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“I didn’t think Linda was either and my radar is pretty good,” Katie answered, then shrugged.

“It’s like they say…love knows no bounds,” Kevin decided.

Out of the corner of her eye, Katie caught sight of Curtis pushing through the crowd toward the exit. His expression said it all. He had seen the sparks as well. She sighed and looked back at the two women. It was always good to see new love, but sad to see hopes of love crushed.

Finally, Kevin turned to Katie and held out his hand. “Want to dance?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Why not? I have to start sometime. ”

It was almost like a sign when one of Gloria Gaynor’s hits came on. Katie knew it was one of Jenni’s favorites. With a slight smile, she started to move to the music, Kevin leading the way. Trying to follow his steps, she laughed when she tripped and about four people moved to catch her.

“I’m fine,” she assured them, then began to move again.

Someone had rigged up a disco ball over the dance floor made out of foil and tiny lights danced over them like little fairies. She found herself laughing as Kevin showed off his fancy dance moves with mastery that would make John Travolta jealous. Soon he was twirling her around with an expertise that she found exhilarating. He was so great, he made her look good. With the music pulsating, they danced through the crowd, laughing and having a good time.

What made it more special was that every time Kevin twirled Katie around, for a moment, she would see Jenni dancing nearby. She could never look at Jenni straight on, but when she was whirled about, she could see Jenni’s flying black hair as she strutted her stuff to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive. ”

As the song ended, Katie hugged Kevin tightly. It may have been a mirage, but it had been a comfort to imagine Jenni near her. “Thank you, Kevin. ”

“Life’s too short not to dance,” Kevin answered with a small smile.

“I’ll try to remember that. ”

Walking back to her seat, Katie still felt the absence off her father and Jenni, but she also saw the faces of those that remained behind. Her husband, Nerit, Peggy, Bill, Katarina, and all the others who were now dear friends. Even smelly Calhoun dancing in one corner with his dogs at his feet was a welcome sight.

Travis collapsed into a chair beside her and flashed his boyish grin. Katie grabbed his hand and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“You okay?”

“Not yet, but I will be,” she answered.

Travis gathered her into his arms and she laid her head against his chest.

Chapter 23

1. Happy Anniversary

“Can’t believe it’s March alr

eady,” Peggy huffed.

Stacey looked up from the ledger she was studying and lifted her eyebrows. “It is?”

“It’s been one month since the new people arrived. It was the first part of February. ” Peggy was busy making a homemade calendar on the back of a used piece of paper.

“We missed Valentine’s Day,” Stacey said in awe. “Wow. ”

“I bet the men didn’t mind that,” Peggy grumbled.

“I guess we’ve all been so busy, we all forgot. ” Stacey marked off a few items on her ledger then reached for the next form in her pile.

“Strange. Zombies rise and we’re still doing paperwork. ”

Lenore knocked lightly on the door to the office where Peggy and Stacey were working. “I’m heading out to help the shopping crew. I took twenty more bolts. They’re looking low. ”

Stacey reached out and Lenore handed her a slip of paper. “I’ll let Jason and his crew know they need to make more. ”

“Thanks. ”