Acting Up (15 page)

Statues were built for important people. War heroes, founding fathers, and saints. Ethan's deceased wife probably didn't qualify as a war hero, and certainly not as a founding father. Which left saint.

They'd literally put Jenny Thomas up on a pedestal.

The perfect wife, the perfect mother. A symbol of a perfect marriage, which screamed louder than any words how empty Addison's own marriage had been. Any statue erected to symbolize her relationship with Merrick would be gold-encrusted, yet hollow. Outwardly beautiful, but corroding on the inside. Ethan and his Jenny had been connected in a way Addison couldn't even fathom.

Ethan still walked by the monument every day. If Addison were to die tomorrow, would anyone think to erect a statue to her? Would there be a plaque honoring her as a
Beloved
anything? Would people walk by and remember how much they'd loved her? Wish they could have just one more day with her? Taking in a shaky gulp of air, Addison had to acknowledge the truth.

No. No one would care at all.

Addison had planned on visiting her aunt at the rehabilitation facility after dropping Aaron off at school. Instead, she turned her car toward downtown. There was no way she could face her aunt in her present frame of mind.

Main Street was more crowded than when she'd arrived. The shops were open, and quite a few people hurried along the sidewalks. Addison pulled into an empty parking space and got out, thinking a walk would do wonders right about now. She stopped to gaze into store windows along the way. There was a restaurant she didn't recognize, but it didn't open until lunchtime. A boutique, which was also new, caught her eye.

Clothes. Addison's mouth watered, and she pressed her nose against the glass to see inside.

“You look like a dieter at an all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet.”

Addison spun around to find a woman standing behind her. A stunning woman. Like one of those Amazon warriors. Flaming red hair flowed past her shoulders, framing a lovely face dominated by big blue eyes. Lush. Everything about the woman, from her figure to her generous smile, was lush and bigger than life.

The stranger had gotten a look at Addison's face, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Wow—”

“Hi,” Addison said, waiting for the moment to pass.

The other woman's mouth opened and closed, but the only sound was another breathy “
Wow!”

Addison allowed the other woman to collect herself.

“Talk about brain freeze,” the redhead said. “You must think I'm a few eggs short of a dozen, but I love you. Seriously, Corrine Barrett was my hero.”

Addison's smile grew. “Don't worry, I'm used to it. I'm Addison Covington.”

“Julia Richardson.” Her gaze flicked to the boutique. “Do you like the store?”

Addison gazed at the window again. “It's been weeks since I went on a shopping spree. My credit card is screaming for me to buy something. This doesn't look like a typical small-town dress shop, though.”

“It's not. Karen Collier has been gaining a reputation beyond Covington Falls. Her specialty is wedding gowns. She's designing them for people as far away as Atlanta. Nearly all my clients use her.”

“Your clients?”

“My stepsister and I run a wedding planning business,” Julia said, pointing to the shop next door.

Addison read the sign hanging from the door. “
Marry Me.
Cute.”

This shop had a decorated window display as well. Curious, Addison took a closer look.

A fit-for-a-princess wedding gown hung from a closet door on the other side. To the right of the gown sat a bed, and on top of it was a suitcase overflowing with clothes one might wear on a cruise or at a tropical resort. Tank tops, shorts, several bikinis, a couple travel books, and most interestingly, a little slip of red peeking out over the side.

“Is that what it looks like?” Addison asked, tilting her head as she stared at the negligee.

“What do you think?” Julia asked.

“I think the honeymoon starts soon.”

Julia put her head back and let out a wicked laugh. “Good guess. I tend to let everyone make up his or her own mind about the display. It's better if some people don't realize what they're looking at, you know?”

“I can imagine. It's beautifully done.”

“I think this happened because I'm finally with someone I could actually contemplate marrying. Even if I'm not at all suited to be a minister's girlfriend. I have no idea what Seth was thinking when he convinced me to stay.”

“I know who you are,” Addison said in realization. “My aunt wrote and told me the minister at her church was dating someone.”

“I hope she meant me,” Julia said.

Addison chuckled. “Judging by your display, you must be pretty happy.”

A blissful smile lit up Julia's features. “It's so weird,” she said. “Last year I'd have bet anyone I'd never fall in love. Now everything has changed.”

Could it be so easy? “I hope I can say the same thing in a year.”

“You never know what will happen,” Julia said. “I have a feeling you're going to be fine. Listen, I was about to meet Seth at The Old Diner, but he's running late. Why don't you join me instead?”

It was the best invitation she'd had in months. “I'd love to.”

The Old Diner had been a popular hangout even when Addison had lived here. Julia opened the door, and a little tinkling bell announced their entry. The restaurant was designed like an old-time fifties' diner. Black and white checkerboard tile set off walls displaying photographs of silver screen icons. A long counter with swivel seats ran down the length of the dining area, and a row of red vinyl booths were against the windows.

Heads turned at the sound of the bell, and stayed turned. Julia ignored them as she made her way to a booth at the back. Addison followed behind, but made a point to nod at everyone she passed. She winked at an old man, who blushed and ducked his head.

By the time they reached the booth, Julia was doubled over with laughter. “Masterful. I want to learn how to work the room like you.”

“Working a room is part of my old job description.”

A waitress approached within seconds bearing two menus. She held them to her chest and stared.

When she made no move to relinquish the laminated sheets, Addison cleared her throat. “Are those for us?”

The waitress jumped and giggled. “Oh, yes.”

“I don't need a menu,” Julia said. “I'll have apple pie and coffee.”

“Sounds wonderful, but my personal trainer back home would kill me,” Addison said with a wistful sigh. “I'll have an English muffin and coffee.”

The waitress hesitated and then she held out her order pad. “Could you sign this for me?”

The hopeful smile sent warmth flooding through Addison. “Of course. What's your name?”

“Sally-Anne. Sally-Anne Stewart.”

Addison signed the notebook and handed it back. The waitress' round face flushed with excitement. “Thank you.”

“How do you handle the attention?” Julia asked, once Sally-Anne had scurried away. “Total strangers coming up to you and wanting autographs?”

“I've missed it, actually. Not many people want my autograph these days.”

A wince replaced Julia's teasing smile. “Sorry. It seems so unfair. Your husband cheated with your co-star, and yet you somehow turned out to be the bad guy.”

“The punch sealed my fate.”

Leaning closer, Julia whispered. “What did it feel like? To let her have it, I mean?”

“It felt wonderful at the time. Of course, slugging my on-screen daughter ruined my career.”

Sally-Anne returned with the coffee. After a brief, awestruck smile, she filled their empty cups. “The pie and the muffin will be right out.”

Once Sally-Anne had disappeared, Julia took up the conversation again. “Is that when you decided to come back? Are you hiding out?” she asked, stirring cream into her coffee.

Julia's eyes seemed to reach right into Addison's soul, but she managed to hold the knowing gaze without flinching. “I'm here to look after my aunt.”

“The whole town is buzzing about you directing the musical. I can't figure out why you agreed.”

“It's my way of giving back to the town.”

“Oh, I figured you probably agreed to do it for the publicity. It's not like you couldn't use some good press.”

Addison's hands tightened around the coffee mug.

Julia must have seen the gesture, because she shook her head. “Sorry. I shouldn't have presumed. I'm having trouble escaping my cynical roots when it comes to human nature. Seth is always warning me about expecting the worst in people, but then he's pretty naïve.”

“I didn't have anywhere else to go. No one will hire me right now. I couldn't stay to watch Merrick and Angela parade around like happy newlyweds. The play will hopefully keep me from going crazy while I piece my life back together again. If it helps my image, well—” She shrugged.

“Boy, do I know something about piecing your life back together,” Julia said, as a knowing chuckle rumbled up her chest. “I also know about rescue missions to help relatives turning out to be more than you bargained for.”

“You do?”

“Like you, I lived here for a short time when I was teenager, and I have to say I'm bummed you were gone by the time I arrived.”

“You were a refugee to Covington Falls as well?”

“A good enough way to describe it,” Julia said with a laugh. “My father married Grace Graham. She would have been Grace Peterson then. Did you know her?”

Addison shook her head.

“They were only married a couple years,” Julia said, wrinkling her nose. “My father had a habit of discarding wives.”

Addison spread the tiniest amount of butter on her English muffin. “Sounds like a story there.”

“More like a soap opera. My parents made your Corrine Barrett look tame by comparison. I was the most cynical person you can imagine. So, of course, I wound up planning weddings when I came back here to help my stepsister during a crisis with her pregnancy.”

Addison laughed. “An odd fit indeed.”

“I was horrified at first, but now I can see it was the perfect fit for me. It gave me a chance to learn that love actually does exist. It led me to Seth, and if our relationship isn't a miracle, I don't know what is. We had a lot to overcome.”

“Like what?”

“My lack of faith, in love and God. Plus, there was the memory of his first wife. I was certain I could never measure up to her.”

Another light bulb went on. “My aunt told me his wife died. It was around the same time Ethan lost his wife.”

“You know Ethan Thomas?”

“His family lived next door to my aunt.”

“Lucky you,” Julia said. “I lived across the street from Seth, but he wasn't what you'd call a stud back then.”

“Ethan was,” Addison said with a sigh.

Julia's mouth turned up in amusement as she cut into her apple pie. “He still is,” Julia said.

“I hadn't noticed,” Addison lied, hoping the other woman would drop the subject.

Julia laughed so loud the other diners turned. Addison tried giving a cold stare, but the other woman was beyond being intimidated by this point.

“Sorry, but for an actress you're a terrible liar,” Julia said, pointing her fork in Addison's direction. “And if you really haven't noticed Ethan is delicious, you'll need to give me your wrist so I can check for a pulse.”

“I'm not dead, just focused on other things.”

Julia clucked her tongue. “No one should ever be so focused on other things that they fail to see what's in front of them. I should know. I was so intent on protecting my heart I nearly threw away something wonderful.”

“How did you deal with the ghost?” Addison asked. “Seth's wife, I mean?”

Julia paused, fork suspended in midair. “Is that the problem? Ethan's first wife?”

“There's a statue of Jenny Thomas in front of the school,” Addison said. “A life-sized monument to her greatness. Ethan makes a point to walk by it very single day.”

A little
oh
issued from Julia's lips. “You're telling me you're worried about competing with her memory?”

“Weren't you intimidated by Seth's first wife?”

“Yeah, but I'm me, and you're Addison Covington. You're a famous actress who happens to be smart, gorgeous, talented, and funny.”

“Which wasn't enough to keep my husband interested.”

“Your ex is a stupid fool. Ethan isn't.”

“It doesn't matter,” Addison said. “In a few months my aunt will be able to care for herself, and I'll return to Hollywood, where I belong.”

The amused smile was back. “You keep saying that. Keep running, but let me warn you, God won't let you get away. Neither will love.”

Addison opened her mouth to deliver a stinging retort when the little bell over the door jingled. Heads swiveled to see who had walked in. Addison obeyed the Pavlovian cue and turned as well. Her eyes widened.

The man who'd just walked in the door could've joined Ethan on the catalogue cover. The newcomer was nearly as tall, but with dark hair and blue eyes. What was with all the gorgeous men in Covington Falls? Were they growing them on trees now?