“She’s rather unkempt, too, don’t you think? Even from this distance I can see a few shredded parts along the edge of that skirt. She does look interesting, though.”
Tiana suggested they walk the opposite way. They sat on the sand and watched the boats in the distance before heading back to the bed and breakfast for a light lunch. Most guests opted to spend the extra time in town. Tiana and Jeffrey joined Rocky and Arthur. Kelly Reed arrived five minutes later and smiled in greeting. Tiana eyed her closely. Kelly avoided her attention and sat down at the remains of the appetizer buffet but found her appetite had vanished.
Chapter 3
Predictions
As evening drew, near everyone in the cast displayed their nervousness in diverse ways. All appeared on edge except Kathryn Parker. Her role as the discarded object of the main character’s affection came as if natural to her. She fought to keep her eyes off Scott Wilson, both on and off stage. He stood tall with dark brown hair that framed a chiseled face and he had a fit, tanned body. His facial expressions and vocal skills indicated his goal to improve his craft. Kathryn watched when his amber eyes softened toward Kelly Reed onstage. She scowled and wished Scott would notice her. He should know Kelly was weak. Only Kathryn Parker could totally satisfy a man like Scott Wilson.
Backstage, Keith Moore donned his waiter’s costume and took his place in order of sequence in the play. The scene painted on the backdrop truly resembled the Nile River. Keith himself had once cruised the Nile in his youth. Their scenic painter had an uncanny talent at reproducing settings that appeared true-to-life.
Watching from the wings, Keith felt the usual envy surge in him as he watched the younger actors play their parts. On this night, Kelly Reed caught his attention in particular. The leading lady was exquisite. Dark black hair shone in the lights, and when she turned her face upward it was difficult not to gasp at her beautiful olive complexion. Kelly’s personality matched her features and actions. She was the only one in the cast who made Keith feel he had talent and was worth something. And yet, he resented how fans flocked to her. He knew it should be him that drew crowds, everyone asking for his autograph.
Scott Wilson ran a close second to her, except for personality. His moodiness could disconcert the others easily. Sometimes because of Scott’s sudden mood changes, another actor could easily miss a line or bungle it altogether. Kathryn Parker was not much of an actress, but she could hold it together in the middle of any distraction, Keith thought. He didn’t miss the way she stalked Scott.
It was in between scenes when Carol Morgan stood behind Keith with Arthur.
“I can’t wait until the play ends. Tiana has promised to give readings tonight to anyone who’s interested.” Carol’s face became animated the more she spoke, conveying her anticipation. “I’m hoping she will have something positive to tell me about my problems at home. I need some solutions.”
“I’m not sure psychics have the abilities they proclaim to have,” Arthur said. “Be careful that you don’t take her words too seriously. Who else wants a reading?”
“I know the young receptionist from the bed and breakfast and her mother definitely want one. Kathryn keeps edging closer to Tiana. Even though she hasn’t admitted it, I’m sure she will go for one.” When Arthur asked about her employer, Carol said, “I think Kelly is on the fence. She told me Tiana keeps looking at her. It’s making her uncomfortable, so she may just come out and ask her about the looks.”
The cast had two big performances in Sweetfern Harbor, and the doctor privately worried the psychic’s words could upset some of them and take away from the play’s impact on the audience. He vowed to speak with Tiana Lockser. At the end of the play rehearsal he hurried to her before the cast dispersed to give autographs.
“Tiana, I’d like to speak with you alone for a few minutes.” Tiana smiled when the doctor glanced at Jeffrey and told him she had no secrets from Jeffrey and he could speak freely. “For most of the cast members, the success of this play may make or break their careers. There are many higher-ups in the theatre world here searching for talent. I’ve heard you plan to give readings to anyone who wants one later tonight. I would caution you to wait until after the last performance day after tomorrow. Some may come away upset, which could affect their acting.”
Tiana patted the doctor’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’m here for a good purpose of my own and I won’t delve too deeply into anyone’s life.”
When Arthur stood up, he didn’t feel reassured, but they were all adults and he couldn’t do more at this point. He caught Rocky Masters’ wave and joined him for the walk back to Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. The salty air filled their nostrils and they spoke of the beautiful town and its people. Rocky mentioned that more tourists were due to arrive the next day while many who came for the first performance would be leaving.
“William Pendleton does a superb job of bringing in the best to this village,” Arthur said and explained his friend’s background. “He has always been taken with the theatre. I met him and the former owner of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast years ago when Randolph Sheffield performed in several Broadway plays.” When asked, Arthur recounted Randolph’s sudden death a few years after restoring the bed and breakfast.
Not everyone walked back to the bed and breakfast from the park after the performance, and when Arthur and Rocky entered the living room, several of the cast members were already partaking of the refreshments.
Brenda and Mac mingled with their guests and congratulated them on the success of their first night. Neither had attended but heard many compliments from everyone who had stopped by to chat afterwards. They planned to see the last show Sunday afternoon and then serve their guests a farewell dinner.
“It looks like Tiana is ready to start some readings,” Brenda said, looking at the enigmatic woman sitting in a chair next to her companion and casting her gaze around the room. Mac nodded. “I hope they all get good news.”
Hope Williams greeted the owners when she came inside. David followed her and rolled his eyes. “She and Allie insisted on getting a reading tonight. If they don’t get a good one, I may be out the door.” He laughed, and Mac joined him. Brenda smiled. She felt skeptical and was concerned about what Allie and Hope would learn from the psychic.
“I hope she isn’t a fraud,” Brenda said.
“Aren’t they all frauds?” David asked.
“They are just having some fun, Brenda. Don’t worry about it all.” Mac’s lips brushed her cheek briefly.
Meanwhile, Mac spoke to Tiana and told her they had set up an alcove at the end of the main passageway for her to use if she needed privacy. Two chairs were situated with a table and lamp in between. Mac asked if she needed anything else.
“This is fine, Detective. It’s just enough to not distract me or the client.”
Mac and Brenda watched Kelly Reed enter the room first. Several others, including Hope and her daughter, waited impatiently near the door of the sitting room.
Tiana welcomed Kelly. Kelly made no comment until settled in the chair. The soft glow of the lamp enhanced her beauty. Tiana started to speak when Kelly stopped her.
“I just want one quick answer from you. It has nothing to do with whether you are psychic or not. Just tell me this one thing: Why do you keep staring at me?”
“You fascinate me. Surely you are aware of drawing everyone else to you, just as you have me. That’s all it is, and I apologize for upsetting you.” Tiana paused. “You must be almost at the peak of your career. Theatre producers will hope to lure you in for bigger roles.” She paused as if waiting for the young woman to ask her about the future.
Kelly toyed with the idea of wanting to know more but felt she had finished what she had to say. She did not want to appear desperate, especially not if the woman was a fraud. For her part, Tiana purposefully refrained from saying the words at the tip of her tongue, which were that the young woman might never reach the apex of her calling on the stage.
Next to
enter was Carol Morgan, Kelly’s makeup artist. Tiana locked eyes with her when she sat down. “You are troubled,” she told her. “You already know what awaits you when you return home. Your husband will not be there, but your child will be left in good care with her nanny, just as you left her.” Tiana looked closely when Carol didn’t respond. “You know all of this because you have the gift also.”
Carol admitted she often had strong feelings. “And my husband discussed his discontent in our marriage before I left on this tour. I expected him to leave while I was gone.” He wanted his freedom and though he loved their ten-year-old daughter, he was too impatient to let that stand between him and freedom. Carol sighed. She had not revealed her troubles to anyone else but Kelly on this matter.
Tiana nodded with satisfaction. Carol didn’t stop to ask for further details, or to think that perhaps the careworn look on her face had told Tiana everything she needed to know. It was only much later that Carol thought about Tiana’s assessment of her abilities.
By the time Allie went into the alcove, she could hardly wait to sit across from the glamorous and famous Tiana Lockser.
Tiana reached for Allie’s hand. “You are an artist, a painter, I believe. You will study art and become well known for your talents in the art world.” She went on to tell Allie she would one day meet the man of her dreams who would share her interests.
“Will I make it to Europe one day?” Allie asked.
“Of course, you will, since all famous artists do.”
Allie left beaming. Hope squeezed her hand on her way in to see Tiana. She was told things she already knew in regard to her thriving Sweet Treats business. Tiana told her of her skeptical husband. “He is in journalism and such people can be expected to work on facts. He will come around when he sees I was right about your continuing success.” Tiana completed the reading by telling Hope of things she could look forward to in her personal and business life.
Brenda served more drinks and most of the cast then left for their rooms. They planned to sleep late, and Chef Morgan was prepared to serve breakfast an hour later the next day to accommodate them. They had the entire day to explore Sweetfern Harbor and the beach area. Scott mentioned he wanted to take a sailboat out and others voiced their desire to do the same.
Brenda worked with Morgan’s kitchen helpers to remove dishes from the dining room. Phyllis joined her and asked if Tiana had finished reading for the night.
“She agreed to meet with one more. Kathryn Parker grew impatient waiting her turn, so I hope the last one goes well.”
“I don’t think I’ll participate after all,” Phyllis said. “I know William is fine with me doing it, but I have everything I want right now, and I don’t wonder about anything better coming along. I would say that even if William was as poor as a church mouse.” Her eyes were dreamy.
“That’s a good outlook, Phyllis. He’s a good man. You did land one of the best, and I’m so happy for you.”
The sitting room was empty at last, and they finished up there. Brenda walked out into the foyer area and glanced down the hallway to see Kathryn entering the psychic’s alcove at last.
Tiana shivered when she saw the fine features of the woman. There was something about the actress that caused the air around her to go frigid. Kathryn sat down and swung her tapered legs out to the side and crossed her ankles.
“Your goals must be redirected,” Tiana said. “You are sticking with something not meant for you. It is only jealousy of a rival that drives you and hope for the one you pursue to come around to you again. You do not belong in any acting troupe.”
Kathryn stared at her. “What do you know about anything? I came in here to get a positive outlook on my future and you tell me this? Do you realize how long I’ve worked at this career? You have no idea what I’m cut out for.” Emerald eyes flashed.
Brenda heard part of the outburst and wished Mac hadn’t gone to their cottage for the night. Phyllis joined her. They listened to the shouting that came from Kathryn. The comments from Tiana couldn’t be heard, which told them the psychic remained calm. The door flung open and Kathryn Parker stomped past them and grabbed the staircase railing to steady herself. Her footsteps resounded until she reached her room on the second floor. Tiana emerged from the room.
“I’m afraid I upset one of your guests, Brenda. I am sorry for that, but I had to tell her what she came in to discover from me. I’m sure the rest of the night will be peaceful.”
When they were alone again, Brenda said, “I think it was a bad idea on my part to allow these readings today. We should have waited until the last day, perhaps. I wonder what she told Kathryn.”
“We know it wasn’t good news,” Phyllis said. “I heard something about her career when Kathryn shouted out that last time.”
“I may stay in our old apartment tonight to make sure peace survives the night,” Brenda said. They discussed the issue at length.
Phyllis convinced her to go home to Mac. “Each room has an emergency call button in case things get out of hand. Besides, it looks like only Kathryn Parker is upset,” Phyllis said.
Brenda waited until Phyllis reached her car and drove off. Then she went out the back door and walked the covered pathway to her new home. She decided to tell Mac of the events only if he was still awake. Otherwise, she would allow him to get his rest and tell him over breakfast in the morning.
* * *
Scott Wilson awakened to the quick pounding footsteps along the hallway. He tossed and turned until whoever it was had settled into their room. He had no luck in falling asleep again and thought if he drank a hot cup of soothing tea, perhaps sleep would come again. He knew the one thing that kept him awake was the thought of how he had shoved Kelly from his life for Kathryn. This was something that continued to plague him each time he played opposite her, and in this play in particular. He pulled sweats on and a t-shirt and headed for the snack nook down the back stairs. He heated water to boiling and dipped a chamomile tea bag into his mug.
Tiana appeared in the doorway and startled Scott. He didn’t expect to see anyone at this hour. Her loose hair fell in pale waves about her shoulders and she almost looked like an apparition at first.
“I didn’t mean to surprise you, Scott. I came down for some tea as well.”
She turned to choose a tea bag. Scott shuddered subconsciously. It was as if Tiana attempted to catch his attention. She dipped her own tea bag into the tea cup and set it on the saucer. He realized his tea was stronger than desired and pulled the bag from the mug. He felt the psychic’s eyes drilling the back of his head.
He took a sugar cookie from the tray and started to leave. Her eyes were still on him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You are bent on climbing the ladder too fast in the theatre world. You do not see the real value in those around you. Arrogance isn’t becoming to someone as handsome as you are, and as talented.” She ignored his scowl. “You want to get higher on the ladder too fast. Because you like to trample those under you, you may never fully reach that highest plateau unless you change your ways.”
“Look, lady, I don’t know who you are pretending to be around here, but I for one do not believe in this hocus-pocus, unlike some people. None of us knows the future. If we did, we’d do what it takes to get to where we want to go.”
Scott turned away but not before setting the full mug of tea down. He took the cookie along. The silence of the bed and breakfast oppressed him. He felt for his room key and recalled the front door code given to guests. There was no reason to return to his room. He needed to feel fresh wind on his face and breathe in the saltwater vapors.
It felt good to escape the psychic’s gaze. He walked along the seawall at the edge of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast and cleared his thoughts. There was no doubt he still loved Kelly. He was aware it would be almost impossible to win her back. He hurt her deeply and she may forgive him, but she wouldn’t forget so easily. By the time he stretched out on
his bed again, his eyes closed, and he slept well the rest of the night.
The next day the guests came and went at a leisurely pace. Tiana and Jeffrey disappeared down to the ocean and rented a pontoon boat in the bay. Rocky Masters walked along the edge of the waters and Jeffrey suggested they invite him to join them.
“This boat is big enough to hold more people,” he said. Tiana agreed, and Rocky joined them. When they noticed Keith Moore walking alone, they asked him to join them, too.
“That sounds wonderful,” he said. “I didn’t want to go downtown, and it’s refreshing to be on the waters.”
They purchased cold drinks and a few snacks, and the captain of the boat made sure everyone was settled before they took off. No one discussed the play, and Keith was happy they didn’t. Tiana and Rocky sat next to one another at first. Jeffrey spoke with the captain about the coastline and its history. Keith enjoyed the openness of the ocean and seemed oblivious to those on the boat with him. Tiana talked in a low voice with Rocky. The former chef pointed to several spots of interest along the shoreline. Attention was drawn to the captain who told of lost ships and early explorers in the region. Tiana paid close attention when he spoke of a section near where the general public enjoyed the softest sand. There were small pebbles as Tiana recalled, but the sand sparkled in the sunlight and seemed to meet the diamond-like crystals on the waters.
They were on the ocean for an hour. Once back on land, few words were spoken. Without a doubt, each felt calm and peace restored.
Mac came home for lunch and he and Brenda opted to enjoy a light meal together in their home. Brenda told him of the reading that upset Kathryn Parker.
“She didn’t like what she heard, but neither Phyllis nor I could pick up on Tiana’s words. Whatever it was definitely upset the actress.”
The Bead Seller Page 3
