Sure, he’d gone over the notes Lacie had sent him regarding the duties of a director, but that didn’t mean he understood them. At least not completely. What he needed was to sit down with her and thoroughly discuss his role. Something he hoped to do tonight. That is, if he could get her to stick around long enough. Seemed she’d been all over this house since he arrived an hour ago, needing to take care of one thing or another. Anything except remaining in the same room with him. As though she were avoiding him.
“Are you finished with your pie, Kenzie?” Barbara brushed a hand across her granddaughter’s back.
“Uh-huh.”
“How about you, Matt?” The woman turned her attention to him. “Care for some more?”
“No, thank you, Barbara. I’m good.” He patted his overstuffed belly, still amazed at how much turkey and dressing he’d eaten. “Matter of fact, I’m more than good.”
She chuckled and took his plate along with Kenzie’s and started toward the sink.
“I thought Lacie was going to be helping you at The Paisley Elk,” he called after her.
“She is. I wanted to give her a few days to settle in. She’ll start Saturday.”
“Ah, Small Business Saturday.”
“That’s right.” She rinsed the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. “One of my biggest days of the year.”
“What are you going to do with Kenzie?” He glanced at the child as she climbed out of her chair. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to get my puzzles,” she said before scurrying into the adjacent living room.
Her grandmother watched after her, smiling. “She’ll come to the shop with us. I’ve got some toys and a little table there for her. I think she’ll do just fine.”
“It’s time for somebody to get ready for bed.” Lacie appeared from the hallway.
“Aww...” Kenzie frowned. “But Matt and I were going to play puzzles.”
Lacie paused beside the island, perching a hand on her hip. “Sorry, Kenzikins, you’ve had a long day with no nap.”
“But I’m not tired.” The kid’s words were quickly followed by a yawn.
“Yeah...I can see that,” Lacie said flatly.
“I’ve got an idea.” Barbara closed the dishwasher and moved toward her granddaughter. “How about I give you your bath again—”
Kenzie’s eyes widened. “With bubbles?”
Barbara grinned. “With lots of bubbles. And what do you say we let your new mermaid doll take a bath with you.”
The little girl immediately returned the puzzles she was holding to the shelf and took off down the hall. “Come on, Grandma.”
Matt couldn’t help laughing. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone shift gears so fast.”
Shaking her head, Lacie chuckled. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“No—” he stood from the table, pushed in his chair “—but I’m looking forward to it.”
Lacie’s smile evaporated then. “I should probably go check on them.” So she was avoiding him.
“Why?” He crossed to where she stood. “It’s not like your mother hasn’t bathed Kenzie before.” After a silent moment, he continued, “Besides, I have something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“I...really should get this food put away.” She sidestepped into the kitchen.
“That’s okay. We can talk while you work.”
If Lacie appeared nervous before, she looked downright petrified as she picked up the plastic container of leftover turkey.
“Is something wrong?”
Her gaze jerked to his. “No. I’m just concerned about Kenzie, that’s all.”
“Well, I have no doubt that she’s in good hands. Besides, they’re right down the hall.”
Lacie nodded, opening the refrigerator. “So what is it you wanted to talk about?”
“The play.”
She set the turkey inside, her shoulders suddenly less rigid. “The play?” Why did she look surprised?
“Yes.” Rounding the island, he picked up the casserole dish with the dressing and handed it to her. “Rehearsals start Sunday and I’m scared witless.”
“Didn’t you get my notes?” She tucked it away.
“I’ve been going over them all day. But no matter how hard I try I can’t seem to wrap my brain around this whole directing thing.” Pressing the foil around the edges of the pie plate, he looked her way. “You want this in there?”
“Sure.” She took hold. “Then you’re obviously overthinking it. Hand me the gravy, please.” She pointed. “This is a small production. All you really need to do is make sure people know their blocks—”
Handing her the bowl, he lifted a brow. “Which are...?”
“Where the actors are to be onstage at any given point. You’ll guide them during rehearsals, so by the time opening night arrives, everyone will have things down.” She closed the fridge and, for the first time tonight, seemed to relax. “Actually, Mrs. Nichols did the lion’s share of a director’s job before you ever stepped into the role.” Lacie grabbed a rag from the sink. “She casted the play, planned the rehearsals, established a stage manager... Now you just need to bring the play to life.”
“Um—” he scratched his head “—I thought that’s what the actors did.”
“They do.” She wiped down the island. “They bring your vision to life.”
“My vision.” He wasn’t sure he had one.
Pausing, she set a hand to her hip. “Have you seen The Bishop’s Wife?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been watching the movie at least once a day since I agreed to direct.”
“Good. That should give you a basic understanding then.” Returning to the sink, she rinsed the rag and turned off the water. “About those actors, though.” She faced him now. “I think it might be best if I step down. I only have a minor role, so someone else could easily cover it.”
What little hope had begun to take root vanished. “What? Why would you do that?”
She shrugged, grabbed a pot holder from beside the stove and tossed it into a drawer. “With all that’s happened this week, things that have come to light, I just feel like it might be awkward.”
“Not for me, it wouldn’t.” Panic morphed into a plea. He took hold of her arms. “I’d be lost without you, Lace. I can’t risk messing this up.” The intensity of his words had him quickly letting go. How had he come to depend on her so quickly? As though she were his compass, pointing him in the right direction. Just as she’d been back in school, before he’d lost his way.
“You keep saying that.” She looked at him curiously. “I understand that you don’t want to fail your mother, but...why are you so afraid?”
Was it that obvious?
Scratching his head, he turned away. After the conversation with his father the other day, his fear of failure was probably greater than ever. But did he dare share that with Lacie? Reveal the chinks in his already loosely held-together armor?
At this point, he supposed he had nothing to lose. Not if he hoped to talk her into continuing on with the play.
He drew in a deep breath before facing her again. “My dad and I aren’t on the greatest of terms. Matter of fact, we barely speak at all.”
“But I thought the two of you were close. I mean, you worked alongside him at the ranch.”
“That was a long time ago.” He met her gaze. “Nowadays, he thinks I’m nothing but a screwup.”
“Aw, Matt, we all have issues with our parents, but I’m sure—”
“He blames me for my mother’s death.”
Her mouth formed an O before she pressed her lips together.
Taking a couple of steps, he glanced down the empty hallway before saying any more. “She had cancer and we knew sh
e was nearing the end.” His attention shifted back to Lacie. “Dad was out working cattle and Mama was all alone when I came into the house. We visited for a while and she mentioned that she wanted to see Chessie, her horse. It was a nice day. Warm, no wind, so I carried her out to the barn. Even set up a chair for her so she could spend some time without getting worn out.”
Arms crossed, Lacie leaned her backside against the counter. “I do remember how much she loved the horses.”
He couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, she did. And it made her happy to be near them again. But when Dad walked into the barn and saw Mama, well, he wasn’t happy, but he kept his cool. At least until Mama fell asleep later. Then he asked me to meet him in the barn. When I did, he went off on me.”
Her brow puckered. “What did he say?”
Spotting the forgotten container of cranberry sauce, he picked it up and passed it to Lacie. “He was furious that I’d brought her outside. Accused me of trying to kill her, when all I wanted to do was make her happy.”
“Of course you did.” She watched him over her shoulder as she again opened the fridge.
“She died the following week. Dad told me that I was nothing but a screwup, pointing out all the things I’d done wrong in my life. Everything from the underage drinking incident after graduation, even though the charges were dropped, to leaving the ranch behind and joining the navy without even consulting him, then getting kicked out—”
“You were kicked out of the navy?” Closing the door, she looked at him.
Why had he said that? “I punched a guy who’d had too much to drink and was getting aggressive with a woman. Problem was, he was one of my superior officers. So I ended up having to choose between a reduction in rank or a general discharge. I took the discharge.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Almost five years. Shortly after my mother got sick.”
“All because you were trying to help someone?”
“Yeah, well, that’s not how my father saw it.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing. He simply shook his head and walked away.” Matt raked a hand through his hair. “I can only imagine what he’ll have to say when he learns I fathered a child out of wedlock.”
She was back against the counter. “When are you going to tell him?”
“The question isn’t when, it’s if.” Suddenly weary, he started toward the door. “Tell Kenzie I said good-night.”
“What do you mean if?” Lacie followed him. “Suppose you are Kenzie’s father. Is that something you’re ashamed of?”
He lifted his coat from the rack, feeling as though he couldn’t get anything right. “No.” Looking down, he saw the fire in Lacie’s eyes. “I could never be ashamed of Kenzie. Just my actions, that’s all.”
She continued to glare at him before finally looking away.
He couldn’t blame her for not trusting him. Though he really wished she would.
Arms crossed, she studied the carpet. “Well, you don’t have to worry about the play.”
Hope ignited. “Are you saying you’ll stay?”
She met his gaze. “Not only am I going to stay, I’m going to see to it you put on the best play this town has ever seen.”
Chapter Seven
Lacie entered the Wright Opera House Sunday afternoon, wishing she had kept her big mouth shut.
I’m going to see to it you put on the best play this town has ever seen.
What had she been thinking? One week ago, she rued the sight of Matt Stephens. Now she’d barely gone a day without seeing him. And even after he’d said he would do whatever he had to in order to be with Kenzie.
Lacie knew good and well what that meant. Yet she’d thrown away her only opportunity to bow out of the play. All because he was a wounded soul who wanted to make his mother—and father—proud. Sure, he and his father were estranged, but behind that angry facade, Matt wanted nothing more than to earn his father’s approval. And like a fool, she said she’d help him.
Continuing past the box office, she took hold of the theater’s original walnut railing and stormed up the stairs, thankful for the burgundy-and-gold carpet that muted the thudding of her boots. She needed to have her head examined.
Or better yet, she needed to find a new job and fast. One that would get her away from Ouray well before December 25. Otherwise, she’d never be able to give Kenzie the Christmas she deserved.
What about Matt?
She’d worry about that if and when they confirmed he was Kenzie’s father.
On the second floor, she peered out the expanse of windows that overlooked Main Street. The sights and sounds of Christmas were all over town, while she and Kenzie were trapped at Scrooge Collier’s house, where even the mention of the holiday was sure to bring a swift admonishment.
No kid should have to live like that.
She huffed out a breath. For today, though, she had to make it through the first play rehearsal. Not to mention four subsequent rehearsals in as many nights, culminating with performances Saturday and Sunday. Then she could finally be rid of Matt Stephens. Or, at least, no longer forced to be around him. When it came to Kenzie, though, she had a choice.
Inside the lovely old theater, she took off her coat and draped it over the back of a chair before adjusting the sparkling red scarf looped around her neck. Her mother might not celebrate Christmas, but she definitely did.
Pretending to dig for something in her purse, she discreetly surveyed the space to see who all was there. She recognized Larry Garcia, Valerie and several of the other cast members. The stage manager and, of course, Matt.
“Hi, Lacie.” Clare waved as she approached from the back of the room, her long golden brown hair swaying from side to side with each movement. “How was your Thanksgiving?”
“It was good.” Lacie set her purse on the chair. “How about you?”
“Crazy.” Clare rolled her eyes. “All my nieces and nephews running around. My dad and brothers arguing over a football game.”
Lacie tried not to laugh. While Clare might not have appreciated all that family time, Lacie would love nothing more than to be surrounded by such chaos. The way it used to be when she was young.
“Are you ladies ready to get this show on the road?”
She and Clare turned to see Valerie coming toward them. Close to Lacie’s mother’s age, the spunky brunette was always quick with a smile and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
“I can hardly wait.” Clare, who was playing the lead role of Julia, slipped off her coat, practically bubbling with excitement.
Lacie knew how she felt. She always loved the start of a new project. Her gaze inadvertently drifted to the stage where Matt was talking with the guy in charge of the lighting. Of course, back in Denver she didn’t have to work with a director who posed a threat to her on more levels than she cared to admit.
Fortunately, he seemed more interested in a successful play than zeroing in on her, so as rehearsal got under way she relaxed and began to enjoy herself. Acting was definitely a therapy for her. Escaping reality and pretending to be someone else. The fact that they were doing one of her favorite plays didn’t hurt, either.
The community theater she was a part of back in Denver had put on The Bishop’s Wife last December and Lacie had been fortunate enough to be cast in the lead role. It was the biggest role she’d ever had and was quite the undertaking, but one she would never regret. Especially with the turn her life had taken since then. This would mark the first time she’d acted since Kenzie came to live with her.
Two hours later, with a successful rehearsal behind her, Lacie met with the stage manager to discuss her costume fitting before gathering her things.
“So how’d I do?” Matt took her coat from her hand and held it up for her.
> After a hesitant moment, she shoved in one arm then the other. “You did great.” She shrugged the coat over her shoulders and pulled her hair from beneath the collar. “All that time you spent watching the movie and poring over the script came through in your attention to detail.”
He winced. “I hope I wasn’t too overbearing.”
“Not at all.”
“Good.” He visibly relaxed. “How was your first day at the shop?”
“Surprisingly enjoyable.” She buttoned her coat. “We were quite busy.”
“Kenzie do okay?”
“Yeah, she had a great time.” Something Lacie was more than grateful for. “You wouldn’t believe what she did, though.” She rested a hand on her hip. “Mom and I were both busy assisting customers, so when another lady came in, Kenzie decided to help. She marched right up to the woman and—”
What was she doing? Rattling on as though she and Matt were doing this parenting thing together. As though he were a part of their lives. So what if he was Kenzie’s father? She was the guardian who’d given up everything for a child she loved more than she’d ever thought possible.
Not that that would count for much in a court of law. If Matt sued for custody of Kenzie, how could Lacie ever win?
“Go on.” Matt’s smile was full of anticipation. “What did she do?”
Lacie’s gaze fell to the wooden planks beneath her feet as she pressed a hand against her stomach to quell the rising nausea. “I’m sorry. I’m suddenly not feeling so well.”
He took a step closer, the concern in his dark eyes unnerving. “Are you okay? Would you like me to drive you home?”
“No.” She picked up her purse. “I’m sure I’ll be all right. I just need to lie down for a minute.” And get away from you.
“In that case, you definitely don’t need to be driving. Why don’t you give me your keys? I’ll drive you, then come back for my Jeep.”
The Deputy's Holiday Family Page 7
