An Unexpected Suitor

by Anna Schmidt

  When the fourth note arrived just two days after the staff from the Cabbage Inn started work in the tearoom, Judy insisted that Nola contact the authorities. This time the note warned that since Nola had ignored the previous notes, the author would not be responsible for what harm might come her way.

  “That will only encourage whoever is behind this,” Nola protested. “Can’t you see that anyone who would stoop to such measures is probably watching and hoping for some reaction?”

  “Oh, child, I don’t want to believe there might be some lunatic on the loose here in ’Sconset any more than you do. But this is a serious matter, Nola. This latest message implies that you might actually be in danger. At least stop working with Harry for the time being and let this all calm down.”

  “All right,” Nola replied. “I’ve done as much as I can anyway and from here until opening night Harry and the others are going to need every moment they can spare to rehearse. Harry himself agrees that there simply can be no more changes until he takes the play to New York.”

  “Well, finally we might just get things back to normal around here,” Judy huffed.

  Nola gave Judy a hug. “Please stop worrying, Judy. I have everything under control.”

  “I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for that,” Judy said. “Harry Starbuck seems to have this way of coming around and stirring the pot whether you like it or not.”

  “He’s going to be far too busy for the next few weeks, Judy.”

  But as if he’d been waiting in the wings to prove her wrong, Harry showed up in her kitchen just an hour later, right in the middle of the noon rush.

  “I have to talk to you,” he said.

  Nola stuffed the latest note into the pocket of her apron. “Harry, I have a full house and a new staff still finding their way. Can’t this wait?”

  “I think I know who might be sending the notes.”

  Nola fingered the note. “Is it someone I know?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then please don’t tell me.”

  “Why not? Nola, this person…”

  “…is a neighbor and friend who thinks he or she is doing me a favor by warning me to stay away from you and the others. I have to live in the same small town as this person long after all of you go away, Harry. I don’t want to know.”

  “But—”

  Judy pushed through the swinging door with a tray laden with dirty dishes. The minute she spotted Harry alone with Nola she paused.

  “Mr. Starbuck is just leaving,” Nola said. “Aren’t you, Harry?”

  “For now. But if there are any more notes…”

  “There won’t be if you’ll stop hanging around Nola here,” Judy told him.

  Harry ignored her and focused on Nola. “You will let me know if there is even one more note?”

  “There won’t be any more notes. Now, unless you intend to tie on an apron and prepare a fresh batch of cucumber sandwiches, please go. We are swamped.”

  Harry was tempted to take her up on the offer to help out in the kitchen. At least then he’d be able to keep an eye on her. Nola Burns was possibly the most stubborn woman he had ever met. Did she not understand that at just over five feet and not an ounce over one hundred pounds, she was hardly a match for someone who might wish her harm? Not that he thought Rose Gillenwater would actually resort to physical violence, but Rose had a lot of influence over others. It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that someone might decide to confront Nola directly.

  As he entered the cabaret, he spotted Alistair and decided he would have a word with the man about his wife’s penchant for sticking her nose into other people’s business. But before he could take his partner aside, Billy interrupted.

  “It’s Ellie, boss. She’s taken a tumble.”

  Without missing a step, Harry followed as Billy led the way backstage.

  “We were all just taking a look at things and didn’t know that stair railing wasn’t secured yet and Ellie, well, she leaned against it and…”

  Ellie was sitting on an overturned wooden crate surrounded by the entire cast—a cast that now had grown to include several of the resident colony of actors. She was holding her wrist and wincing.

  “We sent for the doctor,” Jasper said as he stepped aside to let Harry kneel next to Ellie. “Do you think it’s broken?”

  “It’s a sprain. Nothing more,” Ellie said. “Please, I’m fine.”

  “Give her some space and somebody go see what’s keeping that doctor,” Harry barked. “Just sit tight,” he instructed Ellie in a softer tone.

  “Whatever the verdict, I’m not going to be able to play for rehearsals, Harry. You’ll have to get someone else.”

  “You let me worry about that.”

  “Nola could do it,” Ellie said.

  “Nola’s busy. Now hold still. Here comes Dr. Wainwright.”

  Nola was on her way to the bookstore when she saw the little parade of actors making their way down the street. At the center of the group were Ellie and Dr. Wainwright. Trailing behind were Billy, Jasper and the Kowalski sisters. Starbuck was, as usual, barking out orders and Olga had hurried ahead to hold the door to the clinic open for Ellie.

  “What’s happened?” Nola asked as she caught up with the Kowalski twins.

  “Oh, Nola, it’s Ellie. She fell and hurt her wrist.”

  “It might be broken,” Deedee said.

  “Or sprained,” Mimi corrected. “Either way she can’t play for rehearsal and until the musicians Mr. Starbuck hired get here at the end of the week, we have no one.”

  “Oh, come now. There must be at least one person among the summer resident actors who plays?”

  Deedee shook her head. “Well, sure, but no one else knows the music and Harry says we really don’t have time for anyone to learn it and…”

  “But you know it, Nola,” Mimi said and grinned at her sister. “You could rehearse with us until the other musicians get here.”

  “Please?” Billy pleaded as he joined the group.

  Nola looked at their eager faces. She had come to care for these young people so much. They were bright and talented and such fun to be around. They had helped her out when she’d needed them. Perhaps now it was time to repay the favor.

  “I suppose I could…”

  “Great! I’ll go tell Starbuck.” And before Nola could reconsider, Billy had headed back inside the clinic with the Kowalski sisters right behind.

  “It’s only a few times,” Nola told Judy. “Just until Harry can get the musicians he hired here.”

  “How can that help? Won’t they need to learn the music?”

  “No. Harry has sent them the music to learn in advance. He’ll just need to coordinate the actors and the new musicians.”

  “And I suppose you’ll have to get involved in that as well. That man…”

  “I’m not doing this for him, Judy. I’m doing it for Ellie and Billy and the others.” Nola was well aware that Judy had a soft spot in her heart for Billy and Jasper.

  “You’ll make sure that Billy or Jasper sees you back here every night after rehearsal?”

  “Promise.”

  “And before you do anything else I want you to take those notes and show them to Reverend Diggs.”

  “Oh, Judy…”

  Judy placed her hands firmly on her hips and the look she gave Nola stated more clearly than any words that this was not up for discussion. “I’ll go and see Reverend Diggs,” Nola agreed.

  “And heed his advice even if he counsels staying away from Starbuck and his kind?”

  “No. I will not be dictated to by someone too cowardly to discuss the matter with me directly. Harry’s play is important. It could touch so many souls. How can I not be a part of that, given the opportunity?”

  Judy untied her apron and reached for her hat. “Then if you won’t listen to reason I’m going to the authorities,” she said.

  “No, wait. If we get the police involved think of how that might affect the te
aroom. Our customers might decide it’s too dangerous to be seen here. Let me speak with Reverend Diggs first.”

  “And you’ll do as he counsels?”

  Nola nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when Judy retied her apron.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing more than a prank,” Nola told the minister as he read through each note. “In fact, originally I thought Mr. Starbuck was the author, but he wouldn’t go to such lengths.”

  “More to the point, he would not make threats, Nola. No, this is someone who is becoming increasingly agitated by your continued association with Mr. Starbuck and his friends.”

  “That could be any number of people,” Nola replied with a wry smile. “Perhaps some misguided soul is simply trying to frighten me.”

  “Still, one cannot be too careful, my dear. While Mr. Starbuck has been a generous and faithful supporter of this church and the community, there are those who persist in viewing his theatrical activities as being in questionable taste for a man of his position.”

  “Then why not send threatening notes to him?”

  Reverend Diggs smiled. “Because, Nola, the sender of these notes may already view Mr. Starbuck as a lost cause while you—you are the innocent here, the one who must be warned and saved.”

  “You are saying that I should take this nonsense seriously?”

  “Quite seriously.”

  “But to bow to anonymous threats,” she protested.

  “I am not suggesting you surrender, Nola. But certain precautions would be prudent.”

  “And what are you suggesting?”

  The minister removed his glasses and leaned toward her. “I agree that the last thing you want to do is call attention to this matter. In my limited experience a person taking such drastic actions is seeking notoriety. However, you do need to keep the local authority apprised of the situation.”

  “I can’t have my customers seeing a police officer coming and going, Reverend. Think what that would do to my business.”

  “I’m sure that Osgood Daniels can work behind the scenes, so to speak, so that no one is aware of his presence. But, Nola, he does need to be involved.”

  “I suppose,” Nola reluctantly agreed.

  The minister smiled. “I understand that the construction on the cabaret is a bit behind schedule.”

  “Yes. Rehearsals are being held in the hotel now.”

  “I see. Perhaps if you were to involve Oliver and Minnie Franks in this project? They are held in the highest esteem throughout the community and if they became a part of the preparation it just might be a way to break through this impasse that seems to have developed between the locals and the acting colony.”

  “But they have been—concerned.”

  “And what better way to allay those concerns than to bring the involved parties together? Besides, Oliver is an amateur composer himself.”

  “Well, if you really think Oliver and Minnie would consider it, then yes, Reverend. Thank you.”

  Reverend Diggs handed her back the notes and walked up the aisle with her. “I have to admit that I had some concerns myself when you first took the actors into your home and employ, Nola. I’m ashamed to admit that in the past I was inclined to view our summer theatrical residents as people whose spiritual needs were not my concern. But after observing the way you integrated Mrs. Chambliss and her peers into your business and then into your life even after they had moved out of your home and into the cottages, I decided to call upon them myself. I found most of them to be people not unlike the members of this congregation—people of solid faith.”

  “Oh, they are such good people, Reverend Diggs. I shall miss them terribly once the season ends.”

  “There is one other facet of this matter we need to consider, Nola dear,” the minister said. “It is the matter of your feelings for Harry Starbuck.”

  Nola felt a flush of embarrassment creep up the sides of her neck, but then she stood tall and met his gaze directly. “Harry Starbuck and I have a somewhat complicated friendship. As you no doubt are aware, he hopes to buy me out. That is on the one hand.”

  “And on the other?”

  I have feelings for him that are conflicting and yet thrilling at the same time. “He has given me such an incredible opportunity to be a part of his work on this production. It’s so completely new for me—an experience I could never have imagined having.”

  “For what it’s worth, Nola, I believe that he has your best interests at heart. Even his motives for buying your property seem to have become more complicated—and personal.”

  “In what way?”

  Reverend Diggs smiled. “Now, my dear, you know I cannot reveal something that has been spoken to me in confidence. Suffice it to say that, in my opinion, you and Mr. Starbuck share a common trait—each of you cares deeply about the welfare of others.”

  Was the minister suggesting that Harry had come to care for her? “How kind of you to say so, Reverend Diggs. However, I do not deceive myself when it comes to Mr. Starbuck. He has shown that when he views something as an essential piece of whatever project he is working on, he will not stop until he has put that piece into its place.”

  The minister smiled. “And yet here it is August already and he appears to have completely lost interest in his initial plan to acquire your home and tearoom.”

  It was true that ever since the clambake, ever since the kiss, ever since she had agreed to work with him composing the music for his lyrics, there had been no mention of his buying her property. It simply had not come up. She turned her attention back to the minister. “There’s still time for that. The construction of the inn is planned for next season. At the moment, his focus is on completing his play. I am well aware, however, that once he has completed that, we will have to face the other matter.”

  Reverend Diggs held the door open for her. “Nevertheless, when I refer to the matter of you and Mr. Starbuck, I am not speaking of your collaboration or of business, Nola. I am speaking of your heart.”

  “My heart is as sound as my mind,” she replied quietly. “I know that there are those who see romance whenever circumstances throw a man and a woman together, but I am not one of those people. I am well aware that it is my talent for composition that has caught the attention of Mr. Starbuck.”

  “And you are all right with that?”

  Nola smiled. “I am twenty-seven years old, Reverend. I know the line between romantic fantasy and reality. Working on this project has brought me an unexpected joy. I do not need Harry Starbuck’s affection in the bargain.”

  Reverend Diggs took Nola’s hand between both of his. “He is a good man, Nola.”

  “Yes,” she agreed.

  “You have been good for him,” he added. “Perhaps there is more at work here than you realize.”

  Nola opened her mouth to reply but could think of nothing to say. Was the elderly minister cautioning or encouraging her? When he had brought up the topic of her heart, Nola had been certain he was about to warn her of the possibility that Starbuck would break it. Instead he appeared to be giving them his blessing—as if there were anything to bless.

  “Shall I speak with the Franks?”

  “Yes. Thank you,” Nola said and had to resist the urge to hug him as she had once hugged her own father. “And I’ll tell Harry—Mr. Starbuck—of the change on my way through town.”

  “Perhaps allow me to handle that as well, Nola. Given these messages you’ve received it might be best if you and Harry…”

  Nola felt her smile freeze. “I do not intend to sneak about. That will only provide more fodder for the gossip mill. Besides, whoever this prankster is, any sign that I have backed away or changed my routine will be a victory for that person.”

  “Just be careful, my dear,” the minister warned and his worried expression told Nola that he was far more concerned than he had first let on.

  But this is ’Sconset, she reasoned as she walked through town. Nothing ever happens in ’Sconset.

  Harr
y was in his office making the arrangements for the musicians he’d hired to arrive as soon as possible when he heard someone greet Nola on the street below. He replaced his pen and moved to the window.

  Oliver Franks was huffing breathlessly as he caught up to Nola and hurried alongside her matching her long determined strides. He was gesturing dramatically and seemed to be trying to persuade Nola of something. Something she clearly was not taking to heart for she stopped just across from Harry’s office and said something to Oliver that left him standing speechless for once while Nola wove her way through carriage and pedestrian traffic to Harry’s side of the street. She looked up, saw him and smiled.

  “Do you have a moment?” she called up to him.

  “I’ll come down,” he replied. “Wait there.”

  Had she suffered another blow to her head? Surely that was the only credible explanation for why Nola Burns was standing below his office window in the middle of the afternoon and calling out to him for anyone to see or hear.

  Harry reached for his jacket and hat and glanced out the window once more as he put them on. He certainly was not going to further raise eyebrows by keeping Nola waiting. Across the street, Oliver was still standing where Nola had left him only now he was greeting Mrs. Gillenwater and her usual entourage. Long a student of human body language and expression, Harry surmised that Oliver was sharing the details of his encounter with Nola with the old gossip and her friends.

  Nola was waiting for him in the shade of the awning of the general store. These days whenever Nola Burns smiled at him as she was doing now, he had to look away until he’d had the chance to arm himself with his patented charming grin. The fact was that whatever his feelings for her might be, he was not her type and after the gala they would most certainly go their separate ways. On the other hand, he could not deny that without her ear for music, his script would never have been fit for a rough preview in ’Sconset much less a full production in New York.

  “Miss Nola,” he drawled.

  “Now, Harry, I’ve just come from seeing Reverend Diggs and he has made this truly inspired suggestion regarding the play.” In what seemed to be one long breath, she told him about the idea of asking the Franks to sit in on rehearsals and offer their suggestions. “It occurred to me that Oliver plays violin and the violin is the perfect instrument for Ellie’s ballad just before the first act curtain.”