by Nicole Smith
"Which one do you feel most comfortable with, Beth?"
She raised one eyebrow. "What?"
"These all seem about equal in their initial chemistry with you, so I thought I'd get your take on it."
"Oh. Well, I think the third guy is by far the best. I'm at ease with all of them, I guess. As much as I can be at this stage. I think that Zimmerman, Charles Zimmerman did the best with the lines, however."
"Okay, I think we'll go with him. He did a good enough job, and like you say, he'll get better. And it's always good to have my leading lady happy."
She grinned at him. "Thanks!"
He told Charles that he had the part and received an enthusiastic handshake. The guy had one of those chiseled, good-looking faces, with golden blond hair that fell perfectly across his brow. Dark brown eyes and a muscular physique finished off the picture of Charles Zimmerman, who immediately took Beth aside to chitchat. William decided he hated him on sight.
* * * *
Beth took off after the auditions, explaining to William that her parents were arriving and she wanted to go meet them. He told her to take the rest of the day off, and after a minute's thought, she agreed. She drove out to Sam and Anna's house and was there to greet her mother and father.
"Baby, are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Mom. Don't I look all right?"
"You look gorgeous. Love that impressionist scarf with the velvet jacket. And the heels on those boots are good."
Beth was used to having her mother critique her outfits. Sophia, the mom, was also Sophia Carter, the fashion designer. They all gathered in the living room, and Anna passed around soft drinks and sparkling water.
Ed Carter, her father, began telling them of the adventure of driving out of the mountains during the winter with all the snow. Sam had given his parents what amounted to a tank previously, and Ed seemed to think they would have gotten stuck without it.
Anna snagged Beth on her way into the kitchen, while Joshua sat in his grandmother's laugh talking non-stop. "Come on and help me," she said.
Beth followed her into the kitchen where Anna was preparing a late lunch of sandwiches and pasta salad.
"I was just finishing dishing up the pasta onto the plates. If you finish that, I'll cut the bar cookies. And you can tell me all about the auditions."
Beth told her about who had gotten what part, regaling Anna with Maelynne's nerve at auditioning after insulting Beth and William like that.
"The woman is incorrigible," Anna said, shaking her head. "What's the guy like playing the lead opposite you? Attractive?"
Beth thought for a moment. "Yes, I guess he is. Blond hair, brown eyes, hunky body."
"Maggie told me that William stayed over last night."
"Just to watch movies and we fell asleep on the sofa. No biggie."
"So do you think you all will have time to get the play ready in time for the new Playhouse?"
"The play? What are you talking about, Beth?" her mother demanded, striding into the kitchen.
"Mom, I told you on the phone. I have a part in a play, the first play to be put on in the Sully Point Playhouse."
"Well, of course you can't do that now, not after..."
"I'm not giving up my part in the play."
"But you've been through a trauma!"
"Mom! There's nothing wrong with me. It happened. It's over. Did it scare me? Hell, yes. Am I going to let it keep me from living my life? Hell, no. I'll be up on that stage in the play. You can count on it."
"Won't you consider coming back with us, coming home? I want you there with us."
"I know you want to baby me and keep me safe. But I want to stay in Sully Point. I think I need to stay here. And I want to walk out on that stage and perform."
Sophia sighed. "You always did manage to get your own way. My beautiful Maribeth."
Beth was startled to see tears in her mother's eyes.
"Aw, Mom, come on.
"It's just that you could have been really hurt."
"But I wasn't. I can't focus on what might have happened. There's no point to it."
"I suppose you're right."
As her mother hugged her, Anna cleared her throat, and Beth turned back to her. "I think we're about ready for lunch," Anna said.
"Okay, we'll get these plates on the table," Beth said to her. "Come on, Mom. Let's eat."
* * * *
Frank ran into William at the grocery store late in the afternoon. He thought the director was looking rather forlornly at the take-home food items. "Hello, Mr. Christopher. How's it going this evening?"
"Hi, Mr. Grainger. It's fine, going fine. How are you?" William said.
"Call me Frank, everyone does. I was just picking up some fish, tilapia. I happen to know it was brought in fresh today. How'd you like to join my wife, Betsy, and me for dinner tonight? Nothing fancy, just the tilapia and baked potatoes and a vegetable. It's been a while since we talked to you."
"That does sound good, and please, call me William. I'm in no mood to try and cook. It's not my best thing. Sure, if you'll have me, I'll be there. How about I bring a bottle of wine?"
Frank nodded at the other man. "That sounds good. You remember where the house is?"
"Yes, I'll get a bottle of wine and head on over."
"You can get it at George and Al's wine shop."
"Right. See you later!" William said and Frank watched him hurry out of the store.
Frank ambled thoughtfully down the produce aisle to pick out some broccoli. With all the rumors, in the family and outside it, about Mr. Christopher, it was high time he got to the bottom of some of it. And from a hint Maggie had let drop, he wondered if the director and his lead actress might end up together.
He was home and pulling baked potatoes out of the oven, when William was led into the kitchen by Betsy. "I see you made it," Frank said.
"Yes. Here's a bottle of white that Al thought might go well with the fish. I appreciate you having me over tonight. It's been a long day."
Betsy took the wine and began to open it. "Go ahead and have a seat the kitchen table, William. I'll get us a glass of this while Frank finishes up the meal. He's an excellent cook."
William sat down. "I usually eat out, but I just didn't feel like it tonight."
"It was all over town that today was audition day for the play," Frank said. He was finishing up a lemon and dill sauce for the fish.
"Yes, today was the day, and when I walked in I thought the whole town had showed up at first."
"Is it true that Maelynne had the nerve to audition?" Betsy asked, setting a glass of wine in front of William.
"Oh yes, she was there. I thought Beth was going to blow up at her, but instead she just read the lines with as much venom as possible. But we got lucky and found a great actress for the role of Corie's mother. Lucretia Evans."
"Lucretia?" Betsy asked.
"She can act? I always thought she was a bit of an aging hippie, if you know what I mean," Frank said. "Don't get me wrong, she has a very healthy business with her jewelry. I wouldn't have thought of her for a part in a play, though."
"She really has a flair," William said. "I'm still not sure about the male lead. He seems a bit young to me, untried."
"Well, Beth is young isn't she? So that works," Frank said. "She's what, twenty or something, Betsy?"
"Yes, or rather, she's twenty-one is what I've heard. I also heard at the deli today that the actor you're talking about is very handsome. The young women in town are already planning on how to accidentally meet him."
Frank noticed that this news seemed to perk up William's demeanor.
"A lot of them were interested?" he asked.
"Yes. Now tell us more about the play and what you have planned," Betsy said.
As Frank served dinner, William told them about what it was like to put on a play. Frank found it interesting how much more charming William could be when talking about something he obviously felt passionately about.
&nb
sp; By the end of the meal, Frank was certain that William had grown fond of Beth. The way he spoke about the girl made it obvious. He had an idea.
"William, we're having a family gathering of sorts this weekend. All the original investors will be in town and here for a meal. How about you come for dinner and you can catch up everyone on how the Playhouse is coming along? There'll be plenty of food, and we'd love to have you." He ignored Betsy's surprised glance and smiled at their guest.
William said, "If you're sure...it would be good to tell everyone about all the progress."
They continued to talk for a while, and then William said he had to leave. After he was gone, Betsy turned to Frank with her hands on her hips.
"Frank Grainger. I know exactly what you're up to."
"Hmm? I'm up to nothing."
"You're matchmaking."
"Surely not. But if those two happen to see each other in a different venue than work...well, you never know. I like him. He's a good man."
"I like him too, but you can't just go pushing people at each other."
"Sometimes, Betsy, you can. Besides, it's all in the name of true love."
"You do realize that Beth's parents are going to be there?"
"Yep. Should be an interesting time, don't you think?"
Betsy shook her head at him.
Chapter 5
Beth spent a difficult night at her apartment. There was no way she was calling anyone for help, not with her parents in town. Something like that would just convince her mother she belonged back home with them after her 'trauma.'
Of course, it had in fact, been a trauma. Having someone break the door down and rush to attack was not a minor thing. But she'd stood up for herself and hadn't been hurt. It was over. So why was she still a bit uncomfortable alone in the apartment?
The morning light in the kitchen brightened as the sun came up. She was waiting for the bakery to open, but realized they were probably already down there baking now. Pulling on jeans, sweatshirt and boots, she scrambled down the stairs and knocked on the back door.
Kayla opened the door looking surprised. "What's up, Beth?"
"Please say you'll save me and give something to eat. I'm starving and I don't care if it's yesterday's goodies."
Kayla laughed. "Come on in. You're in luck. I just finished up muffins. The blueberry muffins are nice and warm."
Beth pulled money out of her pocket and laid it on the table in the bakery kitchen. "Here you go. I'll take two. Thank you so much!"
She dashed out with her bagful of warm blueberry goodness. Upstairs once more, she made coffee and poured juice. Breaking open the muffin, she sniffed the aroma and smiled. This was more like it. The muffins were so rich, they didn't even need butter. As she ate, she thought about the visit with her parents yesterday.
They'd been so worried. And then at one point, when she'd made the mistake of saying how she'd 'gotten herself attacked'...well, her father got angry then. And he was right. None of what had happened was her fault. In a way, that was what made it all the harder to deal with, late at night. Because it had been something completely out of her control. She hated being the victim.
On the other hand, she had turned from victim to survivor when she whacked him in the head with the frying pan. Ed Carter, her father and ex-police detective, had seemed pretty proud of how she'd defended herself.
So all she had to do now was learn how to sleep comfortably when alone. William being there the other night had been so good. She'd felt perfectly safe with him.
She decided that after a bad night's sleep she could do only one thing. She'd take a shower and then dress up for work. Really try and look her best. That was bound to lift her mood.
Deciding it was time to wear a skirt, for a change, she put on a short black skirt and black tights with a cobalt blue silk blouse. To top it, she wore a floral jacket, done in greens and blues, with a black background. She pulled on her black suede boots that came up over her knees, the ones with the three-inch heels. Taking extra time with her makeup, she managed to conceal the dark shadows under her eyes. She used hot curlers in her hair so that it bounced in waves to her shoulders.
Spritzing on some of her favorite perfume, she looked in the mirror and felt pleased. It did pay to take some time in getting ready. Two gold chains, and dangly gold earrings and she left the apartment.
She sang with Adele on the radio, and realized her black mood from the bad night before had left her. When she walked into the main floor of the offices, she waved to Julia.
"Hold it, stop right there," Julia said. She came out from around her desk and stared at Beth. "You look fab. Really great."
"Thanks!"
"What's the occasion?"
"I just felt like dressing up more today. I'll see you when I take my break, okay? I want to get started," Beth said, as she turned to go upstairs.
"He beat you in, again," Julia said.
Beth stopped and looked at her. "Damn. He always does that."
When she walked into her office, she found him rummaging on her desk. "What are you looking for, William?"
He turned quickly around, and then stopped, eyes going wide. "Uh..."
"Good morning," she said, with a smile. "Can I help you?"
"Uh...sure."
She frowned at him. "William? Are you okay?"
He shook himself. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. I needed to see the invoice Milton submitted. I think he ordered the wrong material."
Beth set her handbag down and walked across the room to the file cabinet. "It's in here, under invoices."
"Those boots...how can you walk in those heels?" William asked.
"These?" She looked down at them. "They're comfortable, surprising as that seems."
"I just want to say that you look fantastic this morning."
Beth felt herself blushing. "Why, thank you."
"I wonder if we should use those boots as part of your wardrobe in the play," William said, clearly thinking aloud.
Beth felt incredibly silly for having taken the compliment on the boots and her looks as something personal. He'd only been thinking of the play, of course.
"Sure," she said. "If you think they work for the character."
"I'm not sure. They look terrific on you, but they may not fit Corie. We'll have to see." He took the invoice from her hand and walked out of the office.
Beth walked slowly to her desk and sat down. She had no idea if she'd just been admired by him or not.
"Get a grip, girl," she murmured. There was no point in even thinking of him like that. He was her boss and her director which meant he was clearly off limits. End of story.
"Beth?" William asked, leaning around her door.
"Yeah, boss."
"Do you want to grab lunch together at the Diner later on?"
"Uh, sure. A working lunch sounds good."
He blinked a few times. "Yeah, work, a working lunch. Absolutely."
He vanished from her view, and she turned back to her computer with a smile.
* * * *
"All right girls, here's the plan," Frank said to Maggie, Anna, and Julia. He'd called them all for a quick meeting about the weekend gathering. "Looks like we'll have fifteen people to feed and--"
"Fifteen? Who's the last one? I thought we were fourteen," Maggie said.
"I asked someone else to come," Frank said. "Now, we're not doing steak and lobster because we've been there and done that too many times. Since my recipe calls for two roasts, we'll need four pork loin roasts--"
"Who?" Maggie asked.
"Just somebody. With the apples baked--"
"Really, Frank, who?" asked Julia.
"William Christopher," Frank said. "As I was saying, aside from the roasts, we'll need two baking dishes full of macaroni and cheese and--"
"What?" Maggie said.
"William Christopher?" Julia asked.
"Does Beth know?" Anna said. "Dad, you aren't trying to get them together are you?"
"Girls
! Pay attention. Julia, I'm going to need plenty of tossed salad from you. Maggie, I want you to prepare the fruit for the shortcake dessert. Blackberries and strawberries. Anna, you do a great mac and cheese so I'm leaving that up to you."
"But Dad, seriously. You invited Mr. Christopher?" Anna asked.
"Yes, I did. The man's all on his own. Plus everyone will be here so he can report on the Playhouse to them. This has nothing to do with Beth."
Maggie tilted her head and stared at him. Frank couldn't withstand that stare for long. Something about Maggie's violet eyes... "Okay, okay. I think he has a thing for Beth."
"He's ten years older than her!" Maggie said. "Don't you go matchmaking, Frank."
Julia pursed her lips and tapped one oval fingernail on the table. "I don't know. I've been around them more than you guys have been. There is a spark between them. But I think they're both fighting it. The thing is, you can't just spring him on her at the gathering. You have to tell her he's coming so she'll be prepared."
"I thought it would be a nice surprise," Frank said, innocently.
"Oh please," Anna said. "You're terrible. If you don't tell her he's coming, then I will."
"Fine, you tell her," Frank said. "So we'll have the baked stuffed apples with the pork roasts and apple cider gravy. Got the recipe off the Food Network and it's very good. I'll do up some fresh roasted green beans and with what you all bring, we should be set."
"Is Holly bringing anything? She's the best cook of all of us," Anna said of her sister.
"She said she'd be bringing something. I asked for pigs in the blanket," Frank said.
"You know, William spent the night at Beth's apartment, night before last," Maggie said, quietly.
Dead silence fell at the table, and then they were all talking at once.
"Hang on! Just wait and I'll tell you," Maggie said, waving her arms. "She says he stopped by with script notes for her. Then they decided to watch a movie. And ended up watching three and falling asleep on the couch sitting next to each other. That was it. I was thinking it was nice of him to stay since she'd probably been a bit scared her first night back there."
"Well, it was nice of him," Julia said. "Doesn't mean they aren't developing feelings."
"Hmph. See, I'm not so wrong," Frank said.