Читать книгу Heaven's Kiss - Lois Richer - Страница 11

W asn’t home supposed to be the place you ran to when things got tough? So why did she want to run away from the only home she’d ever known?

“It just doesn’t feel the same anymore, Duke.”

Dani curled her fingers in the horse’s thick black mane and surveyed the acres of ranch land that legally bore her name. The warm April winds had nudged the grass into a rich green, encouraged the wildflowers to bloom, melted the tufts of snow that tried to cling to the shadowed clefts of the hills. She could be a thousand miles away and picture this scene, and yet still it didn’t feel right.

“The Double D isn’t home. Not without Daddy.”

Maybe it was the denim-striped overalls her father had wrapped up every year for Christmas, no matter how old she was. Maybe it was growing up on a ranch without a mother to curb her tomboy ways. Maybe it was because her best friend had always been a horse. Whatever the reason, most folks in Blessing had always accepted that Dani belonged on the Double D as much as syrup belonged on flapjacks.

Once, Dani would have agreed.

From her earliest years she’d ridden the perimeter of the ranch while chilly spring blazed into summer. She’d endured blizzard winters when going to town was impossible, and scorching summers when water became more precious than gold. She’d watched new colts wobble to their feet, spent hours waiting for the sun to turn bloodred before it slipped off the horizon. During all those years, Dani reveled in being in exactly the right place.

Until now.

Was it just because she’d been away at college for four years that she was only now realizing what a lonely life they’d led? Was that why Dermot had mortgaged his beloved land for her, so she’d know a different world than that of the Double D? Did it matter why? She was in hock up to her eyebrows and she had to get out.

“Stop whining, girl!” she ordered herself out loud. She didn’t need anyone’s shoulder to bawl on. She’d manage just fine on her own. Daddy would have expected that.

“We’ve got to stop thinking about what was, don’t we, Duke.”

Duke snorted as if to remind her that the past was hard to forget when the bank statements kept arriving.

“I have to put it out of my mind for tonight, though. There’s that meeting at church about the dinner theater, and I’m in charge.”

She’d agreed to help, believing that something other than the ranch and its debt baggage would be a relief to think about. Instead she’d encountered even more problems—when the director left town.

“Can I tell you a secret, Duke? I wish someone else would have volunteered to direct. I’m so tired of being in charge.”

Reality check. There was no one else. Not for the Double D and apparently not for the dinner theater. The onus fell on her.

A whisper touch to his flanks sent Duke galloping across the tufted spring grass of her Colorado pasture as if chased by a pack of yapping dogs. Dani leaned over his neck and felt the wind whipping her hair as Duke galloped toward home—home for as long as she could hang onto it, at least.

At the barn she took her time brushing the big horse down, added a scoop of oats to his feed, ensured his water was topped up. For herself, a quick wash in hot, soapy water, a tug of the brush through her mop of black shiny curls and a change in jeans was enough. Funny how those jeans always made her feel taller, especially when she put her boots on. And goodness knows Dani could use a boost in height. She just hated being short, and no matter how tall your boots were, five foot three was short.

A routine check of the reflection in the mirror made her shrug. She’d do. Her lashes were thick enough to fringe her green eyes—“cat eyes,” Daddy had called them. Not that she’d bothered with mascara since coming home. Life was too short and there were too many things to do on the ranch to fuss about makeup. Besides, her lipstick never stayed on longer than it took to smudge, and she’d never mastered the art of powder or foundation.

Dani stuck her tongue out at herself and giggled. Who cared what she looked like anyway? She was alone most of the time. Tonight she simply had a job to do.

Her father’s ancient half-ton truck sped her off the ranch and into Blessing Township efficiently enough that Dani decided to ignore its belch of protest when she shut off the engine.

“Don’t even think about it, Red.” She glared at one rusted fender. “The lead character’s taken a hike, the cook’s left for California, and I stupidly agreed to direct a play we’re to put on in four months—with no lead actor. On top of everything else, I’ve got to figure out my next move with the ranch. I have no time to tinker with you.”

“Excuse me?”

She whirled around, her eyes wide with shock. Nobody ever snuck up on Dani. Back in her school years, hard experience had taught teasing boys that she hated to be surprised. Maybe she’d lived down her reputation?

“Yes?”

Dani studied the handsome man before her, measured his sleepy brown eyes with their tiny fans of crinkles. He had the kind of smile you immediately trusted, which was exactly why she kept up her guard. Hadn’t she learned the hard way that nothing was ever as it seemed? This lean man in his crisply pressed clothes sent a rush of energy through her bloodstream. Suddenly she wished she’d bothered with the mascara.

Just as quickly, Dani told herself to forget it. She had known a man as attractive as this one, and she’d been burned. It wouldn’t happen again.

Who was he, anyway?

Dani thought she knew everyone in town, but she didn’t know him. Did she? She took a second look at his uncombed mop of sandy hair and mentally shook her head. Nope. It was hardly likely she’d forget a man who looked as he did—loose-limbed, lanky, easygoing, as if he was comfortable in his skin and didn’t care what anyone else thought. In fact, he was so relaxed, he made her feel uptight.

A flickering memory of a church potluck dinner given to welcome Blessing’s newest doctor… It was right after Dr. Darling’s accident. She’d been home for a weekend, she remembered. Dermot had wanted to leave church immediately to tend a sick calf, but everyone else had stayed. What was his name? Duke? she wondered, then nodded. Just like her horse.

“Can I help you, Dr. Duke?” she asked.

“Uh, actually it’s Luc. Lucas Lawrence. But you did get the other part right. I am a doctor.” He grinned, then his eyes widened. “Have you hurt yourself?”

“No.” Why would he ask that? Dani followed his glance down, saw the jagged tear across her knee. Oh yeah. The rip. Well, mending was not her forte, even if she’d had time. “Thanks, but I’m fine. Just running a little late.”

She turned, headed for the church. Behind her, his feet rattled on the pebbled surface. He was following her? Dani frowned, faced him.

“Maybe I can help you?” she offered, suspicion evident in her voice. She never used to be that way, but lately, well—

The doctor shook his head, grinned.

“I don’t think so, but thanks anyway. I’ve been here long enough to know where the church is.” He waited for her to move forward, and when she didn’t, he walked around her, moved up the sidewalk and pulled open the church door. Half bending at the waist, he waved a hand as if to usher her inside. “After you, madam.”

A decidedly English accent.

“Thanks.” Dani stepped through the doorway, then stopped, her mind busy. Dr. Duke—no Luc—was perfect for the part. Tall, handsome—in a mussed sort of way. He spoke clearly, enunciated his words without drawling the vowels. “Say that again, please,” she requested. “With the accent.”

His eyes widened, but he obediently repeated the phrase.

“Excellent. You’ll make a perfect Inspector Merrihew.” She lowered her voice, leaned forward. “I’m pretty sure the part’s yours, but please don’t say anything. Not just yet, anyway.”

“I beg your pardon? What part is mine?” Dr. Luc jerked to a halt, blinked at her, his brilliant smile faltering. His chocolate-brown eyes lost their sleepy look, darkened to a concerned brown-black; his body lost that slouchy appearance.

“Shh.” She checked over each of her shoulders, then leaned toward him. “Inspector Merrihew. The tryouts are tonight. Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Uh, no.”

Dani frowned. Big Ed Warner wanted that part and wanted it badly. But Big Ed could in no way be made over into an English police inspector, not even if they pried away his ten-gallon hat, goaded his size fifteens from their hand-tooled cowboy boots, and raced him around town until he lost his paunch. Big Ed was a cowboy, plain and simple—a John Wayne wannabe.

“The thing is, I— Uh, that is, I was hoping I could help—”

“You can help. Accepting this part would be the biggest help, believe me.” Dani took pity on his confusion. “Go ahead and grab a seat in the fellowship hall, Doc. I’ve got to get something from the pastor, then I’ll be there.”

“But— But—”

“Don’t worry. You’ll do fine.” Dani tossed an encouraging smile over her shoulder, then strode toward the office, hoping she was right about this new guy. A doctor should be able to act. Didn’t they have to hide their emotions when they gave a patient bad news? This Lucas Lawrence might just be the answer she’d prayed for.

The pastor was out on a hospital call, but, as promised, he’d left the fax from the orphanage officials lying on his desk. Dani’s eyes widened at the dollar figure scrawled across the bottom. Total cost for renovations needed before we can reopen. Tell Dani we’d love to see her again. There’s lots of work here.

Dani brushed away the tear before it could drop. Two short-term mission trips to Honduras after a terrible hurricane devastated the area had left her appreciative of everything she’d once taken for granted. She’d worked hard to accomplish much in those one-month stints at the orphanage. But now they needed more than a girl with a hammer. They needed money to rebuild.

“Money they’ll receive—if we can just get this show off the ground.”

She squeezed her eyes closed and whispered another prayer for help. First the ranch and Daddy—now this. Was all the world hurting?

Gathering her courage, Dani returned to the sanctuary. God would help, just as He was helping her work out things on the ranch. It didn’t mean there wouldn’t be more questions. It simply meant she had to look to Him for the answers. She’d just have to keep plodding away.

Back in the hall, Dani noticed Dr. Lucas Lawrence had chosen a spot four pews from the back. He sat hunched over, staring at the confusion up front. As if he knew she was there, he turned, met her gaze, raised one eyebrow, then returned his attention to the platform, forehead pleated in a frown.

People milled about, chattering in small groups. They were willing enough to help, Dani knew, just unsure of where to begin. They needed a goal. With barely four months left until opening night, nothing had been decided. Somebody had to step in, and thanks to Pastor Bob, Miss Winifred Blessing and Dani’s own big mouth, Dani had been elected as director.

She took a deep breath and walked down the aisle.

“Okay, folks. If we can all be seated up here, I’d like to get started.” She smiled as Miss Blessing hushed the two most vocal of her helpers. The staple of Blessing Township, Miss Winifred was a godsend Dani was continually thankful for. If anyone could help her get through this, Miss Winifred could.

“First off, I’d like to know if there is anyone who would like the director’s job. Anyone at all?” Dead silence filled the auditorium. “I was afraid of that,” Dani muttered.

“Come on, Dani. You can do it.” Encouraging voices cheered their support.

There was no way out. Did she really want one? Wasn’t this the opportunity she’d prayed for—a chance to stage one of her own plays? Dani remembered advice she’d once been given in Miss Winifred’s Sunday school class. Be careful what you pray for. You might get it.

“All right, people, you asked for it. But everybody’s going to have to pitch in.” They nodded their agreement. “Great. Tonight I’d like us to strike the committees and get some solid work done.”

“About time we got going.” Murmurs of agreement echoed around the room.

“This is the list I’ve been given. To begin with— Emmy, we need to get some sketches under way for the publicity fliers and handouts. Pastor Bob said you’d offered?”

From the corner of her eye, Dani saw the new doctor move forward, seating himself at the back of the group. He didn’t speak to anyone, merely nodded at a few people who smiled at him.

Emmy described her ideas.

“Excellent. I knew that marketing degree of yours was going to come in handy,” Dani teased. “If you can get some advertising ideas worked up in the next couple of days, I’d love to see them. Now, we need hosts and hostesses for the actual evening. Volunteers?” As soon as one vacancy was filled, Dani moved on to the next. There was so much to do.

“Big Ed, I’m counting on you for the backdrops. Nobody can build like you.” The tall man blushed his pleasure. Dani smiled at him. “I mean it. If ever there was a gift given for building stuff, you’ve got it. We all know that if you put it together, it’s going to stand. No doubts there. How soon can you get the sets organized? Don’t forget Anita has to paint them.”

“I was kinda counting on—” He stumbled to a halt, his face red.

Dani rushed to help him out. “A drawing. Right. I forgot. Sorry.” The details just kept coming. Dani glanced out over the audience. “Will someone volunteer to sketch the backdrops so Big Ed will know what we need? I can give you the information, what there is of it, but when it comes to artwork I’m a washout.” She saw a thin white arm move just the slightest, and grinned at her next-door neighbor. “Aha! Marissa McGonigle, don’t you dare pull your hand back down. You can whip up those sketches without too much fuss, can’t you?”

Marissa glanced at her husband, Gray, noted his shrug, and nodded. Her eyes flashed with excitement. “I’ll do it, Dani. I’d love to have a part of this.”

“Bless you. You see, folks, I knew she’d volunteer if I helped her.”

Everyone chuckled. They were probably glad someone would be taking responsibility, Dani decided. As if she needed more responsibility. She pushed aside the doubts and concentrated on the next job the pastor had assigned.

“‘Table setting and decorations,”’ she read off the neatly typed list, aware that the new doctor was now beginning to fidget. Please don’t let him leave yet.

“The wife and I’ve got that one under control, Danielle. Sure could use some helpers, though.” Barry Quiggle’s voice carried clearly.

“You’ll get them.” Would the new doctor back out? Her nerves stretched taut. So many people were depending on her. She couldn’t let them down. She wouldn’t. “Okay, we’re making good progress. We’ll get down to actually practicing in a second, just bear with me. Next on the list is the meal. As you all know, Maddie took off on us to get married. Hardly a good excuse!”

Muted laughter.

“Any volunteers?” Dani looked around hopefully. But knowing the amount of work involved in feeding a crowd of two hundred, she didn’t have the faintest hope that anyone would volunteer to coordinate this aspect. “Come on, you guys. If it’s a dinner theater, we have to have dinner. Let’s consider this together. We can’t give up now.”

After a long and painful silence, Dani was startled to see the doctor shuffle to his feet.

“I’m new here and I suspect you’ll tell me to mind my own business.” He stopped, pretended to ignore the few teasing catcalls, a forced smile on his lips. His long fingers gripped the pew in front so tight, his muscles bunched.

Why was he so nervous?

“Everybody gets a chance to make suggestions on this project.” Dani held up her hand to quiet the whispering between two of the town’s worst gossips. “Let’s hear what he has to say. Go ahead, Dr. Luc. What are you thinking?”

“It’s just that, um, I heard that Miss Winifred Blessing leads the women’s auxiliary at the church. Well, you know—I presume they’ve fed a lot of people over the years, and no one’s gone hungry.” Nods of agreement seemed to embolden him. “I was wondering if she might give us some idea of what will be involved in a dinner of this magnitude.”

All eyes turned on the town’s gray-haired baker, who stood to her white-sneakered feet, a rose blush tinting her parchment cheeks.

“Luc, that’s very dear of you to say.” She smiled at the doctor. “I suppose I have had experience. As a matter of fact, I have made some notes. Just a few squiggles about quantities and such.” She smiled at everyone. “When you get to be my age, you make lists on everything, you know. Before you forget.”

Appreciative laughter.

“So if recruits were found to handle the various tasks in the kitchen, would you be willing to head up the dinner committee, Miss Blessing?” Luc asked.

Dani stared at the doctor, amazed by his temerity. She wouldn’t have dared ask such a thing, but it was as if Luc knew something the rest of them didn’t. How could that be? He was the newcomer in town!

“If no one minds a bossy old woman fussing at them, I’d be delighted to lend my assistance to this worthy cause.” Miss Blessing smiled happily, apple cheeks glowing. “Working together, I think we can manage quite well. Besides, Dani’s agreed to handle so much, I think this is one area she should be free of.”

“You wouldn’t be volunteering because you’ve tasted Dani’s cooking, would you, Miss Blessing?”

The room erupted in laughter at Big Ed’s knowing wink. Dani grinned, not embarrassed in the least.

“Come on, Big Ed. I burned those cookies years ago. I’ve been to college since then, you know.”

“Yeah, I heard.” He nodded, his Stetson tilted back on his head. “Didn’t think you were studying cooking, though. Dermot said it was some highfalutin stuff you read in books. And I don’t mean recipe books.”

The mention of her father’s name sent a ping straight to her heart, but Dani refused to allow her smile to slip. It had been over three months since his death. When would the pain ease?

She’d learned a lot of things from her father, but one thing she’d never forget. “Personal problems are just that—personal. We don’t spill our guts to the neighbors, Dani.”

“Aw, give Dani a break,” someone called. “Doesn’t matter if she can’t cook, as long as she can get this play going. We’ve got our caterer, and nobody could do it better than Miss Winifred.”

“Well, if you’re sure…” Miss Winifred waited for dissent, then nodded briskly. “All right, I’ll do it.”

The entire group heaved a collective sigh of relief. No one wanted to tackle a meal of such magnitude, but their busy little baker was exactly the right person to bring order out of chaos.

“It seems the meal is taken care of. Miss Winifred, I thank you for offering and we all pledge to do whatever you need. You just let us know how we can help.” Dani glanced around the group, noticed everyone nodding.

“I’ll do my best.” Miss Winifred sat down, her face wreathed in smiles.

“Well, that’s most of my list. Thank you, all.” Dani scribbled a note to herself, then looked up. “I think we’re about ready to rehearse. As soon as we audition for the main character, that is. We won’t need all of you here for that.” She glanced down at her list, then around. “Could I ask that the various committees please use the Sunday school rooms for your meetings? We need to conduct a read-through out here, so I’m asking for a bit of quiet.”

Amid much chatter, the group broke up. Dani bent to pick up her copy of the play and noticed Dr. Luc inching his way up the aisle. They still needed a main character, and the pastor had insisted that it was up to her to find one. Dr. Luc was perfect. She couldn’t let him get away— But Miss Winifred stopped her from following him.

“I do hope I won’t disappoint, Dani dear,” the baker murmured. “It is such a large job.”

“I know you’ll do fine.” Dani stood on her tiptoes, saw Luc in the foyer. “Miss Winifred, I need another favor.” She explained her difficulty. “He’s the only one who suits the part.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I just can’t see Big Ed as an English inspector. Can you?”

“It does rather boggle the mind, doesn’t it.” Miss Blessing wrapped her fingers around Dani’s. “Come along, dear. Time for a little teamwork. Lucas!” Her voice warbled through the sanctuary, carrying like a wind chime in the forest. “Luc, dear. Dani and I must speak with you. Coffee break, actors. Rehearsal in five.”

They caught him entering the young-adult Sunday-school classroom which had been newly designated for use by the set-building committee.

“Luc, we need to talk to you.”

“Oh.” A wary glance passed over them. “I was just about to get in on this meeting for building props. I thought I might help them out.”

“You?” Gray McGonigle stood beside Dani, his eyes huge with disbelief. “What did you ever build?”

“Nothing.” The doctor’s face darkened in a red flush. “But I can learn.”

“Indeed you can, dear. But not tonight. Tonight we need you to think about a higher mission.” Miss Winifred wrapped one arm through Luc’s and drew him next door, into the nursery. She closed the door as soon as Dani was through. “Much higher, my boy.”

“Uh, I see.”

He clearly didn’t. Dani almost giggled at the panicked look crossing the good doctor’s face.

“The inspector,” she reminded him. “Remember? We need someone to play the inspector.”

“But—” He glanced right and left, as if searching for help. “I don’t think I’m your man. I’ve never done any acting. I just wanted to build something, maybe get to know people.”

“Oh, you’ll meet lots of people. Plus you’ll help us raise funds for an orphanage in Honduras. It’s really not that difficult a part, Luc dear. You just have to get the timing right.” Miss Winifred patted his shoulder helpfully.

“No.” He shook his head, his eyes moving from Dani to Miss Blessing and back again in frantic appeal. “No. I can’t do it. I’m sure there must be someone else.”

“But—”

He shook his head, his brown eyes glittering like dark ice as they settled on Dani. “I can’t. That’s all there is to it. I’m sure there’s someone else you can call on.”

Now what? Dani didn’t know what to say.

“You’re right, Luc.” Winifred drooped, her sigh heartfelt. “It’s too much to ask of a newcomer to town.”

“But—”

Dani frowned, half glared at the older woman. To her surprise, Miss Winifred turned her head and winked. Her voice continued in a sad, almost whining tone.

“Why, think of how long it will take to memorize the lines, to come to practice, to find a costume. And you’re such a busy doctor.” She clicked her teeth together, paused a moment, then continued, as if a new thought had just hit. Her twinkling eyes met Dani’s for a fraction of a second, but that was long enough for Dani to glimpse the mischief glittering there.

“I don’t know what in the world I was thinking of, to volunteer for KP, either. Mercy, girl, I own a business, I’m on more committees than I can name, and I have my great-nephew’s daughters to watch out for. There’s no way on earth I can manage the kitchen for this play. No way at all.”

Lucas frowned at her. “But you have to. There isn’t anyone else who can do it.”

“Someone will step into the gap,” the baker assured him blithely. “If they don’t, well then, we’ll know God has other plans.”

Winifred’s blue eyes brightened. Dani lifted a hand to smother her giggle, risked a quick look at the doctor.

“But—but that’s ridiculous!” He shook his head. “God can’t accomplish things if people aren’t willing to help.”

“Exactly.” Winifred Blessing’s face glowed with satisfaction. “I’ll be willing to help in the kitchen as long as you’re willing to be the inspector Dani needs. Or are you going to wimp out on us?”

“Wimp—” The doctor straightened as if someone had refused to allow him to treat a patient. “I am not wimping out!”

“Of course you are, dear. And if you can do it, I can do it. After all, I’m older, with years of age-wearing troubles to deal with. Managing a meal this size will tire me for days. I’ve got a weak heart, too.”

“Hah. There’s nothing wrong with your heart. I did your physical last week, remember?” Luc cast Dani a dubious glance, then peered more closely into Miss Blessing’s bland countenance. “This is a con.”

“Is it?” Dani shrugged. “Miss Blessing has never said a thing she didn’t mean in all the years I’ve known her. I don’t think she’s about to start now.”

“But you’ve already got someone. I heard on coffee row that Big Ed said he was going to read for the part.” He dared them to refute it.

“He’s offered.” Dani nodded. “He could memorize the lines, play the part.”

“But?” Luc frowned at them both, chocolate-brown eyes wary. “There is a but, isn’t there.”

“Big Ed is a cowboy. He’s a wonderful man, but we could never make him into an English inspector. We need someone younger, better suited to the part. We want the whole project to succeed beyond expectations. We want to see enough funding come in to rebuild that orphanage. Do you honestly think Big Ed can do that?” Dani fell silent, unable to communicate how deeply this need touched her, how certain she was that the doctor was the man for the part.

“There’s a passage in the Bible,” Miss Winifred murmured. “I forget the exact words, and I’ll have to look up the reference, but the gist of it is that we should strive to do the best we can for God, not offer Him the mediocre.”

“But you don’t even know if I can do this,” Luc challenged, glaring at them.

“I don’t know if I can direct, either,” Dani reminded him. “But I’m willing to step into the gap rather than see the whole project go under. Let’s sink or swim together, shall we, Dr. Duke?” She said it deliberately, hoping to rouse some emotion in the reticent doctor.

“Luc,” he corrected her in a loud voice. “It’s Luc.” He sighed. “If I won’t try out, you won’t help with the meal?” He waited for Miss Blessing’s nod.

Her grin made Winifred look far younger than her age, which, in fact, remained a well-kept secret in Blessing Township.

“That about sums it up, Lucas.”

“So, if I don’t step in, everyone will blame me for the failure of the dinner theater.” He sighed. “That’s blackmail, you know.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Miss Winifred shrugged. “Oh well. Whatever works. When you get to be my age, you’ll have learned that. Among other things.”

Dani waited, holding her breath. Finally Luc tossed up his hands in defeat.

“I’ll read for it,” he said. “But you have to promise that if Big Ed is better, you’ll give him the part. No more shenanigans.”

“Agreed.”

He pulled open the door, waited till they’d walked through.

“I just wanted to nail a few boards,” Dani heard him mumble almost beneath his breath. “Saw something, maybe. Just a little construction work.”

“Well, maybe we can arrange—” Gray McGonigle’s hand on her arm stopped Dani midsentence. “Oh, hi, Gray. Did you want to talk to me?”

“Yes. Now. Please.”

Dani stepped aside to let the others pass, stared at him in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, half-afraid to hear the answer.

“Dani, I’m not trying to run the show or anything, believe me. I only want the best for this dinner theater, just as you do. So trust me when I ask you to keep Dr. Lucas Lawrence away from any and all construction. No saws, no nails, no hammers.” He winced. “Particularly no hammers.”

Dani frowned at the intensity underlying his words. “May I ask you why?”

“You know that house we rent out?”

She nodded.

“Last week Luc moved in. The other day he decided to hang a picture.”

Dani shrugged, impatient to get on with the job. “So what?”

“Three hundred and forty-two dollars and seventy-eight cents, so far. That’s what.”

“Three hundred—” She stared. “How?”

“Looking for a stud, he said.” Gray shuddered. “Made a hole in the drywall, knocked over a floor lamp, which tipped and went through the picture window.”

The giggle just would not be denied. Dani slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle it. “Oh dear.”

“Easy for you to say. I was fool enough to accept his offer to help me fix things.” He held up one hand with a thick bandage around his thumb. “Luc Lawrence is a great doctor and I like him very much, but he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn door with a sledgehammer. I sure don’t want him touching anything in here.” His eyes rested on the beautiful oak panels the deacons had just ordered installed at the front of the church. “Know what I mean?”

“Yes, I do. Leave it to me, Gray. I’ll think of something.” Dani giggled again before patting his arm. “Poor thing. Maybe you should ask Marissa to kiss your boo-boo better. That seems to work well for your son.”

Ignoring his pained look, she turned and walked back into the hall, aware that Gray followed just a few steps behind. She couldn’t look at him for fear she’d start laughing, so she focused on the doctor. He looked worried. Why was that?

“All right, everyone, let’s start reading.”

The actors scrambled to find their copies and get into character. Everyone except Lucas Lawrence. He stood where he was and glared at her. Miss Winifred perched on the first chair in the first row, arms crossed over her chest, lips pursed. Dani took a deep breath and walked forward.

“What’s the matter now?” she asked, keeping her voice soft so the others wouldn’t hear.

“Luc is being obstreperous.”

“I am not.” He tipped back on his heels, his face rigidly composed. “We’d be wise to look at all the angles. I have a valid concern.”

Dani looked to Winifred, found no help there. She sighed. “Which is?”

“I’m a temporary doctor in this town. What if I leave before the dinner theater is held?”

She frowned. He was too calm. Dani squinted, assessing him. Her daddy would have said the man squirmed just a bit too much.

“Are you planning on leaving Blessing soon, Doc?” she asked.

“No, he’s not.” Winifred shook her head.

“How do you know what I’m planning?”

“I just do.”

Luc frowned at her. “Well, you don’t know about this.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” Miss Blessing swung her foot back and forth, her mouth tipped into a triumphant smile as she winked at Dani. “Otherwise, why did he invite his sister to visit him here at Christmas?”

“Of all the nerve—” He cut off his tirade, fumed silently.

Miss Blessing smiled innocently. “I didn’t deliberately listen in on your conversation, Lucas, but you were standing in my bakery when you said it.”

Defeat dragged his shoulders down. Dani suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him. They had bulldozed over his objections. Still, he would be good, she just knew it. All he had to do was try.

“Give it a shot,” she encouraged. “Just one read-through. Please?”

“You don’t understand.” He turned his back on Miss Blessing, dropped his voice to a whisper. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Stage fright. I stand up in front of a crowd and my mind goes totally blank.” He shook his head, his thin cheeks flushed. “Speeches, stories, poems—doesn’t matter how well I know them, I simply can’t repeat them in front of a bunch of people. My jaw locks up, my heart starts thudding and I can’t get a word out. I’ve struggled with it for years. As an actor, I’m the bottom of the barrel. Choose someone else. Please?”

“There is no one else, Luc. Just you. Please don’t give up.” Dani offered a smile to bolster his courage, certain it must have been hard for him, a competent doctor, to admit this flaw. “I’ll help. I’m a pretty good director.” I think.

“You’ll need to be.” Seeing the expectant faces around him, Luc sighed, then nodded. “Oh, all right. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he whispered.

“I won’t.”

He lifted his lips in a sickly smile and followed her directions, moving to a seat in the front row. He picked up a copy of the play and read his part. As one of many among the cast, he seemed to lose his nervousness, his confidence growing as he continued through to the end of the play. Dani wondered if he’d been teasing about the stage fright.

“This is very good. Who wrote it?” He turned the sheets over, searching for the author.

Dani smiled, but ignored the question. “I’m glad you like it. I think you’ll make a great inspector.”

Her decision was echoed by the other players, spirits rejuvenated now that someone had finally been found who could read the lines with impact.

“If no one objects, I suggest the part of Inspector Merrihew be assigned to Dr. Luc. What do you think?”

Heads nodded in agreement all around the room.

Big Ed’s beefy fist shot up as he began to speak, his excitement obvious. “The boy’s perfect for that part. No denying that. Has that accent down pat. I never could get the hang of that.”

Dani nodded, delighted with the cowboy’s easy acceptance of Luc.

“Great. It’s unanimous. Now, Inspector, do you want to try the part on stage?”

“I—I guess.”

But he didn’t, she could see that in the hunted look in his eyes. Try, she begged silently. Just try.

“‘Gertrude Mortimer baked the best chocolate cake anyone had ever tasted.’ Now you say it.”

He stood at center stage, stared at her. Dani repeated the phrase.

“Gertrude Chocolate mortimered anyone…” He stopped, gulped.

The others chuckled in sympathy.

“You’ll get it. Just keep trying,” the crowd encouraged.

But Luc didn’t get it. Half an hour later Dani dismissed the rest of the cast and watched them scurry away, undoubtedly grateful they didn’t have to endure any more of his line-mangling.

“It was distracting with the others here,” she excused as the door banged shut for the tenth time. “Way too noisy. We’ll practice one-on-one. Don’t worry about it. Come on, let’s try it down here.”

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you.” He sighed, took the stairs two at a time and flopped down beside her. This time the words emerged perfectly. But as soon as they returned to the stage to practice their movements with the lines, he tightened up, forgot what he was doing.

By ten-thirty Dani was ready to phone Big Ed and beg him to take over. Unfortunately Winifred Blessing didn’t know the meaning of the word defeat.

“Tiredness, that’s all it is. Simply too weary. Everyone’s had a long, busy day. So many things to do.” She cluck-clucked her sympathy, patting Luc’s shoulder as if he were four. “Try again when you’re fresh, dear. You too, Dani.”

Dani hadn’t felt fresh since the day she’d found out her father had left the ranch submerged in debt. But she scrounged for a bit of cheerfulness.

“This is Thursday,” she murmured, trying to remember what she’d planned for the weekend. “I’ve got some stuff to do Saturday morning, but maybe you could come out to the ranch in the afternoon. Around one? I could coach you then.”

“Why prolong the inevitable? I’m lousy at this.” Luc shrugged at her glower. “Oh, all right, fine. Saturday afternoon. I’ll be there, barring a medical emergency. But this is a waste of time. I’m not an actor, I’m a doctor. And no matter how badly you want to, you can’t change me.”

Thus released, he walked quickly up the aisle and left the building.

Dani waited until she heard the outer door squeak closed. Then she turned to Miss Winifred.

“Are you sure—”

Winifred patted her shoulder, her face beaming. “The Lord works in mysterious ways, Dani. But He does perform His wonders. Just you give Him a chance.”

Which was all well and fine, Dani decided as she pulled into her yard half an hour later. But they had only four months, and Dr. Lucas Lawrence hadn’t memorized three paragraphs in three hours. She climbed out, reached in for her jacket and blinked. A little white bakery box with that familiar red script was nestled on her back seat.

“‘Blessing Bakery,”’ she read aloud, stomach rumbling at the thought of delicacies she’d often seen tucked inside boxes like these. “‘Made with love.”’ She lifted the lid to peek inside. “What have you done now, Miss Winifred?”

One of Miss Blessing’s heart-shaped love cookies lay inside. The cookies were famous, appearing in unexpected spots all over the county, but Dani had never before received one personally. She held the box under the truck’s interior light, curious about the message she knew would be piped across the cookie in vivid red icing.

Faith isn’t faith until it’s all you’re holding on to.

As usual, Miss Winifred’s cookie stated the problem with a piercing succinctness that made Dani wince.

“I’m trying to have faith, Lord,” she whispered, lifting the cookie out and nibbling off one corner as she stared at the blanket of stars winking overhead. “But tonight didn’t help. Ranch problems are bad enough. What am I going to do with an actor who freezes up the minute he gets on stage?”

The night breeze swirled off the snow-capped mountains and down around her, a chilling reminder that winter might not be finished yet. Loath to leave this panorama of beauty before her for the silence of her empty home, Dani remained a moment longer, considered nights past when she’d felt as if she nestled in the Father’s hand.

Heaven’s kiss, her dad had called it. A feeling that God leaned down and brushed your cheek with His lips, that He was in charge and everything would be fine. It had been so long since she’d felt that tender care.

“Everyone’s gone home to their families. Dad’s with You. But I’m out here all alone, God.” The words, whispered on the night air, carried back to her in painful repetition.

Alone. Alone. Alone.

Dani waited for that featherlight caress of peace to flow through her weary heart. But only the nip of frosty air brushed over her cheeks.

Evidently heaven wasn’t in a kissing mood tonight.