Mystic Park (Finding Home 4)

“All right. Fine.” Alonzo dragged a hand through his thick, wavy hair. “I’m sorry.”

Doreen considered Alonzo. She’d thought he was tired. But this wasn’t fatigue. This was something more. Why wouldn’t he confide in her? She was about to become his wife.

She straightened from the counter and crossed to him. “You’ve been in a strange mood for months. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He wouldn’t look at her.

Doreen grew chilled. Was Ramona right about Alonzo and Quincy? Both men were acting out of character, seemingly growing cooler within their relationship. Why? What had changed?

“Alonzo, I need to know.” Doreen hesitated, taking a deep breath. “Are you reconsidering our wedding? Are you getting cold feet?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?” Doreen wasn’t convinced. “Why are you keeping secrets from me?”

Alonzo gave her a sharp look. “Why would you ask me that? Has Leo convinced you that I’m not good enough for you?”

Doreen stepped back. “Where did that question come from?”

“Are you doubting me now that you’ve spoken with Leo?”

Was Alonzo even listening to her? Could he hear himself?

“Of course not.”

“Maybe you’re right, Doreen. Maybe this wedding is a mistake.” Alonzo turned and left her.

Doreen stared after him, speechless. She couldn’t pull her thoughts together. She heard his footsteps, carrying him up the stairs. Doreen stumbled to the table. She sank onto a chair, not wanting to fall before she fell down. From where had Alonzo’s outburst come? Why would he ask her to marry him if that wasn’t what he wanted? What had she done wrong—and how could she fix this?

CHAPTER 28

“Is Mystic Park about us?” Benita watched Vaughn closely later on Thursday. She’d catch any movement, muscle twitch, or shift in his expression that tipped his hand one way or the other about the autobiographical nature of his play.

“Do you see a similarity?” Vaughn didn’t appear at all sheepish. He seemed more amused—and a little tired.

The music professor had had a long Thursday: several summer semester classes and a concert band practice even before tonight’s rehearsal. Overall, the rehearsal had gone well. The only glitch had been their female lead’s absence, a pretty major glitch. Vaughn had been stressed enough without Benita pointing out that she’d once again been right. Instead, she’d given him an I-told-you-so look, then stepped into the role for the night. Benita was more than capable of the substitution. She’d sung and danced her way through musicals in high school and the first two years of college.

They’d stayed after rehearsal to review the musical’s props, costumes, and advertisements. Benita had waited until they’d discussed all of those items before voicing her suspicions about Vaughn’s play.

“Come on, Vaughn. In your play, Mama D’Leau is based on my mother, isn’t she?” Benita wouldn’t be distracted from the debate at hand. She leaned against the base of the stage, facing Vaughn where he sat in the front row of the left section of audience seats.

“Does that make you the water fairy?” His smile was a teasing taunt.

“Am I right?” Benita wouldn’t allow him to divert her with his sexy smile and teasing eyes. She had him. He was sending her a message with his play.

“What if you are?” Vaughn settled back onto the folding audience seat. He propped his right ankle onto his left knee. “What is our story in the play?”

“Just like Mama D’Leau won’t let the water fairy live on land with the mortals, you blame my mother for convincing me to leave Trinity Falls.” Benita waited for Vaughn’s reaction. Again, he didn’t give away his inner thoughts with so much as a muscle twitch. The silence stretched on for almost a solid minute.

“The play isn’t about us, Benny.” Vaughn rose slowly to his feet. “Although I can see why you’d think it was.”

“Maybe you didn’t realize you were writing about us.” Benita straightened away from the stage. “But I want you to know that my mother isn’t keeping me from Trinity Falls. I left on my own.”

“And you left me.”

She stepped back from the pain in his voice. “Come with me.”

“You blame Trinity Falls for your parents’ divorce, but you’re wrong.” Vaughn packed up his suitcase. “Your parents grew apart. Trinity Falls had nothing to do with it.”