Chapter Three

 

Phoebe took a deep breath and watched her breath vaporize as she exhaled. At thirty-nine degrees, late October had confused itself with winter. She’d even seen a few stray flurries this morning before the sun rose all the way.

Searching for warmth, she rubbed her hands together. She’d wait inside, but she didn’t want to track any debris into the pristine cabin. Two cleaning crews had attended to the cabin this week, ensuring not a square millimeter was left undusted. Deena’s agency paid quadruple the normal rates, and although that included the catering and specified new bedding, Phoebe was determined to meet their every need.

Not because Deena was a celebrity, but because she took pride in her job. From the poorest client to the richest, Phoebe wanted each guest to enjoy their accommodations to the fullest. Jasper Properties had a long-standing reputation for quality rentals and outstanding service. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that perception.

Her stomach knotted. Maybe she wasn’t as immune to celebrities as she liked to believe. If only she had someone to wait here with her, but Ted had met the crew at the airport as a gesture of goodwill, and the remaining staff had their own roles to fill today.

She glanced at her watch for the fiftieth time. There must have been a delay somewhere along the route. She checked for an update from Ted, but the last message was to tell that her the plane was on time and about to land. Rubbing her hands together, she craned her neck to search for any sign of approaching vehicles, but she no distant rumble of an engine could be heard.

Nerves continued to turn her stomach into a jungle gym with anxiety bouncing and climbing all over. She walked twenty paces forward then turned around to view the front of the cabin and appraise the curb appeal. The new topiary to the right of the door sat at an odd angle. Had she bumped the landscaping decoration and not realized it? She returned to the front door and straightened the plant.

Another ten minutes passed until she heard the faint sound of a car. Soon Ted’s car appeared, followed by a sleek charcoal-colored limousine. Ted parked to the side, allowing the limousine to have the prime spot in the driveway.

Her gaze fixated on the limousine. The chauffeur stepped out and opened the passenger door. A muscular man in a black suit got out and stood at attention, his eyes shifting back and forth and quietly observing the surroundings. All business, he didn’t crack a smile, only offered a subtle tip of his chin in greeting.

Next, a petite redhead dressed in a tailored navy suit exited the vehicle. She had a phone to her ear and stared at the iPad in her hand. Phoebe stood back, gauging if she should interrupt or wait for instructions. She assumed the slim woman was Lynz, Deena’s personal assistant. They’d spoken several times in the preceding week, and she’d given off the same haughty vibe then as Phoebe received from her now.

Finally, Deena left the limousine. Blonde hair splayed in perfect waves to the middle of her back. Her vivid blue eyes sparkled, and Phoebe decided they had to be colored contacts—no one had eyes that spectacular. Distressed jeans and a wine-hued cotton shirt clung to Deena’s trim figure. A pair of suede cognac-colored ankle boots and matching jacket completed the outfit. The look came off casual and effortless, but the entire outfit probably cost more than Phoebe’s rent for a year.

Deena strolled over. “You must be Phoebe. What an interesting name.”

She ignored the underhanded jab at her name and held out a hand. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Frasier.”

“Please, call me Deena.” Ignoring her hand, Deena walked toward the door and entered like she owned the place.

Uneasiness rooted in the pit of Phoebe’s stomach. “This is Jasper Properties’ top cabin. You have all the modern amenities of a five-star hotel, but with privacy and a picturesque view of the lake and summits.”

“This is… adorable. So quaint and rustic.”

If a five-bedroom, six-bath cabin with its own gym, library, and enclosed heated pool could be considered quaint. “It’s not Beverly Hills, but that’s its charm.”

The plastic smile on Deena’s face was as fake as her blonde hair. “Yes, charming.”

Phoebe stole a glance at Ted to see his reaction. His jaws tensed, but rather than nervous, he seemed annoyed by their pretentious guest.

Deena spotted the spread of hors d'oeuvres. She swung her hips as she walked toward them, then picked up an artichoke stuffed mushroom from the silver tray on the buffet.

Holding her breath, Phoebe prayed Deena would enjoy the snack. Degrading the lodging was one thing, but insulting Mrs. Banfield’s cooking was another.

“This is delicious.” Deena grabbed another and ate it. “I never imagined my expectations could be exceeded.”

Relief showered over Phoebe, but it was short-lived. With each passing moment, it became clear this would be a long two months, and that was if filming stayed on schedule. “Thelma Banfield is an amazing cook. I’ll be happy to pass on the compliment to her.”

“Please do. And ask if she can have another dozen of these sent to me still warm within the hour.”

Phoebe coughed. “I’m not sure she can accomplish that on such short notice.”

“Call her and see.” Deena flipped her hair and let out an annoyed sigh. “I’ll pay her five-hundred dollars if she can.”

“Okay.”

Deena tapped her foot impatiently, and Phoebe realized she was expected to call this exact second. She excused herself and went outside where she could speak in privacy. While she waited for Thelma to answer, she prayed a quick prayer that she could comply with Deena’s request, absurd as it was. Of all the pretentious, high-handed— “Oh, hi, Thelma, how are you?”

“Just fine, dear. Has our guest of honor arrived?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She paused to regroup and clear her voice of sarcasm. “Your mushrooms are a hit. In fact, Deena has requested a dozen of these sent to her within an hour. Oh, and she’d like them warm.”

Thelma gasped. “That’s a tall order.”

“I know, and she’ll have to understand you can’t drop everything immediately to cater to her whims just because she throws five hundred dollars your way.”

“What did you say?” Thelma squeaked.

“She offered five hundred dollars.”

“You know what, I set some aside for Mac to take to the singles’ dinner tonight, but he can take a different side.” Thelma clucked her tongue. “Tamera’s here now with Mercy. She can keep an eye on her dad while I run the mushrooms up to the cabin. Give me ten minutes to warm them and fifteen minutes to get there.”

“You’re amazing.” Phoebe ended the call, relieved she wouldn’t have to face telling Deena no.

She returned inside to an empty cabin, then spotted the small group on the rear deck. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to deal with whatever Deena threw her way. Ted appeared to have a handle on sharing the welcoming information, so Phoebe lingered inside. She spotted several crumbs on the floor and bent to sweep them with her hand.

The slide-out cabinet containing the trashcan jammed when she pulled the handle. She groaned and gave it a firm tug. Now wasn’t the time for anything in the luxury cabin to break. After another pull, the slides cleared, and Phoebe dropped the crumbs in the trash. Peeking into the garbage, she spied the offending object—a bent paper towel roll. The cleaning crew broke protocol by leaving trash in the cabin, which normally wouldn’t be a huge deal, but great pains had been taken to make this stay perfect for Deena.

Now that the jam was cleared, the cabinet slid back in place without a sound. Phoebe turned around as Ted opened the French doors and led Deena and her entourage back inside.

“All the lights are voice-activated.” Ted moved his arm in a sweeping gesture. “All you have to do is tell Kiri what you want. Kiri, turn on the chandelier. Kiri, dim the kitchen lights.”

Lynz, the assistant, clung to her tablet. “And if that doesn’t work?”

“The system has been well tested, but all lights can be controlled manually and also by remote.” Ted’s self-assurance never faltered under the scrutiny of his beloved cabin, his favorite rental.

Ted continued showing them around the cabin, and when the doorbell rang. Phoebe quietly moved to answer it, surprised to see Mac at the door. “Hey, I expected your mom.”

“Tamera couldn’t stay, and I happened to walk through the door at the right time, so ta-da.” He grinned and waved the silver-domed platter of mushrooms in front of her. “Your order, as requested.”

She scrunched her nose and lowered her voice. “Not my order.”

“That great, huh?” His eyes offered sympathy.

“Maybe I’m not being fair.” She appreciated Mac made eye contact with her instead of glancing over her shoulder for a peek at the movie star. Not many people she knew could have held their curiosity at bay. “Do you want to meet her?”

“I’m good.” He gave the mushrooms a pointed look. “I need to get home and figure out another side to bring tonight. Are you coming?”

“I hadn’t planned on it.” She wouldn’t admit it, but she found the singles’ events to be less enticing with each passing month. Before Jessa got married, they’d go together and make a day out of it, but now Jessa and Trixie were both married, and she remained the only Graff daughter with single status.

“You should come.” His eyes sparkled. “I know they’re lame sometimes, but tonight’s is nothing fancy, just a gathering of friends.”

“Maybe.”

He tilted his head to the side and gave her his infamous stare with raised brows. “Coming from you, that’s always meant no.”

He knew her so well. “Can’t a girl spend a Friday night alone? Is there a law that says I have to go out if I’m single?”

“No, but you can’t be a hermit either.”

“I’m not.”

Another eye-piercing stare. “When’s the last time you did anything social that didn’t include your family?”

She hunched her shoulders. “Umm….”

“Exactly my point.” His grin exuded blatant satisfaction. “Come tonight. I’ll offer you a money-back satisfaction guarantee.”

Bursting into laughter, she covered her mouth to silence it. “I thought it’s free?”

“Yeah, yeah.” His eyes twinkled. “Are you going to make me beg?”

“Fine, I’ll come.”

“I didn’t know we had a guest.” A sultry voice interrupted their conversation. It came from Deena, but she’d changed from her condescending tone of earlier.

Phoebe handed her the covered platter. “The stuffed mushrooms you ordered.”

“Wonderful. Take them, Lynz.” Deena’s eyes never left Mac despite the instructions directed toward her assistant. She extended a hand to Mac, initiating an introduction. “Deena Frasier, and you are?”

“Mac Banfield. My mother catered the food.” He shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Seems food isn’t all your mother excels at making,” Deena purred.

Phoebe coughed, shocked by Deena’s brazen statement. Worse yet, Mac apparently fell for her fake charm. He winked. Winked! Jealousy she’d never known turned her entire insides green. Was he blinded by Deena’s beauty? She could only hope it was temporary.

“My mom’s an amazing woman, great at many things.” Mac flashed a grin, full of perfectly aligned, pearly white teeth.

He’s always had a great smile, even before braces. Would Deena still be flirting with him if she’d seen his pre-teen smile? She had to get out of her own head. It wasn’t healthy to be jealous, especially instantly so. It was even worse because she held no claim on Mac.

It took her by surprise, that’s all. She’d never taken Mac for the type to lose his cool over a celebrity, no matter how beautiful the actress was. Tuning back in, she realized she missed several lines of conversation when she realized Mac was leaving.

He waved bye to everyone then looked at her. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Drive safe.” How dumb could she sound? She wasn’t his mom for goodness’ sake.

After he left, Phoebe took a deep breath and collected herself before facing Deena. A few more minutes, and then she could also make her escape.

Deena eyed her with keen interest. “Hot date tonight?”

“Huh?” Caught off guard, her professionalism slid.

“MacHottie said he’d see you tonight.”

She cringed at MacHottie. “It’s a church singles’ event.”

A slow smile stretched Deena’s mouth wide. “Does that mean Mac is available?”

Phoebe gave a disinterested shrug, hoping to appear impartial. “As far as I know, but he teaches and helps care for his father, so he doesn’t have much free time.”

“Sounds like a saint.” Deena cast Lynz a look that Phoebe couldn’t decipher. A secret message seemed to transpire between actress and assistant, leaving the others in the dark.

Did Deena mean saint in a derogatory way? It was hard to tell.

All she knew for sure was that her first impression of Deena Frasier instigated many thoughts which prompted her to pray for forgiveness for later.