Love Believes (Sully Point, Book 5) Read online

  "Now remember, I don't want to get it back all banged up like last time," he said.

  "Last time I drove one of your cars I was in high school."

  "Not so long ago."

  "Whatever. I'll be careful. Promise," she said with a grin. "Hand over the keys." She drove off with a last wave, thinking he always had babied his cars.

  * * * *

  William Christopher sat in his house reading. It was his guilty pleasure to read not Shakespeare or other great works, but mystery series. This one was a series about a psychic detective written by Sam Carter. He had discovered the books when he arrived in town, after the initial meetings with Sam. He'd just finished up the last mystery series he'd been reading, and found that Sam's books were an engrossing, yet relaxing, end to a busy day. Plus, they were funny as hell.

  He set the book down and got up to make some tea. Tea was his choice before going to bed. He loved his coffee but wouldn't sleep if he had it past six in the evening. While he waited for the water to boil he put the tea leaves in the tea ball and thought about his week.

  It had been a busy one, and he was getting desperate for an assistant. He planned to call Sam in the next day or two and discuss bringing in someone from the city. He needed to start auditions in a week, and his office at Julia's was chaos. He'd never had the knack of organizing paperwork, and had been fortunate to always have someone available to do it for him.

  The Christopher family had been one of the richest in his neighborhood of posh homes growing up. He'd rarely needed anything because everything was always provided for him. Right about the time he was ready to leave home to work on the stage, he was brought up short by the death of his father and the discovery that the money was gone. He and his mother had managed to use the sale of remaining assets to pay off all the debtors. She had gone to live in the country with her sister in Wyoming, claiming she was ready for a change from the city. William had visited her there every year since then, and was usually stir-crazy at the end of two days.

  He supposed that was what surprised him the most about Sully Point. There was a vibrant energy to this small town. Nothing like the city, of course, but it was...alive. Plus, it was a town full of characters. He enjoyed characters. Then there was the work. It was fascinating to start from nothing to create something that would last.

  Settled back in his chair with his tea, he thought the only thing more that he needed was female companionship. He knew he was picky about women, probably too much so. He refused to date actresses after some disastrous relationships with them when he was younger. It seemed that the women he met closer to his age were all looking to get married. He wasn't looking for marriage. What he would like would be someone he could talk to, enjoy doing things with, sit by the fire at night with a good book and just be relaxed. And of course, have sex when the mood struck them. Since it appeared that every woman in Sully Point planned on auditioning for the play, he didn't have much of a choice here in town.

  He picked up his book with a sigh. Even the psychic detective was in a relationship.

  * * * *

  Beth woke up slowly, stretching and yawning, and then realizing where she was. No job to go to today! No auditions, no disappointments...it was bliss. She jumped out of bed feeling more energized than she had in months. She must have slept nine hours, she thought with a grin. And the smells coming up from downstairs were divine.

  She ran a brush through her hair and pulled it up into a ponytail. Dressing in jeans, leather flat shoes and a t-shirt, she ran down the stairs for food. The Bakery was busy, and she waited in line and read the list of items on the chalkboard. Specials on blueberry muffins and apple strudel. Apple strudel? She had to have some of that. As the line moved, she saw that they had a display of k-cups. She thought it was a nice way to give the people what they wanted. Just let them choose their flavor and then it got put into the machine while you ordered and was ready when you paid. When it was her turn, she chose Caribou Blend, her favorite coffee. That and a box filled with several pieces of apple strudel, and she was a happy camper.

  She headed back up to the apartment and settled into the bright yellow and orange kitchen to eat breakfast. After wolfing down the first piece of strudel, she slowed down and sipped her coffee. It was time to think about the proposal from last night. Did she want to work while she was here? More particularly, did she want to work with a famous, control freak director? Hadn't she just had her fill and more of directors?

  The thing that got to her about the situation was that it was the stage, her first love. It had been so long since she'd been on a stage. Granted she might not be acting, but she'd be involved with what she considered to be true theater. And the things she could learn, working with someone like Christopher! It really was a no-brainer when you threw him into the mix, she thought. No matter how difficult he might be, he knew what he was doing and had knowledge to impart. And he couldn't be as bad as the awful guy who'd propositioned her. Sam and Anna and Maggie would have picked up on a guy who was that sleazy.

  She'd be careful all the same. Fortunately, she had a firm rule about dating directors, as in never doing it, ever, again. If she did take the job, it would be strictly business. She picked up her cell phone and punched in her brother's number.

  "Sam? I'll do it."

  * * * *

  "Here you go, Mr. Christopher," Mary Jo said. She slid a plate with a veggie omelet and home fries onto the table. "Need anything else?"

  "No, this is fine."

  He ate breakfast slowly, taking his time. He hadn't slept well the night before, and then he'd woken to a call from Sam asking to meet here at the Diner. Finishing up his meal, he lifted a finger and Mary Jo came running to clear the table.

  "More coffee I think. Sam Carter will be meeting me here in a few minutes. Actually, there he is now."

  As Mary Jo took the dishes away, Mr. Christopher stood up and shook hands with Sam, before they both sat back down at the table.

  "Coffee?"

  "No, I just had a cup," Sam said.

  "You said you had news on the phone."

  "I do. I've found you an assistant."

  Mr. Christopher felt surprise at first, and then suspicion. "I told you I need someone who has theater exposure, who won't have to be taught everything. You found someone like that here in town?"

  "I found you someone who is passionate about the stage, and also happens to be very good at secretarial and organizational work. My sister."

  "Your sister? Maggie has theater experience?" he said with a frown.

  Sam shook his head with a smile. "Nope. My sister Beth, who arrived in town yesterday. She's acted in plays through high school and some college. She's been out in L.A. looking for acting work."

  "L.A.? An out-of-work screen actress? Thank you, but no!"

  "Now, hold on. She's taken a break from all that because what she really loves is being on stage. You need someone like her. She's supported herself with her office skills, she wouldn't need everything explained to her, she's energetic and most importantly, she's available now."

  Mr. Christopher sat back and thought. He should have known family connections would become an issue at some point. If the woman did have secretarial skills, that would be helpful. But the thought of dealing with a temperamental actress on a daily basis...he wasn't sure how that would go. Still, he had a feeling this was one time he needed to give in gracefully. He shrugged.

  "Very well. When can I meet with this paragon of organization?"

  Sam smiled widely. "Good. I'll let her know to go to your office this morning. About an hour?"

  "Yes, that sounds fine. I'm only agreeing on the condition that we are able to work together."

  "Understood."

  Sam left and Mr. Christopher finished his coffee. An actress. Just what he didn't need. He took his time leaving the Diner, and got back to Julia's Place about fifteen minutes before his meeting with his new assistant. As he walked in, he wondered if Julia might know any details about
Sam's sister, to prepare him. He entered the main space and saw Julia at her computer desk, with a young woman leaning over her shoulder and pointing to the screen.

  He was surprised to find that there was someone to rival Julia in looks in Sully Point. This girl had dark, silky-looking, espresso hair that flowed down across her shoulders. He watched as she stood up and laughed at something Julia had said. What a body! In her tight black jeans and a cherry red sweater that clung to all the right places, he thought he hadn't seen such an alluring young woman in ages. And she did look young. Ah well, he thought. Not to be.

  Julia saw him standing there and stood up, motioning to the woman beside her. "Your new assistant is here."

  He had started walking forward and stopped dead. He couldn't have heard right. "What did you say?"

  "This is Beth Carter, Sam and Maggie's sister. She and I were just talking about computers. Beth, this is Mr. William Christopher."

  Beth walked forward and extended her hand. Mr. Christopher shook it quickly and then stuck both hands in his pockets.

  "You have office experience?"

  "Yes, I do."

  "You don't look old enough to have very much experience."

  She bristled. "I'm twenty-one and I've been working since I was nineteen. I have all the experience you'll need."

  "I didn't plan on someone this young."

  "I also have experience in the theater."

  "Yes, Sam told me you'd been in L.A. That's not exactly the kind of experience I'm looking for."

  Green eyes the color of dark ivy glared at him, from a porcelain face. Full rose red lips tightened around her mouth, and he vaguely realized that he might not be making the best impression.

  "Look, Mr. Christopher. My greatest desire is to work on the stage one day. For now, it's all about learning for me. I would appreciate being given the chance to work with a director of your caliber, whether it's helping out with getting ready for your first play here, or doing your office work—whatever you need. But don't discount me because I'm young, or because I looked for a part on television. I may not have been able to find a job on stage, but I can handle this job."

  Good voice, he thought randomly. Nice timbre and tone. She'd probably project well. Then he blinked and remembered he wasn't looking at her for a role.

  "Very well," he said, abruptly, turning away from her. "Come with me up to the office and let's see what you make of it."

  He glanced back at her and saw her exchange a glance and a shrug with Julia. He liked that she wasn't fawning all over him, but he knew how temperamental actresses could be. He'd just have to wait and see how this one turned out.

  * * * *

  Beth refrained from stomping up the stairs in her black leather knee high boots only by keeping a tight rein on her emotions. He was going to be difficult. Arrogant, haughty, and quick to judge, he was living up to his reputation. Well, she decided, it only meant she'd have to work harder to prove him wrong.

  She entered into his office and her eyebrows rose. It was a mess. Papers, books, and boxes were scattered across the floor. No wonder he needed help. She couldn't believe anyone needed this much paper in the age of computers. He stood in the center of the room, and ran a hand over his face.

  "It is, as you can see, a bit of a mess. If you could get it into some kind of order so that I can find things..."

  She took a deep breath and walked across to the desk. She noticed that his gray-blue eyes weren't quite as steely as they had been downstairs. Maybe he realized just how big the job was that she had to do for him.

  "Do you use your computer?" she asked.

  "Not very much. I like to write notes as things come into my mind. No telling where I'll be when an idea hits."

  "Uh, yes, I can understand that, but there are laptops which can be useful outside your office."

  "No, I tried one. They're too much hassle when I can just keep a small notebook and pen in my pocket. Much easier."

  "Only until you try to keep track of all those notes." She sighed. "Mr. Christopher, you have heard of tablets, right? The ipad or some variation of it? You can carry them anywhere and put all your notes in one place. Then the notes can be transferred to your computer if needed."

  "Yes, I've heard of them," he said, rather defensively she thought. "Look, the last thing I need is for some girl to come in here and tell me to change something that's been working for me for years."

  She rolled her eyes. "I'm right about this. Check out your office. Are you seriously telling me this method is working for you?" She stood there her hands on her hips and stared into his eyes.

  He threw his hands up. "I knew this was a mistake! Just because you're related to the investors—"

  "Don't think you're doing me any favors!"

  "I knew once I heard you were Sam's sister, plus being an actress, that this would be a mistake. You're too young. I like to do things my way. I'm not about to go changing everything on your say so."

  "Just hold on! I happen to be good at office work. Before you fire me, you should at least give me a decent chance. That is, if you can tolerate a bit of organization in your life."

  "I can tolerate organization, but I'm not sure I can tolerate your tone of voice," he said loudly and stomped out of the room.

  Beth shook her head and looked around the room again. "Well, he didn't fire me," she said aloud. Then she sat down behind the desk and began sorting through papers. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her. If he thought she'd go running to big brother Sam, he was mistaken. She knew she could do this.

  Two hours later she was convinced Mr. Christopher was a madman. To expect to keep track of little pieces of paper and find them useful was absurd. She had a box filled with notes he'd written about everything from price quotes on the cost of locally-built sets to what kind of material the curtain was to be made from to hang across the stage. In between were ideas for casting, suggestions about which play to put on, and details big and small.

  She stood up and stretched, reaching for the ceiling and then bending over and touching the floor. As she straightened up she threw her head back so that her hair fell into place...and saw Mr. Christopher standing in the doorway looking rather stunned.

  "Uh," he said.

  "Yes? What is it?"

  He blinked twice and said, "Yes, well, I thought I'd see how you were coming along."

  "I've collected all your notes. Here, look in this box." Beth handed the cardboard box over to him and he peered inside.

  "Hmm. There do seem to be a lot of them."

  "I want to get a tablet from downstairs. I know Julia carries them for sale. Then I want to sit down with you and show you how that one piece of technology could change your life." She noticed that he seemed a bit flustered. He ran a hand through his hair.

  "Yes, I guess I should see...very well. But after lunch. I can't face it on an empty stomach."

  She smiled at him. "Excellent! I'll meet you back here in an hour." She grabbed her bag and headed out, while he watched her go.

  When she reached the main floor, she stopped at Julia's desk. "We're going to need one of those," Beth said, pointing to the tablet on the counter.

  Julia looked at her questioningly. "It got awful quiet up there after being pretty loud."

  Beth nodded. "We're making headway. Too soon to tell how it will go. See you later. I'm going to lunch."

  * * * *

  "Mr. Christopher, how's it going?" Julia asked.

  He walked down the last few stairs and stood looking at her blankly.

  "Mr. Christopher, did you hear me?"

  "What? Oh, no I didn't."

  "I asked how it was going, you know, with you and Beth."

  "I don't know how she just did that. I walked in and she was...her hair...then the tablet..."

  "What?" Julia asked.

  "Somehow I ended up agreeing to try something I said I'd never do. Very strange. I think I need lunch."

  He wandered out the door, still feeling rath
er dazed. When he'd come to the door and seen her body all tight and firm as she stretched and then when she threw her head back and all that luscious dark hair waved around her shoulders...but, he couldn't be thinking of her that way! She was an actress. But what a great smile she had.

  He got into his car and drove to the Lobster Shack. They usually weren't very busy at lunch, and he didn't want to be distracted by people. He needed to think. After ordering lobster bisque and a salad, he sipped his tea and sat back. He couldn't help but hear voices from two tables over.

  "Yes, that's right, she's Sam and Maggie's sister."

  "You know what that means. She'll get the lead."

  "Doesn't seem fair."

  "Well, she is supposed to be an actress."

  "She'll probably sleep with the director, that's what those actresses do."

  "I've heard that, too."

  He might not be sure how he felt about Beth Carter being his assistant, but this was going too far. He got up and stalked over to the table with the two women who were gossiping. He recognized Maelynne, but not the other woman.

  "Mr. Christopher! I didn't see you come in," Maelynne said, simpering.

  "Evidently you didn't realize you could be overheard either. I am appalled that you would be gossiping about someone you don't even know and saying she would sleep with the director, who happens to be me! Madam, you are out of line. The profession of acting is a fine one, and a woman does not need to bed anyone to get a part. Furthermore, the roles will be filled by whoever gives the best auditions. From now on, please keep your mouth shut about things you don't understand."

  "Well! I never!"

  He glared at her and she shut up, and he headed back to his table. He felt justified in his righteous anger at Maelynne and hoped he'd shut down the idiotic gossip. The two women left hurriedly, sending furious glances at him. All in all, he decided the day was looking up.

  * * * *

  Maggie sat on one of the curved couches in Julia's Place and ran a hand through her short disordered curls. Julia sat down across from her and offered a plate of cookies.

  "Thanks! I'm ravenous today. I feel like I must be having triplets, I'm eating so much all the time. So, tell me what happened when they met," Maggie said and then took a large bite of chocolate chip cookie.