Wrench headed back to Lydia’s courtyard, drenched in sweat. Roof work was hot work, and it had been a sweltering morning of it. The pool, as he walked past, was as busy as he’d ever seen it, with many dozens of guests seeking relief in the cool water as the sun reached its peak. The conversation still buzzed with talk about the earthquake, which had apparently originated very near their little island.

“Another morning of roof repairs should do it,” Travis told Wrench cheerfully. “It goes pretty fast with two sets of hands.”

Wrench grunted.

“We’ll have new glass in next week and get the last two cottages back up and running. Scarlet says the boat she ordered should be ready by then, too, and we can start managing our own deliveries again. That’s a relief.”

Wrench grunted somewhat more positively.

“Bright and early tomorrow at cottage eight,” Travis told him, not at all bothered by Wrench’s surly silence.

Wrench managed an affirmative grunt.

“Say hi to Lydia and Ally for me!” Travis trotted off towards The Den as Wrench continued upwards towards the spa.

Ally. Wrench quickened his pace. Who knew what kind of trouble she might have gotten into if she was too bored. What if she and Lydia hadn’t gotten along?

He drew up at the edge of the courtyard, just beyond a screen of green hedge.

Lydia and Ally were standing together, and both of them were wearing colorful dresses with full, fluffy skirts. Ally’s was clearly too big, and pinned to fit, but the smile on her face was exactly right. A little boom box was playing tinny Latin music.

“Now we’re going to do the side basic,” Lydia said mysteriously. “Watch me first, then we’ll do it together.”

She did something simple with her feet that made her hips do something amazing, counting as she went. “One, two, three, pause, five, six, seven, pause.”

The second time, Ally mimicked her, watching her feet.

“One, two, three, don’t watch your feet! Seven, eight, fantastic!”

Ally squealed, clapping her hands and spinning. “This is so FUN,” she said in delight.

Something tight in Wrench’s chest released a fraction.

“Show me the back and forth again,” Lydia commanded, and she counted out, “One, two, three, heel, five, six, seven, heel.”

Ally scrambled to keep up, stepping forward when she should step back, but Lydia patiently led her through it again, facing her so that she could lead her through the movements.

“Everything else builds off these two steps, so once you’ve got them down solidly, we’ll move on,” Lydia told her.

“Can I wear heels like you?”

“It’s best to get the basics down before you get add the complication of heels,” Lydia advised.

Ally pouted dramatically. “How old were you when you got to wear heels?” she asked suspiciously.

“Your age,” Lydia said without apology. “But I had already been dancing for three years. Don’t rush your way to a broken ankle, dear. Let’s do the back and forth and I’ll show you how to go from one to the other.”

Ally’s pout vanished as they went through the steps together several times.

When they finished, Lydia turned towards where Wrench was watching. “You may as well come out,” she said in exasperation, voice carrying. “I know you’re there.”

It took Wrench a moment to realize that she meant him. She must have one of those keen shifter senses. He hoped it wasn’t smell, because he knew he was filthy from the hot work on the roofs.

He stepped out and gingerly accepted Ally’s enthusiastic hug. “Have you heard from Momma?” she asked quietly.

Wrench’s heart fell for her. “Sorry, kitten. But no news isn’t bad news in this case. She’s safe, and she won’t call unless there’s a change.”

Lydia’s soulful, sympathetic brown eyes met his over Ally’s curls.

“Let’s get out of that dress, sweetheart,” she said to Ally. “I’ll undo your safety pins.”

Subdued, Ally let Lydia unfasten the dress and went into Lydia’s room to change back into her shorts.

As Wrench was wondering if it would be appropriate to bend down and kiss her, someone behind him cleared a throat and they turned in alarm to find Scarlet standing at the courtyard entrance.

She gave an appraising look at Lydia’s dance wear and the boom box as she came into the courtyard. “I came looking for Wrench.”

“Oh, Scarlet,” Lydia said too loudly. “I was, ah, teaching Wrench a few salsa steps,” she scrambled to explain.

Scarlet nodded approvingly. “I presume you will be joining us at the next dance night,” she said, to Wrench’s sinking stomach.

“Yes, ma’am,” he growled unhappily, hoping Ally was smart enough to stay in Lydia’s room when she heard that they had visitors.

“You don’t need to call me ma’am,” Scarlet reminded him. “I prefer to be Scarlet.”

“Yes, er, fine.”

“I need your assistance,” Scarlet continued without apparent offense. “We’ve got some unsavory visitors and I’d like to give them an official escort. I’ve got Graham getting changed and I’d like you to join him.” She eyed him critically. “After a shower, if you don’t mind.”

“Yes, ma’am, er, yeah. Scarlet.” Wrench could see Ally appear in the doorway over Scarlet’s shoulder, and just as he was wondering how to keep Scarlet’s attention, the girl sensibly vanished back into the shadows of Lydia’s room.

“Meet me at the office as soon as you can,” Scarlet said, and without so much as a glance towards the open door, vanished back along the outer courtyard entrance where she’d come from.

“Oh,” Lydia said, weakly laughing and leaning into Wrench. “I swear, she never comes here.” She began to laugh in earnest against his chest. “You know what this means, don’t you?” She teased.

Wrench groaned. “I’m actually gonna have to let you teach me how to dance.”

Wrench let himself kiss the top of her dark head, then reluctantly pulled himself away. “I gotta go change.”

Lydia stopped him with a hand at his collar and drew him down for a proper kiss. “Come see me after you’ve chased them off,” she said when she had released him.

Wrench felt like his face was somehow unfamiliar, and it was a moment before he realized he was grinning at her.