by Regina Hart
“What?” Doreen straightened from the counter.
“He and Yvette have left Books and Bakery. Are you all right?”
“I will be.” She hoped. Doreen turned toward the cabinet above the counter. She selected a coffee mug and filled it with water.
“Do you want me to get Megan?”
Doreen gulped the drink before turning to Ramona. “Why?”
“She could get someone to cover the bakery for you so you could go home.”
Doreen finished her water. She put the empty mug in the dishwasher before crossing the kitchen. “I’ll be fine.”
Ramona laid her hand on Doreen’s shoulder. “You did the right thing, standing up for yourself that way.”
“I know.” But why was she having second thoughts?
CHAPTER 14
“How’s my favorite songwriter?” Benita’s overly chipper voice and flattering comment put Audra on instant alert Wednesday afternoon.
She gripped the cell phone and looked away from her guitar and draft lyrics. “What’s wrong?”
Benita sighed. “OK. I won’t try to bullshit you. The producer wants something to work on now.”
Audra sat straighter on the overstuffed sofa. Her gaze swept the cabin’s great room. “His contract says I have another two weeks before I have to deliver the songs.”
“I know. I know. But he’s anxious to get started on the album.” A keyboard clicking in the background accompanied Benita’s reply.
“I don’t have anything for him.” It was a strain, but Audra managed to keep her temper from her voice.
This wasn’t the first producer she’d ever worked with who’d agreed to a contract, then forgot the little details, like payment dates and delivery deadlines. It hadn’t been an inconvenience in the past. Audra usually beat her deadlines. But this time, it was a problem. She’d never had to deal with writer’s block before. Hopefully, she’d never have to deal with it ever again.
A printer whirred on the other end of the cellular phone line. Benita’s response was barely audible beneath it. “He only needs one song, just something to get him started. Don’t you have just one song?”
“No, Benita, I don’t.” She stood and wandered to the front window, tipping the sheer green curtain aside. The scene that waited for her felt like home after only two weeks. “You should remind the producer we have a contract. He can cool his heels because he won’t see anything from me for another two weeks.”
“That’s what I told him.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?” Audra turned away from the window. She walked to the kitchen for a glass of water.
“Because after I told him he would be in breach of contract to request early delivery of any of the songs, he offered to pay you a bonus for each song you delivered before your deadline.”
Audra had to laugh. Obviously, the producer knew the way to Benita’s heart was paved with Benjamins.
She pulled a glass from the cupboard and poured herself ice-cold water from the pitcher she stored in the refrigerator. “I appreciate your looking out for my financial best interests, but I don’t want to rush the process. The quality of the songs would suffer.”
“‘Rush the process’?” Benita snorted. “You’ve been at Harmony Cabins for almost two weeks. I thought for sure you’d have at least one song completed by now. What have you been doing?”
Audra took a healthy swallow of water. “I took your suggestion. I’ve been meeting new people and trying new things.” And having great sex.
Her manager sighed. The tapping in the background sounded like a pencil hitting Benita’s desk. “OK, but now it’s time to get some work done.”
Audra rinsed her glass and turned it upside down on the drain board. “I have been working, Benita. I’m almost done with a song.”
“Why didn’t you say that? When will you be done?”
“I don’t want to rush this. I want to make sure we’re ready.”
“Of course. Of course. When?”
Audra shook her head. She never should have said anything. Now Benita was rushing her to submit the song. “Tell the producer I’ll send him the song when it’s ready and not a day before. All right?”
Silence greeted her on the other side. Audra refused to be the one to break the impasse. She had a contract, darn it, and she had another two weeks to fulfill it.
“You’ve changed.” Benita’s voice was pensive.
“What are you talking about?”
“You used to be more accommodating, more willing to please. Now you’re assertive, less willing to take shit from anyone—me, the producer, probably your parents as well.”
Audra frowned. “I don’t think I’m any different.”
“How are things with you and Jack?” Benita’s abrupt shift of topic caught Audra off balance.
“We’re fine.” Audra’s mind raced to remember what she’d told Benita about her impressions of the property owner.
“The last time we spoke, you said he was being surly. Do you want me to talk with him? Get him to leave you alone?”
“No.” Audra forced a measured tone. “I can handle him.”
“Yeah, you’ve changed.”
Audra sensed Benita’s verbal nod. “I feel as though I’m the same.”
“But you’re not. I like it.” Drawers opened and shut in the background. A stapler crunched. “I’ll tell the producer to keep his jockeys on. We’ll talk more next week. In the meantime, remember this is a working vacation. Get those songs written.”
Benita ended the call as she always did—without saying good-bye. Audra stared at the receiver in her hand. Was Benita right? Had she changed?
If so, it was Jack’s influence. She’d spent the most time with him. Audra smiled as she returned to the great room and her music. Maybe they were having a positive influence on each other. That would be a wonderful memento of her time at the cabins when she returned to Los Angeles. Her smile faded with that thought.
Jack left his car in front of Audra’s garage and jumped the three steps to her porch Friday night. She was singing again. Her voice, accompanied by her guitar, floated through her half-open window. Jack paused outside her door and listened for a while. She really did have a beautiful voice.
Was Audra ready for Quincy and Ramona’s going-away party, or had she been so distracted by her music that she’d forgotten about the event? Jack knocked twice on her cabin’s front door and prepared himself to wait. But when Audra answered his knock, he received a very pleasant surprise.
“You’re right on time.” Audra offered him a smile and pulled the door wider.
She wore a short-sleeved wine-red minidress. The color was similar to the gown she’d worn to the Grammy Awards. Her curly, dark brown hair floated above her shoulders.
Jack entered the cabin, turning to keep his eyes on her. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. So do you.” Her eyes glowed.
She collected her purse before preceding Jack onto the porch. After Audra locked the cabin, Jack escorted her to his silver Toyota Tundra. Should he put his hand on her back, her elbow? Before he could decide, they’d arrived at his vehicle. Jack helped her into his truck, then circled to the driver’s side. He got behind the wheel and guided them off the Harmony Cabins property.
This evening would be more stressful than jogging, hiking, or fishing. It was a real date, not just a picnic or a dinner cooked together. He hadn’t dated in twelve years. Even the word had the power to make him feel as clumsy as a high-school student taking his sweetheart to the prom.
Was it his imagination or were the first few minutes of the ten-minute drive into town awkward? Audra’s warmth filled the close confines of the truck’s cab. He breathed her scent—soap and vanilla. It made him want to turn the truck around and take her to bed.
“Thanks for coming with me. It’s been a long time since I’ve socialized. I’m out of practice.” He was out of practice with a lot of things. What do you talk about on a date with a beautiful w
oman?
“Thank you for inviting me.” She sounded distracted. “Trinity Falls is so beautiful.”
Jack glanced over and saw her staring out the window at the trees, bushes, and a clear blue sky. He smiled, feeling more relaxed.
There was a rustling sound as she turned to face him from her passenger seat. “How long have you known Quincy and Ramona?”
“We grew up together.”
“Is that the reason you decided to break your moratorium on socializing?”
His lips twitched with a smile. He enjoyed her sassy mouth, even when she was just talking. “Trinity Falls is a tight-knit community. But people—especially young people—don’t stay. They want the attractions and excitement of a bigger city.”
“You’ve stayed.”
“This is home.” It was getting easier to express his feelings, at least with Audra. But it still wasn’t easy.
“I love it here.”
Enough to stay? Jack frowned. From where did that thought come?
Jack turned onto Main Street and pointed his truck toward the high school. “You were singing when I came to pick you up. You have a beautiful voice. I still think you should perform your own songs.”
She laughed again. “And I’ve told you, I’m not comfortable singing in public.”
Jack stopped at a traffic light. “Will you sing for me?”
Her teasing look caressed his body and set his blood on fire. “I thought I already had.”
A horn sounded behind them. The light had turned green. Jack swallowed hard, shaking his head to clear the mental images, then drove his truck across the intersection.
“How are your songs coming? Will you make your deadline?” His voice sounded rusty.
“I should.” There was a smile in her voice. “But I don’t want to talk about work. I don’t want the real world to intrude on our fairy tale.”
“I’m just trying to get to know you better.” He pulled into the parking lot at Heritage High School.
She leaned across the bench seat and kissed him, then whispered against his lips. “I’m more than my job.”
“Tell me.” His tongue was thick in his mouth.
“I’d rather show you.”
Jack groaned. His abdominal muscles tightened almost to pain. “We won’t stay long.”
Audra was charmed by Heritage High School’s gymnasium. It had been transformed into a ballroom to host a gathering of friends—a very large gathering of friends. At least a dozen round tables were arranged across the gym’s floor. Each was set with a white tablecloth and ten chairs. Two buffet tables loaded with food framed either side of the room.
Audra raised her voice to be heard above the music playing through hidden speakers. “How many people were invited to this party?”
Jack entwined his fingers with hers. “A lot.”
She let him lead her to the center of the room, where friends surrounded the guests of honor. Conversations stopped as people turned to watch them.
Audra kept looking forward. “Why are people staring at us?”
Jack’s grip tightened on her hand. “Most of them haven’t seen me in almost two years.”
“This is weird.” She really meant it.
“Jack!” Ramona stepped out of the group and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so glad you came.”
Quincy stepped forward to give Jack a man hug. “I didn’t think you’d make it.”
A confusion of voices and half-finished sentences spun around Audra. The excitement was contagious. She couldn’t stop smiling. From the corner of her eye, Audra noticed a camcorder coming toward her. She was about to ask what was going on when Ramona wrapped her in a hug.
“Thank you.” Ramona gave Audra a hard squeeze.
“For what?” Audra hugged her back, despite her confusion.
“For convincing Jack to come to our going-away party.” Ramona looked over her shoulder toward Ean, Megan, Darius, Quincy, and Jack. “I know how much it means to Quincy to have him here.”
Audra was moved by the love in Ramona’s expression as she looked at Quincy. “I didn’t have to convince Jack to come. He invited me.”
Ramona blinked her surprise. “Then that makes his being here even better.”
Audra jerked her head toward the hovering camcorder. “What’s going on?”
Ramona chuckled. “Belinda offered to videotape the party, since Quincy’s parents couldn’t make the trip from Florida.” She waved toward the camera lens. “Hi, Mr. and Ms. Spates.”
Belinda Curby, owner of Skin Deep Beauty Salon, lowered her video equipment. Her brown face glowed with enthusiasm. “I got the camera for Christmas, but I haven’t been able to really use it. This is a lot of fun.”
Belinda weaved her way closer to the group of friends surrounding Quincy. “Darius, say something to the camera.”
Darius lowered his drink. His smile looked strained. “Belinda, this is the second time you’ve asked me that. Shouldn’t you be taping Quincy? The video’s for his parents.”
Just then, an older woman joined the group. “Well, Jack Sansbury, does a person have to leave town to shake you out of the woods?”
Jack bent over to embrace the tiny newcomer. “Ms. Helen, I’m glad to see you’re still alive.”
Audra’s gasp was drowned by Ms. Helen’s laughter.
“So am I, you rascal.” Ms. Helen reached up to slap Jack’s chest. “What is this I hear about a woman staying at the cabins? Do you need a chaperone?”
“No, ma’am.” Jack offered his hand to Audra. “Audra Lane, I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Helen Gaston.”
Audra shook the older woman’s small, frail hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Gaston.”
“Don’t pay Jack any mind, hon. He’s been away from civilization so long he’s forgotten that everyone calls me Ms. Helen.” The older lady looked Audra over with a critical eye. “Your name is familiar to me. Who are your people?”
Audra hesitated, unsure what Ms. Helen meant. “I’m from California.”
“Where in California?” The older lady wasn’t easily put off.
“Near Los Angeles.”
Ms. Helen mulled that over. “We won’t hold that against you. How long are you staying?”
“I’ll be here for the Founders Day Celebration.”
“Good.” Ms. Helen nodded once with decision. “Enjoy Trinity Falls. You know what they say, ‘You only live once. But if you do it right, once is all you’ll ever need.’”
Ms. Helen excused herself to join the buffet line. Audra, Jack, and his friends followed her. There were chicken dishes in a variety of spices, vegetables, salads, fruits, and carbohydrates. The desserts looked to have come from Books & Bakery. Audra hadn’t realized how hungry she was until all of that food was laid out in front of her. The music changed three times while she was filling her plate. The songs were all popular club anthems, Ne-Yo, Beyoncé, Pink, and Alicia Keys. She wiggled her shoulders during a particularly engaging bridge.
Jack leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Do you need more room so you can dance your way through the buffet line?”
“I can’t help it. Reflex.” She glanced toward the open floor behind them. “Will there be dancing later?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged the broad shoulders she intended to wrap in her arms later.
After filling her plate, Audra followed Jack, weaving her way around other hungry guests with loaded dishes. She stopped frequently to observe neighbors who greeted Jack with stunned pleasure. Some people she recognized as Books & Bakery regulars. Many others she hadn’t seen before. Either way, she’d never remember all of their names.
Jack finally guided Audra to a table toward the front of the room, where Quincy and Ramona already sat with Ean, Megan, Darius, and Ms. Helen.
Doreen sat on Audra’s other side. She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “You’ve been here just two weeks. In that time, Jack has cut his hair, shaved his beard, and bought new clothes. Yo
u’ve brought him back to the community.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with his coming tonight,” Audra whispered back. “He wanted to be here.”
“And he wanted to be here because of you.”
Across the table, a young woman stopped to say hello to Ms. Helen, then lingered over Darius. There was a lot of hair twirling and even more giggling before she moved on.
Audra returned her attention to Doreen. “I don’t deserve any credit. This is all Jack.”
Another attractive woman came to pay her respects to Ms. Helen before exchanging words with Darius. This visitor found a number of times and various ways to touch the reporter. Ms. Helen eventually shooed the young woman away.
Audra speared her mac and cheese as she looked around the room. Several people turned away as though embarrassed to be caught staring. Others smiled and nodded their approval. Of what?
“You’re good for him.” Doreen picked up her silverware, then froze as something across the room surprised her.
Audra followed Doreen’s gaze. Leonard was in the buffet line, laughing with another woman. Audra hadn’t met his companion. She was attractive, tall, and thin. She appeared to be around Leonard’s age, though her bright pink summer dress and flirtatious manner made her seem much younger.
Audra’s gaze skipped back to their table and the empty seat between Ms. Helen and Doreen. She’d assumed it was for Leonard. “Isn’t Leo joining us?”
“Apparently not.” Doreen dug into her food with jerky movements.
“Who’s he with?” Not that Audra had the right to ask. She watched Doreen stuff a forkful of green beans into her mouth and chew. Could she even taste it?
Doreen washed down her food with ice water before answering. “Yvette Bates. She’s one of Heritage High’s English teachers.”
Audra glanced toward the food line again, then turned back to Doreen. There was hurt in the woman’s warm brown eyes. “Did the two of you break up?”
Doreen lowered her gaze. “A week ago tomorrow.”
Audra’s jaw dropped. “And he’s already dating?”
“He’s looking for a wife. I guess there’s no time to waste.”
