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“Yeah,I’mon my way,Cheryl.”
“Copythat.”
Rosaliegrinned at him. “Quitethe hotbed of crime you have here.”
Helaughed. “Idon’t mind the small town pace.Afterbeing shot at in the desert for years, it’s nice to have low stakes problems, you know?”
Hersmile slowly faded, and she nodded. “Right.Ofcourse.”
Heleaned in close. “Youcan ask me anything you want tonight, okay?Anything.”
Hersmile returned. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Nine,” she said, taking a step back.
“Nine,” he echoed, winking at her and then bounding up the steps.Hewas counting down the seconds, and he had a feelingRosaliewas, too.
Nineteen
Withthe rehearsal nearly finished,Rosaliehad decided to head back to the hotel.Itwas still afternoon, and she wanted the chance to get caught up or even ahead on some work before her night withJack.Shegrinned as she stepped back into the hotel, the familiar lush carpeting and intricately detailed wallpaper both a thrill and a comfort.
“Hey,” saidAutumnas she stepped out of the lounge. “Wouldyou like some hot chocolate?There’sa fresh batch just out of the kitchen, made from scratch.”
“Yes, please!Thatsounds amazing,” saidRosalie.
“Whydon’t you go have a seat in the sun room andI’llbring it out to you?” saidAutumn, andRosalienodded, shrugging out of her coat as she walked down the hallway, taking in the beamed ceiling and the plethora of framed photos on the walls.Thelast time she’d stayed here, she hadn’t spent any time in the sun room.She’donly walked through it in the dark withJack, and as she stepped in, her eyes darted to the bookshelf that hid the door to the secret alcove.Herstomach fluttered with butterflies as she remembered kissing him in that secret spot, and everything that kiss had led to.
Therewere a few other occupants in the sun room today, other members ofCarrie’steam taking a break to enjoy the way the sunshine was glinting off of the pristine field visible through the large windows.Ayoung girl, maybe eleven or twelve years old, sat at one of the small tables, a notebook and a math textbook open in front of her.Shefrowned in concentration as she read the problem.
“Hereyou go,” saidAutumn, stepping into the sun room with two mugs of hot chocolate on a tray.Shehanded one toRosalieand then set the other one down beside the girl.
“Thanks,” said the girl, setting her pencil down and pulling the mug towards her.
“Rosalie, this is my niece,Chloe,” saidAutumn, laying a hand on the girl’s slender shoulder. “Chloe, this isMissCrawford.”
Chloelooked up atRosalie, her eyes wide. “Areyou…do you work forCarrieClark?” she asked, a little breathlessly.Rosalieclocked a couple of friendship bracelets on her wrist, and she grinned.
“Ido.Areyou a fan?”
Chloeswallowed and nodded rapidly. “Yes.”Theword left her lips at lightning speed.Sheglanced over atAutumn, andAutumnwinked at her niece.Rosaliewondered which one of her sibling’s kidsChloewas.Sheknew theShephardswere a big family, but she didn’t know much about them beyond some names and occupations.
“Chloeis one of the biggestCarrieClarkfansIknow,” saidAutumn.
“Iknow every song by heart.”Chloe’scheeks were pink. “Ijust love her,” she said, her voice dropping to an almost reverent whisper.
Rosalieglanced atAutumnand grinned.Shehad a feeling that she was being set up, and she didn’t mind one bit.Autumnhad been warm and kind to her from the start, and she was more than happy to be able to return some of that kindness to her.
“Youknow, if you wanted to come to the daytime portion of the video shoot tomorrow,Icould definitely arrange that.Maybeyou and yourAuntAutumncould come together?”
Chloe’seyes went wide as planets and she whipped around toAutumn, almost knocking over her hot chocolate. “Ohmygodcanwe?” she blurted out, all of the words running together in her excitement.
Autumnsmiled, wide and bright. “Aslong as your dad says it’s okay, sure.I’llaskUncleAdamto come in tomorrow afternoon and we’ll go.”
“OhmyGod!” saidChloe.Sheturned toRosalie. “Thankyou.Thankyou so much.CanI…canIbring a bracelet to give her?”
Rosalienodded. “Sure.AndI’llmake sure you get a photo together, okay?”
