* * * *
Sophia gathered everyone together in the large open living room. "Now remember, people, I don't want any of you bugging her about what happened at the hospital and why she's on sabbatical. We don't need to know the details. Let's just all make sure she has a relaxing time here."
People nodded their heads and then went back to the five or six different conversations that had been going on previously. Sophia sighed, shrugged her shoulders, and almost ran into Frank Grainger when she turned to head back into the kitchen.
"Sophia, I still don't feel right having this gathering at your house. My house has always been the place for family gatherings."
"I know, Frank, but I think since she's my daughter I should be hosting the family this time around. Besides, I have a bigger kitchen than you."
His grin turned into a frown at her last words. "I've been thinking of remodeling..."
"It isn't a contest, Frank. Shouldn't we share the family gathering duties?"
"I suppose," he said, sounding grumpier than his usual cheerful self.
Sophia sighed again and then left him muttering under his breath. She was afraid that Anna, her daughter-in-law, might have forgotten to take out the batch of appetizers from the oven. But when she arrived at the large island in the middle of the huge kitchen, she found that Anna was already putting the little brie and Merlot mushroom bites onto a serving platter. The brie was melted perfectly covering the mushroom mixture in the tiny phyllo pastry cups. The spinach and gruyere in puff pastry spirals were already on a large dish.
"Anna, this is wonderful. Thanks so much for helping out."
Anna smiled at her. "I love to cook. Almost as much as I love painting...but don't tell my gallery I said that."
Sophia had been to the city and seen Anna's work in the famous Stanley Walters' Gallery. She seemed to have an artistic touch as well when it came to food. Anna had done a large cake for the welcoming party today that was just delightful, with richly-colored flowers all over it.
"Where's Joshua?" Sophia asked. Her grandson Joshua, at almost three years old was a handful, mostly because he was gifted and curious.
"Sam has him. I think they were going to look at a book."
Sophia was proud of her son, Sam, as a writer and for all he'd accomplished, but she was most proud of how wonderful a father Sam had turned out to be. He was far more patient with Joshua than Sophia ever recalled being with her kids.
She heard the front door open and rushed out to greet Rose with a huge hug and kisses on each side of her face. "You're here! It's so marvelous to see you, darling."
"Mom, let her breathe," Beth said, laughing.
Sophia let go of Rose but held one hand. "How was the drive? Are you all settled in? What do you need?"
Rose smiled at her. "I'm all set. The drive was fun and when I got to the apartment I found that Beth, Maggie, and Anna had me all set up with food and drink and cookies."
"And she already has a man," Beth said.
Sophia had started walking down the hall to the living room, pulling Rose behind her. She stopped dead and turned to look at her blushing daughter.
"A man? What man?"
Rose looked a bit embarrassed. "Let's go in and meet everyone, so I won't have to be telling the story over and over."
Sophia led the way to the living room, mulling over the idea of Rose with someone. As far as she knew, it had been ages, maybe even a year, since Rose had dated anyone. Who on earth could she have met this fast?
Everyone got up and swarmed around Rose offering hugs, kisses, and handshakes. Some reintroduced themselves since she'd only met them briefly in her earlier visit. Finally, Sophia motioned everyone to sit down.
"I think Rose has a story to tell us," she said.
Rose explained meeting Ben Sterling, and told them who he was, and the connection to William Christopher and the Playhouse. Then she told them that he thought she was a model...and begged them to keep her secret.
Sophia felt her eyebrows rising. Rose? Pretending to be someone else, someone who was not a doctor? There was something behind this, more than her claim to want to have a little fun. But Sophia knew that she could not push Rose for answers. Of all her children, Rose was the most stubborn, tenacious, and private. She was the one who never gossiped. And the one who'd had the dedication to go through years of schooling to become a doctor. Sophia would have to be patient and wait for Rose to spill her guts.
Maggie, Sophia's youngest daughter with a very petite build, had grabbed Rose and was babbling on about her pregnancy. Maggie was getting bigger now with an expected delivery date in mid-August. It brought a smile to Sophia's face to see tiny Maggie with that big belly.
As she passed around the appetizers, Sophia stopped next to the chair William was sitting in and leaned in close to her son-in-law.
"Tell me. What's your impression of this actor?"
"Ben Sterling? He has an excellent reputation in the business, and when I met him I was very impressed. Seems like an alright kind of guy."
"I just don't want Rose...hurt."
"None of us do, Sophia. Don't worry. There will be plenty of eyes on this guy," William said firmly.
Sophia patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks. That does make me feel better."
She watched Rose throughout the night and realized that her daughter really did seem to be relaxing. There was lots of laughter at the big table in the dining room, and people appeared to be enjoying themselves. The chicken cacciatore was a hit, and everyone loved Anna's cake.
At one point she heard Maggie ask Rose if she liked Ben.
"I do like him...so far, anyway. Obviously, I've only just met him. He could end up being a jerk, but it doesn't feel like that is who he is."
"And you're really going to let him take pictures of you?"
Rose laughed. "Yes, and don't sound so surprised. I think I need a break from all the serious stuff in my life. I'm going to play."
Sophia was again surprised, but also glad to hear what Rose had said. Maybe coming to Sully Point was the right move for Rose after all.
Chapter 2
Rose woke up in an unfamiliar room and was confused for a few seconds. Then she remembered...Sully Point. The bedroom had a medium-sized window with thin curtains that let in the morning light. She glanced over at the bedside table and realized she hadn't unpacked her alarm clock.
The thought stunned her. Nothing else could have brought home the change in her circumstances more than knowing she had nothing to be up for, no place to rush to, no reason to even get out of bed. She rested her head back on the pillow. No clinic. No hospital. What on earth was she going to do with herself?
The sound of her phone ringing in the living room got her up and moving, dashing from the bedroom. As she picked up the phone, she was shocked to see that it was after nine in the morning.
"Hello?"
"Rose? It's Ben. Ben Sterling."
"Oh, hi."
"Did I wake you up?"
"No, I was awake a few minutes ago."
"Ah, so you haven't had breakfast."
"No, nothing yet. And I do seriously need coffee."
"I called to ask if you want to go out for breakfast at the Diner. I heard it's a local spot and that they do all kinds of breakfast foods."
"That sounds like just what I need," Rose said, feeling a lift in her mood at the invitation.
"How about I come by and pick you up in..."
"I can be ready in fifteen minutes."
"You can? Terrific, because I'm starved. See you in fifteen."
Rose ended the call, and then she ran back into the bedroom. She found jeans in the suitcase she hadn't yet unpacked. Pairing that with a long, gauzy, coral-colored top with beading at the top, she wished that she had some sandals, but put on her old sneakers instead. Summer temperatures were definitely happening in Sully Point. She took the time to brush out her hair, still wondering if she should just cut it all off. Deciding she didn't want to mess any m
ore with it, she pulled it up into a long pony tail.
Glancing at the time on her phone, she realized she had no time for any make-up, so she just put in some big gold hoop earrings and gathered up her tan, leather, cross body handbag, and phone. She heard honking downstairs and raced out the door and down the stairs.
Ben looked at her appreciatively when she reached the car.
"Sorry for honking, but all the spots were taken in the lot here."
"No problem. I'm famished. Let's go," Rose said.
"I suppose we could have just gone to the Bakery to eat, but I want a full breakfast, with eggs and everything, not just some pastry."
Rose nodded. "Me, too. It's been a while since I had a big breakfast."
"No dieting for you on vacation?"
"Dieting?"
"Aren't all you models on a diet all the time?"
"Oh! No, I, uh, never have to diet."
"Really? Then why haven't you had a big breakfast in a while?"
"Too busy."
"Early shoots? I guess that would disrupt mornings."
"Yeah..."
Rose was glad when they reached the Diner and hoped she could keep the conversation off models and modeling. Once inside, the smells of food made her stomach growl.
The Diner had a large menu and it took a while for the two of them to decide what to order. Rose picked a veggie omelet with homemade biscuits on the side and strawberry preserves. Ben ordered eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a biscuit with sausage gravy. They both got black coffee and juice.
Rose debated saying something about cholesterol and high fat foods, but then decided to be a model and not a doctor. It was rather freeing. She took a sip of her tomato juice and wondered just what people talked about outside of medicine. It had been her life for so many years now, and all her friends were in the medical profession. When she had time for friends, which was not usual.
"How was your dinner with your family last night?" Ben asked.
"Fun. Noisy. Everyone came."
"Everyone?"
"All my family, Sam, Maggie, Beth and their spouses and my parents. Then there were all the Graingers. Oh and Julia's father, Rob Tremaine and his significant other. And the three kids. I think it adds up to...twenty of us including me."
Ben choked on his coffee. "Twenty?" he finally got out.
Rose grinned at him. "Yeah. I figured you might enjoy the barbecue they are planning to have on the beach in a week or so. But I don't know...think you can handle that large a crowd of family?"
He'd regained his composure and had a twinkle in his eye as he said, "I think if I can handle screaming fans at a premiere, I can handle your family."
She laughed. She felt comfortable with him, like she'd known him a long time rather than just one day.
The waitress, whose name tag said Mary Jo, brought large platters of food to the table. Rose couldn't believe the size of the omelet she'd ordered. It was stuffed full of veggies and cheese. Ben's platter had a pile of hash browns along with his other food.
"Can I get you anything else?" Mary Jo asked.
Ben looked up at her, and Rose watched as the girl blushed when those blue eyes were on her.
"It will be a miracle if we can eat all of this, so I think we're all set, Mary Jo."
"Uh...okay then. I'll just be over there if you need me, Mr. Sterling."
Rose buttered her big fluffy biscuit and spread preserves on it. "Do you get recognized all the time?"
Ben shrugged. "Sometimes. I'm not a big star, so it doesn't happen very often."
They both got quiet as they dug into their breakfasts. Rose's biscuit melted in her mouth, and the omelet had been seasoned perfectly with some combination of herbs she couldn't identify.
"This food is delicious," Ben said. "But I'm going to need a walk after this. How would you like to go with me to walk around the square in the center of town?"
Rose thought for a minute and realized she had absolutely no place to be. "Sure, I could use a walk. I hate to leave so much food on the plate, but I can't eat any more of this omelet. Do you want some?"
He leaned back and patted his stomach, which was, she noticed, quite flat. "I'm full. Do you want to take it with you?"
"No, my fridge is already filled with food. This was a thoroughly satisfying breakfast."
He snagged the check and paid the bill before she had time to realize he'd done it.
"Next time we go out, we split the bill," she said.
"Really? Does it truly bother you that I paid the check?"
She thought about it. "Actually, not so much. Okay, if you ask me out, you pay. If I ask you, I'll pay. Deal?"
He gave her a dazzling grin. "Deal."
They drove back to the town square and parked in front of a store with a sign that said, 'Lucretia's.'
"You don't see that name every day," Ben said. "Want to go see what she's selling?"
"Yes, let's check the place out."
They went into the narrow shop to discover cases with jewelry. Ben stopped dead and Rose almost ran into him.
"What is it?"
"Lucretia...as in Lucretia's Designs. I dated a woman once who would have killed for one of her pieces of jewelry. But from what the woman said, she only does high-end pieces for the very rich and famous. I can't believe she has this little shop in Sully Point of all places."
"Interesting. I wonder if she's here."
Nobody was in sight and they looked at the necklaces, bracelets and rings in the cases.
"Ooh, look at that bracelet. I love bracelets but I never get to wear them."
Ben looked at her curiously. "Why not?"
Rose glanced at him blankly. "Um, you know, they always take the best pieces of jewelry right back to the stores after they do the photo shoot."
She stared at the bracelet again. It was a twisted bangle, with a design etched into the metal which appeared to be gold. She sighed, thinking it probably would cost a fortune.
"Hello! Can I help you? I'm Lucretia."
The woman before them had long, blazing red hair pulled back away from her face. It was an appealing and different kind of face, all angles.
"I see you are looking at bracelets. Which one attracted your attention?"
Rose pointed and Lucretia took the piece out of the case and handed it over to her.
"It's absolutely lovely," Rose said, admiring it on her wrist. "I wish I could get it, but I'm just looking today."
Lucretia chuckled. "That's how I get more than half my business. You have to come in and look to find what you really like, really want. Are you two vacationing here in Sully Point? I say that because I don't recognize you...although you, young man, you look familiar."
Rose grinned at him. "He's a well-known actor, Ben Sterling. And I'm Rose Carter. I'm here visiting family. Ben and I just met."
"Rose! The one who—"
"Yes, yes, Sam's sister. And Maggie and Beth's, too. I just finished a modeling gig, and I'm taking some time off," Rose said, staring into Lucretia's startled eyes.
"Modeling...of...course. Sam mentioned you'd be here. Welcome to the town, both of you."
"Can I ask, just out of curiosity, how much is the bracelet?" Ben said.
Lucretia wrote a figure on the back of one of her cards. Ben looked at it and his eyes widened slightly.
"Good to know, good to know," he said.
"We'd better get on with our walk around the square," Rose said, taking off the bracelet. "It was great to meet you, Lucretia."
"It was nice to meet both of you, too. I'm sure I'll see you again."
They left the little shop and, once outside, Rose turned to Ben. "You have to tell me. How much was it?"
He shook his head. "You really don't want to know."
"That much?"
"Oh, yeah."
They walked along that side of the square and peered into a few shops. Then they went on and ended up in front of Grainger's Hardware.
"Let's go in. You can meet Fr
ank Grainger. Remember, his daughter Anna is married to my brother Sam," Rose said.
They walked into the store and Frank saw them immediately.
"Rose! How are you this fine day? Who's that with you?"
"This is Ben Sterling, the actor and photographer I was telling you about last night. Ben, this is Frank Grainger."
Frank shook Ben's hand. "Nice to meet you, Ben. You're here to do the summer play?"
"That's right, Mr. Grainger."
"You can call me Frank. Everyone does."
"This store looks like it has...everything," Ben said, looking around.
Frank chuckled. "Yeah, I pretty much do have everything here. Anything I can get you?"
"We just stopped in to say hello, Frank. We're walking around the square this morning," Rose said.
"Actually, there is something," Ben said. "Where are the best places for picture-taking around here? I figure you must know the prettiest spots since you've been here a while."
Frank smiled. "Yes, I surely have been here a while. The cliffs near Holly and Jason's house and the beach around Sam and Anna's beach house are some of the prettiest places around. Then there's the artist colony. They've done some amazing stuff up there with the landscaping and architecture."
"What artist colony?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, an artist colony sounds like something you normally wouldn't find in a small town like this," Ben said.
Frank shook his head. "I forgot you weren't up on things around here Rose, what with your med—modeling career. The family has a foundation that has been working to set up an artist colony. We're the ones who got the Playhouse finished. The first small bungalows have been built for the artists to live in. Here, let me draw you a map on how to get there."
While he got out a pen and paper and began drawing a map, explaining the directions to Ben, Rose wandered around. She liked the feel of the store, so jam-packed with merchandise yet easy to walk around in. She was relieved that Frank had remembered about her being a model instead of a doctor. Smiling to herself, she knew she was being silly doing this, but she needed it. Putting on another persona was a relief.
"Rose? You ready to go?" Ben called.
"Yes. I'm sure I'll see you soon, Frank. I'll be back to look around. I know you have something here that I need."
Love Imagines (Sully Point, Book 6) Page 2