Page 43 of Fools in Love

The place had solid hardwood floors, two empty walls, and what appeared to be a bathroom and storage rooms off the back.

It wouldn’t take much to turn it into a studio. Mirrors for each of the walls, barres on each side. Maybe some roll-up mats if she wanted to add yoga classes. Kate could even teach tap since she’d spent almost five years learning and dancing it herself.

The more she thought about her prospects, the more she realized that Tom had been right. She’d only thought of teaching as a bad idea when she was at the top of her game. Looking down her nose at the profession when she, herself, had relied on so many others to teach her had been shortsighted.

How many kids in Pride would love to learn like she had? Learn in town, instead of having to carpool to Edgeview or, worse, Portland.

She and her parents had spent so many hours traveling in the car to and from the city when she was younger.

“Do you know who owns it?” Kate asked Suzie.

“I do,” Josh said, breaking into the conversation.

“Josh bought up a lot of the old buildings in town a couple years back,” Carrie said with a sigh. “He gutted that one in particular, hoping to rent it out, since no one seemed to want to open another hair salon in town.”

“I had hoped to get someone in there before the end of the year. You’re welcome to take a look at it,” Josh added. “I can meet you over there in the morning, or we can walk over now. Up to you.”

Kate practically jumped up. “Now is good.”

Josh smiled, then turned to Carrie. “We’ll be back.” He kissed her cheek.

Josh and Kate walked down the street. The three-unit building sat on the other side of town, which was only about four blocks away.

“So, how are you feeling?” Josh asked, motioning to her leg.

“Much better. I’m excited that I have the go-ahead from Dr. Stevens to push myself a little more and get back to what I love.” They passed the building that housed his business, Internal Security. “How’s business?” She motioned to the two-story brick building.

He smiled. “Better than ever.” He nodded to Carrie’s Sanctuary. “We’re going to be expanding that building soon too. We still house all the bigger animals out on our property, but here we needed some more space.”

“That’s great.” She sopped by the windows to watch a small white fur ball roll around and play with a black one. The puppies were no bigger than her fists and looked so darn cute, she instantly thought of getting them.

“They’re not ready for a forever home just yet,” Josh said beside her. “But if you want, I can have Carrie put you on the list for when they are.”

“I…” She thought of turning him down, but then watched the pair of them wrestling and smiled. “Okay.”

“So, it’s really true?” Josh said as they started walking again.

“Hm?” She glanced at him.

“You’re sticking around?” he asked as they passed the police station and the fire station.

“I’m not sure I…” She shook her head. She’d known Josh all of her life. He was a few years ahead of her in school and, as far back as she could remember, he’d been totally infatuated with Carrie. Which had worked out, since they were now married and, if rumors were true, trying to start their own family. “I don’t think I’d make it dancing professionally. At least not in New York. I’m washed up. Everyone in the city knows about my injury. Besides, I think it’s time I took a break and put down some roots.” She thought about Tom. About wanting to spend more time with him.

It was funny. Before, she’d only ever felt trapped in the small town. Her eyes had been on a prize and the only way to obtain it had been to head to the Big Apple. There, everything she’d ever imagined she had wanted waited for her.

She’d dreamed of the bright lights, the loud noises, and the people. Thoughts of the stage had filled her mind to the point that her hometown was nothing more than just… well, a nuisance.

Now, however, with life in the city behind her, she was finally looking forward to something different. Even though she’d been raised in Pride, she’d always felt like an outsider. Most of the people she’d grown up with had always wanted to stay here. Sure, a few had moved on after school, but none had done so as young as she had. Even now, people like Josh were returning and putting down their own roots. Marrying, building homes, starting businesses, and having children. There was an entire young generation just waiting for her to teach.

Young girls with maybe the same desires that she’d had.

“It’s the reason I came back to Pride myself,” Josh said with a smile as they turned the corner and the three-unit building came into view. “Suzie owns the flower shop, but I own the other two units,” he said as they stopped in front. “I gutted this one a couple months back in hopes that it would rent faster. So far, I haven’t gotten a lot of interest. The other unit, I’ve got some interest in it. It needs some work, but I’m hoping it will be rented soon too.”

Kate was too busy looking at the space she was interested in to ask any more questions. She held her breath as Josh opened the glass door.

The place was big enough for a small dance studio. As she walked inside, she could just imagine it. Maybe she’d paint the walls a soft taupe color? She could get her dad and brother to hang the mirrors and barres.

“There’s a bathroom and two large storage rooms off the back of the building that could easily be converted into changing rooms,” Josh said, interrupting her thoughts.