The Girl from Summer Hill(21)

“I have no idea. In the time we spent together, he didn’t reveal much about himself. He said we’re related through his mother’s family, but I’m not sure how. I know he visited Tattwell when he was a kid because he helped Nina. Why?”

“Just curious. From the way he walks, I think he’s ex-military.” He picked up Tate’s phone. “This is charged enough. You had a call from your sister, and Emmie sent you a photo of a peacock with its tail spread. What’s that about?”

Tate took his phone from Jack. “I had to wrestle one of the beasts this morning at Casey’s house and it almost won. Stay out of my messages. You ready to go in?”

“Think you can stand it? Want me to run inside and get you a piece of pie for energy?”

Groaning, Tate got out of the truck and they walked together to the front of the warehouse.

Jack halted. “Maybe Casey could make you a peacock stew. Are those things edible? Hey! How about some peacock PJs?”

Tate put his fists up like a boxer. “Maybe I should stay and be your trainer.” He made a double left jab at Jack’s face.

Jack easily ducked and sent a right cross to Tate’s stomach.

But Tate twisted to avoid it and hit out with a left uppercut, which also missed its mark. Jack countered, and they went back and forth.

“Halt!” came a powerful voice.

Both men dropped their hands and came to attention.

Kit was standing in front of the warehouse doors with a scowl on his face. “Inside. Now.” Turning, he went back into the building.

“Yeah, military,” Tate whispered.

“Or dictator of a large country,” Jack said.

Tate nodded in agreement. It was possible.





When Casey got back to the food tables, Olivia had finished putting out the desserts from the local bakery and people were helping themselves. Since Kit had announced who was going to play Lydia, most of the high school girls had left. There were still some minor parts to cast, but most of the people were waiting to audition for Elizabeth. Since everyone in town was sure Josh was going to be Darcy, a lot of women wanted the part. Several of them had tried for dates with him, but few had succeeded. Hope for the future was written on their faces.

Casey opened the pie containers Josh had set on the table.

“I’ve heard about some berry custard pie you make that’s supposed to be heavenly,” Olivia said.

“It’s not here. It was consumed in its entirety.” Casey’s voice was terse.

“Oh?” Olivia asked in an encouraging way. “What happened?”

“I guess his royal highness got hungry, but I still can’t believe he ate a whole pie. He probably had one slice, didn’t like it, and threw the rest out.”

“Who?”

Casey waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter, except that he’s going to be here in—” She broke off because a woman hurried to the tables. She was tall and strongly built. Her face was long, her hair dark, and her eyes seemed to be flashing in anger.

“It’s not fair!” she said to Olivia. “I wasn’t given a proper chance to be Jane. If I’d known that sucking up to that B-movie actor would get me the part, I could have dealt with it. Or I could have tried out for Lydia. But really! To give the part of Jane to that wimpy little Gisele Nolan was ridiculous. She—”

“Hildy!” Olivia said. “This is Casey, and this is my daughter-in-law, Hildy.”

She looked Casey up and down, as though appraising her. “What are you trying out for?”

Her tone of aggression, combined with her rather deep voice, made Casey blink. “Nothing. I’m just here to cook.”

“Good!” Hildy said. “Stick to that, although I must say that your shrimp was a bit too spicy for my taste. You should call me and I’ll give you my own recipe.”

“I’ll consider that.” Casey stepped away to the end of the table.

“Hildy, that wasn’t very nice,” Olivia said.

Hildy turned her piercing gaze on her mother-in-law. “What are you doing back here at the food tables? People will think you’re the maid. And what is this I hear about you trying out to be Mrs. Bennet? Are you showing off? You get a part but I don’t? Is that what you want?”

Casey didn’t like that this woman was taking her anger out on Olivia. Worse, Olivia was beginning to slump. Seconds ago her eyes had been full of laughter, and now her shoulders seemed to have fallen.

It wasn’t any of her business, but Casey went to the other end of the table. “You aren’t going to try out for Elizabeth?” she asked Hildy loudly.

Hildy glanced at Casey in dismissal. “This is a family matter.” She looked back at her mother-in-law. “I don’t think you should be in the play if I’m not. I’m sure this director will give you the part if you show him those ancient photos of yourself, but it wouldn’t be fair to me. Besides, you’re not exactly young, are you? This whole thing would exhaust you! I think—”