This woman was way too insightful.
He slipped his fingers into his pockets. “My wife wasn’t impressed with my dancing skills.”
“Was she a professional dancer?”
“No.”
“Then I have better credentials to judge your dancing ability.” She flashed him a smile. “But I’m sure she admired many other things about you.”
“Actually ... no. Not as time went by. We, uh, didn’t have the best relationship.”
Devyn slid her ballet slippers into her bag and gave him her full attention. “I’m sorry.”
He offered her a stiff shrug. “We had work/life balance issues. She was willing to put in an extreme number of hours to advance in her career. I wasn’t. I wanted more family time. That’s why I left the corporate world for the mill job.”
That was more than he’d ever told anyone other than Reverend Baker about his marital problems.
Yet somehow it felt right to give this woman a peek into the marriage that had failed to live up to his hoped-for happily-ever-after.
“I imagine that was tough. I understand having a demandingjob and the sacrifices required to succeed, but as I get older, I’m recognizing how important it is to carve out time in your life for the people you love.”
“Like you did with Lauren.”
Devyn’s lips twisted into a wry smile as she slung her bag over her shoulder and stood. “Don’t give me too much credit. I didn’t have any real plans for the summer, so coming wasn’t a huge hardship. But to be honest, I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get. We haven’t been very close. Thankfully, though, our relationship is improving.”
“Then you’re glad you made the trip?”
“Very much so.” Her gaze latched onto his for a second before she jerked it away to rummage through her bag for her keys. “If you like, I can close up and meet you by the door.”
What he’d like was to extend this conversation for another hour. Learn more about her family and training and her life in New York. Ask about her favorite songs and movies and food. Find out about the places she’d traveled and the activities she enjoyed during her free hours.
In other words, get to know her better.
But that wasn’t going to happen tonight. She was ready to go, and he should get home to Isabel.
“I’ll wait for you there.”
Three minutes later, when she joined him by the door, he pushed it open for her. “Why do you get stuck with the lock-up chores after every rehearsal?”
“We decided the group should sing rather than dance first.” She struck out for the car, and he fell in beside her. “Otherwise, Shaun would have to deal with flagging energy levels. I don’t know if you’ve paid much attention, but I keep everyone moving out there.”
“I noticed.” He circled the Focus and opened the driver side door for her. Once she slid inside, he took his place in the passenger seat and gave her the simple directions to his house.
“It’s too bad Isabel missed the swing dance lesson. She was excited about learning the steps with Ben.”
“I could try to teach them to her.”
“Excellent idea. That will keep you in practice.”
“Dancing with a nine-year-old isn’t the same as dancing with an adult, though. The height difference is a challenge.”
“But the footwork is the same. And you’ll have an adult partner at the wedding.” She motioned to the next street. “Is this where I turn?”
“Yes.”
He took a deep breath.
If he wanted to get to know Devyn, the ideal opportunity was staring him in the face—if he was willing to play with fire and ask her to the wedding.
