Cookies & Candlelight

by Maddrey, Elizabeth

  “Mrph. Whozit?”

  She couldn’t stop the smile. “It’s me. Sorry I woke you, although it is noon.”

  “Serena?” Muffled sounds whispered across the line. “Okay. Now I can talk. You read the script already? It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

  Serena’s gaze flicked to the script where it lay on her coffee table untouched. “Haven’t even opened the envelope. I want to know what you did.”

  “I sent you a script. Like we talked about. What’s going on?”

  Did she really not know? “When you say you sent it...was it you, or did you have one of your assistants do it?”

  A heavy sigh sounded in her ear. “I...don’t remember. I probably...oh. No, I do remember. One of the girls was running down to the mail drop and we were getting close on time if I wanted it to get out like I promised, so I had her take it to the box. Why?”

  “Do you trust her?”

  “From the question, I’m gathering my answer needs to change to no. Will you please tell me what happened?”

  Serena raked her fingers through her hair and sat, curling her legs under her. “I was spending some time with friends yesterday working in the community garden, and who should show up with his camera but Manzini?”

  “Ohhhh...you’re sure?”

  “Really, Z? How many run-ins have I had with this guy? I’m sure. All he did, so far, was take pictures. He spun some story about being a freelancer to Micah, but that just clinched it.”

  “Micah? Hmmm. I must have missed your email telling me all about your new boyfriend. Let’s stick a pin in that, shall we?”

  Serena cringed. She hadn’t meant to let that slip out. “Let’s not. Do you think this assistant would’ve tipped Manzini off? I know he’s been hounding my parents—and my grandparents for that matter.”

  Zennia snorted. “I’m surprised your mom managed not to say anything.”

  “Yeah, well, I threatened to cut her completely out of my life if she did. Since I actually followed through and moved to Idaho, she knows I will if she pushes it. If my family was going to sic the paparazzi on me, they would’ve done it before now.”

  “Would they?”

  “Z.”

  “Hear me out. You didn’t have a script—an amazing one, by the way—before. If you’re poised for a comeback, some shots of you in your new native surroundings are just the right thing to get people primed for your return. Honestly, if I didn’t know you better, I’d think you called him yourself.”

  Serena let her head fall back and stared at the ceiling. It was the kind of thing she might have done, once upon a time. But those times were long gone. She didn’t want a comeback. She was only reading the script because she’d promised. “So, your admin?”

  “Yeah, it’s possible. She’s new-ish and is supposed to mostly work for the other agents, but she helps Marci out now and then. Marci was sick, so...it was a perfect opportunity. I’ll check into it.” Zennia sighed. “Don’t let this put you off that script.”

  “I said I’d read it.” Serena reached for the envelope. She pulled the strip to open it and slid the script out. “See? Now it’s open. I’ll look at it this afternoon.”

  “Don’t look at it. Read it. I’m serious. That part is amazing.”

  “Yeah, okay. Let me know if you find anything out. If it wasn’t in your office, then I have to have a conversation with my mom that I’d rather not.”

  Zennia chuckled. “That’s basically every conversation, isn’t it?”

  “Close.” Her mother made it hard to keep her commitment to live like Jesus. Especially that love one another thing. “Sorry to bother you.”

  “Oh, no. Picture me pulling the pin out of a topic named Micah. Spill.”

  “Micah can be a girl’s name, you know.”

  “Uh huh. Is Micah a girl?”

  Serena groaned. She really didn’t want to get into this with Zennia. The woman was relentless. And she loved gossip. She wouldn’t mean to tell the world, but it would inevitably get shared. Not that she was liable to be able to keep a lid on things once those pictures got published. Not with the way Micah had brushed her hand and—had he kissed her cheek? She didn’t remember. Regardless, there’d been some PDA. Most likely it had been caught on camera. “No. He’s a baker. He and his brothers run a community supported bakery here in town. They catered my last kiln opening. The one you said you were going to try and get to?”

  “Don’t try to change the subject. I let you know I couldn’t make it. And are you just friends?”

  “I’d say we’ve moved past that.”

  “It’s like pulling teeth. Details. Give me details.”

  Serena had never been so reluctant to share with her friend before. Not even about Derrick. Was it just that she’d grown used to privacy? “There’s not a lot to share. He’s fun to talk to. He always has something interesting to say. And he’s challenging. He’s been a believer longer than me, so he has insight that I don’t.”

  “Ugly, then?”

  She laughed. “No, Z, he’s not ugly. I don’t think even you could find a reason to object to me being seen with him.”

  “That hot? Really?”

  “Really.” Even if it wasn’t her number one priority anymore, she couldn’t discount it. “I like him. A lot.”

  “And him? Is it mutual?”

  “Seems to be. His protective instinct came out with Manzini. I’m not sure how he’ll react when I tell him who it was. He’s...not from L.A. He hasn’t spent his life around these kinds of people. He likes his quiet life here in Arcadia Valley.” So did she, for that matter. And getting tracked down by photographers wasn’t how she wanted her life here to be.

  “Can’t wait to meet him.”

  “Right.”

  “Please. You’ll need someone to go to the premier with you.”

  “I said I’d read it, Z. I didn’t say anything about taking the part. Lining up dates for the red carpet is just a tiny bit premature.”

  “Yeah, well, don’t write it off ‘til you’ve read the thing. Call me when you finish, no matter the time. Later.”

  Serena ended the call and shook her head. She should phone Micah and explain. She swallowed and tried to imagine how that conversation would go.

  Or...she looked at the script and picked it up. She’d read a few pages and call later. A few hours one way or the other wasn’t going to make a difference.

  * * *

  Serena stretched and looked around. It was getting dark. What time was it? She set the script on the coffee table, reached for her cell, and winced. Nearly seven. And there were a number of texts waiting for her. Her stomach growled. First things first—food.

  She made her way to the kitchen, pausing to try and work the stiffness out of her limbs. That script...she sighed. What was she supposed to do now? She dug a chunk of cheese out of the fridge and pulled a loaf of bread from Micah’s bakery out of the bag on the counter. She had a couple of cookies he’d made, too. She pursed her lips before adding them to her stack. Grabbing a plate from the cabinet, she dropped the food on it and carried her phone to the dining room table.

  She didn’t often bother eating at the table when she was alone. That was what the stools at the island were for. But it seemed like a change of position was in order. And it reminded her of the meal she’d shared with Micah, which in turn reminded her of their first kiss. A dreamy sigh escaped and she smiled before checking her texts.

  They were all from Micah, making sure she was okay.

  She drummed her fingers on the table before tapping Gloria’s number.

  “Hey there. Feeling any better?”

  Serena’s eyebrows shot up. “How’d you know I wasn’t feeling well today?”

  “Word gets around. I had to swing by Ruth’s place to drop off a book I borrowed. She mentioned it. As did Micah. I take it you’re better?”

  “Yeah. I wasn’t so much physically ill as disturbed. Did anyone mention the guy taking pictures at our garden workday yeste
rday?” She broke off a chunk of the aged cheddar and popped it in her mouth.

  “Nope. What about him?”

  In between bites of bread and cheese, Serena filled Gloria in. “I didn’t want to run into him again today. And knowing him, he’s lurking around town hoping for some kind of dirt.”

  “Did you tell Micah?”

  “Not yet. I was sort of hoping I wouldn’t have to.”

  Gloria snorted. “Oh, sure. Like you’re going to get out of that. You need to tell him before he figures it out. ‘Cause once he does, he’s going to know you knew.”

  Serena sighed. Gloria had a point. Unfortunately. “While we’re tangentially on the subject of my acting career...am I crazy for considering this part?”

  “You read the script?”

  “This afternoon. It’s incredible. I figured it’d be more of the same and easy to pass up. But, Gloria, I don’t know how to say no to this.” Serena pinched the bridge of her nose as a dull ache started behind her eyes. “This is so not in my plans.”

  “Maybe not. But have you considered that it might be in God’s?”

  Pray about it. That’s what she was saying. It was good advice. She still hadn’t mastered the habit of taking things to God when she needed to make decisions. She weighed them against the Bible—obviously she wasn’t going to do something that was sinful, not on purpose, at least—but the idea that He cared about the day-to-day decisions of her life was still hard to fathom. “No. Why would God want me back in that cesspit?”

  “To shine a light?” Gloria cleared her throat. “Consider just for a minute the witness you could have. Especially with your history.”

  She closed her eyes. Or she could royally mess it up. “What if I’m not strong enough?”

  “I think you underestimate yourself—and God—but I’ll pray for you to have clarity.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I probably already know the answer, but I’m going to ask anyway. Have you talked to Micah about it?”

  Serena sighed. “No. Not yet. I just read the script. What if he hates the idea?”

  “Are you two serious enough that it matters?”

  “I’d like to be. Does that count?”

  “Totally.” Serena could hear the grin in Gloria’s voice. “He’s a good guy. And I can’t see him having a problem with it. But you won’t know until you ask.”

  “Yeah, all right. Thanks.”

  “Anytime. I’m hanging up. You call Micah.”

  Serena ended the call and set the phone down. She broke a cookie in half and nibbled the edge. Micah had pointed out the house where he and his brothers lived when they’d driven to El Corazon. This seemed like a conversation that should be had in person. Maybe it was time for a Sunday evening drive.

  * * *

  Serena parked her car behind Micah’s and turned off the engine. The farmhouse was exactly what it should be—white clapboard siding, a porch with rockers, and a big dog flopped on it. The little grassy space by the driveway held a gorgeous old tree that offered shade to two picnic tables. All it was missing was a tire swing and a big tin watering can. They probably had the can around here somewhere.

  Her stomach clenched. Telling him before he found out was the right thing to do. So why was her heart racing? Her prayers were jumbled, words tumbling over one another in her mind. God knew what she meant—what she needed. She didn’t even know if she’d get the part. Or if He even wanted her to try for it, although that seemed possible. Scripts like this didn’t fall into her lap every day.

  She watched as the screen swung open and Micah stepped out onto the porch. He squatted and ruffled the dog’s ears. The dog responded by rolling onto his back. Serena smiled.

  Micah looked up and their eyes met. Electricity sizzled between them. She took a deep breath. How was it possible to have something this potent between them in such a short period of time? Was it just lust? No. She pushed that thought away. What they had wasn’t purely physical attraction. They were friends, had common interests. It was way more than simple chemistry.

  Micah crossed the yard and knocked on her window.

  Serena pushed the door open.

  “You going to sit out here all night, or would you like to come in?”

  She grinned, her muscles loosening. “It’s a nice evening. I thought maybe we could go for a walk? I...we need to talk.”

  The blood drained from his face and his expression turned neutral. “Okay.”

  “It’s not bad.” Serena touched his arm as she got out and slid her keys into the pocket of her shorts. “At least I hope it isn’t. I don’t think it is.”

  His eyebrows lifted.

  She blew out a breath. “Let’s try that walk. Maybe I can untangle my tongue.”

  He smiled and patted his leg. The dog stood, stretched, and loped down the stairs from the porch to join them. “This is Spock. Spock, meet Serena.”

  The dog’s butt plopped to the ground and he lifted a paw.

  Serena laughed and leaned over, taking his paw in her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”

  “He’s Corban’s. But he doesn’t seem to care for it at the bed and breakfast, so he mostly hangs out here with us, though he’ll wander over there now and then.” Micah grabbed her hand and started to walk around the side of the house.

  “You’re not worried about him crossing the road?” Spock was a beautiful dog. It would be heartbreaking if something happened to him going between the two places like that.

  Micah shrugged. “Corban isn’t. He says Spock has more sense than to dart in front of a car. So far, I have no cause to question it. Honestly, the last time I watched him, it seemed like he looked both ways.”

  “Smart dog.” They were walking past a barn now. The doors were shut tight, but no animal sounds came from inside. “What’s in there?”

  “Tractor storage, tools, that kind of thing. No cows, if you were worried.”

  She shrugged. “I’m not precisely scared of cows. They’re just weird. You have to admit they’re weird.”

  Micah chuckled. “Only to those of us who didn’t grow up around them.”

  They strolled in silence for several more minutes until they came to a white picket fence. Micah pushed open the gate and gestured for Serena to go in. She looked at the riotous blooms on the bushes that made a hedge around the outside of the garden space against the fence. A bench sat at an angle by the waterfall that trickled peacefully in the corner.

  “This is amazing.” Serena reached out to run a finger over one of the rose petals on the bush. “Who put it here?”

  He smiled and gave her hand a gentle tug. She followed him to the bench and sat. He slipped his arm over her shoulder. “Corban’s mom. She apparently needed something softer, less farm-like in her life. Corban proposed to Ruth out here. Sometimes they slip over and sit on the bench like this in the evenings if no one is at the B&B. It’s cute.”

  She turned to look up at him and had to catch her breath. He was so handsome. When her heart calmed down, she smiled. “And you know this, how?”

  He gave an impish grin. “I’m a little brother. I have my ways.”

  Serena laughed. She didn’t have siblings and had always felt she was missing out. Maybe that wasn’t true after all. “Brat.”

  “Yeah, well. Old habits, you know?” He cleared his throat. “So...?”

  Right. He wasn’t visibly nervous unless you looked closely. Definitely time to talk. Where did she start? Where was the beginning? “I told you it’s nothing bad.”

  “And yet, you keep stalling.”

  A chuckle escaped. “Okay. So. Um. You met my parents, the first day we met. They’ve been after me to come back to L.A. since, well, basically the day I left. They don’t understand—anything, honestly. They didn’t know about Derrick and me. They figured he was another publicity stunt. And my faith...they stop just short of ridicule. Mom always asks when I’m going to give up on my Jesus phase and come back to the famil
y business.”

  Micah winced and rubbed her shoulder. “That’s got to be hard. I’m sorry.”

  Serena nodded. “So, anyway. Because of that, Mom, in particular, is always on the lookout for something that will tempt me to come back. Long story short, she had someone send my agent a script. I got it Friday but didn’t even open it until this afternoon.”

  “You said before you’re not interested in going back, right?”

  She nodded. “I’m still not sure if I am. But, Micah, I read the script today. I...I don’t know. It’s a really, really good part.”

  After a moment, a delighted smile bloomed on his face. “You’re considering it? That’s great.”

  Great? Why would it be great? She drew her brows together. “If I took it, I’d be gone for months.”

  “And I’d miss you. But you’re an incredible actress. Your pottery is special, too, don’t get me wrong. But God gave you a talent and it seems wrong not to use it when the right opportunities come up. It’s not as if doing this movie would mean you had to close your studio permanently and move back to California, right? You’d just be there for the filming and whatever. But you could come back home after.” His hand continued to move up and down her arm in slow, soothing strokes.

  It was the same thing Gloria had said. Why wasn’t it something she’d considered? Partly because her parents had always lumped the two together—take a part and move back to L.A. Could she do it if she maintained her base here? Would that somehow keep her more centered? More able to stay true to her faith? “Just like that? You think I should do it?”

  “I think you should at least consider it. Pray about it. I’ll pray with you.” He leaned close and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You’re right, that wasn’t bad.”

  “There’s one more little thing.”

  “Oh?”

  “The guy at the gardens? The photographer?”

  “Yeah? He was at church today, too. What about him?”

  He’d been at church? How had he known which one she’d go to? She swallowed. Maybe he’d take this as well as he had the possibility of her doing a movie. “He’s paparazzi.”