The floor above creaked. “I keep hearing that,” Callie said, pointing to the ceiling. “I even heard it last night and went up and looked around but couldn’t see much in the dark, and with the electricity out that didn’t help either.”
Thelma poured coffee and handed it to Georgette. “Must be the house settling.”
Callie eyed another scone. “After a hundred and seventy years you’d think it’s done settled.”
Thelma poured coffee for Callie. “You’d be surprised. Did you see anything up in the attic?”
“Well, you sure have a collection. I’d like to look around sometime, if you don’t mind?”
Thelma spilled the coffee on the tray. “Well, look at me, all butterfingers this morning. Just give me some time to straighten things up and you can dig around all you want. I have stuff so jammed full up in that attic from turning this into a bed and breakfast, I’m afraid you might break your neck if you crawled around up there.” She stood. “Guess I better be getting back to work.”
Georgette clutched her purse, checked the contents, then joined Thelma. “Think I’ll head on down the drive and see if Keefe has gotten his Jeep pulled out of the ditch. I heard all kinds of commotion a little earlier. I wonder how Sally and Demar made out last night.”
Thelma laughed as she headed for the door with the tray. “And I’m betting that’s exactly what Demar and Sally did and then some.”
Thelma and Georgette left, and Callie finished off her coffee while gazing out the back window into the woods beyond the lawn. She had to get herself going. For sure Rory needed her to watch Bonnie so he could tend to any damage on the docks or his tows. And that was fine, but what wasn’t fine was Keefe and her and last night. She ran her hand over the indent in the pillow.
What now? A leap of faith? But what if that leap landed her right on her butt when this was all over with. She’d fall for him, then have to get over it? Like he said, they had now, and that’s what she had to go with. Besides, there certainly wasn’t any turning back after last night. It wasn’t a death-do-us-part commitment, but it wasn’t a one-time quickie either. They meant something to each other, but what and for how long? That was the question.
Chapter 12
Callie handed Bonnie a cleaned chicken bone to gnaw and tried to ignore the disapproving looks from Eleanor Stick sitting at the back table at Slim’s. The actors at Callie’s table passed around what was left of platters of barbecue, and Sally asked, “Who needs one last beer?”
Keefe’s celebratory early afternoon dinner at Slim’s to thank the cast for working so hard was in full swing. She should be having a good time, too, and she was, sort of . . . except she was hungry and not for barbecue.
Three days since the storm, three days since she and Keefe rendezvoused in the attic and then in the shower. But now that they were back at Keefe’s house with Rory right across the hall, sneaking around in the middle of the night was the best they could do. Blatantly sleeping with the baby-sitter seemed uncomfortably tacky. And when they parted it would be so much easier if half the town wasn’t in on it.
Barry and Helen raised their hands to claim more beer, and Keefe laughed. “That’s root beer for you two.” Keefe stood and clinked his fork against a beer bottle to get everyone’s attention. “I want to thank you all for coming before we start practice tonight.”
Joe chuckled. “Since you’re picking up the tab, it’s our pleasure.”
Ty added, “Feed us and we’ll follow you anywhere.”
Keefe said, “Well, you’ve all worked hard since we got this idea going. You’ve memorized lines and come to practice early, built sets and worked hard to get things right, and most of all you put up with me.”
Roberta sighed, then laughed. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“Here, here,” Betty said and took a sip of beer. Callie laughed along with the rest of the crew. As much as they all teased that’s all it was. They liked Keefe, trusted him to make the play right, caught his enthusiasm to do the best job possible.
Keefe continued, “The play is coming along, and I think we’re going to be ready.”
“When pigs fly, Keefe O’Fallon.” Mrs. Stanley huffed as she burst into Slim’s and stomped over to the table. She peered around at all of them, then zeroed in on Keefe. “You have some nerve changing my play. Who do you think you are? I’m the teacher around here.” She poked herself in the chest with her pudgy forefinger. “It’s my name on that contract with the town and school board for putting on the summer plays.” Her eyes narrowed. “I know what you’re up to, trying to get me fired because I never liked you. Think you’re so much better than me, well, you’re not. Around here I’m King Tut.”
“Wait a minute.” Keefe held up his hand. “Me taking over the play was your idea.”
“You’re putting on Arsenic and Old Lace. Trying to show me up. Well, I got news for you; that’s not going to happen because there’s not going to be any play.” She flipped out a piece of paper. “Says right here in my contract that I have complete artistic discretion, and that means it’s up to me to approve the play put on or not, and I’m not approving this play.” She stood tall and jutted her chin. “It’s not the real Arsenic and Old Lace.”
Keefe waved his hand over the actors. “We don’t have the time to put on the full play; it’s long and has a lot of lines. The radio adaptation works fine, and even with that we have to go at least three more weeks to make it work. Why are you going off like this?”
She lowered her voice, “Because I’m not going to be showed up by the likes of you. And that’s what this is all about, isn’t it? Make me look bad because I didn’t think you could act. Well, I got news for you; I still don’t think you can act, and I won’t be outdone by you. You’ll not be putting your play on in my gym. I have final say, and I say no way. I’m putting padlocks on the doors myself, and you can all kiss your stupid little play good-bye.”
Stanley stormed off, and Keefe stared after her. “I don’t believe this. How’d she find out? She was out of town. And, I can’t believe she’s carrying a grudge all these years.”
Betty hissed, “The bitch.”
Roberta said, “I’m thinking this was a little plan of Stanley’s all along. She thought you’d look bad with that dresses play, and now that you’ll look good she’s not going to let that happen.”
Betty hissed, “The big bitch.”
Joe leaned back in his chair. “So now what the heck are we going to use for an excuse to get together? The memorizing our lines cover was working out real good, and now ...” He glanced at Betty.
Frank muttered, “Think we can start up another Bible study group?”
“Not after the last time,” Blanche chimed in. “Dang.”
Digger and Georgette entered and came their way. Digger said, “We just passed Stanley outside looking really pleased with herself. What’s she doing back in town?”
“Screwing things up like always,” Keefe answered.
Digger said, “Well, you all look like you spent your last nickel, and I sure know what that’s like.”
Callie handed Bonnie off to Keefe, stood and grabbed Georgette’s hand. “Tell Digger about the Lee.”
Her eyes shot open wide. “Here? Now?” She licked her lips, studied Digger and wrung her hands together. “I ... I can’t do that. It’s mean-spirited.”
“Tell me what?” Digger asked. “What’s wrong with the Lee? Even more than I think there’s wrong? Good gravy. The thing’s like a big old wishing well as it is. I keep tossing in money and waiting for things to get better.”
Callie nudged Georgette. “Come on, do it. You owe him the truth.”
Georgette eyed the crowd and muttered to Callie, “In front of everyone?”
“Just do it. Trust me.”
Georgette huffed. “All right. Fine. But this is not my idea.” She faced Digger. “You’re not going to have enough money to save the Lee. You may have enough to fix her up somewhat, but you need venture capital, an
d the banks aren’t going to help you unless you have income and—”
“See, that’s it,” Callie said. “Money coming in. Digger has a boat; Keefe needs a theater. So, we put the two together and we get a . . . tada . . . showboat, just like on the Mississippi over a hundred years ago. Open theater on the first floor. There’s already a stage area. We simply expand it, add lights, a curtain, we’re in business. I knew being in the entertainment business would finally pay off. No need to have the engines and paddle wheel repaired right away because the Lee stays where it is. Everyone will come and pay money; there’s enough folks in nearby towns. Digger gets income, the show goes on, everyone’s happy. Brilliant, huh?”
Georgette dropped her purse to the floor and hugged Callie. “You are brilliant.”
“Not quite,” countered Digger. “The boat needs a ton of work besides the engines and paddle wheel if you want to put on the play this summer. There’s only me and Keefe and sometimes Callie, and I hire extra hands for the big stuff, but that’s not enough to get the job done in a month.”
Keefe put Bonnie to his shoulder and patted her little bottom to soothe her. He was getting more comfortable with her every day. “You know, if we didn’t have to pay for all the repairs, we could pay the actors a little something. And if we put on more than one show, and next year if the paddle wheel got fixed and the engines working, the Lee could make her way to some of the towns in the area, putting on more shows and making more money for the Lee and the actors. Could be quite a business. Kind of exciting and a little travel thrown in.” He looked at the actors. “What do you think?”
Nick stroked his chin. “Money? As in extra income?” He eyed Nellie. “Well, I’ll be. Now, there’s a new wrinkle, the kind I like to see for a change.”
Joe smiled hugely at Betty, Frank kissed Blanche on the cheek and Roberta hugged Ty, his coffee skin taking on a pink hue.
Joe stood and swiped barbecue from his fingers. “I think you’ve said the magic words, Keefe . . . extra money. That could change things for all of us at this table and put some zip in our lives.” He took Betty’s hand and kissed the back. “Let’s see, I worked at the hardware store for forty years. I know how to do damn near everything repair-wise, been helping folks on that very thing for as long as I can remember.”
Nellie stood. “I ran the Landing Times, so I know advertising inside and out. We’ll bill this as Showboat Shenanigans.”
Sally came over. “You know, Dad’s been toying with the idea of adding outside dining to overlook the river. With the new housing and town renovations going on to bring folks in, Conrad stepping up work at the dry dock and hiring more workers and now the showboat, we need more space here. If he gets Demar on it, we can have it up in a month. Since the Braves are headed for the playoffs this year, Dad’s been teaching Demar how to barbecue so Dad can catch more baseball games on TV. I think he and Demar are bonding over barbecue sauce, ribs and Coors Light.”
Helen said, “The moon on the Mississippi is so romantic.” She gave Barry a shy smile. “Barry and I can help string lights on the deck, and you should get some of those chiminea things to keep the bugs away.”
Frank held up his hand. “I still do a mean guitar. Be glad to play for a free dinner now and then. Dinner and music before the shows is a good advertising idea. One of those package deals you read about.” He winked at Blanche. “If somebody agrees to sing, it would be better yet.”
Blanche blushed, and Ty slapped Digger on the back. “Well now, I think we can save that there boat of yours.”
Digger shook his head, looking completely dumbfounded. “Why are you all doing this for me?”
“Hell, man,” Nick said. “We’re doing it for us. A little extra cash in our pockets is just what we need to change things around here. Besides, I’m not all that fond of retirement. I’m itching to get back into something, and this is perfect. We can work on the plays during the winter and put them on in the summer. I think we should do Yankee Doodle Dandy on the Fourth of July next year. Bet I can still do a little Buck and Wing.”
Nick leaned over the table and said in a quiet voice, “We got the set for Arsenic and Old Lace already built in the gym, and with Stanley putting padlocks on the doors we might have to do something shady to get what’s ours back.” He laughed quietly. “I’m an ex-sheriff, never thought I’d be planning a break-in.” He patted Nellie’s hand. “Times sure are a changing.”
Keefe picked up a drumstick and held it high. “I think we have a deal. All in favor . . . burp.” Everyone laughed, and he added, “Our rehearsal tonight will be at the majestic showboat Liberty Lee. Afternoons for working on the Lee, evenings for working on the play.”
Digger kissed Georgette. “If you hadn’t figured out that I needed extra financing, this all never would have gotten going. You saved my boat again.”
“I think this is a joint project.” She glanced around, taking everyone in. “Accounting is so much bean counting, and this time I get to see the results.”
Digger hooked his arm through Georgette’s. “Just follow us, folks.”
The actors paraded out of Slim’s, Callie pushing the stroller and bringing up the rear. And as they headed on to the Lee she veered off and made for the O’Fallons’ house, picking up Max in his red bandanna as her escort. Bonnie needed a bath and real food and bed. Callie wanted Rory to go over the alarm system again. The fiasco in Memphis had left her jumpy. Whoever M. Perry was, he probably knew who she was and for sure knew Keefe. Everyone knew Keefe, which meant M. Perry knew the O’Fallons were on to him. That was her fault. Keefe and the baseball hat probably wouldn’t have fared any better, but the bottom line was she was responsible for what had happened.
While she and Max got Bonnie settled she thought about the guy with the black mustache and limp. Where had she seen him before? Why did she get the goose bumps when she thought of him now? She read Bonnie two stories and sang the song about the little spider that her mother used to sing to her and LuLu when they were small. Too bad Callie wouldn’t be around to teach Bonnie the hand motions that went with the song.
She held Bonnie a little tighter, a little closer. She hated to let her go, but Ryan and Effie would be coming back from San Diego soon and Quaid from Alaska. They wouldn’t need her, and Keefe was picking up Big-Brother 101 just fine. Besides, she had an article to write and, with luck, a new position as editor at Soap Scoops to deal with.
Bonnie fell asleep, and Callie put her in the pink everything baby bed. She took the baby monitor and Max with Dusty tagging along checked the back doors to make sure they were locked, then went onto the front porch to catch the sunset. Max sprawled across the cool wood floor, Dusty on the swing. Callie turned on the radio that was still there from the night they had taught Digger to dance. Peter, Paul and Mary sang about flying on a jet plane, and Callie opened her PC to check her e-mail and see if M. Perry had anything to say. As the machine charged up, she caught sight of Keefe coming across the yard from the docks below the cliff.
His hair was lighter, she realized. Being out in the sun just ten days had brought out the natural color better than any salon ever could. His walk was self-assured, like someone who’d come this way many times before and owned his surroundings. He might look all polished from being in New York and have a certain sophistication about him from being on TV and in front of the camera, but he fit this place, too. The rugged edge of Lex Zandor wasn’t all acting.
Keefe was a man in charge, a man you could depend on to make things right, a man who didn’t run when things went south, a man who trusted in his ability more than the cash in his bank account to get the job done. She’d never realized all that till she got to know him on the Landing, and that was not going to make leaving any easier.
“Hey,” he said as he took the four wood steps in two hops. He leaned over the back of the wicker chair where she sat and peered at the screen. “Anything from M. Perry?”
Keefe’s presence surrounded her like sunshine, making her feel
good, happy to be exactly where she was. “Zip. Think I should e-mail him? Something innocent like ‘I got held up in the storm and never made it to Kerby’s. Sorry I missed you, let’s reschedule.’ “
“If he saw the three of you gals in those red boas, it’s hopeless, Callie. But then again you’ve got nothing to lose by trying.”
“And I could find out if he was there at all.”
“Anyone look suspicious to you?” Keefe sat across from her on the settee.
“You know, there was a guy in a mustache running away when all the commotion started. But he had a limp, and being part of a bar fight when you have a bum leg isn’t the best.”
“Sounds more like someone trying to get out of harm’s way than anything else. So now what?”
She still had that nagging feeling she’d seen mustache man before. But she saw him for only a few seconds while under attack from four brutes; that was enough to give anyone a nagging feeling. She typed off the message to M. Perry, then set the PC on the table. “So, where are the others? I didn’t see them come up the hill with you.”
“Working on the Lee. They’re motivated like hell to make this work. The extra income should make marriage a real possibility for them all. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lee host a few nuptials along with the shows this fall. And Digger wanted me to tell you the deal with him falling for Georgette to get her off my case is over. He wants Georgette on his own terms, not because of some deal he’s made with us.”
“But he really needs the money, especially now.”
“He wants Georgette more.”
She smiled at the thought. “We’re matchmakers and didn’t even know it. The Lee’s a showboat and a love boat. There’s a lot of history here, and she needs to be refurbished accurately as much as possible. I bet there are some old photos stored somewhere on board. We should find them and do this restoration right.”
He hooked his leg over the arm of the settee. “Okay, what’s the future editor of Soap Scoops doing with all this interest in showboats and local history?”
The Way U Look Tonight Page 17
