The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

Author:Rachel Hauck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance;Christian fiction;Romance fiction;Novels;FIC042040;FIC027000;FIC044000
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-04-14T00:00:00+00:00

20

You Should Be Dancing

Autumn

’77

There were moments when Summer Wilde demanded admiration. Okay, lots of moments, if Autumn was honest. Her brash bravado had inspired more fun than trouble while they were growing up.

She’d certainly brought her out of her shell, along with Snow. If memory served, Summer was the first to break the ice at Spring’s birthday party, the one that kicked off their friendship. Right then and there, she became the perfect balance for the frilly and persnickety six-year-old Spring.

Why the current admiration? Summer was convincing Lily to let them have a barn dance. Her skill was unparalleled. Her negotiation was akin to watching Mozart compose an opera or Renoir paint a beach scene. There was an elegance to Summer’s brashness.

Autumn focused on her argument, hoping to learn something.

“Mom, the town used to have a dance on the weekends until the murders. So why not have one here, with us?”

“If the town canceled, I don’t see how we can start one up, Summer. We’re showing respect. We have the play, that’s enough.”

“Showing respect or living in fear?” She looked to Moxie for help. “It’ll be like the play. Just us. I didn’t bring my record player and records to sit under my bunk. Come on.” Summer grabbed her mother’s hands and did a jig. “Please?”

“We’ll draw too much attention.” Lily pulled her hands away.

“Oh, good grief. Mom, take a chill pill. Have some fun. You and Moxie.”

“Leave me out,” Moxie said. “I had plenty of fun dances at your age. Yours too, Lily.”

“See, she wants you to have fun. And what about Greta?” Summer snatched the edge of the girl’s T-shirt and pulled her under her arm. “She needs to dance.”

Autumn stepped up to help. “I agree. For Greta. This is her camp too. She’s stuck here all summer and needs more fun than horseback riding on the weekends.”

“Skip let me ride a minibike today,” Greta said.

“And she had a whale of a time.” Lily seemed resolved. No dance.

Summer patted Greta on the head. “No more talk of fun, Greta. Work with me here. I’m trying to get us a barn dance.”

The girl flipped on a dime, facing Lily with the perfect eleven-year-old pout. “Please, Lily. I’ve never been to a dance.”

Lily laughed and caved like a house of cards. “Fine, but no boys.” She looked at Summer. “I mean it.”

“Wouldn’t even know where to find one at this point.”

Autumn would bet her future cosmetology license Summer would invite Levi if at all possible. They were pretty cozy while riding the carousel, and later at Tumble Time.

“This is a Four Seasons dance, Mom,” Summer said. “With and for this girl.” She squeezed Greta close. “And of course, you and Moxie too. What about the deputies?”

“Well, I suppose we should invite the ‘rent-a-fuzz,’ as you say.” Lily smiled as if the idea of a dance might break off her fear.

Well done, Summer.

Summer let go an ear-piercing whistle and rounded up the Seasons. Her dad taught her how to whistle with her fingers when they were in sixth grade, and for a year, she whistled at everything and everyone.

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