Free Moonlight Dancer by Mona Ingram Page B

there.” He handed her the bag, and his fingers brushed hers. “Will I see you later?”
    Charlie thought ahead to her busy day. “I don’t know. I’m going down to the dance hall to do some cleaning. I’m filling in for Laurel while she takes care of her mother.”
    “Oh.” He seemed disappointed. “Well, I’ll be here tonight for my evening chores. If you’re around, I’ll see you then.”
    * * *
    “Okay, you’re all set.” Janelle’s voice echoed in the empty dance hall as she adjusted the sound level on the CD player. “Tyler said he’d bring his own CDs, but you might as well have some music while you work.” She looked over the cleaning equipment they had dragged out of a small closet. “I can’t think of anything else, so I’ll leave you. Jack is waiting outside to take me to get my walking cast.”
    Charlie sorted through the CDs and chose a selection of Cole Porter tunes. Not exactly what she’d listen to at home, but the old classics seemed right for this atmosphere. She grabbed a broom and started sweeping between the booths that circled the room. Janelle had showed her the lighting panel and they had switched on the illumination for the carousel horses. Astride a brass post, each horse was a work of art. She studied them as she worked around the room, marveling at the skill of the carvers. It was no wonder Janelle appreciated them so much. The lights bathed the room in a soft glow, and Charlie’s thoughts turned to Charlotte. Had she stood here on some magical evening and listened to the music as she was doing now?
    Still holding the broom, she took a few tentative steps, moving out to the center of the dance floor.
    “Charlotte?” The deep voice trembled with barely concealed emotion. It was not a voice she had heard before and yet it was familiar. She turned slowly, still clutching the broom.
    A tall man stood in the narrow shaft of light from the open doorway, a black Stetson in his hands. He reached out with one hand and then let it fall to his side. He took a couple of steps into the room, his gaze never leaving her face. As he came closer, his brow furrowed.
    Charlie returned the scrutiny. Dressed in a snowy white shirt and slim black slacks, he had the kind of rugged good looks that most women only dream about. In the light from the door, shards of gold glinted in dark brown eyes. And those eyes remained fixed on her.
    He fumbled with the rim of the Stetson, turning it in his hands. “I’m sorry” he said gently, I thought you were someone else.” He broke eye contact and looked hopefully around the dance hall.
    “You called me Charlotte. You know about my great great aunt?”
    “Your great great aunt?” Comprehension relaxed his features. “So that accounts for the likeness.” He waved his hat, encompassing the dance hall with one broad gesture. “She loved it here. She loved to dance.”
    “I know.”
    “You do?” His eagerness was touching.
    Charlie smiled at him. “Yes, I do.” She hesitated for a moment and then plunged ahead. “I only just learned about her, but I feel close to her. It’s as though I’m feeling everything she used to feel.” Her gaze turned inward. “It’s a bit spooky, actually. Like last Saturday night. I was watching the dancers and then all of a sudden–” she stopped and stared at the man in front of her. It was the same man!
    Pinpricks of awareness danced down her spine. She closed her eyes, trying to recapture the out-of-body experience from Saturday night. Yes! This was the same man. The angular cheekbones, the deep-set eyes, the sensual lips belonged to the man who, in her imagination, had whisked her onto the dance floor.
    “It’s you!” she whispered, staring up at him. It was Saturday night all over again, and a wondrous longing filled her heart. What was happening to her?
    “Charlie! You in there?” The side door was flung open, bathing her in brilliant light. “Who are you talking to?”
    She blinked, a little