Her Holiday Lawman by Ruth Logan Herne

Author:Ruth Logan Herne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-09-11T22:15:31+00:00

Chapter Two

He was crashing and burning. And Lacie couldn’t bear to watch. Not after hearing why he’d chosen to become their director. She had to help him out.

Suddenly nervous, though, she hesitated, glancing at the faces around her. While she knew most of the people, one she even used to babysit, she’d been gone from Ouray for a long time. She didn’t want to come across as a know-it-all, no matter how much community theater she’d done. A cast was a team, no one person better than another. She supposed she should have remembered that when she brought up the show expectations.

Still, she had to do something.

With lights glaring overhead, she raised her hand again and mustered her most charming smile. “You know what? I think we’re all eager to do the read-through, so let’s not worry about the technicalities right now.”

“You are absolutely right, Lacie,” said Valerie. “Let’s get on with the read-through.”

“No, no.” Matt set the scripts back down on the edge of the stage. “If the show expectations come first, then we will cover them now.”

What? It was obvious he didn’t have a clue what show expectations were. And yet when she’d given him an out, he ignored it.

Let him fail then.

No, that wasn’t right or Christian of her. Though it was apparent he didn’t want anyone to interfere.

Hands slung low on his denim-clad hips, he continued, “I want to do this right. So let’s go ahead and discuss our expectations.” He scanned the group before him. “Rehearsal times are firm. In case you aren’t aware, I’m former military, which means I’m a stickler for promptness.”

The cast was silent, giving him their full attention. The military reference must have scared them.

The corners of his mouth lifted a notch. “However, I’m also a realist. As a law enforcement officer, I know how life can interfere. Before you leave tonight, I will give each of you my cell number. If you’re going to be late, please let me know.”

She had to give him credit for trying.

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way—” he reached for the scripts “—let’s continue with the read-through.”

One by one he passed out the scripts, though she was beginning to wish she hadn’t signed on for this. No matter how much she loved acting, she’d agreed to work with Mrs. Nichols, not Matt Stephens, the man who didn’t have a clue he’d broken her heart.

“The Bishop’s Wife.” His baritone voice carried throughout the space. “Mr. Garcia, would you get us started, please?”

For the next hour and a half, Lacie focused on the script as well as the rest of the cast instead of the man leading them. And once they were finished, she was eager to leave. After chatting with Clare Droste, the girl she’d once babysat, Lacie donned her coat and started across the wooden floor. Maybe she’d even make it back to her mother’s in time for dinner.

“Lacie?”

Her steps slowed. Matt’s voice set her nerves on edge.

Hands in her pockets, she turned on her heel.

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