Dr. Noah and the Sugar Plum Fairy by Carla Rossi Page B

magic of the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Nutcracker Prince. Even if he won her heart, she would never look at him quite like that.
    Noah crept along the side wall toward the front of the auditorium during the going-on-three-minute standing ovation. Eventually an usher at a side door stopped his progress.
    “I need to see a dancer,” he told the teenager. “How do I get backstage?”
    “You can’t,” he said over the applause. “But if you’ll wait in the lobby, all the dancers come out in full costume to greet the audience and take pictures with the kids. Give them about five minutes to get out there.”
    Now moving with the crush of an exhilarated crowd, he cushioned his bouquet of flowers and stood next to a giant trash can and waited with everyone else.
    Jane came out last to more applause and a deluge of adoring fans. He was impressed when the theater’s security came along to help disperse the crowd. One officer took up sentry near her and seemed to be concerned for her safety among the masses.
    Noah checked the time. Now or never.
    Her pleasant smile blossomed into full blown sunshine when she spotted him. He’d take it.
    “Noah! What are you doing here? I thought you had to work.”
    “These are for you. And I do have to work. Dr. Salmons sent me. Long story.” He paused to take it all in. Glitter everywhere, plum-colored lips. Even her teeth were shiny. “You were great, Jane. I was blown away.”
    “Thank you for the flowers. I love them.” Her eyelashes sparkled when she batted them. “And I’m glad you enjoyed the ballet.”
    “You’ll have to break down the plot for me later. I’m not sure I get it.”
    “It’s actually a pretty bizarre story when you think about it.”
    “I’d also like to know how you spin that much without getting dizzy or losing your balance.”
    “Well, the trick to that is called ‘spotting.’ I can explain later and you can give it a shot.”
    “That will not happen. There is no dancing in my blood. I once pulled a hammy while attempting the Cotton-Eyed Joe at a wedding reception.”
    She laughed out loud. “Wow. But speaking of receptions, can you stay a while? We’re having a cast party.”
    “I’m sorry, I can’t. I have to get back.”
    “I expected as much. We’ll talk later.” She reached for his hand. “Thanks again for coming and for the flowers. I’d give you a hug, but this costume doesn’t really allow it, and I’m sure you don’t need glitter all over you.”
    He leaned in. “I’m thinking of taking the risk.”
    The officer nearby cleared his throat as an obvious signal to stand back.
    Jane laughed. “What a rush. Nothing like that’s ever happened to me.”
    Noah stepped back. “I’m going to go before I get my you-know-what kicked. Talk to you soon. And Jane?”
    “Yes?”
    “You’re beautiful and amazing. You should do this every year.”
     
    ****
     
    Noah slipped in the back door of the clinic and went straight to his office to change into scrubs. Once he assessed the patient situation and sent Dr. Salmons home to face the music, he intended to return Skye’s call. His first glimpse of Jane on that stage confirmed what he wanted. He wanted to move forward, and the only way to do that was to find out what the past wanted before it came around and bumped into him again.
    Tina caught him in the treatment room. “Glad you’re back. Was it wonderful?”
    “It was.”
    “Figures. I missed it this year, but I plan to be at their spring show.”
    Noah flipped open his laptop and went straight to their electronic records system. “How are things around here?”
    “Steady, but no majors. Respiratory distress, a couple allergic reactions. It’s all under control. Dr. Salmons is in room one and you have a couple visitors.”
    “Visitors? It’s late and I don’t know anybody. Are they clients? Have I seen their pet or something?”
    “They’re friends from California. I didn’t put them in your office because I