed to go well,” she said as they began to sway to the music. “Everyone looked excited with their winnings.”
Matt nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “We raised more than ever before. Carol’s over the moon. Did you see MayorWilson’s face when he won the fishing trip with Frank? You’d think he’d won the lottery.”
“I did,” Lynda chuckled. “And Mrs. Pemberton was practically in tears when she got Isabel’s rare book collection about cats.”
“She loves her cats more than most people love their children,” Matt said with a fond smile. “She’s already planning to build them a library corner in her sunroom.”
They moved together easily, finding a natural rhythm as they swayed across the floor. Lynda was surprised at how comfortable it felt to be in Matt’s arms, how right it seemed.
“I haven’t danced like this in years,” she admitted softly.
“Neither have I,” Matt replied. His hand was warm and steady against her waist. “Not since Maria got sick.”
The mention of his late wife didn’t feel like a barrier between them as it once might have. Instead, it felt like Matt was sharing a part of himself, opening a door.
“What was she like?” Lynda asked gently.
Matt’s expression softened. “Vibrant. Full of life. She loved this town more than anywhere else in the world. She knew everyone’s name, remembered their birthdays, and brought soup when people were sick.” He paused. “She was a fourth-grade teacher. The kids adored her.”
“She sounds wonderful,” Lynda said sincerely.
“She was.” Matt’s eyes met hers. “What about you? Was your marriage good before everything ended?”
“I thought it was,” Lynda said. “But then Ray left me for his twenty-nine-year-old receptionist. That was the hardest part—realizing that what I thought we had wasn’t real.” She shook her head slightly. “Ray always wanted more—more money, more prestige, a bigger house, fancier vacations. When we were young, it seemed exciting. As we got older, it was exhausting.”
