CHAPTER THREE
WHITNEY
The next day, Whitney carefully lifted down the small suitcase in which she’d stored the items from the box of things she and her sisters had discovered hidden away in the garage at the cottage. As Taylor said, they held a story. She had no idea if they were connected in any way to the ghost of Mrs. Maynard or if it was foolish to even try to find out the mystery behind them. She didn’t believe in ghosts. And while she hadn’t seen or felt anything uncomfortable in the house, both of her sisters had.
She opened the case and carefully lifted out the simple white dress. Made of a fabric with a satiny finish, the dress was sleeveless and fell to the floor. Whitney went over to the mirror and held up the dress in front of her. Its simplicity was appealing, something she’d consider if the time ever came when she married.
Still holding the dress in her arms, Whitney sank down onto the bed. At one time, she’d thought she’d be married to Zane. When their relationship began to disintegrate three years ago, she’d dismissed any thoughts of marriage. Now, though, with both of her sisters engaged, Whitney wanted a man to look at her with love, like Brad did for Dani and Cooper for Taylor.
The dress held a special memory for someone. Who was it? And why had it ended up hidden away in the garage?
Whitney laid the dress on the bed and stood to look at the other items in the suitcase.
Baby clothes, including hand-knit items in blue, looked unused, which tugged at Whitney’s heart. What had happened to that baby? Was the baby Isaac Thomas as the certificates GG had kept for someone indicated? Someday, they hoped to find out. Carefully replacing the items in the suitcase, Whitney emitted a long sigh. Life was so uncertain.
Whitney picked up the briefcase she was using to keep all materials associated with the foundation she was creating and headed downstairs.
She’d just walked into the kitchen when the doorbell rang. She glanced out the window. A police car sat in the driveway. She opened the front door, surprised to see Nick Woodruff. A smile quickly replaced her frown.
“Hi, Nick. Nice to see you. What’s up?”
“Hi, Whitney. Mind if I come in?”
“Not at all,” she said. Her heart warmed at the sight of him. She stepped aside to allow him to enter. “What brings you here?”
“I saw Dani at Jake’s, and she told me that she and Taylor are worried about you.”
Whitney placed her hands on her hips. “I told them not to bother you unless the situation called for it.”
He held up a hand to stop her protest. “I was concerned enough to do a little investigating. The person making this claim on Instagram is a braggart who loves to make controversial statements. At the moment, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. But, Whitney, at the first sign of trouble, I want you to feel free to call me.”
“Okay, I promise.” she said, pleased by his concern. “Do you have time for a cup of coffee? I have some made.”
Nick checked his watch. “Sure. ‘Can’t stay long, but one cup of coffee won’t hurt. One of the guys is handling the office.”
Whitney went into the kitchen and poured them each a cup of coffee. “Black, right?”
He grinned. “You remembered.”
“When we were together at the café, I noticed,” said Whitney, handing him his cup. “Let’s sit outside. It’s a beautiful day, even with all the clouds.”
The minute Nick sat down in one of the Adirondack chairs outside, Mindy, Whitney’s adopted dachshund, went to him for an ear rub. Smiling, he obliged her and then lifted his cup in a salute. “Here’s to welcoming you back to Lilac Lake. I’m very sorry to hear about all you’ve been through. And though I don’t think you’re in imminent danger, if you should ever feel that way, I want you to contact me day or night.”
Touched, Whitney said, “Thanks for that. I remember the summer you and I dated. It seems such a long time ago. But even then, you wanted to help others.”
He smiled, sending a sparkle into his light-blue eyes. “That summer was very special. But I knew you were meant for bigger things than staying in Lilac Lake even when you were eighteen. I was glad to see you have such success.”
“Thanks. That’s so typical of you. When I learned you married Crystal, I thought it was a good match. What happened?”
“She and I both agree it’s much better to be friends than to be married. We still love each other as the friends we were always meant to be.”
“No other women in your life?” Whitney asked.
“No,” said Nick with a bluntness that indicated he wasn’t interested in any. “When the time is right and the woman is the right choice, I’ll be ready. But I’ve learned not to rush into anything.”
“That sounds like smart advice. I’ll have to remember that,” said Whitney. She liked that he was so open.
“I heard you’re going to try to do something with a theater program for children in the area,” he said. “That sounds like fun.”
“I was trying to set it up, but it’ll have to wait. I’m busy working on forming a foundation in Zane’s name. Something to help children with mental health issues. Sometime, I’d like to talk to you about needs in this area and how it might complement kids in trouble with the law.”
“I’m willing to help anytime. Just let me know.” He stood. “Guess I’d better get back on the job. Thanks for the coffee.”
“It was nice to see you,” said Whitney. “Stop by anytime. Nothing like being with an old friend after the craziness of L.A..”
He met her smile with one of his own.
She walked him to the door and watched as he climbed into the chief’s car. Nick had always been a nice guy watching out for others. When they were all young and treating summer days as if they owned them, she’d always felt safe with him. And that summer they dated was still a tender memory.
He gave one last wave before pulling away.
###
After Nick left, Whitney thought about the theater program for children. She’d told Nick she didn’t have time to do that this summer, but it didn’t seem fair to some of the girls at the dance school in town to pull back after mentioning it.
Feeling good about her decision to do something, Whitney called Linda Forrest at her dance school. They talked about giving some of her students a chance at participating in a short play to put on at the community center as part of the Labor Day Celebrations in town.
“I found something short and easy, and it would be an introduction to doing bigger productions,” said Whitney becoming enthusiastic about it. “If you think enough children want to be involved, I’ll call Angelica Hammond at the community center to see if we can work something out for that long weekend.”
Linda laughed. “Believe me, there are enough girls and a couple of boys who’d love to do something like that. They’re all about being on stage. I love that so many of my younger students feel free to be themselves. When they hit teen years, a lot of that is gone.”
“Can I make a presentation to your classes today?” asked Whitney.
“Of course. This will be exciting for them. I’ll send out a notice to all the classes to meet up at the studio today. What time shall I say?” Linda said.
“Let’s do 4 o’clock,” said Whitney. “In the meantime, I’ll make a couple of calls. I already have the play script booklets for a production about a mouse who loses her squeak. Your kids could put it on for younger ones.”
“That sounds delightful. I try to talk to some of my students about doing things for others whenever I can. We’ve even put on a little show at The Woodlands,” said Linda. “The kids had a good time, and the older people loved it.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you at four,” said Whitney, ending the call with a rush of satisfaction. She’d been so buried with details regarding Zane’s estate that she was pleased to be doing something on a happier note.
She put in a call to the community center, and after she and Angelica talked it over, they agreed to set aside space at the community center on Labor Day to coincide with the annual tradition of neighborhood picnics throughout town.
“Mid-afternoon is perfect. The little ones will already have had naps, and most of the parties won’t be underway yet,” said Angelica. “Who knows? This might become an annual event.”
“That would be wonderful,” said Whitney. “I’ll get back to you after meeting the kids this afternoon.”
As she clicked off the call, Dani entered the kitchen. “From next door, I saw Nick’s police car in the driveway. What’s going on? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. He was checking up on me after a certain sister told him she was worried about me,” Whitney said, settling her gaze on Dani.
A sheepish grin crossed Dani’s face. “I’m sorry if I acted too quickly, but it was the perfect opportunity to tell him. He was very concerned. He’s always had a thing for you, and he really cares. It’s very charming to see.”
“He and I are friends,” admitted Whitney. She refused to think beyond that. “On a brighter note, let me tell you about the project I’m starting. Something not related to Zane. I feel better already.”
Dani listened to Whitney outline her project and then spontaneously hugged her. “You’re sounding more like the sister I know and love. Maybe small-town living will ease some of the pain you’re experiencing.”
Whitney smiled. “I hope so.”
###
Whitney was still hopeful when she gazed down at the faces staring up at her with interest. Ten girls and two boys had showed up for the meeting. A cast of eight left room for four others who could be put to work on production.
She handed out the play scripts to the twelve kids and explained that after they each read different parts, she and their dance teacher would select the cast. “Remember, though, the cast isn’t the only valuable component of a play. The production team behind it is sometimes even more important. If any of you want to be part of that team, you don’t have to read for a part. Anyone prefer that?”
One boy and a girl raised their hands.
“Excellent,” said Whitney. She handed out the scripts to the other ten kids and after giving directions to them, sat with Linda to listen to them speak.
Elissa Sawyer, whose head was covered in corn rows, was the perfect choice for the mouse, bringing a chuckle to Whitney as Elissa pretended to lose her voice. Another little girl, Tessa Knight, with shiny black hair and sparkling green eyes, clawed the air as she spoke the part of the cat, making her the right choice for the role. The other, smaller parts were distributed among the remaining students.
“This is going to be so much fun,” Linda said to Whitney. “I’m glad Jamie Thompkins and Susy Sandler will be on the production team. They’re hard workers. And for Jamie, it will be a safe place.”
“What do you mean?” asked Whitney alarmed.
“Just that Jamie has to hide the fact that he’s one of my students. His father is a truck driver who’s gone a lot of the time, and he wouldn’t be pleased to know his son, at ten, is a dancer. His father is ‘old school’ about things like that. It’s a shame because Jamie has a natural ability to dance.”
“What if his father finds out about Jamie working on the play?” asked Whitney.
“I believe Jamie’s production work shouldn’t bother him,” Linda said. “But dancing? Oh, no.”
“Okay, we’ll keep Jamie busy behind the scenes,” said Whitney, studying the red-haired boy with broad shoulders who stood a little taller than the rest of the kids. In truth, he looked more like a young football player than a dancer.
With everyone satisfied with their assigned parts, Linda discussed a time when they could come to the studio to practice. Though Whitney had thought of using space at the Beckman Lumber Company, the studio would work better.
“Okay, take your booklets home with you and study them,” said Whitney. “We’ll meet tomorrow to go over them. We have only three weeks to prepare so it’s important to learn your lines, and when you speak your part. I’ll go over them with you.” She turned to Jamie, Susy, and the two other girls on the production team. “I need you to come up with suggestions about decorating the stage for the play. Any thoughts will be appreciated.”
With the twelve children chatting happily among themselves, Whitney hugged Linda. “Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it.”
Of medium height, thin and wiry, with brown hair that she wore in a ponytail, Linda wasn’t beautiful, but had a style of her own that made her attractive. In talking to her earlier, Whitney learned that Linda was from a small town in New York and had moved to New Hampshire following a divorce a few years ago.
“Putting on this play is going to be good for the kids. There are many outdoor activities for them here but not many programs for the arts. I’m hoping to change that,” said Linda. “To have a television star like you help to make that dream come true means more to me than I can say.”
“I’m happy to help,” said Whitney sincerely. “My family always encouraged me to sing and dance. That made it rewarding for me. I can’t imagine what someone like Jamie must put up with. It’s such a shame.”
“It is, but I keep encouraging him,” said Linda. “The fact that his father is gone so much of the time helps.
###
Whitney left the dance studio filled with fresh excitement. Taylor had given her the idea of doing something like this for kids in the area, and their enthusiasm was the best medicine she could hope for to help her achieve a happier balance in her life.
Later, telling Taylor about the program and the different kids, Whitney thought about Jamie Thompkins and the fact that he had to hide his love of dancing and the theater. “This kid has so much talent naturally that it’s a shame his father is so adamant about Jamie not doing anything theatrical,” Whitney complained.
“I get it, but you’re going to have to be careful,” said Taylor. “It’s a small town and talk goes around. The father is bound to find out.”
“I know, but if you saw how happy he is to be helping with the play, you’d think it was worth the effort to allow him to be part of it,” said Whitney.
“I’m glad to see you so excited about something,” Taylor said. “I know these past few weeks have been difficult for you.”
“The sadness of Zane’s death will never completely go away, but I have to remind myself it wasn’t my job to keep Zane on the straight and narrow.”
“Exactly,” said Taylor. “You can’t blame yourself. I’m hungry. What do you say we go to Jake’s for a quick dinner? I’m trying to be productive while Cooper is in New York, but I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to be out of the house and with real, live people.”
Whitney laughed. “Okay, let’s do it. Dani’s with Brad as usual, but it’ll be nice for the two of us to spend time together.”
Whitney gated Mindy into the kitchen and joined Taylor outside to walk to town. Though she wasn’t as careful as she’d been when shooting the television series, she still watched her weight and made sure she exercised every day.
As they walked, Taylor discussed the new book she was working on. “I’m not showing it to Cooper until it’s complete. We decided it’s best to work that way.”
Remembering Taylor’s fury and hurt over Cooper’s first editorial email to her, Whitney couldn’t help smiling. Taylor and Cooper had learned to work together, but Whitney understood Taylor’s need to be free to create on her own.
As she thought of the latest offer her agent, Barbara Griffith had presented to her, a sigh escaped Whitney. As much as she loved acting, she wasn’t going to use Zane’s death as a means to gain a role. And with the work of overseeing the formation of a new foundation, she was busy enough not to worry about securing an acting job.
“I wonder if Nick will be at Jake’s?” Taylor said. “It’s his day off, and he usually likes to mingle with old friends there.”
“Speaking of Nick, dear sister, Dani already spoke to him about keeping an eye on me,” said Whitney. “I’ve promised to let him know if I need his help. He’s a good friend. Always has been.”
“What about that summer you and he dated?” said Taylor. “I remember how love-struck you were. Crystal thinks he still has a thing for you.”
“We’re friends, that’s all,” said Whitney, but she couldn’t deny the happy feeling that threaded through her when she was with him. He expected nothing from her except for her company. And that, she was more than willing to give.