She looked quite calm, though slightly red-eyed. âHowâs the ankle?â she asked Ned, obviously trying to act as though everything were normal.
Bess and Nancy exchanged glances. âWeâve just been talking about going to the Overlook tonight to do some dancing,â Bess replied brightly. âNed is much better. You and Luke want to come?â
George looked grateful. âSounds good to me. I donât know what Lukeâs plans are, though.â
âWe can all ride over in my car,â Nancy offered. At least that way everybody will be safe, she added mentally.
In order to keep an eye on Luke, Nancy took an advanced class with him that afternoon. He was a good teacher and an excellent skier, even if he did favor his right leg slightly. Nancy noticed that it didnât bend well at times. Had Luke damaged his leg in a skiing accident or some other kind of accident? Nancy wondered.
Luke did not show up at the lodge for dinner. Nancy preferred it that way, except that George looked so unhappy. Immediately after dinner,she scooped up a pile of ski magazines from the lounge and headed for the dorm.
Bess made an exasperated sound. âThis has gone far enough. Come on,â she said to Nancy. The girls went to the bunk room and cornered George. âAre you coming dancing with us?â Bess demanded.
George didnât look up. âI donât know. I told Luke you guys were going, but he wasnât too thrilled with the idea.â
âWell, youâre coming,â Bess ordered. She pulled George to her feet. âYouâre already dressed for it, anyway,â she commented, surveying Georgeâs tight gray pants and oversized turquoise sweater.
âIf Luke wants to find you, heâll know where to look,â she went on. âItâs a good idea not to let guys think youâre just sitting around waiting for them. Trust me.â George allowed herself to be led out of the room.
The girls found Ned and Gunther and piled into Nancyâs car for the two-mile drive to the Overlook Hotel.
The first sight of its ornate wrought-iron gates produced a squeal of delight from Bess. The hotel looked like a French château and was surrounded by trees decorated with little white lights.
The hotelâs dance club was spacious and elegant. The band was playing a Stones classic, and the dance floor was already crowded. To one side, glass doors led to an indoor swimming pool complete with Jacuzzi.
Ned and Nancy found an unoccupied table as the others made their way to the dance floor. âThis is a good spot to watch from,â Nancy said. She smiled at Ned. âThis is fun!â
Ned smiled back and took her hand. âYouâd have more fun if you were dancing.â
âWe agreed youâd stay off the ankle today, remember?â
âThatâs no reason for you to stay off yours.â
âIâve done enough tearing around the mountain today. Iâd rather sit the night out with you.â Nancy meant it, but she found it hard to keep still while listening to the music.
After a while, Bess, Gunther, and George returned to the table. Gunther politely asked Nancy to dance.
âGo! Iâll talk to George while youâre gone,â Ned whispered.
Nancy smiled and got up. Maybe George would listen to Ned more easily than to her. She followed Gunther to the dance floor and started moving to the bass beat.
Ned was right, it felt great to dance, even though the floor was crowded. It was impossible to avoid colliding with other people. Nancy felt her elbow connect with someone behind her. âSorry!â she exclaimed, laughing, and turned around apologetically.
A deep voice said, âItâs perfectly all right.â She looked up at a tall, blond man with a deeply tanned face and vivid blue eyes. âIâve already clobbered a few people that way myself,â the young man said, smiling.
There was something oddly
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