Though she wondered if she’d made the right decision. Hadn’t she come home to heal andhide? Not that a small-town circus would raise the type of media attention that would draw an unwanted spotlight to her. And Blainehadsaid he was buying her some time.
Still…he’d lied before.
Her chest tightened. Regardless, she needed the money.
And that wasnota lie.
“I’m so glad you agreed to help out, sweetie. Your participation really brings this fundraiser to a new level for Cade. For the whole town!” Mom clapped her hands together, gold rings sparkling. “This is going to be great.”
Butterflies threatened Rosalyn’s empty stomach. “Yes, great.”
“You don’t seem convinced.” Mom frowned again.
“I haven’t performed since my fall.” Rosalyn shrugged like it didn’t matter. Like she wasn’t constantly trying to figure out what to do next with her career. Like Blaine wasn’t pressuring her to return to performing ASAP to pay off her growing debt.
Like she wasn’t in so far over her head, she couldn’t find the light.
“Oh, you’ll be fine. It’s normal to have stage fright after something like that.” Mom’s frown eased and she offered an encouraging smile.
Stage fright was for people nervous about stuttering or forgetting their lines. What was the term for “scanning the audience for sleek, dark-haired men in expensive suits looking to hurt her?”
Maybe Mom had been right all along and Rosalyn should’ve stuck with ballet. Somehow, she doubted she’d be in this giant mess if she’d kept to pliés and pirouettes at Lettie’s.
“Thanks.” Rosalyn started to shut the door. “I was about to change and head over to Madame Paulette’s to do some stretching, so…”
“You know, while you’re out, you might see if Cade could use any help with Magnolia Days planning.” Mom touched the door, stopping her from shutting it completely. “He’s doing such a good job as town director, but I’m sure it’s overwhelming for him.”
It’d certainly seemed that way yesterday. But she had her own problems, didn’t she? Rosalyn nudged the door another inch, forcing a smile. “I might.”
Being around Cade wouldn’t be a horrible way to spend the day, but keeping her guard up after their connection last night would be tricky. Still, that defeated look in his eyes when he’d shared about the disappointing phone call wasn’t one she’d ever seen on a Landry before. Cade Landry, affected by…anything?
“Helping him out with some tasks might keep your mind off your nerves.” A knowing smile spread across her mother’s signature pink lipstick. “And besides…you could do worse than Cade, you know.”
Wait. Did Mom thinkshethought she was too good for Cade? More like the opposite. Regardless, she had no business trusting anyone right now—including herself.
But she couldn’t say all that, so she dragged in a breath and simply nodded. “I know.”
Mom took the hint and backed away from the door. “Anyway, you’ll do great at the circus, hon. Your father and I can’t wait to see you perform again.” Then she strode down the hall, leaving a trail of confusion and floweryDiorin her wake.
Rosalyn hesitated, clutching the doorknob. Shesoundedlike she meant it. But…she’d always been good at saying the right thing at the right time. Having grown up in a low-income family, she’d literally taken etiquette classes after marrying Rosalyn’s father—a successful businessman with a degree in accounting and an eye for a deal—and made Rosalyn do the same as a pre-teen. Rosalyn knew exactly which fork went where on the table, how to discreetly fold a napkin in your lap to hide food stains…
Could Mom finally be genuinely proud of her? Or was this another fork to place?
“Oh, that reminds me.” Mom turned back and snapped her fingers. “You might want to check your closet.”
Rosalyn frowned. “What do you mean?”
But she was gone, takingDiorinto the kitchen.
Rosalyn slowly moved to the walk-in closet, where she’d stowed her clothes when she arrived in town days ago. She flipped on the light and haphazardly rifled through the hangers containing workout tops, sundresses, tanks, and leggings. A few stuffed animals, too big to box up, perched on the top shelf next to a cardboard container marked BEDDING in bold Sharpie, along with an antique lamp and packaged tea set.
She reached farther, toward the back, where Mom’s wedding dress had hung ever since Rosalyn moved to Harvard, and pushed the heavy garment bag aside.
And there, sparkling up at her—as if winking to prove a point—were all her old performance leotards.
* * *
“You had a big day yesterday.” Dad set his coffee mug on his desk and turned an expectant gaze on Cade.
