Ronan (The Casella Cousins Book 6)

by Kathryn Shay

“How the fuck can that be true? You cast Mad Maryann in my part. She can’t even dance.”

  “The lead dancer hasn’t been cast yet. But even that won’t be you. We’d like you to leave quietly, Sabrina. Foul language has no place in this auditorium.”

  “You cunt,” she spat out. Then, she transferred the lethal gaze to Ronan. “And you, you’re a bastard.” Venom dripped from every word. “You’ll regret this.” With that she stormed down the aisle, once again slamming the door.

  Ronan turned to the cast members. “Outbursts happen in the theater, even worse than what you just witnessed. But know that if we hear that kind language from any of you, you’ll be replaced.”

  Absolute silence.

  “I’ll take that as agreement. Now, all of you take some time to enjoy your success, then go up on stage, get a book and sit at the oval table. Open to page 1. We’ll have our first read- through.”

  As the group dispersed, Mike and Maryann both stayed back. Maryann, dressed in a skull and crossbones long T-shirt and black jeans, said, “Ms. Ellington?”

  Eliza smiled. “It’s Eliza now.”

  “Am I good enough to do the part of Caroline?”

  “You’re a fantastic actor.”

  “But I can’t dance.”

  “The main ballet part will be played by someone else.”

  “Me, too, Mr. Casella?” Mike asked. “I wasn’t as good as Joe.”

  He clapped the boy on the back. “You, son, were the best actor on the stage. Now get up there and show your stuff.”

  Chapter 7

  * * *

  Two days later, the front bell of the lake house interrupted Ronan’s breakfast. Still in his pajamas, he opened the door. A man stood outside on the steps. Damn, there was that niggling feeling again. “Can I help you?”

  “Ronan Casella?” the man asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I have a registered letter you need to sign for.”

  Ronan scribbled his signature on the tablet, shut the door, and walked out onto the porch where he and Eliza and Taylor were still eating. He was amused that they dressed similarly in white cut off pants and blue tops. He dropped down into his chair and held up the missive. “A registered letter.”

  “Read it.” Eliza’s voice held concern.

  He opened the envelope. Scanned the short note. “Oh, hell, I should have expected something like this. ‘Ronan Casella, your presence is requested at the offices of Spring and Simons, Esq. on 13 Main Street, Hidden Cove at 3 p.m. on May 5th. The meeting will be attended by Mr. John Simons, Mr. Peter York, Ms. Sally York, and their daughter Sabrina. Charges have been brought against you by the Yorks due to sensitive issues and we’ve filed for an injunction to stop practice of the play Sweet Caroline.”

  “Charges?” Taylor asked. “Of what?”

  “It doesn’t say. But I can guess. She’s made something up about me. Since she came on to me after practice one night, it’s probably sexual.”

  Eliza sighed. “I’ve never heard of an injunction against a community theater play.”

  “What will you do, Ronan?” Taylor asked.

  “Your mother and I will go of course. But not without our own representation.”

  Eliza asked, “Who?”

  “I have an idea.” He took out his phone. Punched in a number. Waited. Then heard, “Hello.”

  He switched to speaker phone. “Seth, it’s Ronan. I hate to bother you a week after your baby’s birth and while you’re on paternity leave, but I need help.” He explained what happened. “I’d ask Hayley, but she’s been feeling a bit under the weather.”

  “Of course, I’ll do this for you. Julianne can stay alone, but I’ll get Mama to be with her and Ford for company.”

  “I appreciate it. When can we meet and discuss the situation?”

  “Come here at one today.”

  “Thank you so much, cuz.”

  “You’re welcome, cuz.”

  Eliza squeezed his hand. “I’m glad he’s helping out.”

  “I have an idea. Before Taylor goes back to Chicago, I think we should forget this and go out on the boat.”

  “I’d love that.” Taylor was all smiles brightening the day. “I have to be at the airport at eleven but we have time for a ride.”

  “Okay ladies, let’s have some fun.

  * * *

  Coming back from the airport and heading to Seth’s, Ronan reached over and clasped her hand. “How are you feeling?”

  “A bit shaky. I should have taken something. Sometimes, both Taylor and I get seasick on boats at the beginning of the season. We get better, for some reason, as it goes along.”

  “But just you today.” He frowned. “Did you see a doctor?”

  She shook her head at his nonsense. “No, Ronan, you don’t visit a doctor for seasickness, especially when it disappears.”

  He smiled at her, but beneath it, she could see he was worried. “It was a joy having Taylor here.”

  “Yeah. I don’t know how I’ll survive when she leaves for college.”

  “I’ll be here for you.”

  “Back in New York?”

  “Yeah, I think so.”

  They arrived at Seth’s near one, and he opened the door, a bit ragged in shorts and T-shirt with suspicious stains on it. “Come on in. The baby’s asleep and Julianne’s resting.”

  They walked into what was now Seth and Julianne’s house. The place was homey. They passed buttery soft leather couches, accented by a flowered beige and white chair. A baby’s corner had been set up with a porta-crib and changing table, along with some toys. The house smelled like lemons and baby lotion.

  “Let’s sit at the kitchen table,” Seth told them. “I need more coffee. Want some?”

  Ronan took a cup but Eliza’s stomach was still queasy so she asked for water. Ronan sighed. “There’s more to this than I explained on the phone.”

  “Let’s clarify what you said. You cut an actor from your play, and now her parents are charging you with what?”

  “I don’t know. It says, due to sensitive issues.”

  “Let me see the letter.” After he read it, he harrumphed. “Did you have a private encounter with her?”

  “One. And I’m afraid she’s going to say I made a sexual move on her.”

  Seth frowned.

  “But I have proof I didn’t.” He produced the CD where he’d transferred the phone call. “I had a bad feeling about her asking to speak privately with me so I recorded it.” He handed the recording to Seth, who put it in their CD player.

  Eliza cringed, even though she’d heard it once.

  “First, there’s an implied threat in her words and evidence of her intrusion into your personal space. You captured the door slamming, too, all of which is helpful.” He seemed thoughtful. “She could say the incident happened at another time.”

  “There was no other private time.”

  Eliza added, “And twenty people listened to Sabrina’s rant when she was cut.”

  “We may or may not need them as witnesses. Let’s see what the charge is and go from there.”

  A wail from upstairs.

  Ronan glanced in that direction. “We shouldn’t be bothering you at a time like this.”

  “No worries.” Seth’s blue eyes danced. “Want to see him?”

  “Of course.”

  He crossed to the staircase, and yelled up, “Jules, can you come down or do you want us to come up?”

  Dressed in knit pants and a top, Julianne appeared on the steps and descended with a bundle of blue over her shoulder. She turned Ford to face the visitors. “This is your cousin Ronan and his friend Eliza.”

  The child was beautiful, with his sprouts of blond hair and blue eyes that opened and looked right at them.

  “May I?” Ronan asked Julianne, holding out his arms. He cuddled the child to his shoulder. Inhaled the baby’s scent.

  And Eliza’s heart turned over in her chest.

  * * *

  Last ni
ght, Ronan hadn’t followed Spring and Simon’s dictum about postponing practice. The firm had shown no legal papers to prove a judge had agreed. And the practice had been fun. People fell into the roles easily. Adults and kids had gotten along well. He hung onto that feeling as he and Eliza walked into the offices of Spring and Simons the next day. All three Yorks gathered around an oval table and a gray-haired man stood to greet them.

  Seth said, “I’m Seth Casella, Ronan’s lawyer.”

  His bushy gray brows rose. In surprise? “John Simons. Glad to have you.”

  Ronan swept the York family with his best disdainful look. Mrs. York wore a yellow dress, which bleached the color from her face. Mr. York, in a gray suit, seemed angry. Sabrina wore a prim blue blouse, buttoned up to the neck.

  He sat with Seth and Eliza across from them.

  Seth took the lead before Simons could. “We brought along the choreographer of the play in case you need to hear from her. She’s had dealings with Sabrina, also.”

  They greeted her and Seth continued. “We’d like to hear the charges against Ronan.”

  Mr. York’s blue eyes were cold as he nodded to his lawyer. Simons nodded back. “Sabrina is charging you, Mr. Casella, with sexual assault two nights before the cast of My Sweet Caroline was announced. She contends you asked to speak to her and waited until everyone left.” He picked up a paper. “I quote, ‘He backed me into a corner of the auditorium and yanked up my shirt. Groped my breasts. He reached below my waist but I kicked him in the shins and escaped.’”

  “That was the night of May 1st?” Seth asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Before the cast was chosen?”

  “Yes.”

  Seth laser focused on Sabrina. “Were there witnesses?”

  “No, of course not,” Sabrina shouted. She didn’t seem much cowed by her experience.

  “Why did you wait until the play was cast to issue a complaint, Ms. York?”

  Moisture welled in her eyes. “I-I wanted a part.”

  Simons broke in. “What do you plead, Mr. Casella.”

  Seth interrupted again. “Please don’t use legal terms like that, Mr. Simons.”

  “Mr. Casella, did you do this to her?”

  “No. And I can prove it.”

  Sabrina started to cry. She was a trained actor. “Yes, you did. And you tried to kiss me. And you told me if I let you, I could be Caroline.” Her hands went to her face. “Mom, Dad, it was so awful.”

  Mrs. York put her arm around her daughter.

  “Mr. Casella?” Simons asked.

  Seth answered again. “Do you have a CD player?”

  “Why yes. Right on the credenza.”

  His cousin took the CD out of his side bag which functioned as a briefcase. “Put this in, please.”

  “What is it?”

  “Ronan recorded on his phone what happened that night. He had a bad feeling about why Sabrina asked to see him alone. We have the phone, too, so you can see the date and time stamp.”

  “I didn’t.” Sabrina shouted again. “You asked to see me that night. Dad, don’t let him trick us.”

  Mr. York spoke. “Calm down, Sabrina. We’ll listen to the CD.”

  The recording played.

  “Mike Mason, the druggie, won’t work for me. I like Joe as Linc best…if you want me to play Caroline, I don’t think I could play opposite Mike.”

  Then… “Sabrina, move back, please…”

  “He followed me around school, he came into the ladies’ room…And he came to my locker and stood too close, so I had to get near him…”

  Ronan answered, “Consider me told…”

  “Ronan, you and I will get close with me as lead. And I can be…very good…

  “Please leave now, Ms. York…”

  “By the way, I can be very…dangerous when I’m crossed. If you get what I’m saying.”

  Sabrina gasped theatrically. “It’s all a lie. He doctored the tape.”

  Mr. Simons steepled his hands.

  Seth ignored her protest. “So, you see, he asked her twice to step away from him. She was the aggressor. And then she threatened him.”

  Mr. York asked, “May I see the phone?”

  Ronan took it from his pocket and called up the recording. Gave it to Sabrina’s father.

  Who frowned deeply, then showed it to Mrs. York. The poor couple seemed stunned. Finally, Mr. York said, “John, let’s postpone any charges at this time. We need to discuss this with our daughter, then get back to you.”

  “Maybe I got the wrong date,” Sabrina said wildly. “He did those things to me.”

  Pushing back his chair, Seth stood. “We’ll be leaving. Mr. Simons, forget about the ludicrous injunction. We won’t follow it.”

  Seth, Ronan and Eliza exited the room to dramatic wails of Sabrina York.

  * * *

  “I’m famished now.” Eliza picked up the menu in Dante’s Diner later that day.

  “It’s unusual to be hungry after being sick in the morning.”

  “I know. But I’m on dry land now.”

  When the waiter came over, she asked for quiche, a big green salad, fruit and a baguette.

  Ronan laughed. It was good to see him less burdened. “I’ll have a cheeseburger and the same salad.”

  When the man left, he reached over and took her hands in his. “That hurdle’s over.”

  “I hope. But we’ve had quite a few.”

  “I’m going to close the book on one. When I went to see Mitt, he said he wanted to ask you out, and my reaction must have indicated I didn’t like it. So, he outright asked me if he was stepping on my toes?”

  “What did you say?”

  “The wrong thing. I don’t know why, but I denied I had feelings for you. Which is a lie because I do, and we said we’d be exclusive.”

  Her pulse rate sped up. “Why did you say it, then?”

  “Because I hated that I was jealous. Because that nasty distrust I fight against every day wove its way in when he said you indicated you wanted a date.”

  “For what it’s worth, I didn’t indicate that. Must be wishful thinking.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m holding back something, too. I’ve had an invitation to teach yoga at The Yoga Institute for the rest of the summer while we’re here.”

  “Do you want to do that?”

  “I think so. François said he wanted to get to know me better. Now, show how sorry you are about Mitt by not overreacting to him.”

  He watched her. “Men fall at your feet. Craig, Mitt, and François.”

  “I don’t like men at my feet.”

  His grin was sexy. “How do you like men?”

  “I like it when they can challenge me and love me at the same time.”

  His face drained of color.

  It took her a minute to realize why. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t expect that you love me. We’re friends with benefits. That’s all.”

  Ronan waited a long time before he spoke. “Sure, it was a figure of speech.”

  But he didn’t seem convinced. She knew he had trust issues like he said, but damn it, she was tired of walking on egg shells around him. Why wasn’t it easier to be with him?

  * * *

  Later in the week, Eliza worked with Brie in a barre room with mirrors surrounding them. Ronan was out front running rehearsals.

  “Are you sure I can do this, Eliza?” Brie asked.

  “Of course, you can.” She smiled at the woman who dressed in leotards and a gauzy shirt of peach which went with her dark coloring. “You auditioned well in the casting sessions. And you’ve taken lessons.”

  “I’d like to get better. I’m head librarian at work and I can set my schedule. I was wondering if I could come in and practice here during the day. And if you had time, you could help me.”

  “I think that’s a great idea. Now let’s do some basics you’ve learned in classes.”

  First were pliés, easy for them bot
h. Then they leaped into arabesques across the room. Last were fouettés, a quick turning of the body on the toes of one leg. Together they began to execute the move.

  Halfway through, Eliza felt…odd. She stopped abruptly, wavered—and slid to the floor. She awoke to find herself alone in the barre room, then Ronan came rushing through the door. He dropped a knee. She started to sit up. “No, don’t do that. Lay still for a minute.” He ran his hands down her arms, then her legs. “Nothing seems broken.”

  “I must have fallen gracefully.”

  “You didn’t fall,” Brie told her. “You fainted.”

  Ronan took her pulse and checked her eyes. They both had basic training for medical emergencies that could occur anytime during a play. “You seem unharmed. But you’re pale.”

  “Understandable, if I fainted.”

  “I’ll help you to a seated position.”

  He circled an arm around her back and she sat up. “Wow.”

  “What?”

  “I’m dizzy.”

  “You’re shaky, too. What were you doing when you fainted?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

  “Fouettés.”

  “That’s a spinning movement, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. We were doing ten, and I suddenly felt weak and dizzy. So I stopped. The rest is a blur.”

  He looked to Brie for explanation.

  “You wavered, then folded up and slid to the floor. I don’t think you hit your head very hard.”

  “Brie, there’s folding chairs in the wings. Could get one?”

  “Sure.”

  When they were alone, Ronan met her forehead with his. “I’m worried.”

  “I’m fine. I’m not used to the move. If you turned fast in five circles you might faint, too.”

  “I’m not a trained dancer.”

  “Here you are.” Brie returned and set up the chair.

  “Brie, could you go out and send the group home?”

  “No, no, don’t do that,” Eliza ordered. “I’ll sit in the audience and watch. Keep the practice going.”

  “Only if you promise to tell me if you feel bad again.”

  “I promise.”

  “Brie, let them know we’ll be right out.”