Chapter Six
Chase sighed as he stood in front of the mirror, straightening his uniform jacket. The gesture made him remember doing the same thing before losing sight of her.
“Still thinking about her?” came his mother’s voice from the bedroom doorway.
He performed a smart about-face and grimaced. “I don’t understand it, Mom. I only saw her for a moment...”
Grace walked into her son’s room and smiled gently. “We don’t always understand why things happen, but they always happen for a reason.”
“I’m at such a loss as to how to find her,” he said in a low voice.
She tilted her head and gave him a warm smile. “Honey, if it’s meant to be, you’ll find her. At the most unexpected time, you’ll find her.”
Chase shook his head with a frown. “You’re such a romantic.”
Grace laughed. “How could I not be? It’s how I met your father.” The pain in her eyes when she mentioned him wasn’t as poignant as it used to be, but Chase could still see the loss in her expression.
He ached for the loss, as well. He reached for his mom and hugged her. “I’m sorry I have to leave so soon.”
She leaned back in his arms and looked up at him. “Don’t apologize, Chase. Duty calls. I’ve had you home for almost two months and have enjoyed every moment.”
“I feel bad leaving you.”
“Bah.” She swatted at his chest. “I have friends and plenty of activities to keep me busy. Richard and Kathy will look after me, just like they always have. I’ll be fine.” She tilted her head. “I’m glad we have this last night before you go off to training.”
“You know I’m only going to the ballet school’s gala because I love you, right?” Chase remarked with a wry smile. “I hate these things.”
Grace laughed. “But you love the ballerinas.”
He snorted. “These are students, not professionals. They’re too young to have any fun with.”
“Ah, but you’ll be admired and ogled over. You love that. And by the time you get back, they’ll be all grown up.”
Chase rolled his eyes, but couldn’t deny it.
A twinkle appeared in his mother’s eyes. Chase narrowed his suspiciously. “What?”
She raised her eyebrows and turned to walk away. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
*****
Sabrina smoothed her hands down her pink chiffon dress as she waited to board the huge yacht where the students of the summer dance program would celebrate the end of the session. It had been a magical, albeit long five weeks, and tonight’s celebration would be bittersweet. She’d loved every moment of being here, but was homesick and couldn’t wait to see her parents again.
She felt she’d proven her dancing abilities and could return home confident in a future of dancing, especially since she’d been invited to join the pre-professional program here in Boston. They’d even offered her a hefty scholarship to sweeten the deal, but Sabrina didn’t want to move away from home just yet. She’d talked it over with her parents, who’d been unbelievably encouraging. They wanted her to be happy, but she wasn’t ready to be on her own. Sabrina suspected they were grateful for her decision.
Martin Pierce, the artistic director of the company, had even personally spoken to her about joining the program, but understood her reluctance. He assured her the position would be available whenever she was ready. He’d even said he didn’t want some other dance company snatching her up.
The memory made her smile. At her age, it was nice to be wanted by a professional company, and Martin made her feel so comfortable, she decided Boston would be her first choice after graduating high school.
Beth grabbed her hand and pulled Sabrina up the gangplank to the awaiting ship. “C’mon. I’m starving!”
Sabrina followed her friend onto the pristine ship that glowed a golden yellow in the setting sunlight. She didn’t know many of the attendees by name, aside from the girls and a handful of the older boys whom she’d spent the last few weeks with. The adults all wore tuxedos or elegant dresses and smiled at them as they passed by. These were the donors to the ballet company and school. Some of them had donated to the scholarship fund that had allowed Sabrina to attend, and she was eternally grateful for the opportunity. She wished she could hug each and every one of them to say thank you.
Beth and Sabrina found seats at one of the many round tables in the enclosed middle deck and watched people arrive. Through the large windows, she could see the lights on the other side of Boston Harbor. Many of the other students wandered around socializing, but Sabrina preferred staying on the sidelines and watching. Couple after couple descended the staircase in the center of the deck, and she loved studying the elegant women with their pearls and diamonds. How wonderful would it be to be able to wear such glamorous clothing? Her chiffon dress was of a simple design and she had no sparkling jewelry to wear, but she was content with what she had. Her mother had helped her pick out the dress and she felt like a princess in it, in spite of the simplicity of the cut.
She’d been studying the harbor out the window when something made her look back to the staircase. Her breath caught in her throat.
It was him.
Christopher Ralston paused at the bottom of the stairs. He wore his uniform, just as before, but now carried a white cap and wore white gloves. At his side, her arm hooked through his, stood his mother wearing a simple, yet elegant silver-gray gown. She looked like a dancer herself with her slim figure and dark hair up in an elegant chignon.
Angie, the director of the summer program, hurried over and greeted Mrs. Ralston with a warm hug and kiss on the cheek. After greeting Christopher, they spoke for a few minutes. Mrs. Ralston said something to Angie, who turned and looked around the room for a moment before her gaze stopped on Sabrina.
Sabrina’s heart skipped a beat as Mrs. Ralston appeared to smile at her and the trio began weaving their way around people and tables in her direction.
*****
Chase greeted Angie politely, ignoring the flirtatious look. She was almost his mother’s age, and while he appreciated the maturity of older women, he preferred someone a little closer to his own age.
“Where is that young dancer we spoke of the other night?” Grace asked.
Young dancer?
It wasn’t unusual for his mother to take an interest in one or more of the students who came to the programs. She had been helped by the scholarship program when she was in high school and enjoyed passing on the blessings. But the way she asked...
Chase looked in the direction Angie nodded and his breath caught in his throat. “Mom!” he exclaimed. It was the girl from the festival weeks ago. “How did you-”
Grace laughed and patted Chase’s hand. “I saw her at the final performances last night and recognized her.” She grinned up at him. “Why do you think I insisted on you coming tonight?”
Before he realized it, Angie and his mother began walking in the girl’s direction and he had to hurry to catch up.
He’d been dreaming about meeting this girl for weeks, but now that he was in the same room, he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. Try as he might, his various dates over the past three weeks had done nothing to erase the impression that girl had made in his heart. Now she was here. And he was about to meet her!
She was as beautiful as he remembered. She wore a simple pink dress, and her hair was partially swept back away from her face with loose tendrils kissing her cheeks. He could now see her eyes were a pale green, an enchanting shade he’d not encountered before. When her gaze locked on his, her eyes widened in surprise as she grasped the table in front of her.
Angie stopped by her table. “Sabrina, I’d like to introduce Mrs. Grace Ralston, a valued patron of our school and company. Grace, this is Sabrina Mansfield.”
Sabrina looked away from him and stood gracefully to greet his mother, her soft voice shooting straight to his heart. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ralston.”
His mother smiled. “Likewise, Sabrina. I enjoyed your performance last night. It was truly breathtaking.”
Sabrina’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “Thank you.”
Grace turned slightly and motioned toward him. “I’d like to introduce my son, Lieutenant Christopher Ralston.”
Chase stared for a moment as their eyes met once again, then shook his head. “Miss Mansfield,” he said with a slight bow.
She blinked several times before giving an uncertain smile. “Lieutenant Ralston.”
His mother frowned at him and he cleared his throat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, trying to keep his voice from betraying his emotions.
Sabrina nodded, then looked down at her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
Grace’s frown deepened as she looked at Chase, then turned back to Sabrina with a warm smile. “I understand you were invited to join the pre-professional program this upcoming school year.”
Chase tilted his head. He knew what an honor that kind of invitation was. Very few were invited. He was both impressed and intrigued.
Sabrina looked up, a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes. “Yes, I was.”
“But you didn’t take it?” Grace asked gently.
Sabrina gave an almost apologetic smile. “I have another year of high school. I...” She paused, looking back down at her hands. “I’m very close to my parents. We decided to wait until after I graduate to make a huge change like that.”
Grace nodded. “I can understand that.” She looked back at Chase with a fond smile. “It’s hard letting our children go.”
“Oh, my parents encouraged me to take the offer,” Sabrina added quickly. “They let me decide. But...” She shrugged. “I’m not ready to be alone in a big city.”
Grace took Sabrina’s hand. Chase could see his mother had taken a liking to this girl. “If you change your mind, I have a big empty house and would enjoy the company.”
“I...” Sabrina’s eyes grew wide. “What? But you don’t know me. Why would you...?” She looked at Chase, then back at his mother. “Why?”
“I came to Boston not knowing anyone, either, but it was the best decision I ever made. I’d hate for you to not do it just because you were...concerned about being alone. And your parents could visit and stay with you whenever they wanted.”
Sabrina blinked, eyes still wide. “Thank you,” she said after a long moment.
“Think about it,” Grace said, squeezing her hand. “Absolutely no pressure. I just wanted to offer. Angie knows how to get in touch with me.” She leaned forward and kissed Sabrina on the cheek. “Enjoy the dinner.”
Grace gave one last smile, then turned and walked away. Chase watched as Sabrina sat down hard in her chair, staring at the table in front of her. Realizing he was staring, he turned quickly to follow his mother.
“Mom!” he exclaimed as he caught up. “What are you doing?”
“Helping an extremely talented dancer.” She looked up at him, the same twinkle in her eyes that had been there earlier. “What else would I be doing?”
“She really is quite extraordinary,” Angie said as they walked across the empty dance floor. “Martin is determined to get her into his company before she’s snatched up by New York. Or even somewhere in Europe.”
“She’s that good?” Chase asked, looking back. Sabrina still stared at the table.
Grace put her hand on his arm. “Then you won’t have to go searching for her.”