A Sweethaven Christmas

by Courtney Walsh

  “All right, Meghan. He’s in. I can’t promise anything about the rest of them.” She tossed another glance in Luke’s direction, as if she were sizing up her prey. “But he is definitely in.”

  Meghan tossed up her arms and walked away.

  * * * * *

  Campbell

  Campbell’s realization that she had let herself fall in love with Luke didn’t come at the best time. Now, she found herself anticipating his proposal every time she saw him. Earlier, as she put on her makeup, she imagined what it would be like for him to get down on one knee during the filming. Sure, the special was about Meghan’s small-town Christmas, but a proposal would make for good television, wouldn’t it?

  She’d patted gloss over her lips as she studied her closet, trying to decide what she’d want to wear on the day her boyfriend asked her to marry him.

  On the way over, Campbell glanced down at her bare left hand and envisioned the ring on her fourth finger. Although the ring was a bit much for someone unassuming like her, she’d decided not to complain. How could she even consider such a thing when Luke had obviously spent way more money than she would ever expect picking out the perfect ring to symbolize his love?

  Now, standing in Meghan’s dining room, Campbell found herself fidgeting and nervous.

  Was the ring in his coat pocket? Or perhaps he’d taken it to Meghan’s earlier? She reminded herself to slow down. Luke might have other plans for proposing. Like a candlelit dinner for the two of them. If it didn’t happen today, she knew it would happen soon.

  But the anticipation was driving her crazy.

  “You okay?” Luke glanced down at her.

  “Sure. Just a little nervous. I’ve never been on TV before.”

  And I’ve never been proposed to before.

  “You’ll be fine. Just sit there and look beautiful.” He kissed the top of her head.

  She smiled. “I’m only going to be in the background.”

  “Singing Christmas carols,” Luke said. “You can handle that, right?”

  “I don’t sing,” Campbell said.

  “Just mouth along with the words.”

  “Lip-synching. Nice.” Campbell laughed. “By the way, I didn’t know you sing.”

  “I don’t anymore.”

  “You should. You were really good at the concert.” She faced him and smiled.

  “How about I reserve my musical talents for you? I only did that because Meghan begged me.”

  Campbell looked around Meghan’s cottage. She wondered what it had looked like before Nick renovated it as a gift to Meghan. She knew Luke had helped transform the old place, but she had no way to measure his talent.

  Judging by the way the house looked, though, she could see he was a talented architect. But he’d traded all that for the simple life and how only consulted with his old firm.

  In the front room, cameras were being set up, the cords and equipment cluttering the perimeter of the entire space.

  The crew worked together to transform the room, talking through the details of the filming, but most of it didn’t make much sense to Campbell.

  Lila and Tom arrived next, followed by Jane and then Adele, dressed in a Christmas sweater with actual ornaments on it.

  “Ma, you came in costume,” Luke said.

  “Getting into the Christmas spirit.” Adele winked at him. “Do you think it’s too much?”

  Luke started to respond and then closed his mouth. Thankfully, before Adele could chide him, Meghan appeared in the doorway.

  “So, there are a few things we’re still working out,” Meghan said. “This is Liz and she’s going to help us muddle through this rehearsal.”

  Liz stepped forward, iPad in hand, and cast a look across the room. “Where’s your brother, Meghan? Oh, there you are.” Her eyes twinkled as they settled on Luke. “We want you front and center, right over there on the couch next to Tasha.” She pulled Luke by the arm into the living room, where he was greeted by a petite brunette with almond-shaped eyes and perfect skin.

  “Scoot in real close, like you’re a couple,” Liz said. “We really want that cozy feeling.”

  “Then why don’t you let him be cozy with his real-life girlfriend?” Adele asked with a glance in Campbell’s direction.

  “Mama, please.”

  “I’m just confused is all, darlin’. Why would you need anyone to pretend to be cozy with Luke when Campbell is right here?”

  Meghan sighed. “I’m sorry, you guys. I didn’t know it, but they have to use actors to play my friends and family.”

  “Luke’s not an actor,” Adele said.

  “Except for Luke. You can all be in the background, but the foreground will be trained singers and actors.”

  Luke shot Campbell a look from the other room, and she didn’t know whether to laugh at how uncomfortable he seemed or cry at how much she hated seeing another woman by his side.

  What about the proposal?

  “So who’s playing your mother?” Adele asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

  “No one. They’ve decided to keep the crowd . . . younger,” Meghan said.

  Adele tossed her an annoyed look.

  “I know, Mama. Believe me, I’m not happy about this at all. But with the music, they need singers.”

  Adele’s chin notched upwards. “I am a singer, darlin’.”

  “It’s okay, Meghan,” Lila said. “I’m so bloated today they probably couldn’t fit all of me in one frame anyway.”

  “Can we stay and watch though?” Jane asked. “I’ve never been around a real TV crew.”

  Meghan’s smile was weak. “Of course. And I’ll treat you all to dinner as soon as this charade is over.”

  “Do you at least get your real husband?” Adele quipped.

  Meghan sighed, then looked at Campbell. “I’m sorry, hon,” she said. “I know it’s weird to see Luke with a pretend girlfriend.”

  “It’s okay,” Campbell said, waving her hand, even as a lump of disappointment formed in her stomach. To think she’d actually concocted another whole proposal.

  “Thanks for understanding, you guys.”

  “Meghan!” Liz called her from the other room. “We’re about ready.”

  Meghan turned back and looked at the rest of them. “Duty calls.”

  She walked into the living room, leaving the rest of them staring, unsure of what to do next.

  “I feel weird,” Lila said. “Maybe we should go.”

  “I’m not goin’ anywhere,” Adele said. “I’m sure if those fuddy-dud producers would look up from their phones for one second they’d see they are making a terrible mistake. Who is that girl with her arm around Luke?”

  “I guess this is how the girlfriends of movie stars feel, huh?” Jane said.

  “Yeah, and now you know why the divorce rate in Hollywood is so high.” Lila shook her head, then glanced at Campbell. “Not that you have anything to worry about, of course.”

  “At this point,” Liz said, her attention on Luke, “we’re going to have you sing a little bit with Meghan, but when everyone joins in the chorus, I want you and Tasha to have a moment.”

  “A moment?” Luke looked confused.

  “Like a little something special just between the two of you. A glance, a smile. Make us think you’re in love.”

  Campbell could feel Jane and Lila’s eyes on her.

  She pressed her lips together and pretended she was fine, but Campbell didn’t like this one bit—feeling like an outsider with her own boyfriend.

  “If she tells that girl to kiss him, I’m going to come unglued,” Adele said. “Campbell, honey, why don’t we go into the kitchen?”

  “No,” Campbell said. “It’s fine. Luke’s obviously even more uncomfortable than I am.”

  No sooner had she said the words than the pretend girlfriend whispered something that made Luke laugh. Really laugh—not a fake one, for the camera.

  They all stared for another long moment. The producer walked o
ver to Luke and the brunette. “You two make a great-looking couple. Luke, when you and Meghan sing the duet, would you mind singing right to Tasha here? We want to convey the feeling of a romantic Christmas.”

  “On second thought, maybe you’re right,” Campbell said. “Would one of you take me home?”

  Without hesitation, and perfectly on cue, all three of the other women said in unison, “I will.”

  Meghan

  Rehearsing for the Christmas special under Mama’s watchful glare was unnerving, especially knowing how upset Mama was. Meghan couldn’t blame her. What mother wouldn’t want to be a part of her daughter’s success? Especially when she’d been cut out of it for so many years.

  “Meghan, are you listening?” Liz’s stern tone cut through Meghan’s thoughts.

  “What?”

  “What Christmas carol did you want to do at this point in the show?”

  Meghan glanced at Luke, who sat on a couch next to a girl who’d been instructed to act like she was in love with him.

  She was very convincing. So convincing Campbell had left.

  Nick put a hand on Meghan’s shoulder. “I think we were thinking something fun here, weren’t we, Meg?”

  Meghan wanted to get up and leave, but she knew that would do nothing to restore her career. Why wouldn’t they just give her what she wanted—the family she’d fought so hard for?

  “Yeah, I think so. ‘Jingle Bells,’ I think?”

  Liz wrinkled her nose. “Maybe we could do something a little less cheesy. How about ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’?”

  “Isn’t this the segment where the kids come in?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought the kids would enjoy ‘Jingle Bells.’ My own kids love that one.”

  Liz cleared her throat, then pressed her lips together. “We’ll make a note of that. For now, let’s do ‘Angels We Have Heard on High.’” She turned around and searched the entryway for her assistant, Kristy, a girl in her twenties with dishwater hair and pale white skin. “We’re ready for the kids.”

  Off in the distance, Meghan could see her own kids, playing Memory with a member of the crew. Would it hurt their feelings if they overheard one of these other children call her Mom?

  Kristy returned with two small kids trailing behind. The girl had screaming red hair, much like Meghan’s before she’d added lowlights. The boy’s hair was a lighter brown, a trail of freckles running across his face.

  “Meghan, these are your kids.”

  Meghan smiled at them. It wasn’t their fault, she reminded herself.

  “Now, kids,” Liz said, her voice firm. “You’re going to sit beside Mrs. Rhodes. You’re going to smile the entire time and it’s important that you perform from the second we start filming.”

  Meghan shot Nick a look. Nothing about this would be natural. Nothing would be real. The entire thing would be staged. He looked away, probably thinking the exact same thing.

  “Why don’t we do a test?” Liz said. “You’re both going to look right here.” Liz held her hand above the camera, her eyes wide.

  Meghan glanced at the kids. The girl seemed poised and ready for action, but the little boy stared at his hands in his lap.

  “You, boy—” Liz turned to Kristy. “What’s his name?”

  Kristy looked down at her clipboard. “Dylan.”

  “Dylan, look up this way at the camera.”

  Dylan’s eyes widened. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

  “I’m ready,” the little girl said. “My mom said professionals take care of these things before they’re on set.”

  Liz avoided Meghan’s eyes. “Kristy, why don’t you take him to the bathroom? Crew, we’ll take five.”

  Everyone dispersed and Meghan made a beeline for Liz. “My kids would be more natural at this. And so would my own family.”

  Liz turned to her.

  “I don’t want to do this unless it’s genuine, and nothing about this is genuine.”

  Liz sighed. “I’ll call Martin.”

  Meghan didn’t want to be difficult, and she didn’t want to ruin this opportunity, but she couldn’t stand the hurt in Mama’s eyes, the discomfort on Luke’s face or the disappointment Campbell must’ve felt watching Tasha whisper in her boyfriend’s ear. She wouldn’t be the reason for any more pain among the people she loved. If she was going to do this, then she’d do it without any pretention and on her terms.

  Otherwise, she supposed, her days in the limelight would be over.

  Lila

  After Meghan finished rehearsing for the Christmas special, she invited all of them for dinner at The Grotto.

  “I need to make it up to all of you,” she said on the phone.

  “I’m craving pizza,” Lila said, knowing that The Grotto’s roasted chicken and shrimp would not suffice.

  Meghan sounded surprised. “You?”

  “It’s the baby,” Lila said with a laugh. “But I’m a changed woman. I’m going to stop bein’ so fussy all the time.”

  “All right,” Meghan told her. “I’ll let the others know.”

  An hour later, they were enjoying Frado’s deep-dish Chicago-style pizza.

  “I gotta tell ya, Mrs. Olsen, I didn’t think I’d ever see you back here again,” Angelo said as he brought their pizzas to the table.

  “Angelo, you were so charming the last time I was here, you must’ve known I’d be back,” Lila said.

  Angelo grinned. “Feel free to come back anytime. Especially if you’re going to bring so many beautiful women.”

  They all laughed as he walked back to the kitchen.

  Then the table quieted. “Lila,” Jane said, glancing toward the door. “Your mom.”

  Lila followed her gaze to the door of the restaurant where her mother, wearing a long black coat with fur at the top, dress pants and a pair of heels, breezed in. She spotted Lila and the others and waved, a smile lighting her face.

  “Not now,” Lila said under her breath. How did Mama find her? Had she followed her here?

  “Hello, ladies,” Mama said, scanning them.

  A chorus of hellos rang out, but Lila chose to stay silent.

  “Lila, may I have a word with you?”

  Mama had decided to pretend everything was just fine between them, but she didn’t know Lila knew about her little secret. Lila could count on one hand the number of times she’d stood up to her mother. How many times had Mama pulled her out of an event, an appointment with a client, a dinner? What she needed always came first. But what about what Lila needed?

  What about the truth?

  “Mama, how did you know where to find me?”

  Mama lifted her chin. “If you must know, I followed you from The Whitmore.”

  Concerned glances ping-ponged across the table.

  “I’m having dinner with my friends. If you want to say something to me, you can say it now or call me in the morning.”

  Mama stiffened. “I would call, dear, but you don’t seem to answer the phone lately.”

  Lila looked away. Mama had left several messages when she got word that she and Tom were serious about buying their own cottage. She’d called to talk her out of it, Lila was sure. She hadn’t responded.

  “Can we talk later, Mama?” Lila glanced around the table. Her friends all seemed overly interested in their menus and place settings.

  “I simply need to know when you’re going back to Macon. We’re right in the middle of decorating the nursery, and your father and I leave tomorrow.”

  “I’ll handle the nursery, Mama. I’ve decided to go with the brown and green like I originally planned.”

  Mama drew in a slow breath. She leaned in closer, as if that could keep the others from hearing. “What has gotten into you, Lila? You’re not wearing a stitch of makeup. You’re eating in this hole-in-the-wall restaurant that probably isn’t even up to code, you’re buying a ramshackle cottage of your own and you’re changing all your plans with the nursery?”

  “Y
our plans.”

  “What?”

  “Those were your plans, Mama. I wanted the green and brown.”

  Her friends shifted in their seats, and Lila hated how uncomfortable this was making them, but when she felt Jane’s hand on her own, underneath the table, something told her to be thankful she wasn’t alone.

  “The crib is being delivered at the end of the week. Will you be there?”

  Lila shook her head. “I think I’m going to do the nursery alone, but thank you for offering to help.”

  Mama’s eyebrow arched ever so slightly—hardly detectable to the naked eye. “Fine, if you insist on being stubborn.”

  “I appreciate that,” Lila said.

  Mama stared at her. In that moment, Lila felt bolder than ever.

  “For years I’ve done what I thought you wanted me to. I’ve been who you told me to be. But I’m not going to do it anymore—and I’m not going to let you make my child feel inadequate like you’ve always done to me.”

  Never mind Mama’s cruelty toward Charlotte. The woman’s daughter was dying and all Mama cared about was her own reputation.

  Her mother blinked several times in quick succession and then lifted her chin. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I’m going to be different from now on. It’s time for me to grow up. And if you don’t like that, I’m sorry. But I know the truth about you and Daddy and all the lies you told me—and I don’t want my child around someone who has no use for the truth.”

  Mama gasped. The look on her face would forever be seared in Lila’s memory—one of hurt, anger and embarrassment. Mama quickly composed herself, turned and walked out.

  As quickly as Lila’s anger had come, it left, replaced instead with regret and the horrible knowledge that she would rue the day she crossed Cilla Adler.

  “You all right, darlin’?” Adele’s eyes looked sad.

  Lila stared at her own hands in her lap. “I have a sister.” She glanced up and found she had everyone’s attention. “Turns out my father was married when he and Mama met. The truth is, my mother was Daddy’s first mistress.”

  Lila explained every detail she knew, right down to the reason Charlotte had come to Sweethaven.

  “I’m the reason Charlotte grew up without a father,” Lila said. “It’s my fault.”