Still, the void had lingered through each of the three rehearsals. The sense of family she’d longed for was gone—almost as if it had never existed. And the uncomfortable awkwardness that hounded her every time she had to pretend she was falling in love on stage had become palpable.
“Bonjour! So good to have you back!” Her new understudy, Danielle, had leaned forward and thrown her willowy arms around Vivien before kissing her on each cheek like she was still in France.
Vivien had plastered on a smile, her guard settling into place. “Thanks.” Danielle had never liked her and, based on the raised brows of the other cast members in the room at the overt display of false adoration, nothing much had changed.
It probably hadn’t helped that Vivien had stolen her chance at the limelight. Ravil had promptly moved Danielle from the lead role back to understudy. No business like show business.
Now, Vivien made her way through the gathering cast for today’s rehearsal.
“We’re starting in fifteen minutes.” The stage manager wove through the cast. She paused in front of Vivien. “After rehearsal, you’ll need to try on all your costumes.” She looked Vivien up and down like she was a slab of meat in the butcher shop window, her mouth down-turned in a deep frown. “They might need to be let out.”
Vivien tugged her sweater around her body and sucked in her stomach. She’d spent a lot of years starving herself for the stage. So, yeah, she’d decided when she left town the last time she was done brutalizing her body to fit a mold. She liked onion rings, hot dogs, burgers, and ice cream.
She set her shoulders back. She wouldn’t think about those things because they just took her back to Deep Haven. To Java Cup. To Footstep of Heaven Bookstore. To football.
She blew out a breath.
To Boone.
“Sure,” Vivien said and pressed past the crowd to her dressing room. She opened the door and escaped into the quiet space. For all the heat of the stage lights, her dressing room was always impossibly cold in the old theater. She shivered, her eyes tracing the long crack in the paint that nearly traveled the entire wall. Several chunks of plaster were missing from the ceiling and three bulbs in the dressing room mirror had burned out.
God, what am I doing here?
She sank down onto the chair in front of her makeup mirror, dug through her purse for her lipstick. Her fingers scraped across a folded piece of paper. She tugged it out and unfolded it.
The women’s Bible study flyer.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
She let the verse take root in her soul. Maybe Ree and Issy were right. Maybe she had let fear rule her life instead of living honestly in her faith. Trusting God. She’d been afraid to love—okay, not love. She didn’t love Boone. Yet. But, she’d been afraid to let someone in. She’d paraded around with the safe choices—like leading men for her life. No real commitment.
Until Boone. And, oh, she’d pushed him away, her own accusation sounding juvenile in her head. You don’t belong here and you most certainly don’t belong with me. Yeah, she’d been dramatic at the playhouse. And, while he hadn’t handled it exactly like the smooth officer he could be, she had probably been looking for a way to confirm her doubts.
She pulled out her new cell phone and punched in Ree’s number.
“Hello?” Ree answered, her voice tentative.
“It’s me,” Vivien answered.
“Viv! Where are you calling from? I don’t recognize the number.”
“I lost my phone somewhere between JFK and the apartment and picked up a prepaid one.”
“Oh no! How are you doing? I miss you.”
The sound of Ree’s voice split the loneliness deeper.
“I miss you, too.” Vivien paused, closed her eyes. “I would have called sooner, but I didn’t know what to say. Ree, I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing here.” Footsteps padded by outside her door as cast members began to assemble for rehearsal.
“I know I’m not sure why you’re there. I told you that.” The words held gentle rebuke.
“I have to do this. Right?” Vivien didn’t try to conceal the doubt in her voice.
“Only you can answer that.” Ree’s soft tone reached across the miles.
Vivien leaned forward, resting her head against her hands and closing her eyes. “I just…I don’t know.”
They let the silence fill the space between them until Ree asked, “What about Joslyn?”
“Haven’t seen her. I heard no one’s seen her since the week she was fired. She stormed through, hollered about her check being less than it was supposed to be, then disappeared.”
“Well, that’s probably a good thing, right?”
“I suppose.” In truth, Vivien wasn’t sure that anything about New York felt like a good thing.
“Hey, um…you should know Boone called me.”
The sound of his name constricted the vise around her lungs.
“He did? What did he want?” Not that she should care. Except, she did.
“I don’t know. He couldn’t leave a message because my voice mail was full. I saw his number on my caller ID.”
“He probably wants to make sure Gordy isn’t blasting him in the Herald.” Except, why should he care? He wasn’t coming back to Deep Haven.
She’d taken care of that.
Vivien could hear a door knock over the phone.
“Oh, nuts—I gotta run. I’m sorry. Seth is here to pick me up.”
Vivien took a deep breath. “It’s okay. I have rehearsal.”
“Call me back later?” Ree asked.
“Sure. You guys have fun.”
“Break a leg.”
Vivien disconnected the call and checked her watch. Two minutes. She wove her way to the stage where the first-scene actors had assembled, warming up with vocal scales and facial gymnastics.
They would all put on their costumes, their makeup, and they’d pretend. She’d pretend.
Only she’d had the one man who’d seen through all the glitz to the real her.
The deep, husky laughter. The pale blue eyes. Ice cream and car rides. Dunks in the lake. Cauliflower vegetable pizza. A pew in the church.
A surprisingly ordinary and utterly incredible life full of…joy.
Joy. The kind that thrilled the soul. The kind that comforted the heart and grounded her. The kind that, yes, made being Vivien Elizabeth Calhoun not only who she was, but who she wanted to be.
“Let’s start with the library scene,” Ravil said.
Vivien nodded to him and moved to her starting mark. She turned to face Jeremiah Douglas, the male lead. He stood on the stage in his skinny jeans and hoodie. Not exactly beast-like.
Definitely not Boone-like either.
Several other cast members moved into position and Ravil gave them a nod to begin.
The words came easily, scene after scene. They always did. But, even when the music started and she nailed every note, every step of choreography, it left only a hollow echo in her soul. Not even the climax of the story could warm her heart.
Because the sense of belonging she’d been seeking didn’t come from the outside world. It didn’t come from praise and good reviews. It didn’t come from applause or the exacting direction of a show.
She laughs without fear of the future.
It came from her heavenly Father.
Oh, why had she ever thought she should leave Deep Haven again?
“Okay, that’s good.” Ravil held up his hand for them to stop and paced back and forth before walking up to Vivien and placing a hand on each of her shoulders, like claws, holding her in place. Creases tugged at the corners of his lips, aging him beyond his years. “Great job today. You’re perfect.”
“Thanks.” Vivien gave him one of her stage-worthy plastic smiles until he loosened his grip and she backed away.
“Ravil?” Danielle appeared in the wing. “There’s someone waiting for you in the office.”
“Oh. Sure.” He rubbed his hands together. “Good work, everyone. Get some lunch.” He disappeared behind the curtains, along with the rest of the cast.
Vivien stood alone on the stage, wishing more than anything that she was sitting in the Java Cup with Ree and Issy, talking football and engagements and work—all the completely wonderful and ordinary pieces of life.
The stage lights went dark and Vivien could finally see into the expanse of the dim theater. A lone figure stood up from the red velvet seats, backlit by the exit lamps near the doors to the theater lobby.
Oh boy. She sucked in a breath.
She’d know those broad shoulders anywhere. He stood there, looking every bit the hero as the first day they met.
Boone. Boone was in New York City. In the theater. Watching her rehearsal.
Somehow, she made it to the edge of the stage, slid down to the main floor, and met him in the dim light of the auditorium.
“What are you—what are you doing here?” Her words came out in a breathy rasp.
He wore jeans and that super-soft blue T-shirt that turned his eyes a devastating shade. He stood so close she could smell him. His intoxicating, masculine scent.
Her throat went dry.
His eyes met hers, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m sorry for the things I said.”
She nodded. Swallowed. “I’m—I’m sorry too.”
“I never meant them.” He reached his hand out to hers and she wove her fingers into the warmth.
She nodded. “I didn’t either.”
No excuses. No justification.
She swiped a tear from her eye. “But, seriously, what are you doing here?” She laughed. It came out like a nervous giggle.
He nodded toward the stage. “There’s a show I had to come see. I’m a really big fan of the star.”
“Are you now?”
“The biggest.”
“Just so we’re clear—I’m Beauty, not the Beast.”
He laughed, the rich deep tones warming her core.
“Beauty, huh?” He raised a brow.
She nodded.
“Yes, you are.” He lifted his hand and let his fingers play with the waves in her hair. “It’s interesting. Ironic, even.”
She looked up at him, her body electrified by his nearness. “How’s that?”
“Oh, I don’t know—a show all about looking past the exterior. Seeing the heart.”
“Maybe there is a little Beast in me.” She lowered her voice. “But you do see my heart, don’t you? You know the real me.”
“I meant how you see me.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Viv, you made me see myself differently too. Made me see that I could live a different life—one I wanted, not one I had to live. And when I got back to Kellogg, I realized I didn’t want that life if it wasn’t with you. And if being in your life means moving to New York City, then, well, that’s what I’ll do. I’m not afraid to start at the bottom of the roster at NYPD.”
“What?” He could not be serious. She raised her hand toward the stage. “But—here?”
“I’m not leaving you, Vivie. Not now. Not ever, if you’ll let me stick around.”
“Then you’ll have to follow me back to Deep Haven because I don’t want this anymore.”
Vivien led him to the stairs at the side of the stage and onto the main stage floor. “All this?” She raised her hands toward the sets surrounding them. “It leaves me as empty as those seats out there. I don’t belong here. Maybe I never did. Maybe that’s exactly why I kept running back to Deep Haven.”
He reached for her. Wrapped her in a warm embrace that set her heart pounding. She buried her face against him, inhaling him.
She’d missed this. Missed every part of him. She twined her arms around his neck.
He met her eyes. And smiled. And then he leaned down and kissed her. Sweet, tender, satisfied.
Like this time, the guy got the girl.
Boone held her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs across her cheeks before releasing her. He wove his hand around hers. “As much as I would love to continue this—I do have some concerns about your case.” And just like that, he was in detective mode.
All the warm fuzzies melted. “My case?”
“The deliveries.” He looked past her toward the stage wings and lowered his voice. “Is Joslyn here?”
“No. I was told she cleared out her stuff and picked up her last check at the beginning of August.” She tightened her grip on his hand. “Boone—what’s going on? You’re kind of freaking me out.” She pulled away and raised her hands. “I feel like I’m gonna have to bust out my Charlie’s Angels moves again.”
He wrapped his hands around hers. “Easy, ‘Kelly.’ From what I’ve seen, those are lethal weapons.” The tease faded from his eyes and he released the hold with his second hand. “We believe she’s responsible for the burned flowers you’ve been receiving. And the destruction at the theater.”
Vivien’s brows raised. “Joslyn? I mean, I didn’t trust her, but…wow. You found proof?”
“Yeah. And, your fan-slash-stalker that caused you to freeze on stage? Looks like she hired him too.”
Vivien sucked in a breath. “Why? To get me out of the show?”
“I think so. She knew what had happened at acting school when you left New York the first time. I guess she thought she’d take advantage to further her own career. And it worked. We found a plane ticket purchased by her the weekend your flowers showed up.”
“But why would she come to Deep Haven? Why would she try to spook me there?”
“She knew Ravil was ready to ask you back. Probably felt that if she kept the stalker fresh in your mind—”
“But she sent me a text to warn me.”
“To throw you toward the idea that you’re still being stalked. And, if she warned you, then you wouldn’t suspect her. She never called you back, right?”
“Well, I did block her number. But I wouldn’t have returned. At least, if it hadn’t been…” She placed a palm on her chest, the memory of their fight vivid. “I’m so sorry.”
He squeezed the hand he still held. “Me too. We’re not sure why she destroyed the playhouse. I have a NYPD detective who’s been helping me with the case.”
“You don’t think she’d do anything—now that I’m here, do you?”
“It’s possible. They’re looking for her now.” He looked down at her with so much concern it nearly unraveled her. “I—I’m worried about your safety.”
She nodded and lifted her free hand toward the stage sets. “I have to figure out how I’m going to get out of here—out of this show.”
Boone nodded, his eyes focused on hers. “Do you have an understudy?”
“Yes.” Danielle would be thrilled to be back in the spotlight.
“And she can take over?”
“Yes, but I told Ravil—”
“Have you signed a contract?”
“No, I just showed up a few days ago and started rehearsing—” She froze, his words about NYPD finally clicking. “Wait, what are you actually doing here? Why aren’t you in Kellogg, in the chief position?”
A lopsided smile slid up Boone’s face. “I turned it down.”
“You wanted that job.”
He gave a wry smile. “No. Everyone else wanted me to have the job.” He lifted the hand he held and placed his other hand over the top, cupped hers in between his own. “But I wanted other things.”
She blinked at him. “Just like that, you turned it down?”
“Yeah. Just like that.” He nodded, released her hand.
She let his words twine through her soul. “So, Detective Buckam, are you applying with the Deep Haven sheriff’s department?”
Again, a lopsided smile. “Actually, I’m turning in my badge.” He traced his fingertips over her knuckles.
“Really?”
He looked at her, clarity and resolution in his eyes. “Over the past month, I’ve been working on this little buildin
g project for the Crisis Response Team. It seems they like my drywall skills and might want to keep me around. If you want to live in Deep Haven, then I’ll be applying for a position with the Crisis Response Team there.”
Boone. Living in Deep Haven. “That would be amazing.” Understatement of the year. And she didn’t even care if she had a silly grin on her face.
“And, you know, the team does need volunteers.”
“Really? You’d…be okay with it?” Her fingers brushed across the fabric of his shirt, his heart beneath her palm.
“Vivien, you need to be you. That’s who I’ve fallen in love with.”
Love. She looked up at him, the words easy on her lips despite the many times she’d tried to deny it to herself. So obvious. “I love you too.”
He held her against himself, his voice soft against her ear. “And if I don’t get the job, I’m sure something else will come along. I’m pretty good with cars. And maybe Casper will need someone at Wild Harbor to hand out towels to unsuspecting tourists.”
She giggled. “Funny.”
He drew her closer, his strong arms anchoring her. “Should we head home? Let the NYPD find Joslyn while you’re safe with me in Deep Haven?”
Safe with him…at home, in Deep Haven. Yes.
She spent twenty minutes searching for Ravil and calling his phone before resigning herself to writing him a note. She tucked it into the doorjamb of his office.
“No luck?” Danielle leaned against the corridor wall. “I think he went to meet someone.”
“Oh, hey. Um—I need to leave. I wanted to tell him in person.”
“Leave…?”
“The show. I won’t be able to do the show.” Vivien looked at Boone and then turned back to Danielle. “I know you’ve been playing the part and—and I think the role belongs to you now.”
Something lit in her hazel-green eyes. “Oui.”
Vivien turned and led Boone to her dressing room.
“So that’s Danielle?”
“Yes. She’s been playing Belle since Joslyn left.”
Boone pressed his lips together. “Hmm.” And he looked every bit the bodyguard as she gathered up her belongings and said goodbye to the few remaining cast members.
Then Came You Page 26