Sweet Starlight

by Kay Correll

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m just getting up my nerve. I have to meet a bunch of Rick’s family and… well, I’m not sure I’m ready.”

  “I can take you back to your place.”

  Stop being such a coward.

  “No, I’m fine. I’m just being silly.” She took a deep breath, climbed out of the car, and waved as Austin pulled away. She looked up at the stairs and took a step forward. She counted each and every stair as she climbed. One. Two. Three…

  The door swung open, and two young girls raced out onto the deck. “Hey, you must be Miss Layton.”

  “I’m Taylor.” One girl slid to a stop on the top stair.

  “Why do you always try and be the first to say your name?” the other identical girl asked. “I’m Allison.”

  Whitney climbed up the last few stairs. “Hi, glad to meet you. You can call me Whitney.”

  “Okay, Whitney, come inside.” One of the girls—Taylor, maybe?—took her hand and tugged her inside.

  “Uncle Rick, Uncle Rick. Whitney’s here.”

  Rick came around the corner and smiled at her. His welcoming smile soothed her jangled nerves… well, at least a little bit.

  “I see you’ve met the twins.”

  “She said we could call her Whitney,” Allison—or was it Taylor—insisted. The twins hurried into the house. “Grandmere, Whitney’s here.”

  Rick walked up and pressed a quick kiss on her cheek. She looked around to see if anyone else had seen it. He laughed at her. “It’s just family.”

  “I’m so nervous,” she whispered.

  “Don’t be.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not meeting a famous actress and a surgeon and who knows who else you have here.”

  “You look wonderful and there is no reason to be nervous. They’ll love you.” He took her hand and led her into the house.

  A beautiful older woman swept into the room. Whitney recognized her immediately. Viola Lemmons. She was dressed in white slacks with a precisely ironed-in crease, and a loose silk blouse. She was absolutely stunning.

  The woman crossed over and took her hand. “You must be Whitney. I’m so glad you could come tonight. I’m Viola.”

  “N-n-nice to meet you.” Had she actually stuttered?

  “Richard, why don’t you pour your friend a drink. You know what she likes, right? And bring me a glass of white wine. We’ll go out on the deck. It’s such a gorgeous night out.” Viola reached for Whitney’s hand, tucked it on her arm, and led her out onto the massive deck on the bay side of the house. “I love Indigo Bay summers, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” Great, one-word answers. Viola must think she couldn’t even communicate.

  “Well, I do enjoy coming here in the winter, too, but summer is my favorite.” Viola paused. “Or maybe spring before it gets so crowded.” The woman laughed. “Okay, I like just about every season here.”

  Viola crossed over and gracefully slid onto a chair overlooking the bay. “Come, sit.”

  Whitney sat in the chair, without Viola’s graceful swoop, and wished Rick would show up with their drinks. So she’d have something to do with her hands. She felt uncomfortably awkward next to this magnificent woman.

  Another woman, about Rick’s age, give or take, came outside and walked up to where they were sitting. “It’s hot outside tonight, Grandmere. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go inside?”

  “Nonsense, it’s a beautiful night out. A touch of the breeze. I love the smell of the ocean air.”

  “I think it’s humid.”

  The woman turned to Whitney, and she had to tell herself not to squirm under the woman’s careful perusal of her. “You must be Rick’s friend.”

  “Yes, this is Whitney. Whitney, this is Christina, my granddaughter and Rick’s sister.”

  “Nice to meet you, Christina.”

  “Yes.” The woman walked over to the door and called inside. “Rick, bring me a white wine, will you?”

  What kind of answer was yes when someone said nice to meet you? Yes, Christina was glad to meet her too? Or, yes, she should be glad to meet Christina?

  Christina settled into a chair beside her grandmother, and Rick finally came outside with a tray of drinks. He smiled at her as he handed her a beer, the same kind she’d had last time. She immediately wondered what Christina would think about her drinking a beer instead of wine like they were. Then she decided she needed to quit overanalyzing everything—as if that would ever happen.

  Rick dropped into the chair beside her and took a swig of his beer. She took a dainty sip of hers, still wishing she’d asked for wine.

  “So, Whitney, what is it that you do?” Christina finally said something to her.

  “I own Coastal Creations, a shop in town.”

  “What kind of shop is it?”

  “I make custom jewelry. Most of it is sea-based. Sea glass and silver. Things like that.”

  “Oh, so like trinkets?”

  “No, not like trinkets, Christina.” Rick glared at his sister. “Her jewelry is… well, it’s like a work of art. She’s very talented.”

  “Did you make that necklace you have on, dear?” Viola asked.

  Whitney reached up to touch the red sea glass necklace that rested against her collarbone. “I did. I found this piece of glass on a trip to California. I loved the shade of it.”

  “It’s lovely.” Viola smiled. “Don’t you think so, Christina?”

  “Sure.” Christina barely looked her direction.

  “Thank you, Viola.” The woman’s kind remark helped lessen the sting of Christina’s words and her obvious dismissal of Whitney’s craft.

  Rick reached over and covered her hand and squeezed it.

  “So, you live here year-round?” Christina asked, her voice skeptical.

  “I do. I’ve lived here my whole life.”

  “You grew up here?”

  “Yes.”

  “I can’t imagine what a person does here, living here year-round. There are no good restaurants, or theater, or… well, I can see someone vacationing here to relax, I guess, but live here?”

  Anger mixed with embarrassment coursed through her. Though what did she have to be embarrassed about? She squared her shoulders and looked straight at Christina. “I love living here in Indigo Bay. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

  “Hm, that’s just… so provincial.”

  “Knock it off, Christina.” Rick’s voice held a low undertone of anger.

  “What? I was just saying that I can’t imagine living in an area like this with none of the finer things of life. I’d be bored silly.”

  “Well, I think it’s a lovely town. You’re very lucky to live here, Whitney.” Viola looked at both Rick and Christina over the top of her wine glass and gave them a that’s-enough glance.

  The twins came running out onto the deck, each one carrying a small tray. “Grandmere’s cook said we could bring out appetizers,” Taylor said. Whitney was pretty sure it was Taylor.

  “I told you we needed more help while Grandmere is here, Richard. Look, they are even using the girls to serve food.”

  “Seriously, Christina. That’s enough.” Rick stood up and turned to one of the twins. “What do you have there?”

  “These are cheese things, and Allison has some olive things.”

  Rick laughed. “Cheese things and olive things. My favorite appetizers.”

  “Can we go down in the yard and play? Uncle Rick put up a croquet set, and we want to practice.”

  “Stay away from the water,” Christina warned.

  “We will.”

  Rick walked over to the railing and kept an eye on the girls. “We always played croquet at family gatherings when we were growing up. Have you ever played?”

  “I don’t think I have.”

  “I’ll have to show you how.”

  “I always thought it was a ridiculous game,” Christina interjected.

  “Of course you did. You�
��re lousy at it. You like to win.”

  “Richard.” Viola looked at him.

  “Sorry.”

  Rick was appalled at his behavior. It was one thing to bicker with Christina when it was just the two of them, but he shouldn’t let her get to him now. Not in front of Whitney. Not in front of Grandmere. But he was so angry at the way his sister was treating Whitney. She could be so impossible and always said what was on her mind. She needed an off switch. She’d be much more likable if she’d learn to keep her thoughts to herself, not that that would ever happen.

  “Would you like to go down and play a game of croquet with the twins while Cook finishes making dinner?” He reached out his hand for Whitney.

  He was pretty sure he saw gratitude in her eyes as she placed her hand in his and stood up.

  “I’d love to.”

  “Let’s go join the girls. Grandmere, you want to join us?”

  “No, I think I’ll just sit here and watch. You two have fun.”

  He led Whitney down the flights of stairs and out onto a flat patch of ground where the croquet was set up.

  “Okay, who wants to be my partner?” Rick turned to the twins.

  “I want to be Whitney’s partner,” Taylor said.

  “How come you get to pick?” Allison glared at her twin.

  “‘Cause I said it first.”

  Rick shook his head. The twins sounded like he and Christina, which was a sad commentary on his adult relationship with his sister.

  “Okay, but we’re going to have to teach Whitney how to play.”

  “What’s your favorite color? You can choose first.” Allison led the way over to the rack holding the balls and mallets.

  “I’ll take yellow.”

  Allison gave her the yellow mallet and ball. “Okay, Uncle Rick will show you how to play. He’s a good teacher.”

  They played a round of croquet with some cheating and lots of laughter. He was pleased to see Whitney relax as they played. The girls were obviously charmed by her and went out of their way to make sure they didn’t knock her ball out of the way. They had no qualms about sending his ball ricocheting out of bounds, though.

  “Richard, it’s time to eat,” Grandmere called down from the deck.

  “Coming.” He turned to the girls. “Race you.”

  The girls squealed and ran up the stairs. He took Whitney’s hand in his and they slowly climbed the stairs. “Wasn’t really going to race them, I just thought something, anything might tire them out.”

  They climbed up to the top level. “Go on in. I’ll just gather up these glasses.” Rick motioned toward the door.

  Whitney walked to the doorway and caught the end of Christina’s conversation with Viola.

  “I don’t know why in the world he is going out with her when he could go out with Shawna.”

  Whitney froze in the doorway.

  “I think Whitney is quite lovely.”

  “Well, she’s a terrible match for Rick. He’ll never get anywhere if he dates someone like her. He needs to hang out with the right people and date the right woman to assure he gets better roles.”

  Guilt washed over her. Christina was right. She’d only hold Rick back. It was silly to think that they could ever have a relationship. He lived his glittery life in Hollywood with the beautiful people of the movie scene. She had nothing to offer him.

  Rick came up behind her. “You okay?”

  “I… yes.” She could barely get the words out and tried to fight back the tears that threatened the corners of her eyes. She shouldn’t let Christina get to her, but she’d so wanted Rick’s family to like her. She didn’t think that was going to happen with Christina. Not to mention, Christina had just spelled out the truth. She wasn’t a good match for Rick.

  Rick frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She silently walked into the house.

  Chapter 16

  Last night had been a disaster as far as Rick was concerned. Whitney had been quiet all through dinner. Christina had talked about politics and Philadelphia and all the movies Viola had starred in. She’d practically been a one-woman show.

  Whitney had thanked Grandmere for having her over and left after dinner, insisting she could walk home alone, which he wasn’t pleased with. He’d called Mitch to be on the lookout for her.

  He poured another cup of coffee and wandered over to the windows, enjoying the quiet morning, looking out over the bay.

  “Richard.”

  He turned and smiled at his grandmother. “Good morning.”

  “Let me get a cup of coffee and we can go out on the deck.” She poured herself a cup of coffee, added some cream, and came back beside him.

  He pulled open the door, and they went outside.

  “Such a nice morning. Just look at those clouds. All fluffy and white. A bit of a breeze coming from inland. I bet it changes and comes from the sea by this afternoon.” She sat on the edge of a chair and took a sip of her coffee.

  He sat beside her, enjoying the quiet and the view. No doubt the twins would be up soon, and any thoughts of quiet would be gone until they collapsed in a heap again tonight.

  “So, this Whitney. You like her, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  “She seems like a lovely girl.”

  “She is. Even if Christina doesn’t think so.” He couldn’t help himself.

  “Christina doesn’t know what’s best for you.” His grandmother flashed a quick smile. “Even if she thinks she does.”

  “I know it’s complicated. And I just met her. But I do have feelings for her. Feelings I’ve never had before, and I just feel so… comfortable with her. Like it’s right being with her.”

  “I could see it in your eyes when you look at her. I’ve never seen you look at Shawna Jacobson like that. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

  He sighed. “It’s just difficult. She doesn’t like the spotlight, the media attention. She loves living here in Indigo Bay.”

  “You know, Richard, I married your grandfather in spite of the odds against us. I know you never knew him, but he was the love of my life. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. He was all wrong for me. He was a country boy, and I was already an actress by then. But we made it work. I loved him so.”

  Rick looked at his grandmother. He’d never heard her talk like this.

  “I’ve never found anyone else that I’ve ever wanted to be with. He had… well, he still has… my heart. If you care about someone, you can make it work. Just remember that, Richard.”

  “Our worlds are so different. I don’t know that she could be happy in my world.”

  “Well, we sometimes have to make choices to be with the people we love.” She turned to him. “You know that I’d be proud of you no matter what you do, right?”

  Grandmere was always his biggest supporter, the one person he didn’t have to prove himself to. Too bad it wasn’t the same way with the rest of his family. He always had to prove to his family that he was worthy of their approval. “Thanks, Grandmere. That means a lot to me.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.”

  Whitney took the morning coffee that Merry handed her and led her friend into the shop.

  “Hey, I’m almost getting used to that Mitch guy being outside your door. At least he knows my name and lets me in without asking you.” Merry followed behind her to the backroom.

  “Well, I’m not used to him. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to having a bodyguard.”

  Merry sat on a stool. “So, tell me all about your night at Rick’s. What was his grandmother like? Is she as beautiful in person as she looks like in the movies?”

  “Viola was charming. Wonderful. But, my night was… horrible.” She sat across from her friend. “Just horrible. First of all, his sister is like mean-girl times twenty. She hated me.”

  “Well, it just matters that Rick likes you, right?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe that’s not all that matters.”

  “What do you m
ean?”

  “Well, Christina—that’s his sister—along with all the nasty comments aimed at me, did say something that made sense, even if I wasn’t supposed to hear it.” Whitney set her coffee on the table and picked up a piece of jewelry she’d been working on.

  “What did she say?”

  “That I was all wrong for Rick. That he needed someone glamorous, and dating someone like Shawna Jacobson was good for his career. She said I’d only hold him back.”

  “That’s nonsense.” Merry scowled.

  “But there’s a hint of truth in it, isn’t there? What do I know about fancy parties, movie openings, and… well, any of that stuff?” She set the necklace back down, eyeing it with a critical look, not sure what was wrong with it, but something was bothering her about it.

  “But don’t you think Rick can choose to date someone from that world, or can choose to date you?”

  “But why are we even bothering with dating? He lives this glamorous life all the way across the country. I love it here in Indigo Bay. I hate media attention.”

  “There are these things called long-distance relationships, you know.” Merry took a sip of her coffee. “It would be complicated, but you guys could work it out.”

  “What do I have to offer him, though?”

  “What the heck do you mean by that? You’re fabulous. He’d be lucky to have you.”

  “I just don’t know. I would never want to hold him back in his career. I know he’s always trying to prove himself to his family. No wonder Christina thinks I’m so wrong for him.”

  “This Christina sounds like a real peach.”

  Whitney looked at her phone as it lit up. Another text message from Rick.

  “Aren’t you going to answer him? It’s him, right?”

  “I don’t know what to say to him.”

  “Don’t make me do another intervention with you, Whit,” Merry threatened. “I’ll set up another surprise ambush if I have to. You need to talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Give him a chance. Don’t run away from the best thing that’s happened to you in a long time. I’ve seen how you look at him. You are totally smitten, and I don’t think it’s because he’s a movie star. I think it’s because you like him, the person.”