“They should be grateful to anyone willing to give up their free time to coach someone else’s kids.”
He laughed as he bent down again to check the grass. “You sound like my sister-in-law. That’s a compliment by the way. Julie’s one of those people you can’t help but admire. Of course, I’d like her anyway because she’s been so good for Eric.”
“You and your brother seem very close.”
“That’s a result of losing our mother when we were teenagers and having a father who was away more than he was home.”
Darcy trailed her fingers along the fence. “Cason and I weren’t all that close growing up, mainly because there’s ten years between us. She got married when I was in sixth grade, and moved to South Carolina. When she came back to St. Marys, I was leaving for college. It sounds strange to say it, but she’s more like an aunt than a sister.”
By this time, they’d circled the field and were back at the truck. Instead of opening her door, he propped his shoulder against it. “Did you leave any broken hearts back at college?”
“No. I don’t date much,” she admitted in a low voice.
“A beautiful girl like you? I don’t understand it.”
Her glance fell to the scuffed toes of his work boots. “There are some things that being nice to look at can’t overcome.”
Was she talking about herself? “Like what? Do you snort when you laugh?”
She smiled, but it was tinged with sadness. “I wish it were that simple.”
Time to back off. She obviously didn’t want to talk about whatever it was. “Most things in life are simple. Humans just enjoy complicating everything. Anyway, I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that. I tend to speak first and think later.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He was on a roll. He’d managed to embarrass Darcy twice. Could he make it a threesome? “Tell me about this play. I’m not the most literary person, but is it something I might have read in school?”
“It’s a contemporary play written by one of Cason’s former teachers. I haven’t read the whole thing, but it’s your standard romantic drama, full of clichés and worn-out plot lines. My character is in love with her best friend’s fiancé. It’s not a part I would have chosen which is exactly why Cason wants me to do it.”
“What did you mean when you said you were still trying to get over your last performance?”
Darcy brushed the bangs out of her eyes, her lips forming a wry smile. “Cason roped me into being a substitute for one of the other actresses who got sick. As the leading man was taking me into his arms, a huge spider landed on my shoulder. The rest is a bit of a blur, but basically I made a complete fool of myself.”
Matt slapped his forehead. “Now I know why you seem familiar. I was at that play. You’re the redhead.”
She nodded slowly. “That was me, all right; hiding under an itchy wig.”
“I was on a blind date of all things. The spider incident was the best thing that happened all night.”
“That’s not good.”
He shrugged. “It was one of those evenings you don’t want to repeat.”
“I’ve had a few of those. But that play tops them all. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”
Matt pushed away from the truck and opened the passenger door. “I’ve had so many embarrassing moments that I’ve lost count.” Closing the door, he walked around and got inside. “Here’s one that’s not too shocking or gross. When I was a little boy, I was really thin. We’re talking stick figure here. One afternoon I dove into my friend’s pool. It was a perfect dive, no belly flop or anything. The force of the water caused my swimming trunks, which were too big for me because they were actually Eric’s, to slide down. I didn’t think too much about it because I pulled them back up before I got out of the water. What I didn’t realize was the part of my body usually covered by the trunks wasn’t nearly as tan as the rest of me. Without knowing it, I mooned everyone at the pool party.”
Darcy laughed so hard she had to wipe her eyes. “That’s a good one, but I was hoping for something more recent.”
Matt grinned as he started the truck. “It only gets worse from there.”
* * * * *
When they pulled into her sister’s driveway, Darcy wasn’t surprised to see Cason, Stella and her mother sitting on the porch. What was this? The 1800s? It was a simple trip to the park for goodness sake.
“Were we gone too long?” Matt asked.
“Of course not. My family tends to forget that I’m an adult.”
“I get the same treatment from Eric. It’s because we’re the younger siblings.”
Neither of them noticed that Stella had left the porch. When she knocked on the driver-side window, they both jumped. Matt shut off the engine and got out.
“Hey there, Stella. How was the ice cream?”
“I had a chocolate dipped cone with sprinkles. Mommy got upset because it dripped all over my new shirt.”
“That happens to me, too. Let me scoot around you so I can help your aunt get out of the truck.”
Stella tilted her head. “Can’t she get out by herself?”
“Yes, but a gentleman is supposed to open a lady’s door for her.”
“My daddy doesn’t do that.”
Darcy turned away so they wouldn’t see her laughing. How would Matt get out of that one?
He bent down and cupped his hand over Stella’s ear. Whatever he said sent Stella running back to the porch where Darcy could see her talking excitedly to Cason.
As she slid out of the truck to the ground, she asked, “What did you tell her?”
“That I was trying really hard to get you to like me.”
He didn’t know it, but he’d just thrown gasoline on a fire. There was no way Darcy would be able to keep her mother and Cason grounded in reality now. They’d be making a wedding guest list by tomorrow morning. “It was nice of you to protect Tim, but be prepared for the can of worms you’ve opened. Stella is like Cason; anything you tell her will likely come out at the most embarrassing moments.”
“I’m not worried about it.”
Darcy stepped out of the way so he could close the door. “I’ll ask you that again after you’ve faced the firing squad on the porch.”
“No time like the present.” He put his hand on the small of her back and urged her forward.
A pleasant warmth spread through her at his touch. She needed to think about something else. Blushing like a teenager every time he got close wasn’t helping things.
“Did you two have fun?” Cason asked with a smirk.
“Checking sod has never been so exciting,” Matt admitted with a sideways glance at Darcy.
Flustered by the look, Darcy turned to her mother. “How did the dress fitting go?”
“All I’ve got left to do is the hem.” Her eyes flicked to Matt. “I read in the paper that your brother is speaking at the Heritage House charity dinner.”
“I didn’t know that, but I’m not surprised. Eric never turns down anyone. He’s very generous with his time.”
“What’s it like being related to a celebrity?” Cason asked.
“I don’t really think of him that way. To me, he’s just my older brother.”
“It’s kind of weird to have him mowing my yard.”
“We’ve had some interesting reactions from people. Usually the guys want him to sign something, and the girls want a picture with him. A few people have asked him if he’s mowing lawns because he lost all his money, and one man offered him a loan.”
“People can be so nosy,” Darcy’s mother said.
“That’s one of the downsides of being a public figure.” He glanced at the watch strapped to his wrist. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve got another stop to make. I’ll do my best to be on time for rehearsal on Monday.”
“That’s okay,” Cason assured him. “Come whenever.”
His goodbye smile included them all, but that didn’t sto
p Cason. As soon as the truck disappeared down the street, she wagged her finger at Darcy. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you. That must have been some sod-checking session.”
Darcy sent a warning glance in Stella’s direction. “He wanted to know about the play.”
“He wanted an excuse to get you alone.”
“Your imagination is as active as ever.”
“I don’t have to use my imagination. Stella, tell Aunt Darcy what Mr. Matt said.”
Stella looked up from trying to catch a lizard. “He said he liked Aunt Darcy, and that’s why he wanted to open her door.”
“Need I say more?”
“You’ve said too much already,” Darcy replied on a long-suffering sigh. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“Don’t get so defensive. You act like him being interested in you is a bad thing. Men like that don’t come along every day.”
Darcy didn’t feel up to arguing the point. Let Cason believe what she wanted. If by some miracle Matt did become interested in her, it wouldn’t be of long duration. Once guys found out about her epilepsy, they moved on.
Chapter Three
Two evenings later, Matt removed his work gloves and wiped the sweat from his face. Eric appeared from around the side of the house carrying a blower. “Sorry I took so long,” he said as he joined him. “I’m a little slow today.”
“That week off with Julie and Nerina ruined you. You’ve gone all soft on me.”
“I can tell you where I’d rather be right now.”
“Quit complaining. You’ve got a lovely wife and daughter to go home to. All I’ve got waiting on me is a dog.”
“You’re the only one who can change that.”
Matt grabbed a water bottle and poured it over his head. “That’s where you’re wrong. It takes me and one other person to change that. I wish Julie had a sister.”
“She’s only got a brother and that reminds me of something. I’ve got a favor to ask you.”
Matt shook the water from his hair. “I’m not sure I want to hear it. The last time you asked me for a favor, I found myself stuck with fifty kids for a week-long baseball camp.”
“This has nothing to do with baseball. It’s a fundraiser for Heritage House.”
“I heard something about that. I wish you’d stop volunteering for all these things.” Matt sighed wearily. “What do I have to do?”
Eric laughed at his impatient expression. “Go to dinner and give a short please-donate-to-this-worthy-cause speech.”
“I’m terrible at giving speeches.”
“This from the guy who picked up a construction cone and serenaded his girlfriend in the Disney World parking lot in front of at least a hundred people.”
Matt threw his hand up. “Don’t remind me. That’s probably why she broke up with me. Anyway, when is this dinner?”
“Next Sunday night. I didn’t realize when I agreed to do it that it’s the same weekend Devon’s due home.”
“I guess you can’t miss welcoming Julie’s brother back into the fold.”
“Not unless I want to sleep on the couch.”
“Julie would never do something like that.”
“I’m not taking any chances. The dinner starts at six. You can invite your new friend to go with you.”
One eyebrow went up. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Doing to me what I did to you.”
Eric tried to look nonchalant and failed. “It does have a certain appeal.”
Might as well tell him the rest and get it over with. “Here’s something else for you to enjoy. I agreed to be in a play.”
“How did that happen?”
“One of our new customers is big into community theater. She asked me if I would be interested in taking a small part. I’ve got lots of free evenings now, so I thought why not?”
“Uh-huh. There’s more to this story you’re not telling me.”
“What makes you say that?” Matt asked, walking around to get in the truck.
Eric secured the blower on the trailer and then joined him. “Is the pickle girl in the play, too?”
“Her name is Darcy so you can stop calling her the pickle girl.”
“The fog of confusion in my brain is beginning to clear.”
“Quit trying to be a poet. It makes you sound ridiculous.”
“I’m trying to connect the dots.”
Matt laughed as he maneuvered his way out of the driveway. “When you’re finished, could you explain what’s going on to me? When I saw Darcy at the craft show, she looked familiar. The other day I realized that she was in that play I went to see with Vera. I thought I’d solved the mystery, but now I’m not so sure. I think I must have met her somewhere else. I just can’t figure out when and where.”
“What’s her last name?”
“Withers.”
Eric shook his head. “Doesn’t ring a bell. Has she mentioned that you’re familiar to her?”
“No, and I haven’t said anything. I promised myself I’d never use the ‘have we met before’ line.”
“Well, if you have met before, one or both of you will eventually remember. It doesn’t matter at this point. If she’s managed to get you on a stage, she’s obviously made an impression. I’d just go with it and see what happens.”
“That’s what I’m doing. Now, back to this dinner. I’ll have to borrow one of your overpriced suits. I don’t have anything worthy of a charity dinner in my closet.”
“My so-called overpriced suits are at your disposal. By the way, Julie said to tell you that Mrs. Parsons made lasagna.”
“Put my portion in the freezer. I won’t have time to come over for dinner tonight. I’ve got a rehearsal at seven.”
Eric pointed to the clock on the truck’s dashboard. “You do realize it’s six-thirty now?”
“Sure do. That’s why I’m speeding.”
* * * * *
Darcy waited patiently while Cason went through all the craziness of the new school year for both herself and Stella. There was no point in launching into a discussion about the play until she had her sister’s full attention. But she did wish Cason would hurry; they’d be at the rehearsal in a few minutes.
“I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. Trying to balance my obligations to my students at school and my commitment to the community center is getting more and more difficult. They want me to do two plays before December.”
“Just tell them you’re too busy. There must be someone else who can either take over for you or at least lighten your load.”
Cason sent her a swift glance. “I’m looking at her. You took drama in high school, and you’re very available.”
“You can forget that, sis. I don’t know the first thing about organizing an actual production.”
“You wouldn’t be doing everything. You’d be helping me do it.”
“I need to get a real job, Cason. You know, the kind that pays money. And while we’re on the subject of plays, how could you have given me such a terrible part? My character has the personality of a wet blanket. I can’t pull off being foolish and flirtatious at the same time.”
Cason turned into the paved lot and parked close to the door. “You can’t always play a character that’s like you. That’s the fun of acting; you get to be someone else. I don’t know why you’re making such a fuss. You should be thanking me. I’ve given you the opportunity to see Matt two evenings a week.”
“Maybe I don’t want to see him two evenings a week.”
“You’re in denial. It will be fun watching him wear you down.”
Darcy shook her head as she stepped out of the car. “Whatever. Just do me a favor and stop giving me opportunities.”
Cason smiled as she grabbed a thick notebook from the back seat. “The lady doth protest too much.”
“And please don’t start with the Shakespeare quotes.”
“Can’t help it. I’m doing a unit study of Hamlet in two of my drama classes.”
As she followed Cason in the building, Darcy hoped this would be the extent of her sister’s ‘assistance’ with her social life.
* * * * *
The minute hand was nudging the quarter hour when Matt reached the entrance of the old opera house. He was only fifteen minutes late. One good thing about being in the military was it didn’t take him long to get showered and dressed. When he entered the lobby, he could hear Cason’s voice through the half open door leading to the main theater.
As he walked down the long aisle to the stage, he wondered what had possessed him to do this. If even half of these seats were filled on opening night, there would still be a lot of people watching him forget his lines. His eyes moved over the small group gathered in a circle until they found Darcy. Okay, so he knew why he was here.
Cason turned her head enough to catch sight of him. “Hey, there. Glad you could make it.”
“Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem. Everyone this is Matt. He’s going to be playing Clark.”
“Hello, everyone.” Matt waved a hand before heading for the empty chair next to Darcy.
As soon as he sat down, she leaned over and whispered, “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
She smelled like lavender mixed with vanilla. “It was Eric’s first day back at work, so it took us a little longer. He kept stopping every half hour to call Julie.”
“How sweet!”
“Quiet, everyone,” Cason said, with a frown in their direction. “Tonight we’re going to read through the play. On Thursday, we’ll start working on the first scene. I need a few people here before seven so we can set up some furniture. The play opens up in a college library. Charlotte, go ahead and get us started.”
As the reading progressed, Matt was relieved to find that Cason hadn’t exaggerated. His part was small and his appearances few. This was definitely something he could handle. The play itself was just as Darcy described it – pure chick lit. Some of the lines made him want to roll his eyes. He couldn’t help thinking that it would go over better as a comedy.
Stealing His Heart: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love Book 2) Page 6
