Free Dance Like Nobody's Watching (Summer Lake 3) by SJ McCoy Page A

sofa, knowing she'd want to hear all
about it too. They'd listened to him for a good twenty minutes before
he'd run out of steam.
    “So, anyway. We should be back at school by
five, Mom. Can you pick me up?”
    “I will,” Dan had answered quickly.
“Your mom's tired and I want to see you before I have to
leave.”
    “Awesome! Thanks, Dan. See you then.”
    Missy had been grateful, not mad at him like he'd
feared. She'd had a good few hours sleep, but she still looked tired
and pale. “Thanks, Dan. You'd probably better take the van
though. Scot won't thank you if you make him walk home.”
    So here he sat. In Missy's van. Waiting for Scot
to get back. He'd take him home and go get them an early dinner from
the Boathouse. Then he really should leave. He needed to call Smoke
an hour ahead of time, so he could file a flight plan and have the
plane ready to go. He enjoyed using Jack and Pete's plane. He was
enjoying it so much that he and Steven had talked about investing in
one themselves. Of course, Olivia didn't approve, but then that
shouldn't matter. She had no real say in the business. She was a
minor partner. It was just that he and Steven had let her walk all
over them. Dan was starting to realize just how stupid he'd been when
it came to her. He hoped he could make Steven see it too. Over the
last couple of years she'd changed the shape of their business, and
their lives. She'd changed things in her own best interests, not
theirs. Though he wasn't looking forward to the conversation he
needed to have with her tonight, he was very much looking forward to
being on the other side of it. He'd be free, free to explore whatever
might happen with Missy, and free to start re-arranging his life, and
his work, to suit himself.
    The minibus pulled into the parking lot and a
group of tired, but happy-looking kids piled out. Dan spotted Scot
and got out of the van. Scot high-fived a couple of his friends, then
hitched his backpack higher and came to Dan, a big grin on his face.
Dan was surprised when the kid wrapped his arms around his waist and
hugged him. Dan hugged back. This was a new development.
    Scot let go. “Thanks, Dan.”
    “My pleasure, champ. I wanted to see you
before I have to go.”
    Scot stood close and leaned against him as a
couple of his friends walked by.
    “See you tomorrow, Scot.”
    “Yeah, see ya.”
    The mothers smiled and nodded at Dan as they
passed, curious eyes darting between him and Scot.
    “Bye, Mrs. Miller.” Scot waved at
them.
    “Come on,” said Dan, getting back in
the van. “Let's get you back to your mom.”
    “I'm surprised she let you come for me. She
usually likes to stand and yack with all the other moms.”
    Dan grinned. No doubt all the other moms would be
yacking about him, wondering who he was and where Missy was. “She's
really tired, so I persuaded her to let me come.”
    “She must be beat. You can't normally keep
her away.”
    “Listen, champ. Will you take care of her?
She really is beat and I'm not convinced that she's not sick, too.”
    Scot turned big eyes on him. Big gray eyes, just
like his mom's. “She's sick?”
    “Not bad sick, just tired out. She needs a
rest.” Shit! He hadn't meant to scare the kid, just to make him
think to look out for her. “I just think maybe you can help her
out a bit, you know? Look out for her.”
    Scot nodded, his face solemn. “Can you stay
and help?”
    Dan had thought about it, but he figured he should
get out of the way now Scot was home and would be back at school in
the morning. He'd often come on Friday, or left on Monday over the
summer, but he knew Missy liked to stick to a routine when Scot was
in school. He didn't want to mess that up. Plus, he was supposed to
meet Olivia at eight. On the other hand, he didn't want to leave if
Missy wasn't feeling any better.
    “You'll be fine, champ. She's probably
better by now.”
    Scot didn't look convinced. Dan didn't feel so
sure either. He'd make the call when they got