Another tear leaked out. This one because she was being such a jerk, and he didn’t really deserve it.
“Do you need to leave Bluebell? I have a friend with a floatplane. We can get you out of here without anyone knowing.”
She gave that some thought. She didn’t think she needed to leave, but it was nice to know she had a discreet way out of town if she needed it.
“I need to call my agent and figure things out.”
“All right. Whatever you want. We’ll head back to the inn.” He put the car into Reverse and pulled from the lot.
Her mind was spinning with everything she’d just read. If only they’d jumped on this sooner. Now anything she said was only going to seem fabricated. She should’ve come out with the truth from the beginning instead of hoping all this would just blow over.
A few minutes later Levi was pulling into the slot in front of the inn. Mia put her sunglasses back on and stepped out when he opened the door.
She stopped, staring at the inn. “Do the others know too?”
When he didn’t answer, she sneaked a peek.
His lips pressed together.
Of course they did. Great.
She walked past him and up the walk. If there were any inkling of a chance they’d believed in her before, it had just died with today’s press release. They thought she was some sleazy, obsessed seducer of married men.
She almost laughed, because that’s just the kind of character she’d played in Into the Deep. Then she realized it wasn’t funny at all. Because America, who’d already seen her play that role so convincingly, would have no trouble believing that’s exactly what kind of person she was.
* * *
Things were quiet at the inn after Levi brought Mia back. Miss Della had already left for the day. Molly was probably at Adam’s house. Grace had cleaned Mia’s room while she was hiking, but his little sister seemed to have disappeared too. She was probably off enjoying the great outdoors.
He gave a hard sigh. Getting that girl to sit down and fill out college applications was becoming a real bear. He knew it could be a little daunting with the essay questions, but Grace was a good writer—even a bit of a perfectionist. And computers were her second language. He felt like a nag, but he had to keep after her until she got it done. Fall would be here before they knew it.
He made two fried bologna sandwiches, even though he didn’t know when Mia would come downstairs, and scarfed his down.
When he was finished he considered replying to Thomas at FC. But he couldn’t focus on that right now when he was on standby, waiting to see if Mia needed to leave.
He felt a pinch in his chest at the thought of her departure. He was just feeling protective because she was his guest, that was all. When she was there, under his roof, he could keep the outside world out.
But he couldn’t protect her from the ravages of gossip.
He couldn’t imagine having his reputation wrecked for the whole world to see. Not to mention the havoc it could wreak on her career. She was a strong woman to hold up under all that. No doubt she had a supportive network of people: friends and professionals. But here she was all alone, and that had to be hard.
His fingers twitched to Google the scandal and see what had her so upset. What they were up against. But he wouldn’t do it. If she wanted him to know she’d tell him.
Instead he went to the front desk to check on next week’s reservations. Mia would be gone by then. The sudden thought made him feel flat. But he pushed through. He had bigger worries.
The inn was only half full next week. Those ads couldn’t hit soon enough. He would’ve scheduled them earlier in the year, but his maxed-out credit card hadn’t allowed the expenditure.
The floor creaked above him, and footsteps sounded on the stairwell.
His heart stuttering, he ran a hand through his hair and leaned on the counter in a way that flexed his biceps. Then he rolled his eyes.
She’s Mia Emerson, idiot. She could have any guy she wanted. Including Jax Jordan, apparently.
He didn’t have much time to castigate himself because she rounded the corner, her hand still on the newel at the bottom.
Her hair was down around her shoulders now, but it was her face that drew his attention. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, her lashes still damp. Despite her distress, her shoulders were straight, her bearing almost regal.
He came around the counter. “You all right?”
“I’m fine. We’ll get it all sorted out eventually.”
“Do you need to leave?”
“Nolan thinks it’s best if I stay—if that’s still all right.”
“Of course. You’ve got the whole place until Sunday.”
She looked down then, her long lashes brushing the tops of her cheeks. When she looked back at him, he got caught in those mossy green eyes. He could see why she’d made it so far in the business. She was beautiful, yes. But there was something beneath the beauty . . . vulnerability. She was also a little guarded. He sensed she had layers like an onion, and it made him want to peel them away one by one.
“I didn’t do it,” she said softly.
It took him a minute to get on the same page. The scandal. Jax Jordan.
“I know you don’t know me, but that’s not who I am.”
He was surprised she even cared what he thought. But maybe she could use someone in her corner. Someone who wasn’t a world away in Hollywood.
“I believe you,” he said.
She searched his eyes for a long-drawn-out moment. “Why?”
He couldn’t exactly tell her Molly had eavesdropped on her phone call with Jax Jordan. Anyway, he’d believed Mia even before that.
“I’m a good judge of character. And you don’t strike me as the type of person who’d try and seduce another woman’s husband.”
“I played exactly that type of person on the big screen, you know. Anyway, I’m an actress. Maybe I can make you believe whatever I want you to believe.”
It was the guardedness talking. But it didn’t put him off. Only made him more curious about why she kept that wall so high.
He tried to lighten the moment. “And maybe you’re underestimating my astute powers of intuition.”
A bit of rigidness left her shoulders, her lips curling in an almost-smile.
He felt like he’d won a race. “Hungry? There’s a fried bologna sandwich with your name on it.”
“Actually, I am. Thank you.”
“Right this way.” They passed through the French doors to the dining room. “You can have a seat anywhere.”
But as he slipped through the kitchen door, she was still on his heels. They’d made some commercial upgrades when they’d remodeled, including a large butcher block island, complete with two stools. Molly could often be found in the mornings sitting here chatting with Miss Della when she was supposed to be manning the front desk for checkouts.
Mia set her hand on one of the stools. “Mind if I just eat in here?”
“Make yourself at home.”
She settled on a stool. “I used to eat in the kitchen when I was a kid. Our housekeeper and cook, Lettie, was like a second mom to me.”
“That’s pretty much how Miss Della is to us.”
“I can see that. I love Lettie so much that when my mom passed I hired her. I’d want her around even if she wasn’t so good at what she does.”
“She sounds great.” She must be special indeed to have gotten inside Mia’s fortress.
He took the tinfoil off the plate he’d made and added some fresh fruit from this morning’s breakfast. He set it in front of her and added a water bottle from the fridge.
He felt her appraisal as he moved about the kitchen and resisted the urge to flex. Since when was he such a poser? He was a decent-looking guy, and he worked out several times a week. That plus all the work around here kept him in shape. But she was used to the likes of . . . Well, he didn’t know many actors by name. But she was out of his league—he knew that for
sure.
And why was he even going down that road?
“Sorry I snapped at you earlier,” she said quietly. “It had nothing to do with you.”
He gave her a tentative smile. “No worries. You were upset.”
“I was more angry than anything. I cry when I’m angry.” She took a bite of the sandwich.
“My sister Molly does that. She hates it.”
“This is good,” she said when she swallowed the bite. “I hate it too. Everyone thinks you’re hurting when really you just want to throat punch someone.”
His lips twitched at the thought of Mia getting violent. She was a nice person, likeable, and definitely not inclined to punching.
He leaned against the kitchen counter opposite her, a little amused at how much she seemed to be enjoying the food.
“Jax put out a press release this morning. He claims I was pursuing him for months and just grabbed him and kissed him that night.”
“Let me guess—it was the other way around.”
She did a double take. “How’d you know?”
He winked at her. “That intuition of mine.”
Did he really just wink? He was getting awfully comfortable with Mia. Too comfortable? He was always after Molly for lacking boundaries with the guests. But those lines, always so obvious before, seemed fuzzy with Mia. It was the vulnerable situation she was in, along with his desire to protect her.
“I’ll be putting out a press release through my agent, Nolan, but it’s probably too little, too late.”
“What does he advise beyond that?”
She lifted her slim shoulders. “We’ll have to play it by ear. See how people respond to the releases. He thinks it’s best if I stay put for now, stay off social media, and let the press release do its job. Fans will take sides. I’m not sure how this is going to impact the film we just wrapped. Nolan’s also working on that. We’re supposed to do a publicity tour when it releases to theaters.”
“That might be a little tense.”
“I’m sure Emma wouldn’t be too crazy about the idea either. Not that I blame her.”
“They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
“The production company can sort it out. But my reputation has taken a hit. And if people believe what Jax is saying now, it’s only going to get worse.”
“Will that affect your career?”
She gave him a wan smile. “Well, it’s not going to help. Jax and Emma are a force to be reckoned with. They’ve been in this business a long time, and they have loads of fans. I’m just a newcomer. The media has already weighed in, and apparently I’m the bad guy.”
“Maybe you should give an interview and tell your side of it.”
“That came up. Problem is, he never sent inappropriate texts or anything, so I have no proof to back it up.”
“Neither does he.”
“No, it’s a ‘he said, she said’ situation.”
A text came in from Molly. It was just a photo of a shirt she thought he’d like, but it made him squirm a little. He felt like she’d caught him consorting with a guest in the kitchen. And after all the times he’d gotten after her for much the same thing, he felt a pinch of guilt.
“I’m really sorry you’re going through this.” He gave Mia a polite smile and straightened from the counter. “I should get back to work. But I hope you’ll let us know if we can do anything to help.”
She blinked, caught off guard, no doubt, by his sudden slide into professionalism. Maybe that was how it felt when you crossed a line. He’d have to ask Molly. Not.
twelve
Mia set her laptop aside and blinked against the tears. She shouldn’t have done it. She knew better. People could be brutal, especially when they hid behind a screen. But she just had to know what everyone had thought of her press release.
And now she did.
She got up from her bed, the walls of the honeymoon suite pressing in on her. It was late, almost midnight, but she slipped on the white terry robe with the inn’s logo and left her room. The inn was so quiet she was surprised when she met Molly on the stairs.
“Hey, Mia. You’re up late. Is there anything you need?”
Sweet of her to offer, since she was obviously heading to bed. Thankfully Molly had settled down since they’d first been introduced. Mia had become used to a certain amount of fangirling, but here in this tiny town it felt different somehow.
“No thanks. I just wanted to get out of my room for a while.”
“I don’t blame you. Help yourself to the TV in the living room. Or there’s a beautiful full moon tonight right over the lake. I saw a falling star out back the other night.”
“Sounds great. Thanks, Molly.” She passed the innkeeper.
“Mia?”
She turned, looking up at Molly.
“I just wanted to reiterate that you’re in good hands here. We’ll do everything we can to keep your whereabouts under wraps.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Mia gave her a smile and continued on.
“And Mia?”
She turned again.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to be a pest. But I want to say that I think you’re getting a really crappy deal in all this. I’m thoroughly ticked at Jax Jordan, and I’ll never watch another one of his films. Except the one you’re in, of course,” she added hurriedly. “I’m sure you’ve got a million people in your corner—I just wanted you to know I’m one of them.”
It felt good to be so easily accepted. Mia gave her a warm smile. “Thanks, Molly. That means a lot to me.”
“I’ll let you get on with your night. If you get hungry there are cookies and muffins in the kitchen.”
Mia thanked her again and continued down the stairs. Molly’s words were soothing after the diatribes she’d just read online. And it made her feel at home to know the kitchen was open if she had the midnight munchies. But she wasn’t hungry and had no desire to watch TV.
The darkness beyond the windows beckoned. She followed the hall around the check-in desk and past the library. The lock turned easily, and she stepped outside into the mild evening. The scent of a wood fire carried to her on a breeze as she made her way down the sloped lawn to the neat row of Adirondack chairs. She settled into one of them, curling her feet underneath her.
The lake was pitch black except for the cone of shimmering moonlight reflected on it. On the distant shoreline house lights gleamed here and there. Overhead, beyond a canopy of leaves, the stars twinkled on a black canvas. She leaned her head against the chair’s tall back and snuggled in, watching for a falling star. She could use a free wish about now.
At times like these a girl was supposed to be able to call her mother. But Mia’s mom was gone, and she’d never been that kind of mother anyway. She hadn’t been much on advice—unless it related to beauty and fashion. At those things she’d been very good.
Mia wrapped her arms around her body. It was almost chilly with the breeze coming off the lake. But still she couldn’t make herself go back inside. She thought of the handsome innkeeper and his earlier kindness. She liked that he believed in her even though he had no real reason to. She also liked the way he’d kept her company in the kitchen while she’d eaten. He seemed like a capable man—the kind who looked out for others and took his responsibilities seriously. Maybe too seriously.
She smiled as she remembered the way he’d been with his sisters. She’d always wanted siblings. A younger sister to mentor, an older brother to look out for her. She’d be willing to bet Levi had a bossy side that drove his sisters crazy. But then he must’ve had a lot of responsibility foisted onto him when their parents died. Good thing he had those strong shoulders.
“Mia?”
She jumped at the sound of the male voice. Footsteps brushed through the grass. She scanned the darkness. Only as he neared could she make out his familiar silhouette in the moonlight.
“Levi?”
“Didn’t mean to disturb you. I was working in my room a
nd saw someone out here. Wanted to make sure we didn’t have a trespasser.”
“Nope.” She sank back into the chair, her heart settling. “Just me.”
He stuffed his hands into his khaki pockets. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“Still on Pacific time.”
“Are you warm enough? Let me grab you a blanket.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m comfortable.”
“Would you like some tea? I think Molly has one that functions as a sleep aid.”
“No thanks. I’m not much of a tea person.”
“Don’t say that too loudly. You’re in the South now.”
“Good point.”
“Well . . .” He took a step back. “I don’t want to disrupt your evening.”
She was loath to get wrapped up in her own thoughts again. “I wouldn’t mind the company—unless you’re heading to bed. Sorry, you probably have to be up early.”
And she was supposed to be more careful about who she let in. But she’d only be here a few more days. What could it hurt? She was getting lonely, with Brooke and Lettie so far away and a million fans turning against her. At least Levi and his siblings seemed to be on her side.
“I’m not really tired yet.” The chair beside her groaned as he eased his weight onto it. “I’ve always been a bit of a night owl. I can function pretty well on six hours’ sleep.”
“Lucky you. I need a solid eight.”
“Tell me about your work. How’d you get into show business?”
“My mom. She was an actress—Katherine Emerson?”
“Right. I should’ve put that together.”
She smiled. “I guess you really didn’t know who I was when I checked in.”
“Sorry,” came his sheepish reply. “My sisters filled me in quickly enough. Told me I live under a rock.”
“I don’t mind. It’s kind of nice.” Somehow it was easier conversing with him under the cover of darkness. Also, it made her aware of how deep and lovely his voice was.
“It must be a pain to be recognized wherever you go. Molly’s boyfriend is a famous writer, so he deals with that too.”
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