Movie Lovers (5 page)

Grace dressed with a little more
care than usual for her trip to the theater with Cara. As Cara’s secretary, she
handled a wide variety of tasks, from helping Cara file taxes to emergency
wardrobe pressing and makeup. They rode together in the limo, with Bobby at the
wheel.

“Bobby, what happened last night,”
Cara asked, leaning forward, her hand on the partition between driver and
passengers. Grace held her breath.

“I just drive, Cara. I can’t watch in
front and behind me, too.”

Cara turned to her sister. “Come on,
Pookie
, give.”

“Okay, okay. You’re so pushy!”

“I worry about you.”

“Yeah, I know. Too much. I’m
twenty-seven, and can take care of myself.”

“I don’t know,
Pook
.
This is a rough business. So…?”

“Jake got drunk and a little handy
in the backseat.”

Cara’s eyebrows shot up. “Handy?
Like fixing things?”

“You know, a little
gropy
. Touchy-feely. Do I have to spell it out for you?”

“Got it.”

“I set him straight, and he stopped.
Today, he apologized with flowers. Period. End of story.”

“Is that everything?” The crease
between her eyebrows deepened.

“Oh, wait. I forgot. He blew lunch
in the hedges in front of our building,” Grace chuckled.

Cara smiled. “Guess he was
over-loaded…get it?”

“Still with the bad puns?” The women
laughed as Bobby pulled up to the curb in front of the stage door. Cara slid
out first. Grace stopped at the front window of the car. “Thanks for not telling,
Bobby.”

“No problem.”

Grace rushed to catch up to her
sister and barreled right into Jake. He caught her, gripping her upper arms.
She looked up into his eyes and froze, feeling the warmth of his hands right
down to her toes.

“Did you get the flowers?”

“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” His
liquid gold eyes stared right into hers.

“Do you forgive me?”

“Of course.”

He let out a breath. “Whew. Good.
Not having a great day here and that would’ve made it a whole lot worse.” He
rubbed the back of his neck.

“Oh? What’s wrong?” Grace bit her
lip.
Please don’t let it be my review.

“Some bitch wrote a scathing review
of
Just In Time.
Ripped me to
pieces.”

Grace’s pulse kicked up. “Who is it?”
Please God, no.

“Don’t know, she signed it ‘Movie
Maven.’
Coward. Afraid to sign her
real name. I’d like to give her a…” he said, his hands fisting at his sides.

Grace took his arm and continued
down the hall. “I understand you’re coming to our house for Christmas?” She
changed the subject before he could get graphic.

“Yeah. Too far to go back to Willow
Falls.”

“Is this your first Christmas away
from home?”

He blushed. “How’d you know?”

“Lucky guess.”
Unsophisticated, country bumpkin. Cute country bumpkin.

“I have two sisters, one older and
one younger. And a niece and nephew. Christmas won’t be the same without them.”

“Cara’s the only family I have. Now,
I’ve got a niece and a brother-in-law…well almost in-law.”

“Cara’s fiancé? Do you like him?”

“Grant’s great. They’re so cute
together. They’re what love is.” She stopped at Cara’s dressing room.

He leaned against the wall and
looked down at her. “I hope you know how sorry I am. My…libido or whatever got
the best of me. I don’t usually get so…familiar or drunk on a first date. Hope
you’ll give me another chance.” He rested his hand on her shoulder and again a
tingle emanated from his touch.

“Oh?” She cocked an eyebrow. “You
usually wait until the second date to get blasted?” She chuckled.

He laughed. “At least!” Grace opened
the door. “See
ya
later. Break a leg.”

He turned away and sauntered down
the hall. Grace blew out a breath and watched him walk away. His jeans were
just tight enough to outline his long legs and perfect butt. She noticed the
slight pull of his flannel shirt, as it strained to cover shoulders so broad.
They seemed even wider because his hips were so narrow.

Her gaze followed him for a bit,
feeding the electricity running through her.
Maybe he’s not so bad. Can’t ever let him find out I’m Movie Maven.
Never.
She entered Cara’s room.

“There you are. Gabbing with Jake? Can
you sew this seam for me?”

“What you do to a costume…” Grace
shook her head slowly. “Outta be a law, lady. Give it to me. Where’s the sewing
kit?” Gracie closed the door and went to work.

Chapter Four

Gracie couldn’t control her emotions
on Christmas Eve, the first holiday where she and Cara had a family again. Gracie
missed her mother, who had made a big occasion out of every holiday, trying to
make up for the fact that their father had taken a powder. Trudy Brewster had worked
hard, often juggling two jobs so her girls could have everything. Carol Anne
and Gracie had taken dance lessons and singing lessons…even art classes after
school.

Christmas was a major affair in
their house, beginning on Christmas Eve. Trudy had had a ton of friends so they
had hosted an open house, if she didn’t have to work. The three of them cooked
and baked for days, singing Christmas carols, arguing over who was off-key, and
getting covered in flour. Times with Trudy were always happy times for Gracie. She
adored her mother and sister. They took good care of her, doting on her as the
baby.

By junior high school, each girl had
a part-time job. Cara worked harder than Gracie because she was older. She
waitressed on Friday and Saturday nights at the local diner and did babysitting
during the week. Gracie was “the brain” of the family. So Trudy made sure child
care jobs didn’t interfere with her daughter’s schoolwork.

When Cara had Sarah, Trudy moved in
to help take care of her granddaughter. Their arrangement worked for the first
year and a half, until Cara got sick and Trudy was killed in an auto accident.
Grace still chokes up when she remembers the call. One day, she was confident
and optimistic, fueled by her mother’s loving support, the next, her mom was
gone, and Gracie was destroyed.

Cara refused to let Gracie quit
college to help with Sarah. So Cara did the only thing she could, she called
Grant, Sarah’s father, and gave him custody.

This Christmas they would have happier
times, which had not been true of holidays since Trudy Brewster died. Sarah
refused to allow Gracie to feel sad. The youngster boosted excitement about
Christmas for the whole crew.

Sarah recruited Grace to help plan
Christmas decorations, including a tree, go on secret shopping trips, and set
aside time to bake together. Grace caught Christmas fever from her. The two
became self-appointed, holiday elves around the Hollings household.

Grant’s sister, Jane, had moved in
with her boyfriend, Gary Lawrence. They were coming for Christmas day after
spending Christmas Eve with Gary’s family. There would be a full house, lots of
noise and mouths to feed, presents to open, and gags to laugh over. Excitement
was building in Gracie’s heart as she made list after list of chores to be done,
gifts to be bought and food to be cooked.

Since there was only a two o’clock
matinée performance that day, in honor of Christmas Eve, festivities began at a
normal time. Grace was planning to serve a fabulous dinner at six thirty.

“Jake’s bringing his keyboard. We
need a piano in this house.” Cara turned around slowly, eyeing the living room.

“Where would you put one?” Grant
asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t know yet. But I’m working on
it.”

“Jake has a keyboard?”

“Yep. He’s musical. His mom’s a
music teacher. He plays piano and sings rather well. I’d love to do a musical
with him.” The buzzer interrupted, and Sarah ran to talk to Rex on the
intercom.

“It’s Jake!” The little girl
hollered.

Gracie scurried into her room to
comb her hair and refresh her lipstick.
What
am I running for? Primping for that country boy? Why? Not like we’re going
anywhere. Two different ways of life. Still, Cara says, “Always look your
best.”

Sarah waited at the door and opened
it for him. He was loaded down with Christmas gifts, an overnight bag, and his
keyboard. Grace grabbed his keyboard before it hit the ground.

“Moving in?” she asked, a
mischievous smile on her lips.

“Into your room, possibly?” he
joked. Grace could feel the blush creep up her neck.

“Come on. You can put your bag in my
room until tonight.” She let him into her small room and Jake dumped his bag on
her bed.

“Nice. I could be very comfortable
in here.”

He’s
only flirting. Grow up, Grace. Do you even care?
Jake leaned down to touch
her lips with his, but she pushed away. “My sister invited you here, I didn’t.”
Resist. Good looks, nothing more.

“You’re still mad at me?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean I want
contact, either.”
Liar.

“Come on, Grace. I’m stone cold
sober. Don’t you feel the chemistry between us? I only want a little Christmas
kiss. Is that such a big deal?” She stood silently debating with herself. A
look of exasperation swept over his face. “Never mind. Merry Christmas,
Scrooge,” he said in a sharp tone as he brushed by her.

He left the room, laden down with
brightly wrapped packages. When he entered the living room, Sarah gave him a
hug and Grant a manly handshake. Jake deposited his gifts under the huge,
fragrant, beautifully decorated tree in the corner by the window. Grace hung
back, leaning against the archway, watching.

“Something sure smells good.” Jake
avoided her stare.

“We have ham tonight, turkey
tomorrow, lots of cookies…I made some of them…and a bunch of other stuff,”
Sarah said, bouncing from lap to lap.

“Have a drink,” Grant offered. “Or
would you like this hot, mulled wine instead of the usual?”

“Hot mulled wine? Haven’t had that
in a long time.”

“Grace made it.” Jake’s gaze
flickered over to hers for a moment before he turned his attention back to
Grant, who scooped up a cupful for the young man. The sideboard in the dining
room was set up with serving pieces. A tray with
crudités
, olives, and dip was on the coffee table. Jake relaxed on
the sofa while Grace got busy in the kitchen.

“Quinn and Susanna are going to stop
by tomorrow after the show. They’re headed to Pine Grove and his sister’s house
tonight,” Cara said. “Play for us, Jake.”

He set up his keyboard while Grant
found him a chair. “Which carol do you want to start with?”

Cara glanced between Jake and Grace,
who hugged the doorway.

“How about ‘
Adeste
Fidelis’?” He said, playing the first few bars. Grace paled. When she heard
Cara’s clear voice ring out, she ran into her room and slammed the door, which bounced
back, remaining ajar.

Grace threw herself down on the bed,
but picked up her head when she heard Jake’s faint words coming from the other
room.

“Gee, I didn’t think my playing was
that bad?”

“It’s not you, it’s that song. It
was our mother’s favorite. Be right back.” Cara went into the hall and knocked
softly. “
Pookie
, it’s me. Can I come in?”

“Go away,” Grace said through the
small opening.

Cara gently pushed her way in. “Don’t
blame Jake, he didn’t know. Come on, what’s really bothering you?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. Just missing
mom.” Cara sank down next to her sister, so she could look into Grace’s eyes.

“
Pookie
,
you’re not fine. You’re troubled. Something has happened, or is happening, and
I want to help you, but I have to know what it is.”

“You can’t help me, Cara. You can’t.
I’m stupid. I made a mistake. I’ll get over it…eventually. Please, just leave
it alone.” Grace stared at her hands.

Cara sighed. “I suppose you’re too
old for me to force it out of you. I wish you’d open up. There’s nothing so terrible
you can’t tell me. We can get through this together.”

“Please, Cara. I know you mean well,
but I have to deal with this on my own.”

“Does it have to do with Jake? Poor
guy. Out there mooning around, giving you longing looks, and you won’t even glance
at him. Is it because of what happened at the premiere?”

“It’s complicated. He’s not mooning.
How many times do I have to say…I don’t want to talk about it.”

Cara pursed her lips, let out a
breath, and then hugged Grace. “Whatever it is, I love you. You’re my sister no
matter what.” The women stood up. Grace took a deep, shuddering breath.

“I know mom’s songs make you miss
her. I miss her, too. Don’t you think she’d be so proud of Sarah?” Cara’s eyes
watered. Grace gave her a hug. “We have a house full of people who love us and
want to celebrate. You and I have to dig down inside and find a place to be
happy along with them,” Cara said, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “Think you
can do that?”

Grace nodded. Together they returned
to the living room.

“How about ‘Jingle Bells’?” Jake
asked, his gaze darting from sister to sister.

Gracie managed a small smile and a
nod as Jake began to sing with the sounds from the keyboard. Sarah and Grant
joined in. Then Cara and lastly, Grace, who stood directly behind Jake, resting
her hand on his shoulder.

* * * *

Jake played a few songs until dinner
was served. An amazing buffet of ham, scalloped potatoes, Jane’s famous mac and
cheese,
Brussel
sprouts, salad, homemade biscuits,
and homemade applesauce with raisins crowded the sideboard and table.

She
doesn’t want me here. Why did I come? Stupid. Pushing yourself on her. Give her
some space.
Jake filled a plate with food and took a seat next to Sarah. He
noticed Grace glance at him and frown.
If
you want me to sit next to you, be nice to me.
He turned his attention to the
young girl.

“Are you worried Santa won’t find
you here with us?” Sarah asked him as she took a forkful of mac and cheese.

Jake stifled a smile. “From what I
hear, he can find you anywhere. So I’m not worried.”

“
Ewww
.
You’re
gonna
eat those? Yuck!” Sarah pointed to Jake’s
Brussel
sprouts.

“Sarah, don’t make fun of someone’s
food choices,” Grant said.

“I love
Brussel
sprouts, Sarah. You will too, when you get older. They’re an acquired taste,
adults only,” Jake offered as he took a forkful of the vegetable.

“
Ack
-choired?”

“It means developed over time, not
something you like right away,” her father explained.

“
Lotta
big
words.” She turned her attention back to her food.

“That’s the best mac and cheese I’ve
ever eaten,” Jake said.

“My aunt Jane makes it. Yeah. I
think it’s the best, too.” Sarah beamed a slightly toothless smile at him.

“What’s the going rate from the
tooth fairy these days?”

“I got two dollars.”

Jake whistled. “Wow! I only got
fifty cents.”

Sarah looked at him sideways. “That
means you must be pretty old.” Jake burst out laughing.

“Sarah!” Cara’s eyes grew wide.

“Compared to Sarah, I am old. I’m more
than four times as old as she is.”

The little girl nodded. “That’s old,
Mommy.”

Grace smiled broadly, and her eyes
sparkled. Jake’s gaze met hers over the table.
She has a beautiful smile.
Their eyes held for a moment before she
looked away.
She’s here then gone.

“How did you get into this crazy
business, Jake?” Grant asked.

Jake put down his fork. “I majored
in theater at Kensington State.”

“And then,” Cara coaxed. Jake
watched Grace pretend not to listen, but he spied her paying close attention.

“I got a shot for a walk-on at the
Pine Grove Playhouse. The next season, I got a starring role and, lucky for me,
there was a producer in the audience.”

“Did Gunther discover you?” Cara
asked.

Grace choked on a bit of ham, and
Grant patted her back until she could take some water.
Why should his name make her choke?

“As a matter of fact he did.”

“Huh, don’t think of Gunther Quill
as hawking talent in regional theaters.”

“So Quill discovered you and the
rest is history?” Grant asked.

“Sort of. I’m from Willow Falls, a
whistle-stop small town, where the University is. I’m still getting used to
Hollywood and New York.”

“You’re great in the play. If I
didn’t trust Cara, I’d say she’s more in love with you than me,” Grant joked.

Jake blushed. “Thanks.”

“Mommy! You don’t love Jake more
than Daddy, do you?” Sarah wailed.

“Daddy’s kidding, pumpkin,” Cara
soothed her daughter and shot a sharp glance at Grant. “I love Daddy most of
all.”

Again, Jake’s eyes met Grace’s
across the table. Her look was warm but how warm?
Is that a “let’s be friends” smile or something more?
Does she have feelings for me? What does she
really think of me? Damn, she’s the hardest woman to read…ever.

The dinner was convivial, with
everyone laughing, joking, and practically inhaling the excellent food. After
the main course, they took a break to sing more carols. A smile swept across Jake’s
face when Grace came up behind him and rested her hand on him again. Her tender
gesture sent flames through his veins.
Will
I ever be able to touch her again? Even just to put my arm around her? Or will
she always be leery because I was a jerk?

The sound of her melodious voice in
his ear was exciting because it meant she was standing close to him. He leaned
back a little until he made contact with her, igniting sparks in him. She
didn’t move away.
Maybe her ban on connecting
has been lifted?

Cara read
’Twas
the Night Before Christmas,
giving it her best performance. Sarah
was mesmerized. Afterwards, Grant slung her over his shoulder like a sack of
potatoes and carted her off to bed amid her howls of protest. One by one, the
adults filed in to say goodnight when the young girl was tucked in.