by Leah Atwood
“I’ll stay here until Mom and Dad get back on their feet. If I’m not paying rent on my own place, I can afford the payments.”
“I wish we could help, but…”
It may have been due to a bad connection, but Mac thought he heard her sniffle. “It’s okay, Sis. You have your own set of problems going on.”
“Why does life have to be so hard?” Her hiccups and raspy breaths made her crying obvious.
His chest constricted. He wanted to help his baby sister and brother-in-law, but they stubbornly refused any financial assistance. “I’ve been praying John will find a job soon.”
“Thanks.” She blew her nose. “One of the men at church gave him some hours helping with a landscape company. It’s putting food on the table and keeping the power on but not much else.”
“Let me help. If not for you and John, at least let me do it for Mercy.”
“You’ve done enough. I appreciate the diapers you sent.”
He forced a straight face as though Tamera would be able to see him through the phone. “I didn’t do anything.”
A weak laugh trickled from Tamera. “The receipt had your billing information on it. At least Faith didn’t try to hide her help.”
“Oh.” Next time, he’d make sure the gift was sent anonymously, but he was glad his other sister had stepped in to help as well, even though she lived halfway across the country.
Her voice dropped an octave. “Thank you. It meant a lot to me.”
“How’s my favorite niece?” He changed the subject, sensing her tears were about to start again. “Did she take those first steps?”
“Not yet, but she’s trying.”
“I miss my Mercy girl. Tell her Uncle Mac loves her.”
“Why don’t you come over tomorrow afternoon and tell her yourself?”
He did a mental check of his calendar and couldn’t think of any plans. “I might. Mom is taking Dad for a rare trip to a friend’s house after church.”
“Really?” Her astonishment echoed over the line.
“It surprised me, too, but I’m glad. Getting out and socializing will help Dad.” He paused, deliberating if he should continue. “I only hope he behaves.”
“He will. I’ll say a prayer. Do you know if Mom’s home? I need to ask her something.”
“Should be.” He caught a glimpse of the time on the dash clock. “I’ll let you go call her. I told Phoebe I’d stop by at noon to change her oil.”
“Oh?”
He didn’t need to see her to know her eyes sparkled with her own ideas of romance, but he quickly dispelled them. “Sorry to break it to you yet again, but Phoebe and I are friends. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Under her fake cough was a word that sounded suspiciously like liar. “Whatever you say.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He ended the call, shaking his head and laughing.
His entire family was convinced he’d marry Phoebe one day. He took their teasing in stride since they kept it a family joke. Fortunately, they never made their comments in front of Phoebe—he didn’t want her embarrassed buy their crazy notions.
Not that dating Phoebe would be crazy. When he did meet someone and fall in love, he could only hope it was a woman like Phoebe. Down-to-earth, family oriented, intelligent, funny, and devoted to God. Beautiful with or without makeup. Any man would be blessed to have her as a wife.
Why not you?
Why not him? He’d asked himself that question many times, but they had a good thing going with their friendship. She’d never shown a romantic interest in him, so why complicate matters by suggesting more?
He drove home to Jasper Lake, realized he’d forgotten his tools, swung by the house to pick them up then drove to Phoebe’s. When he pulled into her driveway, he squelched his envy. The cabin she rented was everything he wanted in a house from the surrounding pines to the exposed beams to the wall-length windows. He’d been saving for a down payment, but his parents’ struggles dipped into that, a fact he didn’t begrudge.
Still, he couldn’t tamp down the longing for his own home. The duplex he’d rented outside of town was nice, but he wanted more than a single bedroom and eat-in kitchen that also served as a living room as well. He wanted a home where he could start a family and watch them grow. A wry smile curved his mouth. Maybe he should find a wife first and stop jumping ahead of himself.
A movement caught his attention. He glanced up and saw Phoebe walking toward his truck with a confused expression.
“Everything okay?” she said when she reached his door. “I saw you pull up several minutes ago.”
He inwardly cringed, not realizing he’d been sitting that long. “I was admiring the landscape.”
Her gaze swept over the property. “If not for my discount from work, I’d never be able to afford it, but I love this place. It’s why I can’t quit.”
“Are you thinking about it?”
She chuckled. “No, I love my job, but just saying.”
“It’s a nice benefit.” He slid out of the driver’s seat and stood to his feet. “Where’s the oil?”
“I set it behind my trunk.” She pointed in that direction. “Do you want to eat first? I made a pot of chicken noodle soup.”
The mention of soup brought awareness of the air’s chill. “That sounds great.”
“I have a fresh loaf of French bread to go with it.”
“You made it?”
Her hearty laugh said it all. “I stopped by the boardinghouse this morning to see Hunter, but forgot he had a speaking engagement this weekend.”
“How’s he doing?” He’d always liked Phoebe’s only brother but wished Hunter had made better life choices for the sake of his parents and siblings.
“Amazing.” She shot a contented grin before walking toward the front door.
Walking beside her, he shortened his strides. “Who is he speaking to this week?”
“A crowd of teens at a youth rally Elijah organized.”
“The one advertised in church?”
She pushed open the door and answered over her shoulder. “Yes. Eli and Trixie took a group of thirty teens from our church, and they’re expecting over five hundred to attend from across the state.”
“That’s incredible.” He followed her inside and closed the door behind him.
“Hunter’s nervous. It’s the largest crowd he’s spoken to yet, but they need to hear his message. Especially with homecoming at school next week.”
A shudder coursed through him. “It scares me when I hear students talk casually about their weekend parties. Sometimes I think I’m just old, but then I remember my high school years and see a huge difference between our generations.”
She nudged him in his ribs. “You’re twenty-eight, not exactly an ancient relic.”
“Might as well be for how well I relate to my students.”
“Whatever.” She strolled to the stove. “You’re the cool teacher.”
His own laugh caught him by surprise, causing him to choke on it. “Says who?”
“Trixie and Elijah have mentioned several times that the youth group admires you and your name comes up often in a good way when they talk about school.”
He crossed his arms, letting the compliment sink in. “Interesting.”
“You sound so doubtful. Even if I hadn’t heard it from my sister, I could see last night at the auction how much the students respect you.” She lifted the lid from a pot and dipped a ladle into the soup.
“Maybe they actually do listen behind those blank stares I get during class.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself. You listen to them and care about them. That goes a long way with teens.” She stirred the soup then lifted the ladle for a sniff. “Perfect.”
“Being a teen is hard. Sometimes they need a break and a moment of grace.” He drew in a long breath, letting the savory aroma tickle his nostrils with pleasure. “If a student forgets their homework, I’m not going to berate them. If they fail a te
st, I’ll work with them until they understand the material. If they need to talk about home life, then I’ll listen.”
“That’s what makes you different. Being a teacher is your calling, not a job.” Several drops of broth splashed over the bowl’s edge when she transferred the soup from ladle to dish.
He reached for a dishrag by the sink and handed it to her. “Speaking of jobs, are you ready for the big movie star arrival?”
“Yes and no.” She handed him the bowl then dipped the ladle into the pot again. “The movie will bring a tremendous boost to the town’s economy, but with it, chaos as well.”
“It might not be as bad as you think.” His statement fell flat to his own ears. He’d heard little else the last few days since the rumors had started to fly.
“The media frenzy has already started.” Carrying her bowl to the table, she grimaced. “I had three calls from the press while I was in my office for three short hours this morning. Paula at the front desk said she’d been fielding calls for two days.”
“To be honest, I’m surprised the secret lasted this long.” He sat catty-corner from her and reached for the spoon before realizing it was missing.
“Oops. I knew I forgot something. The crackers, too.” Phoebe jumped, pulled two spoons from a drawer, and reached into a cabinet. “I think the non-disclosure agreements helped keep the silence. Few businesses would risk the income over spilling the beans.”
He took a tall stack of saltines and crumbled them over his soup bowl. “Do you find it odd they’re pairing a debut actor with the likes of Deena Frasier?”
Tilting her head forward, she blew on a spoonful of soup. “A little, but what do I know.”
“I wonder if Deena’s at all like the press has made her out to be?”
Phoebe’s eyes clouded, and she scowled. “Are you going gaga for her too?”
“No, I was just curious.” He didn’t understand her negative reaction, but he wouldn’t pretend to know the mind of a woman.
“The truth probably lies in the middle. No one can be as perfect as the media once made her out to be, but I doubt she flipped a switch one night and became the monster they currently make her out to be.”
“True.” Sensing a sore subject, he immersed himself in eating his lunch.
Every time he glanced up, he caught Phoebe starting at him with an unreadable expression on her face. Something didn’t sit right in his gut, but he couldn’t place what it was.
Chapter Three
Phoebe took a deep breath and watched her breath vaporize as she exhaled. At thirty-nine degrees, late October had confused itself with winter. She’d even seen a few stray flurries this morning before the sun rose all the way.
Searching for warmth, she rubbed her hands together. She’d wait inside, but she didn’t want to track any debris into the pristine cabin. Two cleaning crews had attended to the cabin this week, ensuring not a square millimeter was left undusted. Deena’s agency paid quadruple the normal rates, and although that included the catering and specified new bedding, Phoebe was determined to meet their every need.
Not because Deena was a celebrity, but because she took pride in her job. From the poorest client to the richest, Phoebe wanted each guest to enjoy their accommodations to the fullest. Jasper Properties had a long-standing reputation for quality rentals and outstanding service. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that perception.
Her stomach knotted. Maybe she wasn’t as immune to celebrities as she liked to believe. If only she had someone to wait here with her, but Ted had met the crew at the airport as a gesture of goodwill, and the remaining staff had their own roles to fill today.
She glanced at her watch for the fiftieth time. There must have been a delay somewhere along the route. She checked for an update from Ted, but the last message was to tell that her the plane was on time and about to land. Rubbing her hands together, she craned her neck to search for any sign of approaching vehicles, but she no distant rumble of an engine could be heard.
Nerves continued to turn her stomach into a jungle gym with anxiety bouncing and climbing all over. She walked twenty paces forward then turned around to view the front of the cabin and appraise the curb appeal. The new topiary to the right of the door sat at an odd angle. Had she bumped the landscaping decoration and not realized it? She returned to the front door and straightened the plant.
Another ten minutes passed until she heard the faint sound of a car. Soon Ted’s car appeared, followed by a sleek charcoal-colored limousine. Ted parked to the side, allowing the limousine to have the prime spot in the driveway.
Her gaze fixated on the limousine. The chauffeur stepped out and opened the passenger door. A muscular man in a black suit got out and stood at attention, his eyes shifting back and forth and quietly observing the surroundings. All business, he didn’t crack a smile, only offered a subtle tip of his chin in greeting.
Next, a petite redhead dressed in a tailored navy suit exited the vehicle. She had a phone to her ear and stared at the iPad in her hand. Phoebe stood back, gauging if she should interrupt or wait for instructions. She assumed the slim woman was Lynz, Deena’s personal assistant. They’d spoken several times in the preceding week, and she’d given off the same haughty vibe then as Phoebe received from her now.
Finally, Deena left the limousine. Blonde hair splayed in perfect waves to the middle of her back. Her vivid blue eyes sparkled, and Phoebe decided they had to be colored contacts—no one had eyes that spectacular. Distressed jeans and a wine-hued cotton shirt clung to Deena’s trim figure. A pair of suede cognac-colored ankle boots and matching jacket completed the outfit. The look came off casual and effortless, but the entire outfit probably cost more than Phoebe’s rent for a year.
Deena strolled over. “You must be Phoebe. What an interesting name.”
She ignored the underhanded jab at her name and held out a hand. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Frasier.”
“Please, call me Deena.” Ignoring her hand, Deena walked toward the door and entered like she owned the place.
Uneasiness rooted in the pit of Phoebe’s stomach. “This is Jasper Properties’ top cabin. You have all the modern amenities of a five-star hotel, but with privacy and a picturesque view of the lake and summits.”
“This is… adorable. So quaint and rustic.”
If a five-bedroom, six-bath cabin with its own gym, library, and enclosed heated pool could be considered quaint. “It’s not Beverly Hills, but that’s its charm.”
The plastic smile on Deena’s face was as fake as her blonde hair. “Yes, charming.”
Phoebe stole a glance at Ted to see his reaction. His jaws tensed, but rather than nervous, he seemed annoyed by their pretentious guest.
Deena spotted the spread of hors d'oeuvres. She swung her hips as she walked toward them, then picked up an artichoke stuffed mushroom from the silver tray on the buffet.
Holding her breath, Phoebe prayed Deena would enjoy the snack. Degrading the lodging was one thing, but insulting Mrs. Banfield’s cooking was another.
“This is delicious.” Deena grabbed another and ate it. “I never imagined my expectations could be exceeded.”
Relief showered over Phoebe, but it was short-lived. With each passing moment, it became clear this would be a long two months, and that was if filming stayed on schedule. “Thelma Banfield is an amazing cook. I’ll be happy to pass on the compliment to her.”
“Please do. And ask if she can have another dozen of these sent to me still warm within the hour.”
Phoebe coughed. “I’m not sure she can accomplish that on such short notice.”
“Call her and see.” Deena flipped her hair and let out an annoyed sigh. “I’ll pay her five-hundred dollars if she can.”
“Okay.”
Deena tapped her foot impatiently, and Phoebe realized she was expected to call this exact second. She excused herself and went outside where she could speak in privacy. While she waited for Thelma to answer, she pr
ayed a quick prayer that she could comply with Deena’s request, absurd as it was. Of all the pretentious, high-handed— “Oh, hi, Thelma, how are you?”
“Just fine, dear. Has our guest of honor arrived?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She paused to regroup and clear her voice of sarcasm. “Your mushrooms are a hit. In fact, Deena has requested a dozen of these sent to her within an hour. Oh, and she’d like them warm.”
Thelma gasped. “That’s a tall order.”
“I know, and she’ll have to understand you can’t drop everything immediately to cater to her whims just because she throws five hundred dollars your way.”
“What did you say?” Thelma squeaked.
“She offered five hundred dollars.”
“You know what, I set some aside for Mac to take to the singles’ dinner tonight, but he can take a different side.” Thelma clucked her tongue. “Tamera’s here now with Mercy. She can keep an eye on her dad while I run the mushrooms up to the cabin. Give me ten minutes to warm them and fifteen minutes to get there.”
“You’re amazing.” Phoebe ended the call, relieved she wouldn’t have to face telling Deena no.
She returned inside to an empty cabin, then spotted the small group on the rear deck. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to deal with whatever Deena threw her way. Ted appeared to have a handle on sharing the welcoming information, so Phoebe lingered inside. She spotted several crumbs on the floor and bent to sweep them with her hand.
The slide-out cabinet containing the trashcan jammed when she pulled the handle. She groaned and gave it a firm tug. Now wasn’t the time for anything in the luxury cabin to break. After another pull, the slides cleared, and Phoebe dropped the crumbs in the trash. Peeking into the garbage, she spied the offending object—a bent paper towel roll. The cleaning crew broke protocol by leaving trash in the cabin, which normally wouldn’t be a huge deal, but great pains had been taken to make this stay perfect for Deena.
Now that the jam was cleared, the cabinet slid back in place without a sound. Phoebe turned around as Ted opened the French doors and led Deena and her entourage back inside.