Chapter 19
Kaisa
Acouple of hours before Ledger’s appointment with the costumers, I get a phone call.
“Our plane’s been grounded because of snow, Kaisa.”
“Snow?” I whip my head around to the large glass front doors of the resort. “It’s not snowing here. Oh my gosh, did you have to land somewhere?”
“We haven’t been able to take off yet.”
“But that means you’re in Texas! Texas doesn’t get snow.”
“Sometimes we do. It’s only a small amount, but it’s enough to ground us. San Antonio isn’t used to snow.”
“You’re grounded?” Panic floods my limbs.
“Like I said, we don’t know what to do with snow.”
“I don’t know what to say.” My chest is in a vise, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get enough air.
“I’m really sorry. I promise I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
A stiff breath in and out. “It’s not your fault, Ledger. I understand. Um…” My mind is racing, reorienting to the new realities this brings. “I’ll talk with the costumers. We’ll make it work.”
They’ve already whipped up my costume, a pink, shimmering sheath dress with gorgeous lace accents and beadwork. All I need is my partner’s costume. The costumers have been hard at work and have taken over the conference room where Ledger and I first started getting to know each other.
The memory of that, when I first began to realize he wasn’t the huge jerk he came across as, burns in my memory, and I have to swallow away a knot in my throat.
“Have them put me in whatever,” Ledger says. “No one’s going to be looking at me anyway. You’ll steal the show, Kaisa.”
I’m momentarily waylaid by his compliment. I think he really believes his words. And they’re so kind and—
No.
I have the focus on the performance.
This isn’t his fault, but what if he doesn’t even make it in time?
“I’ll ask them to create a mock-up,” I say. “It might not fit you, but at least they’ll have the bare bones of it and then they can tailor it before the show.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“It happens.” My heart throbs with a sadness I can’t dwell on. The ballroom is abuzz with activity, and someone turns on the speakers as they blare “Let’s Get Loud!”
Which reminds me of something else.
“I’m going to send you a video of the final encore number with everybody.” There isn’t time to be sad that Ledger isn’t here. I have a show to run. “Can you please watch it as many times as possible? You’ll only have to learn four eight-counts.”
“You got it,” he assures me.
I press a hand against my collarbone and knead it, willing myself to regain composure…to control the growing anxiety.
“I’ll keep you informed about the airline, Kaisa.” He groans. “We’re still going to win the Showdown.” His voice has a confident air, but it’s also like he’s trying to convince both of us.
“Of course we will,” I say. “You be safe out there.”
I’d never even considered the possibility of Texan snow grounding Ledger’s plane.
I rush over to inform the costumers. They’ve been here since yesterday, measuring and sewing all the other performers’ clothes in a sea of fabrics, sequins, sewing machines, and tables full of notions and flair galore.
I purposefully scheduled Ledger to go last with them, thinking I was giving him plenty of buffer to be back in time.
The costuming team handles the news okay. They work for a television show, so they’re used to last-minute panic. I make my way to the front desk, decorated in rich red and green ribbons, evergreen boughs draped in front. The Christmas spice-scented candle helps me feel a bit calmer.
“Just wanting to make sure you’re able to hold Ledger Bishop’s room for him,” I say to the front desk manager. “He’s going to be late checking back in.”
Mr. Mynt himself strides up with his team of assistants.
“Give her anything she needs,” he tells the manager. “She owns Ledger Bishop. She owns this whole ballroom event. Do whatever she says.”
I scarcely have time to thank him before he’s off to the next thing.
“And can I also please schedule some food to be sent up to his room when he arrives?”
“Certainly,” she says. I place the order, hoping he can get here soon.