Mystic Park (Finding Home 4)

“Producing this musical has been your dream for years. Now that you have your chance, you should give it your best shot. Instead you’re rushing it.”

“I’m satisfied with the people we found during yesterday’s auditions.” Vaughn shrugged off her suggestions.

“That’s my point. You’ve worked too hard to settle for being ‘satisfied.’” She flung her arm in a dramatic flourish. “You should be thrilled, excited, enthusiastic.”

“Another day or two of auditions isn’t going to make a difference. I’d rather start the rehearsals.”

“Fine.” It was clear she wasn’t going to change his mind. Stubborn man. Benita studied him over the rim of her cup. His determination was sexy—except when he was being obstinate with her.

“With Ginny as the female lead—the water fairy—whom do you have in mind for the male lead—the farmer?” Vaughn referred to his notes.

“Glenn Narcus.” Benita opened her project folder and scanned her summaries.

“I agree.”

“Well, that’s a nice change.”

“Be kind, Benny.”

“Whom do you want to play the villain, Mama D’Leau?” Benita ran her right index finger down the sheet of paper.

“That one’s hard.” Vaughn shuffled some papers. “I’m torn between Belinda Curby and Yvette Bates. What do you think?”

“Yvette Bates.” Benita was decisive. “Her voice is fuller, richer. Belinda fits better in the fairy chorus.”

“Good point.” Vaughn looked up from his papers and captured her gaze.

Benita smiled into his eyes. Was Operation Lure Vaughn Brooks to L.A. working? “This is fun. It reminds me of working on our high school senior project together.”

“Yeah, it does.” His voice was full of special memories, some innocent, some not quite as innocent. “Whom do you have as the villain’s accomplice?”

They agreed on all of the remaining roles: Simon Knight, Darius’s father, as the villain’s right-hand person; and Stan Crockett as the hero’s neighbor and best friend. In addition to Belinda, they agreed to cast as members of the fairy chorus Ethel Knight and Cece Roben.

The only casting on which they disagreed was Ginny Carp as the water fairy. Benita considered Vaughn in her peripheral vision. She’d pushed as hard as she dared. Vaughn was immovable. She’d have to come up with an alternate plan just in case her worst fears of Ginny flaking out on the production came true.

Vaughn gathered together his summary sheets. “It’s nice to have someone to bounce off ideas about the play. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Benita packed her notes as well.

“I also owe you my thanks for defending the performance schedule to the auditioners yesterday.”

Benita smiled at his wry tone. “You’d have done the same for me. We make a good team.”

“We always have.”

Then why are you willing to throw that all away?

Benita folded her arms on the table and leaned into it. “

It’s like the time in high school when you backed my campaign for senior class treasurer against one of your football teammates.” The memory of his support made her feel warm inside even eighteen years later. She needed him to stand with her again now and agree to her decision for them to live in L.A. Why wouldn’t he?

“I still think you should’ve run for president.” Vaughn leaned back on his chair. He rested his right ankle on his left knee.

Benita pulled her gaze from his muscled thigh wrapped in denim. “And you’d still be wrong. I’ve explained this a thousand times. First, Jack was running for president. No one would’ve voted for me over a descendant of our town’s founding family.”

“I would’ve.”

Benita ignored his interruption. “Second, the real power is with the money. Aunt Helen told me that and she was right.”