The Shell Shop Showdown by Cindy Nichols

Author:Cindy Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prickly Pear Press

CHAPTER 17

“I’m glad you’ve been enjoying our fantastic band, all the way from Miami. What a treat,” Coco said, still microphone in hand, and the audience rose to their feet with applause. It really had been a fun night, out under the stars, and Julia looked forward to dancing with her grandchildren later, after she wasn’t so busy. So far, Thomas and Katy had been bouncing in their chairs, ready to get out there, and Julia couldn’t wait.

“I have a surprise for you all. Two of the finest salsa dancers I’ve ever seen have come to show you how it’s done. Enjoy,” she said as the band members took their places at the steel drums and picked up their maracas.

Julia smiled as Ricardo—who’d changed into a very colorful outfit—stepped out from behind the band and took his place on the stage. It was all quite dramatic, and the light of the tiki torches flickered on the dance floor as the band began a lively song.

Ricardo held his hand out toward the band, and a woman stepped forward slowly, but in rhythm with the music. Her dress was lovely, her black hair flowing around her. Ricardo waited for her, a smile spreading across his face, their eyes locked together.

“Oh. My. Gosh,” Trish said, her mouth falling open. “Is that…”

Julia’s mouth fell open, too. “It can’t be.”

“It is,” Opal said from behind them, beaming. “She’s full of surprises.”

Olive twirled around Ricardo, and Julia and Trish stood stock still as they watched one of the best salsa dances they’d ever seen. Olive looked beautiful in her colorful skirt, and twirled and dipped at Ricardo’s lead. Julia had never seen two people dance so intuitively together, and they stood silent until it was over.

The crowd didn’t even make it until the end before they were on their feet, clapping in rhythm with the band. Julia didn’t think Olive’s smile could have gotten any bigger than when she’d started, but by the end, she was beaming just like her twin sister.

When the dance was over, Ricardo pulled Olive toward him, stared deeply into her eyes and planted a very passionate kiss right on Olive’s lips and Julia couldn’t help but gasp.

“Whoa,” Trish said, mirroring Julia’s sentiments exactly.

The crowd erupted in applause, and Coco stood at the side of the dance floor with tears in her eyes.

When Olive and Ricardo left the dance floor and Ricardo held his hand out toward his mother, heading for another dance, Olive walked directly over to Julia.

“Julia, can I speak with you for a moment? In private?”

Julia followed Olive toward the beach with a backward glance at Trish. Her friend shrugged, and Julia went ahead, hoping that Olive wasn’t going to stab her with a fork.

Olive sat on a bench at the edge of the party and motioned for Julia to join her. She stared out at the beach in silence, and Julia wasn’t sure what to do.

“That was something, Olive. I had no idea you could dance like that.”

Olive actually smiled, and turned toward Julia.

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