by Traci DePree
“Is that table available?” Marcus asked, pointing to a table at the very back of the room. “It’ll be more private,” he added.
Kate exchanged a curious look with Paul, but neither said anything. They followed the maïtre d’ to the table and took their seats. A server immediately deposited four glasses of water in front of them.
Rebecca turned to her father. “So, Dad, where exactly are you and Marcus going to be while you’re on your trip?”
Kate glanced at Marcus. His attention was anywhere but on the conversation. His eyes scanned the room, then his gaze shifted outside to the back lawn and the pond. Rebecca placed a hand on his, and he turned his attention back to her. His shoulders relaxed, and he smiled vaguely.
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s so...pretty out there.”
“You okay?” Kate heard Rebecca whisper to him in a low voice. “You’ve seemed so stressed today.”
Marcus nodded and whispered, “I’m just fine.”
“We have several destinations in mind,” Paul said. “We’ll start out of Gatlinburg and camp at the Elkmont Campground, then hit the hot spots just south of there. Of course, we’ll check out Newfound Gap, where the park was first dedicated by FDR, and Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. We might hike parts of the Appalachian Trail and the Alum Cave Trail. There’s so much to see that we really can’t do it all in three days, not if we want to get off the beaten path, anyway. I can’t wait to get out and really experience the place.”
Kate smiled at his contagious enthusiasm.
“It sounds awesome, doesn’t it, Marcus?” Rebecca said, nudging him.
“It sounds like a lot of fun, Mr. Hanlon,” Marcus agreed.
His eyes scanned the room one more time, then Kate saw them widen as if he was alarmed. She glanced to where he was looking and saw two men in dark suits talking to the seating host at the entrance. Their backs were facing Kate, so she couldn’t see their faces, but they had shiny black hair that looked like it was slicked back with gel. By the time she looked back at Marcus, he had scooted his chair away from the table.
“What’s going on?” Rebecca asked.
“I...uh,” Marcus began. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Then he disappeared down the hall.
Kate exchanged looks with Paul and Rebecca. They had seen the men too.
“What was that all about?” Paul asked.
“He hasn’t been himself lately,” Rebecca admitted. “I think he’s just stressed about an audition or something.”
The two men at the front looked around the room, then left the restaurant without being seated. It seemed more than odd to Kate. Why had Marcus been so anxious to leave when he saw them?
LATER THAT NIGHT, Kate and Paul spoke in hushed tones as they turned down their sheets and got ready for bed. Rebecca was staying in the guest room that doubled as Paul’s study, and Marcus was sleeping on the living room sleeper sofa.
“What do you think was wrong with Marcus tonight?” Kate asked as she ran a hand across the white sheets and untucked them. She fluffed the pillows, then went into the adjoining bathroom to put on her night cream.
“And did you see those men at the entrance?” Kate went on, not waiting for Paul to answer her first question. She raised her voice a notch so he could hear her from the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and began slathering cream on her face.
“Yes, I did. Hard to know what to make of it,” he said as he climbed into bed. “Marcus seemed fine after he came back.”
“How can you say that? He was as nervous as a caged animal.” Kate finished applying the cream, then twisted the cap onto the jar and returned to the bedroom. “Something’s not right,” she went on, standing alongside the bed. “He seems way too interested in Rebecca’s ring too. Did you notice that? Why would he ask how much it was worth?”
“You’re just imagining things.” Paul raised an eyebrow. “She told him about the ring, and he said it looked pretty. That isn’t all that odd, especially considering they’re talking marriage.”
“Yes, I thought of that. But you have to admit, the way he left the table...”
“Sure, it was abrupt, but let’s give the guy the benefit of the doubt, okay? He must be exhausted after all that driving, not to mention he’s here to win our approval because he cares for our daughter.” Paul shrugged. “He seemed fairly comfortable here at the house. Maybe he has a fear of public places or something.”
“He’s an actor, Paul. He’s in public places all the time.”
“Maybe he’s a good actor, then.”
“Or a really bad one,” Kate said. “Remember, Marcus said they didn’t get those parts in that off-Broadway show they tried out for.” She climbed into bed and tucked her pillow under her neck. The sheets felt cold against her legs.
“He and Rebecca seem to really enjoy each other,” Paul offered.
“So, he’s already won you over?” she teased.
“I didn’t say that.” Paul turned onto his side and looked at Kate. “We only just met him this morning. Rebecca cares for him, so that should count for something.” He gave her a peck on the cheek, then rolled over, reached for the nightstand lamp, and plunged the room into darkness. “Besides,” he said, “don’t you remember how nervous I was when I first met your parents?”
Kate laughed at the memory. “You were shaking so hard! And my dad gave you the third degree. Can you believe he actually asked you how you expected to support me on a minister’s salary?”
“I’d known him, what, thirty minutes by that time? I half expected him to pull out a lie detector or give me the drip torture!”
“I think he was considering it!” Kate chuckled.
“And look how things turned out.” He turned and smiled at Kate, a look of tenderness in his eyes. “I don’t know much about Marcus, but I do know that Rebecca likes him. So let’s just give it some time.”
Chapter Four
The next morning, as the crowd at church began to thin, the campers were busy getting ready to leave. Kate, Rebecca and Marcus watched as the hive of activity buzzed around them. Paul was coordinating everything from the center of the church parking lot, clipboard in hand as he checked off the list of supplies and campers. The gear he and Marcus brought lay on the ground alongside a rusted aqua fifteen-passenger van that one of the newer members of the church had lent them for the occasion.
Kate waved at Eli Weston as he walked to his truck. The thirty-four-year-old’s shock of blond hair looked almost white in the brilliant morning sunshine. Kate assumed he had closed his antiques shop so he could go on the trip. He jumped in the cab of his truck, grabbed a green army duffel bag and a knapsack, and tossed them next to Paul and Marcus’ gear.
“Did everyone remember to bring food?” Paul called out as he went through his list. He’d assigned each person a few grocery items and assorted kitchenware to bring on the trip so that when they got to the park, they would have all the supplies they’d need for meal preparation. Heads nodded around the group.
Sam Gorman, the church organist and Paul’s good friend, deposited his gear on the ground next to the van. Sam also owned the local mercantile, and Kate knew that he’d arranged for his part-time staff to cover for him while he was gone. He opened the van’s double doors and began loading baggage into the back. Marcus went over to help him and began handing Sam the duffels and backpacks from the growing pile.
Marcus had seemed more at ease that morning, though Kate hadn’t missed how he’d glanced around the church when they’d first arrived. It was as if he was looking for someone. She wondered if perhaps he saw the men from the restaurant, but there had been no unfamiliar faces in church, aside from Marcus.
While Kate was lost in thought, Eli Weston approached and held out his hand to Rebecca.
“Rebecca, it’s so nice to see you again,” he said, a shy smile on his handsome face.
Rebecca shook hands with him and grinned, “It’s good to see you again too.
”
Kate noticed the brief spark that passed between the two. Her eyes caught Eli’s, and he blushed.
“Do you still live in New York?” he asked Rebecca.
“Of course, I’m still looking for that perfect role on Broadway. All part of being an actress.”
“And a beautiful one,” he said, though as soon as the words left his mouth, his face flamed bright red again.
Rebecca glowed at the praise.
“I...uh...I’ve always wanted to visit New York City,” Eli said.
“Really?” Rebecca glanced at her mother, the grin returning to her face. “You should come out sometime. I’ll show you the sights.”
“That’d be amazing,” Eli said.
Kate smiled at the two, then glanced over at Marcus, who was talking to Sam Gorman. The Jenner men—father Danny, seventeen-year-old James, and fourteen-year-old Justin—were hoisting their gear into the back of the van. Kate could see they were in a heated discussion. Danny’s face was red, and James flung his gear with an almost violent force.
The men finished loading their gear and closed the doors of the van. Marcus stared at Eli with narrowed eyes, then made his way over to the group.
“It looks like we’re about ready to hit the road,” Marcus said, slipping an arm around Rebecca’s waist. “I’m Marcus Kingsley.” He shook hands with Eli, who introduced himself.
“Marcus is an actor too,” Rebecca said.
Kate wondered why she hadn’t introduced him as her boyfriend, and by the puzzled look on Marcus’ face, he was apparently wondering the same thing.
“I think we’re good to go, Paul,” Sam Gorman’s voice drew their attention. “Did you remember the maps?”
Paul quickly felt his pockets as if he’d forgotten them. Then with a raised eyebrow and a twinkle in his eyes, he reached into the side pocket of his cargo shorts and pulled out the Tennessee state map as well as a map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park day hikes.
He’d almost worn the shorts to church that morning, but Kate had convinced him to change after the service instead. She hadn’t seen him this excited about a trip since he’d gone to Wisconsin to see the Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show when the kids were young.
“You know me better than that, Sam Gorman!” Paul said.
Sam turned away with a chuckle and winked at Kate. Just then Livvy Jenner, Copper Mill’s town librarian and Kate’s best friend, came up and gave Kate a hug.
“Hey, you,” she said. “You think we’ll miss these menfolk?”
Kate noticed the strained look on her face and wondered what was wrong.
“Are you kidding?” Kate said, patting her arm. “I thought we ladies could have tea tomorrow afternoon in celebration of a little peace and quiet.”
Kate touched her daughter’s sleeve, and Rebecca turned from talking with Marcus and Eli toward the women. “Rebecca, you remember my friend Livvy, don’t you?”
Rebecca smiled sweetly at Kate’s auburn-haired friend. “Hey, Livvy,” she said. “How are you?”
“Oh, I’m doing well. What are you two up to this afternoon?” she asked.
“We’re going to have lunch at the Country Diner and relax at home, I think,” Kate said, then raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Rebecca, who nodded her approval. “Would you like to join us, Livvy?”
Kate thought it might give her a chance to talk to Livvy and fill her in.
“Thanks,”—Livvy cleared her throat—“but I have a book waiting at home with my name on it. It’s a rare opportunity when I have the house to myself.” Her gaze wandered to her husband and sons across the parking lot.
Kate pulled her aside and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“James is being such a teenager!” Livvy said. “His father has gone to all this trouble to make this trip happen. Danny got preapproved absences for the boys from school so they could get their homework done ahead of time, and now James tells us that his garage band is having a concert, and he can’t go on the trip.”
“He doesn’t want to go camping?”
Livvy shook her head. “Oh, he’s going all right! I’m so tired of him making selfish choices. He has to think about someone else for a change. Lately he’s been ‘the band this and the band that.’ I’m tired of it running our lives. Last night he got in late, and he hadn’t even packed for the trip yet.”
Kate squeezed Livvy’s arm, and the gesture brought fresh tears to Livvy’s eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t want to join us for lunch?” Kate asked.
Livvy shook her head. “I’ll be okay. Really.” She blew out a long breath.
“Was Danny pretty upset?”
“Well, sure he was. You should’ve heard them going at it this morning. It was a lovely scene on our way to church!” She sighed and gazed down at the ground. “Danny and I have talked about making James drop out of the band, but who knows what that would do to him, or to our relationship with him. But he’s gone so much, practicing and then to gigs. The band doesn’t always play at places I’m comfortable with. Sometimes I just wonder about the negative influence this band might have on him.”
Kate chuckled, and Livvy looked confused.
“Forgive me,” Kate said. “You sound so much like me with Rebecca, it’s not even funny.”
Livvy smiled, and some of the tension in her face eased.
“So, how do you manage it?” Livvy asked.
“I pray a lot.” She shrugged. “Sometimes I feel like there’s not much else I can do.”
“My thoughts exactly!” Livvy held her tall seventeen-year-old son in her gaze. He had moved to the side of the parking lot, arms still crossed in defiance, a sullen look on his face. “He’s shown in so many ways that he can’t manage the responsibility. His grades aren’t what they should be, and I know it’s because of all the time he’s spending with the band.”
“He is only seventeen,” Kate reminded her friend. “Maybe it’s too soon to let him have that much freedom. It’s a judgment call, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah. I just hate for it to put a damper on Danny’s time with the boys.”
“How’s Justin taking all of this?”
“He’s oblivious.” Livvy smiled. “He’s been looking forward to this trip right along with his dad.”
“James will come around,” Kate assured her.
Livvy nodded, then Paul’s voice drew their attention.
“All right. Is everyone here?” Paul beamed as he looked at his clipboard again. “I’m going to take roll. Say ‘Howdy’ when your name is called. Carl Wilson...”
Carl answered as directed, then the rest followed suit—Jack Wilson, Danny Jenner, Justin, James, Sam Gorman, Eli Weston, and Marcus Kingsley. Heads turned toward the newcomer when Paul said his name.
Paul cleared his throat and said, “Marcus is our daughter Rebecca’s friend. He’s visiting us for a few days, so I invited him to join us on our little adventure. I hope you’ll make him feel welcome.”
The men waved and offered words of greeting. Marcus smiled wide and waved in return. “Thanks,” he said.
“Our goal today is to get to the park,” Paul went on. “We’ll eat lunch on the way, then stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center outside of Gatlinburg, set up our camp at Elkmont Campground, and make a light supper. We might do a short hike tonight. We’ll be close to the Jakes Creek Trail, the Cucumber Gap Trail, and the Little River Trail. We’ll see what we have time for. Sam will lead us in a brief worship time around the campfire each night, and James has agreed to play guitar for us.” He glanced at James, who remained motionless.
Paul led the group in a prayer, asking for God’s protection and blessing. Then it was time to go. The men said their farewells to their loved ones and climbed into the van. Paul was so busy getting everyone else set up that he forgot to say anything to Kate until she pulled him aside.
“Hey there. I think you’re forgetting something after all,” Kate teased.
“Sorry,” he said with a sheepish
grin. “You know how I am. I just get—”
“Focused?” she finished his sentence, a wry smile on her lips.
Paul nodded.
“Don’t forget to take your allergy medication, okay?” Kate knew he usually relied on her to give him the meds whenever he needed them, so she could see him completely forgetting that he had them in his pack.
“I don’t like them; they make me sleepy.” Paul started with the same complaints he’d had when the pills had first been prescribed.
“But they make you less miserable.”
“Okay, if I start attracting wild animals with my sneezing, I’ll remember to take the pills.” He smiled and bent to kiss her cheek, but Kate turned her head just in time to give him a smooch on the lips.
“Be careful, honey,” she said. “You aren’t as young as you used to be. Don’t twist an ankle or anything. And remember, I love you...very much.”
“I love you too, hon, and I’ll be fine,” he assured her. Then he turned to Rebecca and said, “I’ll keep an eye on that boyfriend of yours, sweetheart.”
She glanced at Marcus, offering him a shy smile, then she raised up on her toes and gave her father a peck on the cheek.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
Kate stood back as Marcus and Rebecca said their good-byes. They held each other close, standing forehead to forehead.
“You take care of yourself,” Rebecca said.
“Don’t worry about me, honey. You just have a good visit with your mom.” He smiled, and his dimples deepened. Then he gave her a kiss.
Kate looked at the ground, feeling as though she was intruding on their moment.
“Don’t forget that I love you,” Marcus said when she stepped out of his embrace.
“I love you too,” Rebecca whispered. “Maybe someday this ring—” She looked down at her hand, then said in a panic-stricken voice, “My ring...It’s gone!”
“You sure you didn’t leave it at the house?” Marcus asked.
