Chapter 20 #2
“No, and believe me, he’ll be getting a call from me as soon as I drop Sam off at the house.
And a call every hour until he answers. Even if this was in the will, I should have gotten a call back on who is on the heirs list. And don’t tell me that Pike had a scholarship set up for Sedona kids before he died.
The festival, yes, I get that. But why Sedona kids?
Someone made that decision in the last week or so.
” Drew was on his phone, texting as he talked.
He glanced at Sam. “Sorry about cutting the night short, but I should go in. Do you want to come with me or…”
“I’ll walk Sam home,” Jonathon said, putting his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You go do what you need to do.”
“Now I know how Rarity feels,” Sam said as she kissed Drew. “I can walk home all alone, I promise, but since Jonathon insists on being a gentleman, I accept his offer. Besides, I want to see the fireworks.”
“I’m happy to help out.” Jonathon smiled and then waved Drew away. “Go on. How can we talk about you if you’re still here?”
“No snooping while I’m gone,” Drew said, directing his comment to Rarity.
She shrugged. “Not promising anything. Especially if new information drops in my lap. I’m blessed that way.”
Archer laughed. “Dude, she’s right. Except I’d call it a curse, not a blessing. Anyway, she won’t get far out of my sight. Go solve the case so we can put this behind us.”
After Drew left, the group headed into the theater. Rarity and Shirley went to the restroom with Archer and Jonathon in charge of getting a second drink. Darby had texted that they’d saved seats in the theater for them.
As Rarity stood in line, she heard Mason Pike’s name mentioned by someone closer to the door. Talia Brooks was talking to Jane Carey. Loudly.
She glanced at Shirley, who nodded. She’d heard the same thing. As people washed their hands and they moved up, their words got tenser in tone. Finally, they were close enough to actually hear the conversation.
“You just can’t go making decisions like that without talking to me,” Talia said. “You’re an idiot.”
“And you’re a witch, but we deal with what we’re given,” Jane said as she turned around to leave.
She saw Rarity in line and froze for a minute.
Then she smiled and walked toward the door.
When she got near Rarity, she smiled and said, “Actors, it’s always all about them. Hope you’re enjoying your evening.”
And then she was gone. Rarity didn’t see Talia leave, and when she came out, Shirley was waiting for her. “That was intense,” Rarity said.
“Talia breezed past me just a few minutes ago. She was on her phone but I didn’t hear much. Mostly something about Jane not being controllable.”
“Maybe Jane just found and lost her new employer. I knew she was looking for a new placement, but I don’t think I could work for Talia either.” Rarity saw Archer waiting at the door to the main theater. “And there’s our escort. He’s a cutie.”
“Of course you’d say that.” Shirley paused before she added, “Terrance looks very distinguished in his suit, don’t you think? No, don’t answer that. My husband is sleeping less than a mile away and I’m looking at another man.”
“You’re married, not dead. And George might be a mile away physically, but mentally, he’s eons away.
” Rarity saw the look on Shirley’s face and knew she’d gone too far.
She looked like she’d been slapped. “I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t even be mentioning this, but I worry about you.
And if being around Terrance in any type of relationship including platonic friendship makes you happy, I’m glad. Kathy’s worried too.”
“Kathy wants me to sell the house and move closer to her. There’s no way. I have a good life here. Good friends,” she said as she took Rarity’s arm. “And I’m not giving up that to become Kathy’s babysitter. Although I’d spoil those kids rotten.”
“You would. And it’s better for all concerned for you to stay here,” Rarity joked as she and Shirley walked toward Archer. Then she added, “Especially for me. I’d miss you too much.”
They made their way down the aisle to their seats, and as she was looking around the theater, she saw Jane talking to someone Rarity didn’t know.
She was all smiles now, after her tiff with Talia.
She told Archer about what she’d overheard.
“It must be hard to work for someone and not like their significant other.”
“Jack does okay,” Archer responded, reading the program for the night.
“Well, that’s fine, but maybe it’s different for men,” Rarity said, still watching Jane and the unknown man. She saw her give him her business card. Still looking for work. Then Archer’s words hit her. “Wait, what did you say? Jack doesn’t like me?”
He looked up from the program. “Just checking to see if you’re listening. Jack thinks you’re great. For an older lady.”
“What is he, nineteen?” Rarity stared at Archer. “I’m not that much older than he is.”
“He’s twenty and he thinks anyone over twenty-five is old. He considered asking Holly out, but then he found out she was almost thirty and it was a deal-breaker,” Archer said. “I don’t think you’re old at all.”
“Thanks, I think. Anyway, Holly’s too serious for Jack.
She needs someone who already has his life together.
” She opened her small purse and pulled out a lip balm.
“Oh, I forgot to transfer the movie into this bag. Of course, it wouldn’t fit, but Jane’s here and the movie isn’t. I guess I’m going to the breakfast.”
“I’m hiking,” Archer reminded her.
She looked over to where she’d seen Jane, but no one was there. “I’ll find her tomorrow.”
Sam squeezed her arm. “I’ll go with you. That hotel serves an amazing breakfast. What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“Nine? That way we can get there before all the croissants are gone.” Rarity liked the plan. “Just don’t let me forget Pike’s movie so I can get one thing off my to-do list.”
The theater lights went down and the music swelled. It was time for the awards.
Later that night, back in the parking lot, sitting around a different table, she leaned into Archer’s shoulder as they waited for the fireworks to start. “Now I know why I don’t watch those awards shows on television. They’re really boring unless you have a horse in the race.”
“You weren’t rooting for Mason and Talia’s movie?” Archer entwined his fingers in hers.
“Not even close. I liked that one documentary. And it won its category. The film that took the most awards was kind of boring, if you ask me.” She looked around the table.
Shirley and Terrance had excused themselves after the awards.
Katie was sitting with Jared, whom she’d introduced to the group after they’d come back outside.
Sam and Jonathon were sitting nearby, quietly talking.
In contrast, Holly, Darby, and Malia were singing along with the song the DJ had started while they waited.
Her family was all here or had been at different times of the night. At least it was everyone she cared for, like family. Had Mason had anyone in his life he didn’t pay to be there? Jane, of course, but she was his assistant. And Talia had apparently moved on, either after his death or before.
The music changed, and the lights around the lot went out. Then the first of the fireworks went off and the crowd let out its first, but not last, ohhh of the night.