One More Dance

One More Dance

The fiddler lifted his bow and called, “One more before the break.”

Boots shuffled closer to the dance floor. The wooden boards creaked under the weight of a dozen couples already lining up. Lanterns strung across the rafters cast a warm glow across the barn walls, and dust hung faintly in the air where people had tracked it in the gravel lot.

Ellie stood near the doorway, fingers curled around a rough wooden post. She had been standing there most of the night.

Music filled the room, bright and quick, the kind that made people laugh as they danced. A circle of people clapped their hands as an older couple spun and dipped like they had been doing it their entire lives.

Ellie watched them with a tightness in her throat. She always felt so out of place at dances. For once, she would like to be in the middle of the dance floor while a man spun her around and around.

The fiddle player stretched his bow against the strings.

Lead singer leaned into the microphone, “Two-step.”

Ellie took a breath before she could change her mind. Before she leaves tonight, she will get on that floor and dance. She let go of the post and walked across the floor.

In her mind, her boots sounded louder than everyone else around her. By the time she reached the edge of the dance floor, her heart was pounding. The couple was paired off in front of her. Someone laughed. Another let out a loud Whoop.

A hand appeared in front of her.

“Care to dance?”

She looked up.

The man was tall and broad-shouldered. Hat tipped back enough to show blue eyes and an easy grin. Tight jeans with a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

He looked like someone who never stood against a wall, wondering if he belonged.

She hesitated just a second and then nodded.

“Sure.”

He guided her into the middle of the dances. One hand settled on her back, the other clasped hers. She put her other hand lightly on his shoulder.

“My name is Luke,” He said over the music.

“Ellie.”

They started to dance. For a few seconds, she did well enough. The steps were simple. She followed his lead, trying not to think too hard about where her feet were landing.

But the music was fast. Too fast.

Ellie looked down just as her boot caught the edge of his. Her balance tipped, and before she could fall, she grabbed his arm to stay upright.

Someone nearby laughed.

Heat rushed to Ellie’s face.

“I am so sorry.” She stepped back.

Luke chuckled, but it didn’t sound unkind.

“It’s ok, it happens.”

The barn went quiet. Ellie blinked

Then—

The fiddle player lifted his bow and called, “One more time before the break.”

Ellie was standing in the back of the room, Hands wrapped around the wooden post. Her breath caught. For a moment, she watched couples gathering in front of the stage.

The music started

The same song.

Ellie let go of the post. Maybe she had drifted off for a second. Maybe she just imagined going out there.

But the feeling in her chest was strange.

Before she could decide what to do, a familiar voice said behind her.

“Care to dance?”

Ellie turned.

The same Tall man was standing there.

Luke.

She stared at him. Shook her head lightly.

“Sure.”

He led her to the dance floor. Put his hand on her back. Grabbed her other hand. They started moving. She paid attention to her feet. Maybe she just imagined tripping before.

Maybe—

Her boots clipped his again. Her balance tipped, and she grabbed his arm.

Someone laughed.

She felt her face get hot.

“Oh, no,” She muttered.

The barn went quiet.

Then—

“One more time before the break.”

Ellie’s stomach dropped. She was back at the post—the same lantern light. The same couples were gathering. The same song started up again.

For a long moment, she didn’t move. Everything looked the same. She rubbed her head slowly.

“That’s not possible,” She muttered.

Yet when Luke approached. Hat tipped back, hand extended.

“Care to dance?”

This time, she gave a nervous laugh.

“Okay,” She said. “This is going to sound strange. But do you get the feeling that something is happening?”

He tilted his head, “Like what?”

“Like…” She hesitated. “déjà vu.”

He shrugged.

“Sometimes.”

The music swelled.

They stepped onto the dance floor. Her stomach knotted as they moved through the steps. She knew what would happen next. Her boot would catch on his. She would stumble. Someone would laugh. The music would stop.

Unless—

Ellie slowed, adjusting her step just before the turn.

Luke glanced down, “Something wrong?”

“No,” She said. “Just figuring it out.”

They spun again.

Ellie held her breath. Her boot passed clean beside his.

No stumble. The music carried on. Ellie blinked in surprise.

The dance continued for several more steps before Luke chuckled.

“You're concentrating harder than anyone I have ever danced with.”

Ellie gave a shaky laugh.

“You have no idea.”

The music picked up into a faster beat.

Luke grinned. “Ready?”

Ellie hesitated. The old instinct tugged at her.

She should step back. Leave the dance floor and avoid making a fool of herself.

But the barn was warm with music and laughter. Boots thumped in rhythm. Lantern light glowed across the boards.

And for the first time, Ellie didn’t feel like she didn’t belong. She tightened her grip on Luke’s shoulder.

“Ready.”

They moved together across the floor. The turns came quicker now. The rhythm flows easily underneath their boots. Ellie stopped watching her feet and followed the music and Luke instead.

Luke spun her around and laughed when she almost missed the next step.

“See,” He said. “You got it.”

Ellie felt laughter bubble up in her chest.

“Maybe, I do.”

The song built to the final chorus. Couples spun faster, Boots hitting the floor in time with the beat.

Ellie realized that nothing had reset.

She is still on the dance floor. Luke spun her around with a flourish as the song ended.

The dancers clapped and cheered.

Ellie stood, catching her breath, smiling.

Luke tipped his hat. “Not bad for a first dance.”

Ellie let out a laugh.

“What?” he asked.

She just shook her head.

“Nothing.”

For a second, she considered explaining the strange loops, the repeated stumbles. But it sounded ridiculous now.

Instead, she looked at him. “You want to try another one?”

Luke grinned.

“Sure.”

Ellie stepped back into his arms when the music started.

This time, she didn’t hesitate.