by Mary Manners
“That’s taking it too far, Sam, and the mistakes weren’t mine to make.” Maybe they were, though. He’d trusted too much, and it had cost him more than dollar signs. It had cost him a piece of his heart that he had yet to recover. He had his doubts he ever would.
“Whatever.” Samuel flicked his hand over fabric, as if brushing a pest from his shirt front. “He’s just a little grumpy, but that ought to change in a hurry when he meets Miss Right today.”
“You all are out of your gourds.” Ben interjected. “I am not going to meet Miss Right today because there is no Miss Right out there—at least not for me. The past is firm proof of that.”
“Such a naysayer, all doom and gloom.” Colby, the youngest Ward brother, laughed as he tossed a grape from the food and beverage table Harry had ordered for this shindig into the air and caught it neatly in his mouth. “You might find your other half—the half God has planned for you to share your life with—if you’d simply give things a chance again. The past has made you cautious to a fault, Ben…all vinegar and no honey. And the women…well, I can personally attest that they like honey better than vinegar.”
That stung, considering Colby was a solid three years younger than Ben and had been happily married to Trisha—with a kid on the way now—for going on another three. Samuel, on the other hand, had two years on Ben, with a pair of his own kids. Sam and Mandy would celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary come September.
Ben, at thirty-one, was the lone hold-out of the trio of Ward brothers. He had yet to meet his match. He thought he had…for a glimmer in time. But that had shattered to pieces last winter when Ellie Sager sold him out for a headliner tabloid article, full of trumped-up fluff devoid of even the slightest glimmer of truth.
Yes, the words had sliced through Ben, leaving gaping wounds that failed to heal. Now, he stood determined to enjoy his freedom and the benefits of coming and going as he pleased. He had things to take care of…things that left no time for pursuing women. Besides, no woman would rein him in and make a mockery of his trust—not now or ever—if he had any say at all in it.
Which, apparently he didn’t. Hence the premise for this so-called audition today—to find a woman to act as Ben’s better half for the filming of the Poolside Oasis Christmas episode. Ellie had been slated to stand at his side for the filming, but her escapades had severed their relationship like a knife slicing through kite string. Ben thought that was the end of filming, except Samuel and Colby refused to settle for what was meant to be merely a ploy to enhance the show’s ratings. The brothers continued to insist that today’s audition would serve to reveal to Ben the woman who God meant to be The One for him.
“Get back on the horse, Ben, and let God take the reins this time,” Samuel had chided. “He’ll lead you down the path that’s meant for you.”
Well, Ben was having none of that nonsense. No one—not even God—would dare to touch those reins except for him. And he planned to remain in the barn—alone.
“Settle down, son.” Ben’s mother, Valerie, murmured from the doorway as she peeked through the small slice of door glass, out at the crowd of women gathered and seated along the length of hallway. One by one, each woman would be invited into the room to recite the script—a short series of lines—they’d been handed by Harry’s assistant as they entered the venue. If all went as planned, one woman would earn the chance to stand in at Ben’s side during next month’s filming of the Christmas episode. “You’re like a panther waiting to pounce. You’ll frighten the women away.”
“Good. I’m having second—no, third and fourth—thoughts about what we’re doing here today. It’s crazy, Mom.”
“Anything truly worth doing usually is just a little bit crazy.”
Harry strode toward the door, yanked it open and then quickly turned back to them. “Gather yourselves. It’s show time. I’m sending the first woman in.”
“Wait. Just give me a minute here.” Ben’s pulse raced as he backpedaled from the doorway. “Like I said, I just want to get back to work. Mrs. Jendovani ordered a kidney-shaped twenty by thirty-eight, with all the bells and whistles. I promised we’d break ground late next week, so I have to iron out the details, check on the ordered materials, and get equipment ready before filming begins—”
“It will all get done,” Samuel interrupted, crossing the room to clap Ben on the back. “It’s only Tuesday, so this week still has plenty of daylight. Tomorrow will be soon enough to play in the dirt.”
“It’s not playing.” Though Ben knew Samuel was goading him in order to take his mind off the outlandish task at hand, he couldn’t help but snatch the bait. “It’s work—important work.”
“I know. I’ve spent my fair share of time at the back hoe controls.” Samuel grinned. “Besides, Mrs. Jendovani has agreed to let us use her project in the filming of our Christmas episode. We can’t break ground until everything’s ready to go for that, which means you have to get into the spirit here, Ben.”
“The spirit?”
“The Christmas spirit,” Colby chimed in. “After all, this is slated to be our holiday episode. Do I need to scrounge up a little Bing Crosby to pipe into the sound system?”
“No.” Ben snatched a can of soda from the snack table, popped the tab, and drew a long swig before swiping his palm across his mouth. “I’m thinking more of the Grinch. I hate putting Mrs. Jendovani off like that.”
“She’s good with it, Ben. No worries there. The paperwork is signed and sealed.” Samuel snatched a wedge of cheddar cheese from the serving platter. “The only hold-up here is you, so shelve that stubborn attitude of yours.”
Ben drew one more long swig of soda before crushing the can in his fist and tossing it into the trashcan. “I’m not stubborn.”
“See what I mean?” Samuel chuckled. “Now, all we have to do is find the right lady to tame that ornery attitude of yours…”
“No one’s going to tame me. And, for the record, I can find my own lady.”
Samuel’s dark gaze rose to challenge as his jaw set in a tight line that said he’d reached the end of his patience. “Prove it.”
Something snapped deep inside Ben as a pair of women strode through the door. Heels clicked along with a flurry of nervous chatter as they crossed to the staging area. One stood tall with a shock of raven-black hair and lips slashed the color of a crime scene. The second, a petite stick of dynamite compared to her taller friend, paused with hands clenched tight, her hair an inferno of dancing flames that spilled down the length of her back. She seemed to be in a state of extreme discomfort as she wobbled on sandals with stilts for heels that looked anything but manageable.
Ben’s memory nudged. Something about the flaming-haired beauty seemed vaguely familiar. Was it the voice that danced his way, the mass of hair…or the glint in her eye that seemed to accuse him as her gaze connected with his? Accuse him of what, Ben had no earthly idea. He hadn’t done anything to offend her, had he?
“Step this way, my dears.” Ben’s mom welcomed the pair of women as she strode their way. “I thought we were going to do this single-file, but Harry must be attempting to expedite the process. Do you each have a script?”
“Oh, there must be some mistake.” The redhead took one unsteady step forward as she spoke up. “I’m just here to—”
Ben tuned out the mindless chatter as his hand lashed out to keep her from stumbling into the camera. Her hair was a mass of soft flames that skimmed ivory cheeks and danced over her shoulders. Her skirt, long enough to cover all but sculpted ankles, still managed to induce a double-take. The heels of her sandals could only be described as ridiculous…and—heaven help him—sexy. Ben lifted his gaze, skimming over her until, as if drawn by a magnetic force-field, his eyes locked with hers.
Sassy…that’s the first word that came to mind. Her glossed lips begged to be kissed. After all, she’d come here to see him…to be a party to this audition. Well, he’d see to it that she got the audition of her life.
; Mindless of the crowd, he took her by the elbows. Drawing her close, Ben’s pulse galloped as he dipped his head toward hers. Reins…where were the reins? The light scent of citrus mingled with sweet pine and though his brain cried out with a resounding whoa, his heart clamored blindly into the great abyss. One hand slipped to the nape of her neck and as his palm fisted in the warmth of her curls, Ben fully expected to come away scorched.
“Ben, wait for the camera…” Harry’s voice drifted a warning as if from continents away. Ben shook his head slightly, ignoring the request.
Forget the script and the army of equipment. They’d simply get right down to business…expedite the process. He couldn’t seem to help himself. The horse had bolted…the reins were out of reach.
His mouth claimed hers and a roar suddenly washed through Ben’s head. Her lips, sweet as honey, softened beneath his as a slight sigh escaped her lips. Ben sensed she was a stick of dynamite, all right, with a fuse better left unlit. For a moment, the overhead lights seemed to flicker, and Ben stood alone in the room with her as everything else—and everyone—dissolved away. His pulse shuddered as he fought the low moan that swam up from the depths of his belly, stealing his breath.
So this is what it feels like…
~*~
A flush of heat coursed the length of Faith’s skin…from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. For a moment, she was lost in the scent of Ben Ward and the powerful feel of his hand along the nape of her neck, fisted in her hair.
So this is what it feels like…
“That’s a cut.” The voice drifted as if from miles away. “Come on …you’ve made your point. That’s a wrap, Ben.”
Ben…Ben Ward…I’m kissing Ben Ward.
The thought stormed over Faith like a wrecking ball demolishing an abandoned building. Heat turned to shivers as she pressed a palm to Ben’s chest, breaking contact. She took one giant step back on the infernal heels that refused to cooperate.
“Whoa…are you OK?” Ben’s hand shot out to catch her as she swooned—yes, that was the only word to describe it…a swoon.
“I’m fine. I’m…” Dazed, her chin tilted so her gaze locked head-on with his. Those sea-blue eyes and the shock of black hair that skimmed his tanned forehead made it difficult to form a complete thought.
Voices rumbled behind her. One stood out among the others. “That was amazing…incredible. You nailed it, Ben.”
Nailed it…really? Anger coursed through like a wildfire as Faith’s cheeks burned. “How…” she managed as she pushed Ben’s hand away from her shoulder. “How dare you kiss me like that?”
“How dare I?” Ben pressed a pair of fingers to his lips as he murmured, “Excuse me for pointing this out, but you kissed me back. And, might I add, that you seemed to enjoy kissing me. Harry…didn’t she seem to enjoy it?”
The guy—Harry—that Faith pegged to be mid-forties or so, dressed in a wrinkled button-down dress shirt paired with a tie and suit jacket that had to be stifling in this summer humidity, stepped forward. “Yes, I’d say that’s a wrap. I haven’t seen chemistry like that in…well, in forever. These auditions are over. I’d say we’ve just parted with a cool ten-thousand dollars, Ben, and I’m glad to do it.”
Unable to come up with an adequate retort to that comment, Faith stomped one foot. The heel of her sandal snapped off to skitter across the tile floor. It came to rest at Ben’s feet.
Perfect…just perfect.
“I-I…” Faith’s throat swelled like a wad of cotton soaked in water.
“Go ahead, spit it out.” Ben crossed his arms as his gaze darkened to the color of the sky during the height of a spring thunderstorm. “I’m waiting…we’re all waiting.”
Faith lifted her chin as her hands fisted at her side. “I don’t want your money.”
“You don’t want…really?” Ben eyes widened in disbelief. “Did I hear you right—you don’t want the money?”
“That’s right. You can keep your ten-thousand dollars—and your low-handed tactics for increasing your viewership. I don’t want any part of it.”
“But you came today. You’re here.”
“That’s a brilliant observation. You must be a genius.”
“Hey, wait just a minute.” Ben uncrossed his arms and took a step toward her. Faith, in turn, took a giant step back and away. “What’s your name, anyway?”
“I’m not surprised you’d fail to remember.” Faith slipped off the broken sandal and then followed with the other, losing several inches in height so her forehead now barely reached Ben’s shoulder. She bowed up, refusing to feel intimidated. “I’m Faith O’Fallon, and I’m not here to audition, Romeo. She is—my friend, Avery.” She jabbed a finger in Avery’s direction; her jaw had dropped to enhance a look of complete and utter shock. “She’s been looking forward to this opportunity—to meeting you—for more than a month now. So, if you want to kiss someone, kiss her. If you want to part with your money, hand it over to her.”
Avery stood statue-still with her mouth agape, completely speechless at exactly the time Faith needed her most to speak up. She jabbed Avery in the ribs, willing her to find her voice.
“No. You’re the one, Miss O’Fallon.” Harry stepped up to join them. “Like I said, no further auditions will be necessary today or any other day. Those ladies in the hall, as well as your friend Avery here, can be dismissed. That’s a wrap. When you find perfection there’s no point in trying to…well…refine it further. Don’t you all agree?”
Faith cringed as she became fully aware of those who surrounded her. The trio of men with dark hair and eyes that mirrored one another—obviously brothers—gaped at her while a smartly-dressed woman in her mid-fifties or so, who she recognized as their mother Valerie from the Poolside Oasis reality show, looked on. The guy named Harry, well…she’d never seen him before, and it would be just fine with her if she never laid eyes on him again. He reminded Faith of a garden snake she might find lurking in the tall grass.
And then there was poor Avery, with her mouth a crimson-lined fly-catcher and chocolate-kiss eyes wide as a pair of bay windows while she struggled to make sense of what had just transpired.
There was no making sense of it though, Faith determined as she pressed a finger to her tingling lips…none at all.
3
“Avery, talk to me.” Faith struggled to keep up with her friend as they crossed the parking lot toward the entrance of Mountain Light Children’s Home. “Are you furious over what just happened?”
“Furious?” Avery swung around to face her, eyes wide and sparkling against the clear cerulean sky. “Of course I’m not furious, Faith. I’m not even a glimmer of mad. How could I possibly be mad at you?”
“I blew your audition.” Faith tiptoed over the concrete walk, sidestepping shards of gravel. She knew once she got into her office she’d find the pair of flip flops tucked away in the closet from the last time she’d played water games on the lawn with the kids. The pink rubber cut-outs wouldn’t exactly make a fashion statement, but they’d protect her feet from cuts and scrapes until she returned home following what remained of her work day. “I didn’t mean for...” She pressed an index finger to lips that still buzzed from Ben Ward’s unexpected kiss. “Well, for that to happen.”
“Of course you didn’t.” Avery placed a hand on her shoulder. “And there was no denying that kiss. Ben’s sunk for sure…you, too.”
“I am not.”
“I saw it with my own eyes, Faith, and it’s burned into the film for all to see.”
“Oh, my…” Faith paused at the curb. “No…they can’t. You have to do something, Avery. This just can’t happen. I didn’t sign a release. I’d have to sign a release of some sort first, right? They can’t just plaster that film all over creation. They wouldn’t…would they?”
“Hold up. Good grief, Faith, take a breath.”
“I can’t…my heart…” Faith pressed a palm to her chest. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“No, you won’t.” Avery planted a hand on each of Faith’s shoulders and shook her soundly. “Stop that. You’re fine.”
“Why aren’t you mad? What aren’t you the worse sort of furious, Ave? This audition was for you. You had your heart set on a little time with Ben Ward.”
“Look, we’ve been close as sisters since the fifth grade. Do you really think I’d let a tall, handsome hunk of a male specimen come between us?”
Laughter bubbled up as Faith shielded her eyes from the sun. Temporary insanity…surely she suffered from it now. That was the only explanation for the swirl of emotions that danced through her belly. “Tall…handsome…?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice?”
“I…um…let’s just say looks are the only thing Ben Ward has going for him.” Faith drew a deep, cleansing breath, chasing away the effects of insanity. “I’d never trust him as an acquaintance and even less as a friend.”
“That’s a shame.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“This whole experience…you, Ben…the kiss…it’s fortuitous, Faith.”
“Fortuitous?”
“Yes, totally unexpected but in a very good way—at least for you and the kids at Mountain Light that you love so much.” Avery dropped her hands to her side and offered a wisp of a smile. “I’m no religious expert—I’ve even failed to attend church the past two Sundays. But I think maybe God is somehow at work here.”
“God?”
“Yes…the Big Man Upstairs. He’s got a sense of humor, you know…you said so yourself.”
“Sure, but I didn’t mean—”
“He knew what you meant.” Avery nodded firmly as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “I think you should do the show.”
