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Chief grinned. “The way I heard it, you’re pretty quick on your feet, Miss Daughtry.”
I smiled and shook my head innocently. “Why, whatever do you mean?” I asked with an exaggerated southern belle drawl and a hand to my heart.
Laughter rang through the entryway.
Chief laid a hand on Bryce’s shoulder. “She’s feisty, Storm.” He looked lovingly at his wife. “It’s more fun that way, but you’ve got to watch out.”
His wife rolled her eyes. “Come in. Let’s get out of the entryway. No reason to stand here all evening.”
Enjoying the company of the older couple was easy. They bantered back and forth, drawing Bryce and me effortlessly into conversation.
“How long have you been married?” I asked.
Danny looked at his wife, and she at him. She raised her eyebrows with a smile and waited for him to respond.
“Eleven years? Twelve?” His uncertainty was amusing.
I grinned.
Chief solidified his answer. “Twelve years. Definitely.”
I looked at Marcy for confirmation. “Is he right?”
She smiled at him. “Yep. Hard to believe it’s been that long. Feels like yesterday we went on our first date. The fall festival.”
“Oohh,” I exhaled. “I haven’t been back for the fall festival in years. Do they still have the haybale maze?”
Bryce and the others nodded. “Sure do. We’ve actually been called to help someone out of the maze before, believe it or not.”
My mouth fell open. “How does that even work?”
Bryce shrugged. “One year, we lifted the ladder up so we could see the maze from above and guide them out. The next year, Captain Wells just made his probie climb a tree.”
Danny shook his head. “He got in a bit of trouble for that one. TJ fell and rolled his ankle. Explaining that workman’s comp claim was a fun one.”
Dinner continued as conversation flowed. After pushing his plate back, Chief stretched his arm overhead and slung it around the back of his wife’s chair, gently scratching the top of her back. It was such a comfortable, intimate gesture that showed their complete trust and affection for each other.
“So, Bryce tells me you’re an actress?”
I smiled politely. I hated that question. I wished I could respond with pride. For more than a decade, that innocent question had led to the eternally awkward conversation of how I was an actress, but no, they hadn’t ever seen me in anything. Until last year. I could finally point people to something significant with my name on the main billing. But the leftover embarrassment of defending my occupation for a decade was hard to shake.
“Yes, sir,” I said. “I’ve done a few different things, but I’m focused on wholesome made-for-television movies these days. Faithmark and the like.”
Marcy’s eyes widened. “I knew I recognized you! You’re in that movie. The one with the nanny who falls for the single dad who hired her!”
I grinned. “That’s me. I play the quirky best friend in that one.”
Bryce chuckled. “A role you were born to play, I have to say.”
I smirked at him. “See, I’m not sure. I was thinking I might be able to play the leading lady... After all, playing the best friend only lasts for so long before you want something more.” I met his eyes with mine as the double meaning of my words registered. “Career-wise, I mean,” I added quickly, my cheeks burning.
Bryce’s gaze never left my own.
Across the table, Chief Bergman cleared his throat. “That’s very exciting, Krystal. Congratulations on your success so far. I’m sure thousands of actresses never make it that far.”
I tore my eyes away from Bryce’s and smiled at Danny. “Thank you. That’s so true. Sometimes, I forget to appreciate how far I’ve come when I’m focused on what there is still left to accomplish.”
Bryce’s hand reached for mine under the table and squeezed.
