“I made the coffee. Kit wants me to…” When Tate looked up, his eyes were bleak. “He’s going to put on a play, even bought a big building and built a stage.” Tate paused. “His first production is Pride and Prejudice, and he wants me to read with the women who audition for the role of Elizabeth.”
Jack laughed. “Since you’re the only Darcy who’s been able to knock Colin Firth off his pedestal, I’m sure you’ll attract a lot of would-be Lizzys, Janes, and all the others.”
“I guess so. Kit said he wants to boost town spirit and to bring the people who have houses on the lake back to town. Seems they’ve started driving to Richmond to do their shopping, and local sales are falling. Since the proceeds from the play go to charity, I couldn’t say no.”
Outside, Casey suddenly realized that she was again spying. What was wrong with her today? She started to leave but then Jack said, “Think they’ll have food at the auditions?”
“Yeah, and I think it’s being cooked by that girl in my guesthouse.”
Casey could no more walk away than she could have flown.
Jack gave a grunt. “What in the world happened to turn you into something like one of your characters? You look like you’re about to draw a sword on somebody.”
“She was spying on me.”
Casey’s heart leaped back into her throat.
“Oh. That’s bad,” Jack said. “Was she hiding in the bushes? Did you take her camera away from her?”
“No bushes,” Tate said. “And no hiding. I don’t think she took photos. But I believe she watched me take a shower.”
Jack drew in his breath in horror. “She sneaked inside your house? We need to call the police. She can’t—”
“No!” Tate said. “She was in the guesthouse and I used the shower on the porch. But I wouldn’t have done it if Kit had told me someone was staying there.”
Jack took his time before he spoke. “She’s living in a house she probably pays rent on, you were naked on her back porch, and she saw you? So tell me what she did wrong.”
Casey’s heart settled. She had a champion! I love you, Jack Worth, she thought.
“It was just the way she did it that got me, that’s all,” Tate said. “Why don’t you put some clothes on and go to this thing with me?”
“To a local play? No thanks. I think I’ll fly back to L.A. tomorrow. This is about all the rural delight I can take. Empty refrigerators hold no appeal for me.”
“You’re getting soft. But I think I’ll go back with you tomorrow—after I do those damned auditions, that is.”
“So what’s this girl like? And how old is she?”
Casey held her breath. What would he say about her: “She had jam in her hair but she looked good”? That would be nice to hear.
“Late twenties, I guess,” Tate said. “She had on kid pajamas, so who knows what she looked like. I was too angry to see much.”
“A grown-up girl in pajamas. I like it,” Jack said. “And she cooks?”
“Either that or she’s brilliant at making a mess in a kitchen. Pans and bowls were everywhere. And bread. From the smell of it, she’d been baking.”
Jack groaned. “I think I may be in love with her. Pajamas and baking bread. Where is this guesthouse and what’s she look like? Good face?”
“Okay, I guess. Nice eyes, but I wasn’t tempted.”
Yet again, Casey felt deflated. That’s what she got for snooping. Okay, so she could stand to lose a few pounds, but other men liked her curves. But not this snooty movie star. As Jack pointed out, Tate had no right to be angry at her for being in her own house, but that didn’t matter to this so-called celebrity!
Casey pushed away from the wall. She thought about leaving the container on the step, but she didn’t. As snotty as Tate Landers was, he’d probably throw the food out. It wouldn’t be good enough for someone so grand and glorious.
—
Jack was standing by the table, frowning down at his friend, when he saw movement outside. He went to the door and looked out.
A young woman carrying something in a wide container was quickly walking away. And from her pace, she wasn’t happy.
She had on jeans and a T-shirt, and he liked her shape. Her backside curved roundly, and when she turned slightly, he saw that she was quite full breasted. He was glad to see a normal, healthy woman. So many of the starlets he worked with were emaciated. But then, the camera added pounds, so they were under pressure to be very thin.
Her dark-red hair was pulled back into a swishing ponytail and the early-morning sun glinted off it. Jack couldn’t see her face, but if it was half as nice as the rest of her, he’d be pleased. All in all, he thought he should visit the guesthouse.