Cookies & Candlelight

by Maddrey, Elizabeth

  “Long story short, we’d visited Twin Falls one weekend when Derrick was filming in Idaho and both of us loved it. I couldn’t find exactly the right property there, though, when I started my house hunt. Finally, the woman I was working with sent me a link to the property I bought with about a hundred apologies for it not being exactly what I wanted. But I fell in love. It might not have been what I said I was looking for, but it was perfect.”

  He nodded and turned into the parking lot for El Corazon. If the number of cars was any indication, they were doing a brisk business this evening. “I’m glad that’s how it worked out.”

  Serena grinned. “I am, too. And not just because it meant I got to meet you. So many people here in Arcadia Valley have changed me. Gloria, in particular. She took me under her wing right off the bat, dragged me kicking and screaming to church with her. And I can never repay her for helping me find Jesus. I started listening in the hospital, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. Gloria connected those dots.”

  Micah nodded. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have grown up without the quiet, steady influence of godly parents like he had. It was no wonder, really, that she’d lived the way she had if no one ever told her the right way. And yet, hadn’t she noticed the emptiness? The few years in college when Micah had tried to go his own way, he’d been plagued by the void.

  Inside the restaurant, Micah glanced around and smiled at the decor. The bright colors were happy and warm. And they made him hungry. Or maybe that was the mix of spicy scents that filled the air.

  Despite the crowd, they were seated quickly and given a bowl of chips and salsa to enjoy while they perused the menus.

  “I’m not even looking. There are too many tempting possibilities and I want those enchiladas.” Serena reached for a chip and swirled it in the salsa.

  “Did you hear the group of older women as we walked in?” Micah set his menu aside and snagged a chip. “They thought we looked good and wished more people took the time to dress up for an evening out.”

  Serena chuckled. “Well. I’m glad we made someone’s night.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know about L’Aubergine. We’ll try again. Promise.”

  “That’s a deal. Although, I like a picnic in the park just as well.”

  He smiled. “That’s good to know. Speaking of parks, I thought after we ate we could take a stroll through Arcadia Creek Park.”

  “Sounds great.” She reached across the table for his hand.

  Micah wound his fingers through hers, still not quite able to wrap his mind around the fact that he was with her.

  10

  Serena idly reached for the phone as it began to ring, not taking her eyes off the spreadsheet on her computer monitor. She could afford to hire someone to handle this. Why didn’t she? Right. She wanted to keep her hands in it.

  “Hello?”

  “Serena, girl, this script is amazing.”

  Serena frowned and dragged her thoughts away from the numbers. “Zennia?”

  Her friend snorted. “You didn’t check your caller ID again. Are you busy creating masterpieces out of blobs of clay? I can call you back—or just tell you I’m overnighting this script. You let me know when you’re coming into town to do the reading. There’s no question it was tailor-made for you.”

  Script? “I’m not...is this from Jerry?”

  “Duh? He said you knew it was coming. Seemed a little put out that he couldn’t deal with you directly, but he ought to know better. Even after five years, you’re a hot commodity. I get six or seven calls a week with comeback offers.”

  “Seriously? You never say anything.” Serena clicked open her email and typed her mother’s address in. She’d been pretty clear that she wasn’t interested. Hadn’t she told her mother not to give Jerry the okay? And yet here she was, talking to Zennia about it.

  “You told me you’re not interested. I figure you’ll let me know when that changes. And from what I’ve read of this script, you held out for the right part. It’s epic.”

  Serena laughed. Epic. That was so Zennia. “I miss you. When can you come visit? It’s been too long.”

  “We’ll hang when you come out for the reading.”

  “Zennia, I’m not coming out for any readings. I asked my mother to tell Jerry no. Just send it back to him and let him know I’m not interested. Same as you do for any of the other people who are still trying to believe the lie that I have something to offer the acting world.” Serena closed the email without typing anything. There was no point. Her mother was...her mother. She meant well. Or at least her mom thought she meant well. Her mother just refused to believe that she didn’t have the right to decide what was best for Serena anymore.

  “Nope. I’m sending this one on. And I’m making you promise me you’ll read it. I know you roll your eyes when I say something’s epic, but this one? It really is. This is the kind of script we were dreaming of five years ago.”

  “Zen—”

  “What’s it hurt to read it?”

  Serena sighed. “Yeah, all right. I’ll read it, but I’m not taking the part. I’m done with that—it’s another life as far as I’m concerned.”

  “Still the Jesus thing? I keep waiting for you to outgrow that.”

  “It’s not going to happen, Z. I wish you’d let me tell you about Him. Do you remember how miserable I was? All the pills I was on just to get through the day?”

  “Sure, but Derrick got you through most of that.”

  Derrick had helped. He’d been a little ahead of her in terms of discovering Jesus—she had to believe he’d accepted Christ, although he’d never said as much to her. But something had changed in him—they’d gotten married because he convinced her they shouldn’t sleep together again unless they did. He loved her and for the first time in her life, she believed someone meant it when they said the words. “Only by planting little seeds the whole time about his own newfound faith.”

  “Derrick?” Zennia made a rude noise. “What’s the world coming to? Look, I’m not going to say you have to ditch all the Jesus stuff if you’re determined to hold onto it, but read the script and schedule a reading. It’s time for you to come back home. Oh, and that tall oval vase you posted in-process photos of? I want it. Soon’s it done, you know where to send it.”

  Serena’s eyebrows lifted. “I didn’t realize you followed my pottery website.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m still trying to decide if I can sue you for breach of contract. I think, technically, you owe me a percentage from your sales.” The laughter behind her friend’s words made it clear she was joking.

  “I’ll just price the vase accordingly and make it a gift.”

  Zennia laughed. “This is why we need you back in town. Read the script and come home.”

  The line went dead. Serena set her phone down and shook her head, scooting back from her desk to look around.

  She already was home.

  * * *

  Serena arranged the last shelf of the kiln and stepped back. The spacing looked fine and everything should have had ample time to dry. With a quick prayer, she closed the lid and set the temperature and timer.

  “Hey there, stranger.” Gloria strode into the studio in jeans and a T-shirt. “Haven’t seen you in town this week. Or in a particular bakery...everything okay in paradise?”

  Serena laughed. “It’s good. I’ve just been busy, as has Micah. I think we’re doing something tomorrow—picking peas and spinach at the community garden near his church or some such? I didn’t pay a lot of attention once he said garden, honestly.”

  “The garden’s a great project. The vegetables they produce are donated to Corinna’s Cupboard—they feed the homeless.” Gloria crossed her arms. “You don’t look convinced.”

  Serena shrugged. “I don’t like getting dirty.”

  Gloria pressed her lips together, clearly trying to hold in a laugh. “Right.”

  “Seriously. I don’t. Why are you laughing?” />
  Gloria gave up trying to hold in her mirth and gestured to the studio as she chortled. “You’re a potter. You work with mud. For a living.”

  Serena’s lips twitched, but she crossed her arms. “It’s different.”

  “How?”

  “It just is. Clay—not mud—is different than dirt. It doesn’t get under my fingernails, for one thing. And if it does, it washes out when I wash my hands, no scrubbing and weird brushes that still leave black gunk there for days. Plus, clay isn’t itchy and filled with bugs.” Serena shuddered. “But he’s determined that it’s going to be fun. Says his whole family’s going. So, I guess I’m going to go pull weeds or whatever.”

  Gloria grinned. “Try not to sound so excited when you get there.”

  “You off tomorrow? You could come, too. Jonah’s going to be there.” Serena waggled her eyebrows.

  “I might swing by. But you know we’re just friends, right? I think I’ve told you this a thousand times.” Gloria frowned. “You just bring it up to make me crazy.”

  “It’s more that I don’t understand.” Serena swiped a sponge over her workspace and gestured toward the door. “He’s handsome—you’ve admitted that—and you have good conversations. What’s the problem?”

  “I’m not looking for a man, is all. I have a job I love, but it’s not one that lends itself to having marriage and a family. Even in a little town like Arcadia Valley.” Gloria stepped out of the studio and waited while Serena checked that the door had locked.

  Serena studied her friend as they crossed to the house and up the stairs to the deck. Jonah knew she was a cop and still flirted shamelessly with her, so he must not mind her career choice. Of course, he could be one of those guys who was fine with your job until it started impeding his ability to have you do stuff for him, but it didn’t seem likely. The Baxter brothers—all three of them—seemed to have their heads on straight. Look at Micah—he knew all about her Hollywood days and yet, for some reason, seemed content to date her now that she was just a potter. None of that was worth bringing up to Gloria though. Her friend’s face was set in its unmovable force look. That was probably why she was such a good cop. “Some of the people on the force are married. With families and everything. Aren’t they?”

  Gloria huffed out a breath. “Fine. Maybe it works for some people. I just don’t think I’m one of them. It’s not like I spend my off hours dreaming of cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry while birds tweet in circles around me. I’m not princess material.”

  “Who needs a princess? I don’t get the feeling that’s what Jonah wants at all. You’re friends, you flirt...that’s a good place to start, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, I guess. If I was looking. I just don’t think romance is what God has for me, no matter how much I might want it. What are we up to tonight?”

  Probably no point in pushing any further. Not if she wanted Gloria to stay for the evening like they’d planned. “Movie or board game? Your choice.”

  “Movie. Definitely. I get to pick. You have terrible taste in movies.”

  “And yet, we’re choosing from what I own. So, I’m not sure how getting to choose helps you.” Serena squatted by the cabinet that held her DVD collection and pulled open the doors. “Knock yourself out, though.”

  “Are we eating? ‘Cause I could eat.” Gloria plopped down in front of the movies and angled her head to read titles.

  “I have pork chops I can grill and then throw together a salad, or we can order pizza. Have a preference?”

  “If you don’t mind grilling, I’m all about not fast food. My shift was weird so many times this week that I ate more than my fair share of takeout.” Gloria gave a mock shudder and pulled a DVD case from the shelf, setting it down on the floor beside her.

  “Sure. Found a movie already?” Serena took the chops out of the fridge and eyed them. She’d planned to marinate them, but never got around to it. With a shrug, she got out a bottle of barbecue sauce and squirted a dollop on each one before smearing it over both sides. That’d do. She washed her hands before grabbing the plate and crossing to the deck. “I’ll go get these started.”

  “’K. I’m still considering options.” Gloria added another movie to the growing stack by her leg.

  Laughing, Serena stepped out onto the deck and set the plate with the pork chops down on the small deck table. She tugged the cover off her grill and checked that the gas was turned on. Every now and then she thought about switching to charcoal—no one could argue the taste wasn’t better—but it was so much more work and time, and when she grilled, it was usually spur of the moment, like this. She turned the dial to ignite and pressed the switch, smiling as the gas came on with a whoosh, and closed the lid. It’d heat up in no time.

  A white package truck lumbered into her driveway. She waved at the driver and skipped down the steps to meet him.

  “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting, it’s been a long day.” The driver grinned and scanned the thick envelope before offering it to her.

  “Nope. It’s no rush. Thanks.” Serena accepted the package and fought a shiver of anticipation. It was just a script. One she didn’t even want, at that. Yet there was still that hidden thrill in her heart. Just possibilities and the unknown. She liked her life here and wasn’t heading back to L.A. anytime soon. “Have a good one.”

  The driver beeped his horn as he navigated a three-point turn to get his truck turned around and facing the right direction.

  Serena tossed the package through the open door on the deck toward the couch. It landed on the floor and slid partially under. She shrugged. Close enough. And the grill was ready. She flipped the lid back open and laid the chops on the metal grate before turning the knob to lower the heat slightly. Satisfied, she lowered the lid and carried the plate back inside.

  “Okay. We’re down to these four.” Gloria held up the DVD boxes. “Any particular favorites?”

  “Not this one.” Serena tapped a romance filled with tragedy. “I’m not in the mood to sob uncontrollably tonight.”

  Gloria laughed. “Even when you know how it ends?”

  Serena shrugged. “Any of the other three are fine by me. Flip a coin if you need to.”

  Gloria frowned at the three contenders before taking one and setting it on the coffee table. “What’s the package?”

  “Just something from my agent.”

  Gloria dropped the other DVDs and reached for the envelope. “It’s thick. Heavy. Like a contract, I imagine. Or a script?”

  Serena set the plate in the sink and washed her hands again without turning. She moved to the fridge and gathered salad ingredients. When she turned, Gloria was right there with the package in her hands, grinning.

  “It’s a script, isn’t it? Are you going back to acting?”

  Serena stepped around her friend and set her armful on the counter. “Yes, it’s a script. No, I’m not going back to acting. My mom told the guy to send it to my agent, who nagged me into promising to read it. So I’ll read it and then I’ll decline. I’m happy here.”

  “But you were so good in the movies you did. Sure, Alien Ninjas wasn’t amazing, but the rest...I’ve never understood how you could just walk away completely.” Gloria hugged the script to her chest. “Couldn’t you do a little and just come back here between movies?”

  That...was an interesting possibility. There were a few people who managed to have a normal life away from L.A. Could she be one? She shook her head. “I don’t know. Everyone back there expects me to be a certain way. To live a particular kind of life.”

  “That was five years ago. Surely they wouldn’t expect you to still be who you were when you were barely twenty-one?”

  Serena looked out the glass doors that led to the deck. Smoke billowed from the grill. “Make a salad, would you? I need to check the chops.”

  She grabbed tongs from the jar on her counter and hurried outside. Flipping up the lid, she let out a breath. Not burned. The smoke was just from the fat and sauce dripping. S
he flipped the chops. They were nearly ready. She might as well wait here. After another couple of minutes, she turned the knob to shut off the gas and stacked one pork chop on top of the other so she could grab both with the tongs.

  “Can you get out a plate?” Serena strode quickly through the living room with the meat. She didn’t want to drop it or drip.

  Gloria set a plate on the counter. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I’m not sure I have an answer. It’s something to think about, anyway. Besides, the script could be terrible.”

  Gloria laughed. “Like that’d stop anyone in Hollywood from making the movie.”

  Serena shook her head and got down a second plate. “You have a point. Are we eating at the table or in front of the movie?”

  “Let’s get the movie started. Then maybe we have time for a double feature.”

  Serena’s eyebrows lifted. It was rare for Gloria to want to stay longer than a quick meal or a movie. To even consider two? Something had to be going on. Hopefully, she’d be able to pry it out of her friend before the night was over.

  11

  “You’re gardening in that?” Micah glanced down at his faded jeans and old T-shirt then back at the form-fitting dark-wash jeans and designer T-shirt Serena wore. “I mean, you look amazing, but you know we’re going to get dirty. Right?”

  Serena sighed. “Yes, I know. But I can’t wear my potting clothes out in public. I just can’t. These wash.”

  He shrugged. It wasn’t a big deal to him, either way, but she was probably going to be annoyed if she ended up grubby. She’d worn work clothes to the bakery when she wanted to show off her design for the plates. Apparently that was a different situation. “Okay. You ready?”

  “Yeah. I know you think it’s stupid.”

  “No. I don’t. Maybe I don’t understand, but I don’t think it’s stupid. As long as you know you’re going to get dirt all over you, and are good with it, then I’m set.” He held out his hand.