<< Go Back

Dance Over Me

By Candee Fick

Order Now!

Prologue
Danielle Barker pushed her tongue against her loose tooth.

If it came out today, she could put it under her pillow and then the … Dani turned to Miss Amy, the nice lady driving the car. “Does the Tooth

Fairy know I have a new house?”

“I heard she found you at the hospital.” Miss Amy smiled. “I’ll see what I can

do.”

“Good.”

“We’re almost there. I bet you’re excited to see your brother.”

Dani squirmed on the seat before looking out the window again. She couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d seen him.

Daddy had called J. D. “the four-toothed wonder boy” as his son crawled across the living room floor and past their Christmas tree to reach Dani. When J. D. got close, she picked him up, hugged him, and kissed his cheeks when he giggled and blew bubbles. She used the sleeve of his shirt to wipe the drool off his chin.

“You’re a great big sister.” Mommy reached down to take J. D. from Dani. “But right now, this little guy needs a diaper change before the babysitter gets here.” Mommy headed for the bedroom with J. D., humming her favorite song.

Daddy had stopped to kiss Mommy before sitting on the couch. “Come here, Dani-girl. Let’s read a book while we wait for your mom.”

Dani bit her lip at the memory. She hadn’t wanted to read a book since that night when the accident sent Mommy and Daddy to heaven. She blinked away the tears in her eyes. The man at the hospital had said that since she had Jesus in her heart, she’d see them again.

Just not yet.

Until she could see Mommy and Daddy again, she had to be a good big sister and take care of her brother—starting by giving him the birthday card she’d made. He’d probably try to chew on it, but it was the best she could do. She didn’t have any money, or she’d have bought a toy truck.





ix

Dance Over Me


The car stopped in front of a yellow house. A few toys were scattered across the brown grass.

Dani unbuckled her seat belt, picked up her plastic bag of things, and got out of the car. She rubbed a hand over her stomach where it turned cartwheels under her pink sweater. Time to meet the family that lived here. The family that would take care of her and J. D. since Mommy and Daddy couldn’t.

Dani followed Miss Amy up the sidewalk. A woman with dark hair and pink cheeks opened the front door.

After introducing herself, Miss Amy put her hand on Dani’s shoulder. “Mrs. Johnson, this is Danielle Barker.”

Dani reached out her hand to Mrs. Johnson the way Mommy had taught her. “Nice to meet you.”

Mrs. Johnson’s hand felt warm as they shook hands. “Welcome to our home.” “Dani’s joining her brother, Jacob.” Miss Amy squeezed Dani’s shoulder. “Jacob?” Mrs. Johnson’s face got really white. “He’s gone.”

Gone? That’s what they said about Mommy and Daddy. Dani’s heart stopped beating for a moment and then pounded under her sweater.

“Nobody told us there was a sister. The Wilsons took him home yesterday.” Mrs. Johnson sounded mad.

Dani’s arms tingled, and a noise like a waterfall echoed inside her head. “Why did the Wilsons take him?”

The grown-ups got that look like when they forgot that kids were listening. Mrs. Johnson pulled them inside the house and shut the door. Miss Amy left to use the telephone. Trembling, Dani stood by the wall. Mrs. Johnson sat on a chair and covered her face with her hands. Down the hallway, music played and children laughed.

After a long time, Miss Amy returned. Her eyes looked sad as she got on her knees in front of Dani. “You’re going to stay here with Mrs. Johnson. But your brother’s being adopted. He has a new family now.”

A new family?

Dani shook her head and tears filled her eyes. No. J. D. was her family. They couldn’t take him away. Not with Mommy and Daddy gone to heaven. She had to take care of him.

She pushed Miss Amy away and screamed.






x




Chapter 1

Danielle Lefontaine wiped sweaty palms on her short skirt. Auditions always put her off balance.

“Next up. Number seventeen.”

Dani rolled her shoulders once, gave each leg a shake, took a deep breath, and clicked her way up the three steps to the polished hardwood. Approaching center stage, she scanned the house and zeroed in on the older couple seated behind a table on the second level.

“And what will you be showing us this morning?”

Dani’s gaze skipped over the tall woman who’d checked her in earlier and focused on the middle-aged director who was busy rolling a pen between his fingers. She swallowed hard to dissolve the cotton-like feeling in her mouth.

“I’ve prepared a series of tap combinations.” Dani did a quick shuffle step to draw attention to her footwear and break the tension that seemed to have paralyzed her body.

A snort of laughter erupted from an area to the right of the judges’ table. Dani shifted her gaze to the critic. Female. About her age. The blonde

bombshell diva-type leaned over to whisper something in the ear of the dark-haired man beside her as two other women giggled behind them. Based on the logo on their T-shirts, they were part of the theater company and therefore in a position to enjoy watching the auditions without the fear of dashed hopes.

“Do you have accompaniment?” The director rested his chin on folded hands. “I do.” Heat from the stage lights sent a trickle of sweat down Dani’s back. “Whenever you’re ready.”

She glanced at the cluster of actors. The diva picked at her nail polish, and the others looked equally bored. Time to let her feet do the talking.

She stepped into position and nodded in the direction of the soundboard on the third level at the back of the room.

Okay, God. Here we go.





1

Dance Over Me


The pulsing rhythms of big band music and the wail of a clarinet filled the auditorium. Dani found her smile and the beat in time to pour herself into the ninety-second routine. She followed a pullback with a series of barrel turns. Her tapping feet kept time with the music as she maneuvered through the waltz clogs and double wings. Arms flying with each movement, she embraced the familiar joy and freedom that dance brought until it seemed to flow from her pores and onto the stage. She neared the final shuffle combination with the confidence gained through years of practice. Striking the final pose, her heart exploded like the Fourth of July fireworks she’d seen two weeks ago.

She had survived yet another solo dance audition. Her third this month but the most important of all.

A piercing whistle from the second level punctuated the small smattering of applause. Dani found the source of the sound in time to see the diva slap the arm of the grinning man beside her. At the center table, the female judge smiled, but all Dani really cared about was the reaction of the director. The man who held her dreams in his hands.

One corner of his mouth lifted as if he wanted to smile but had a reputation to uphold. “Thank you. You are excused until the group portion.” He jotted something on a notepad before flipping to the next audition form. “Next up. Number eighteen.”

Dani exited stage left and stepped around a young man using the floor space to loosen up his muscles.

“Nice job.” A redhead in a green leotard gave her a thumbs-up.

“Thanks.” Dani noticed the young woman’s number: twenty. “Hey, good luck yourself.”

She worked her way through the sea of other hopefuls waiting in the lowest semi-circular seating area until she reached the steps to the nearly vacant second level. When Dani was halfway to her bag at the back of the auditorium, the next dancer’s classical selection poured from strategically placed speakers.

At the reminder of music, Dani detoured to the sound booth. The teenager running the equipment stared at the stage with a puzzled look. She glanced in that direction and saw the current hopeful writhing on the stage. Interesting choice for a musical theater audition.

“What kind of dance is that?”

Dani turned her back on the stage. “It’s called interpretive dance.” “Because it needs a translation?” The brown-haired teen grinned.



2

Candee Fick


Dani smiled in return. “Never thought of it that way.” “Yours didn’t. You were sick.”

“Sick?”

“Not gagging sick.” He gestured toward the stage. “But, like, awesome, cool, rad. Sick.”

“Speaking of needing a translation.” She tilted her head as she repeated his words.

The teen laughed and Dani’s heart jumped. The sound triggered a precious memory buried somewhere in the recesses of her mind. She grasped at the threads.
“Here’s your disc.”

Dani blinked and the wisp of memory faded. She reached out to take the proffered case. “Thanks. And thanks for thinking I’m … sick.”

“Good luck with the rest of today.” The classical music ended and the young man flicked a couple of switches.

Dani nodded and headed back to her audition bag. After retrieving it and flopping into a chair, she filed away the CD case and made a note in her logbook. Pushing aside a Power Bar, she fished out a bottle of water and downed half the contents.

Round One, done. Three to go, if she was lucky. The water quenched her thirst but did nothing to calm her restlessness.

She pulled out a hand towel and dabbed the sweat from her face. The air conditioner kicked on overhead and the breeze raised goose bumps on her bare arms. She leaned over to unbuckle her tap shoes, crinkling the paper number pinned to the front of her black leotard.

Someday, she’d frame the lucky audition number … when she finally had one that landed her a part. A year after graduation, she was still making the rounds of auditions while waiting tables.

Dani shook her head at the irony. If she got this gig, she’d still be waiting tables. After all, the audience attending a dinner theater expected to eat.

The sound of African drums filled the room as the next dancer started his routine with an impressive twirling leap.

She slipped off her tap shoes and tucked them into individual cloth bags before putting on and lacing up her jazz shoes.

Now ready for the next section, all she could do was wait. And waiting quietly with a raging case of nerves wasn’t exactly how she wanted to face the next half hour.



3

Dance Over Me


The drumbeats ended. At the front of the auditorium, the redheaded woman took the stage. Dani watched another two auditions by talented dancers after that. The competition was fierce in this college town an hour north of Denver.

Her chest grew tight and her breathing accelerated. She clenched ice-cold hands over a stomach doing barrel rolls of its own. Time to change the scenery for a few minutes.

She plucked her iPod from her bag and burst through the back doors of the auditorium into the lobby. Ignoring two other pacing hopefuls, she slipped her earbuds into place and wandered the perimeter, examining plush carpets, crystal chandeliers, and gilt-framed artwork. Cozy groupings of upholstered chairs invited her to linger, while a wall of windows displayed a row of green, leafy trees lining the parking lot and showcased the mountains beyond. It was the type of place deliberately designed to invite audience members to leave their cares outside. If only she could do the same.

Her pulse slowed in response to the soothing atmosphere. Spying the ticket window and other offices along one wall near the restrooms, Dani stepped closer to examine the poster advertising next season’s lineup. She’d expanded her audition circle after learning that J. D.’s adoptive family had moved to Fort Collins. While she could search from anywhere, the chance to actually live in the same town as her brother captured her imagination. Not to mention the opportunity to perform a few of her favorite plays.

The song on her player switched to the title song from 42nd Street. Humming the tune and thinking of dancing feet, Dani turned toward the auditorium and nearly collided with a blue T-shirt.

“Whoa, there. Careful.” Warm hands steadied her shoulders while a deep voice pulled her attention upward. Way up. Where she found a very tall man gazing down at her with bright green eyes nearly hidden by a lock of wavy light brown hair that fell across his forehead.

“Sorry.” Dani stepped away and tugged her earbuds loose to dangle around her neck. “I hope this doesn’t mean I have two left feet after all.”

He smiled, showing a deep dimple in his left cheek. “Well, Miss Number Seventeen, they are very light feet.” He leaned over and picked up a battered instrument case from beside the wall next to the men’s restroom. “No harm done.” “I didn’t know they were doing band auditions.” Dani bit her lip. Great. Why

had she delayed him? Now he’d think she was flirting.





4

Candee Fick


“They’re not.” The man smiled again and Dani felt its warmth to her toes. “I’m just here to use the practice room.” He shifted the case to his left hand and extended his right. “I’m Alex, by the way. Resident trumpet player.”

“Dani, short for Danielle.” She found her hand swallowed by his long fingers while sparks flicked up her arm and stole her peace of mind. “One of dozens of cast hopefuls.”

Alex tipped his head toward the closed doors. “I might have to check out how things are going in there.”

Dani’s smile faded a bit as her nerves returned. “Um, me too. Should see what number they’re on.”

“Alex! You made it.”

Dani turned to see the teenager from the sound booth hurrying their way. “Can’t keep me away, Jake.”

Dani’s heart shuffle-stepped at the inevitable wave of hope that came every time she met a young man named Jake or Jacob.

Jake’s attention shifted from Alex to Dani. “So … you two know each other?” “We just met after I almost stepped on his toes.” Dani searched the teenager’s
face. Did he seem at all familiar?

Jake looked up at the taller man. “You should have seen her dance to Benny Goodman.”

“Benny?” Alex eyed her with an admiring look, his warm gaze stirring the previous sparks. “One of my favorites. Here’s hoping you make the cut.”

“She’s a shoo-in.”

“Very punny.” Dani grinned. Maybe they shared more than a warped sense of humor.

Alex winked. “Don’t mind my California cousin. He’s new to show business.” He reached out and ruffled Jake’s brown hair.

California? Dani’s bubble of hope burst as it always did. She had to stop doing this to herself.

Jake knocked Alex’s hand aside. “I might be new around here, but I’ve been watching all morning. If your dad is as smart as I think he is—”

Cousins. Alex’s dad. The truth dawned on her. She was standing around talking to the director’s family. Would that look like she was schmoozing for a job? She glanced around for a reason to excuse herself.

“What are you doing out here?” Alex’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts.





5

Dance Over Me


“I came out for some natural light and fresh air. I’ve got ten minutes until the group stuff starts.”

Ten minutes until she took the stage again. The calm gained from her time in the lobby belly-flopped into another round of anxiety.

“I’d better get back in there. It was nice to meet you.” Dani stepped away from the two men quickly.

Once inside the auditorium, she put her iPod into the side pocket of her bag beside her phone and noticed she’d missed a text message. She sank to the carpeted floor and began to stretch her leg muscles while reading the message from Olivia.

Dani, I’m praying for you. It’s about time for your dreams to come true. Break a leg.

She shifted her position slightly to focus the tension on her hamstrings, whispered another prayer of her own, and tossed the phone into her bag.

If her dreams were going to come true, everything depended on this audition. Now was the time to shine. Her future hung in the balance.

Okay, maybe that was a little melodramatic, but give a girl some space to dream. Between auditioning for her mother’s favorite play and having a solid lead to find her brother, she’d also met a cute musician who’d set off sparks and winked at her.

This was her lucky day, and number seventeen might just be the one to get framed. Dani finished her stretching and made her way onto the crowded stage with a fresh eye to size up her competition. Her nose twitched at the mixture of perfumes, soaps, and sweat.

Thirty-one dancers. Eleven guys, leaving twenty women—competing for how many spots?

She didn’t have long to wonder before the murmur of voices died down and the judges returned to their places. The director flipped through a few pages and leaned over to listen to a whisper from the woman beside him.

“Before we get started again, my wife”—he looked over at the woman tucking a few tousled honey-blonde curls behind her ear—“reminded me that I neglected to officially introduce myself. I’m Blake Sheridan, co-owner and production director.”

He smiled for the first time all morning and Dani noticed the dimple in his left cheek. Just like his son out in the lobby. A quick glance let her know that Alex had joined Jake in the sound booth and that the diva’s group still hung around too.



6

Candee Fick


Mr. Sheridan stood and began to pace behind the table. “I oversee the creative elements. The lineup for our upcoming season includes a lot of dancing. That’s why we’ve started these auditions with the dancing instead of reserving it for callbacks. Based on your solo routines and the background information on your paperwork, I have a good idea of the impressive skill level in this room.”

Dani shifted on her feet, eager to get started.

“However, I’m also looking for actors who can learn routines quickly in addition to the numerous singing and blocking rehearsals.”

He stopped his pacing and turned to his left. “Several of our previous cast members are here to give their input. I’ve asked Gloria to teach you a short routine.”

He beckoned, and the diva rose from her chair. She tugged at the hem of her T-shirt, brushed her shining hair off her shoulder, and picked up a folded piece of paper.

Gloria. The name fit.

“I’ll give her fifteen minutes, and then we’ll take one small group at a time.” Dani watched as Mr. Sheridan returned to his seat behind the table and pulled out his pen while Gloria sashayed up the steps and strutted toward the front of the stage.

Turning to survey the group, Gloria shook open her paper. “Stagger yourselves so you can see me.” She quirked a finely plucked eyebrow in Dani’s direction. “Try to keep up.”

Order Now!

<< Go Back