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

back to the house and
he saw her.
    ***
    Missy sat on the sofa waiting for Dan to bring
Scot back. She still felt totally exhausted. What she couldn't figure
out was why. She'd slept for hours, but she still felt like she could
sleep for a week. Her body felt heavy and lethargic. She didn't feel
ill though. Well, maybe a low-grade headache, but she'd had that on
and off for weeks. She'd felt dizzy a few times, but she did get that
way when she'd been overdoing it. She just hoped a good night's sleep
would set her straight. She had a lot of work lined up for tomorrow.
She covered her eyes at the thought. She had no idea how she would
manage it all if she still felt like this.
    She smiled when she heard the van pull in to the
driveway. Scot bounded in to the living room.
    “Hey, Mom!” He flung himself on the
sofa and wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay? I missed
you.”
    Missy's heart overflowed. “Hey, sunbeam. I
missed you too!” Moments like this were the highlights of her
life. Much of the time she wondered if he even knew she was there. It
was hard when he was engrossed in his computers, or his robots. When
he didn't even hear her speak. When he forgot to call her. It was so
very hard, but she knew he was doing what he needed to for himself,
to become his own person. If she waited long enough and didn't push,
he gave her what she needed, too—a show of his love, like this
one right now. She hugged him tight and he snuggled up, resting his
head on her shoulder.
    “Are you okay? Dan said you were tired.”
    “I'm fine, honey. Now, what do you want for
dinner? You can tell me all about it while I fix us something.”
    Dan cleared his throat. He was standing in the
doorway, watching them.
    “Can you stay for dinner?” She knew
he'd have to leave, but she didn't want him to.
    His eyes searched her face. “I should go. I
can go get dinner for you both before I leave though. Save you having
to make anything.”
    “Great!” said Scot. “Can we get
pizza?”
    Missy gave him a stern look. “On a Sunday?”
His face fell.
    Dan grinned. “I think after winning State
Championships, a guy should be allowed a celebration dinner. Don't
you, champ?”
    Scot grinned back at him and nodded. “Yeah,
Mom. Don't spoil my victory.”
    Missy laughed. She wasn't going to win when the
pair of them teamed up on her like that. Besides, Dan was right, it
should be a celebration dinner. “Okay then. Pizza it is, but
you don't need to go for it. I'll call Giuseppe's for a delivery.”
    “I'll call it in,” said Dan. “You
want the usual, champ?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “How about you, Miss. Want your lasagna?”
    “Yes, please.” She was surprised
again. He knew she saved her pancakes for dessert. He knew she always
got lasagna when they ordered from Giuseppe's. He was turning out to
be full of surprises. All good ones too, so far. She snuggled with
Scot on the sofa while he called in their order.
    “Should be here in half an hour. I'll eat
with you, but then I'll have to get going.”
    Missy nodded. He'd be cutting it fine if he was
supposed to meet Olivia at eight. She wasn't going to say anything
though. It was none of her business. She was just glad he was staying
a little while longer.
    Scot wriggled off the sofa. “Dan, Dan, Dan,
did you see the files I left you?”
    “I sure did. I think we're making progress.”
    “Will you show me what you've done? Come on,
let's go see before the pizza comes?”
    Dan looked at Missy.
    “Go on,” she smiled. “Don't make
him wait ’til next weekend.”
    Dan nodded and followed Scot out to the RV. Missy
got up. She would have to wait ’til next weekend for what she
wanted to do with Dan. She was glad for Scotty's sake that he didn't
have to. She made her way into the kitchen. She could get the table
ready for when the food arrived. She felt a little unsteady on her
feet and leaned on the table for support. After a few moments she
straightened up, hoping it had passed. That