“We’re not eighteen anymore, Benny.” Vaughn’s voice was soft and low. “I can’t live in the moment. I need to plan for my future.”
Her heart absorbed the blows. It was battered, but hope kept it from breaking. She turned to him and saw an echo of her sadness in his eyes. “We can plan for our future together.”
“My future is in Trinity Falls.” His words opened a chasm between what she wanted, what he wanted, and the love she knew they still had for each other.
“Mine isn’t.”
Vaughn nodded as though he’d expected her response. “We can’t have a future together if we’re living in different time zones.”
“There must be a way to make this work.” She held her breath as his silence grew.
Vaughn crossed his arms over his chest. “The only way is for one of us to move to be with the other.”
One of us. But which one?
CHAPTER 15
A friend in need is a friend indeed. Vaughn hadn’t realized he’d had so many friends. He looked around the clearing at Harmony Cabins and the many friends who’d joined him this Saturday morning to build props for Mystic Park: Jackson, the Harmony Cabins owner and newspaper publisher; Alonzo, who was getting married in eight weeks; Darius, the recently promoted managing editor of The Trinity Falls Monitor; Ean, whose law practice was expanding; and Juan Garcia, Alonzo’s deputy. They were all either cutting wood, hammering nails, or putting props together.
Vaughn gulped the iced tea Audra had dropped off before leaving them alone to their “noise” as she called it. “Thanks for helping me build these set pieces.”
“No problem.” Ean added another cut block of wood to the collection.
They were all wearing jeans and flannel shirts, as though they’d coordinated clothing. A soft, subtle breeze floated across the clearing, carrying the scents of spring blossoms, lush grass, and rich earth.
“I’m glad your ladies didn’t mind you leaving them alone for the day.” Vaughn positioned another four-by-four block of wood for the horse and buggy he was building for the farmer. The model was going to sit on tracks to simulate being drawn by a horse.
“I don’t have a lady. I’m my own man.” Juan grinned as he drove a nail into the tree prop he was building.
“That’ll get old after a while.” Alonzo stood back to check the tree prop he’d completed.
Vaughn needed four more just like those and a bigger one for the weeping willow to give Mystic Park the right atmosphere. He looked at the expensive pile of wood, cut and uncut, stacked off to the side of the clearing. “I also appreciate your donations to the play.”
Ean measured off another four-by-four. “I was happy to donate when Benita told me about your project. It’s for two great causes: the community center and your musical.”
“Ean’s right.” Jackson drove another nail into the buggy. “I’m glad you’re finally producing your play. The Monitor’s offering a complimentary full-page ad. Benita’s working with us to design it.”
Vaughn frowned. “She didn’t tell me that.”
“We’re also going to run an article.” Darius took a long drink of iced tea.
Vaughn was surprised and touched by his friends’ generous support, the free promotion, their investments, and their time. Incredible. “Thank you very much.”
Darius positioned another block of wood on the electric saw. “I was surprised that you cast my parents in your play.”
Vaughn was surprised himself. “They’re good.”
Darius faced him. “Growing up, I’ve heard them shout, yell, and scream. I’ve never once heard them sing.”
Vaughn’s heart was heavy with his friend’s admission. Music had filled his childhood home, along with laughter and the occasional fights. He’d grown up with two brothers after all. “You’ll hear them sing when you come to the play.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Darius returned to cutting the four-by-fours.
“I’m glad Quincy and Ramona will be back in time for the musical.” Ean took a long, deep drink of the iced tea.
“Ramona made the reservations.” Jackson wiped sweat from his eyes with the back of his wrist.
“They’re staying at Harmony Cabins?” Vaughn’s brows were knitted.