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The music stopped and to both of their surprise, clapping from several sets of hands followed immediately.

Poor Hank turned red in the cheeks again, but Mieka’s praise kink kicked in and her heart fluttered. It’d been a while since she’d heard the intoxicating sound of applause and she resisted the urge to bow.

Turning around, they found a few adults and children standing there watching them from outside of the corral.

Mieka chuckled and patted Hank on the shoulder. “Well, that’s a good sign, isn’t it? They’re not booing you.”

Hank’s lips twisted beneath his orangy-red mustache. “I think that clapping is for you.”

“Not at all. There are two of us on this dance floor. It takes two to tango, remember?”

“We’re not tangoing though,” he said, confusion in his tone.

Mieka laughed and patted his shoulder again. “I think we’re done for the day, Hank. I’ll see you same time and place tomorrow.”

Hank nodded and made himself scarce as Mieka approached their audience and grabbed her phone to turn off the music as the next song was about to start.

“Are you a dancer?” one of the women—probably in her early forties—asked.

“I am—or was—or used to be?” she said as sadness settled in her chest unexpectedly. “I am. I used to dance on the cruise ships and for a company in New York.” She lifted up the air cast. “Not dancing right now, though.”

“Are you also a teacher?” another woman asked, tilting her head to Hank who ducked out the exit at the same moment.

Mieka shook her head. “Oh no. No, no. Hank just asked me to teach him how to dance so he could surprise his sister at her wedding. That’s all.”

“You’re Triss’s sister, right?” the first woman asked.

“I am. One of them, anyway. There are five of us in total.”

“And you’re moving here?” a third woman asked as she played with her young daughter’s blonde braid. “Or have you already moved here?”

Mieka shook her head. “I don’t think so. And no, I haven’t. I’m just here while my arm heals. Visiting my sister and naming some goats.”

“That’s a shame,” the third woman said. “There’s nothing in the area as far as dance studios go. We have to drive into Denver. I know of at least a dozen families with children who would love to find a dance studio and instructor closer.” She glanced at her friends and they nodded. “And heck, I would love to take a dance class. I’m not the most graceful person, but I think an adult jazz or beginner ballet class would be fun. Don’t you think, ladies?”

Her friends nodded again.

“Do you do all kinds of dance?” the first woman asked.

Mieka nodded. “I’m trained in everything. I even learned how to belly dance just for fun. It’s a great workout for your core.”

All three women’s eyes went wide.

“That would be so cool,” the second woman said. “My sister in Arizona does pole dancing.”

Mieka nodded. “I’ve trained in that, too. A ship I was on a few years ago had a pole show. That’s also a great workout. But you’ve got to learn to walk in heels.”

“Well, you have three of your first customers standing right here,” the third woman said. “Along with all of our children, if you do decide to stick around and open a studio.” She laughed quickly. “No pressure, though. I’m sure this country life seems dull and boring compared to the exciting and adventurous world of cruise ships that you’re heading back to soon.” Her eyes sparkled. “I can’t even imagine what that must be like.”

All three women sighed and glimmers of longing and envy shone in their eyes.

“This is a pretty adventurous life, too,” Mieka said. “I just got back from setting up four cabins for vacation rentals. The wide-open spaces, the mountains and valleys. Nothing compares to this beauty. And the training schedule and multiple shows a day on the ships is pretty grueling.”

The women didn’t seem convinced and gave a few more encouraging words to Mieka about the idea of setting up a studio, but eventually, their children pulled them away and Mieka was alone in the corral.

Bruno wasn’t allowed in the corral, so even though he wasn’t happy about it, he waited on the outside. His tail started to wag as soon as he saw Mieka exit the corral, stuffing her phone into the back pocket of her jeans, and he fell into step with her.

Her phone hadn’t even been in her pocket a minute before it started to vibrate and warble. The caller ID said Joanie. A friend and fellow dancer on the ship. Originally from England, Joanie and Mieka had become fast friends after they were both hired by the same company in their third year of dancing on the ships. They worked together on the same cruise lines until Mieka’s contract wasn’t renewed.