Playing for Keeps Read online

  “I sure know the rush of playing before an excited crowd.”

  She nodded briskly. “You want them not to just sit there and watch but to have an emotional experience. Talk about it all the way home.” Her smile had him smiling, and the sparkle in her eyes made her pretty face glow. “Noah, Just One Thing is excellent work! We have to do it justice.”

  Feeling compelled to touch her, Noah reached over and put his big hand over her smaller one and left it there. Her eyes widened just slightly, and her quick intake of breath told him that Madison was right. There was chemistry between them that couldn’t be denied. But Noah knew he had to be careful. Olivia was a sweet, trusting soul and could easily be hurt. He needed to put his emotion into the play and try to keep his distance otherwise.

  Lofty plan … he just didn’t know if he could do it.

  8

  Rock Soup

  Olivia crumbled crackers into her bowl of vegetable soup and then dipped her spoon into the savory broth. Between school and rehearsals with Noah she hadn’t been to Myra’s Diner very often lately, and she had been missing her favorite country classics. After taking a generous bite, she looked up from her perch on a swivel stool at the front counter and motioned for Jessica Robinson to come over.

  “Something wrong, Olivia?” Jessica tucked a lock of dark gold hair behind her ear and leaned one hip against the counter.

  “On the contrary.” Olivia pointed her spoon at the steaming bowl. “This soup is divine.”

  “Why, thank you,” Jessica replied with a grin. “And by the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you that you look so cute without the bun. I never knew you had such a pretty natural wave.”

  “It was your daughter’s doing.” Olivia angled her head at Madison, who was sitting next to her.

  “Oh, if I had a dime for every time I’ve heard that particular phrase.” Jessica shook her head at Madison, who gave her mother a look. “She still manages to stir up trouble.”

  “I learned from the master,” Madison shot back. “‘Say what you mean and mean what you say,’” she mimicked, but then grinned at her mother. “You taught me to speak my mind and to stand up for myself. Gets me into hot water sometimes.”

  “It’s better than getting taken advantage of, and it seems to have served you well,” Jessica responded and blew her daughter a kiss. “Like mother, like daughter?”

  Madison nodded. “With a big dose of Aunt Myra tossed into the mix. Speaking my mind and a little bit wacky.” She put the heel of her hand to her forehead. “Heaven help me.”

  Olivia watched the exchange with envy. When Olivia was just a little girl, her own mother had gone off to study art in Savannah while her father supported her and funded her dream, only to learn that she was having an affair with a professor. She never returned to what she referred to as a stifling small-town existence. Although Olivia’s father didn’t know it, a few years ago her mother had tried to contact her, but Olivia couldn’t push past the pain and had refused her call. She wondered if her mother’s rejection of her life and home had made her, Olivia, even more protective of Cricket Creek, but she shook off the hurt like she always did and took another bite of her soup.

  “Hey, Mom. Olivia is right. The soup rocks. Did you do something different?”

  Jessica shrugged her slim shoulders. “Maybe. You know me—a little of this, a pinch of that, and then taste as I go. Sometimes I add leftover vegetables of the day so as not to waste them.”

  Olivia arched her eyebrows. “Instead of ‘the soup rocks’ … it’s really rock soup.”

  Madison nodded. “I get it. Like the fable?”

  After swallowing another bite, Olivia nodded in agreement. “Yes, it started with the fable about the soldier using a rock to get villagers to add ingredients to his rock soup, but it’s now used to describe soup made from anything you find in your pantry.”

  “You two are too much.” Jessica laughed, but then she said thoughtfully, “Y’know … I think I’m going to call the vegetable soup ‘Rock Soup’ on the new menu for Wine and Diner. I’ve been trying to come up with fun things to add and I like that! Maybe we can think of some other similar stories or fables. But to answer your question, daughter-who-thinks-microwaving-is-cooking, the basic ingredients are the same, but every batch has its own personality.”

  Madison raised her palms upward in question. “Why would I learn to cook when my mom and aunt own a diner?”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “Why indeed?”

  “Mom, you are the only one I know who gives human qualities to food.”

  “There’s a name for that.” Olivia tapped her spoon against her bowl and then brightened. “ ‘Anthropomorphism.’ ”

  “Not ‘personification’?” Madison asked.

  “I suppose one could argue either one,” Olivia replied. “But I think ‘anthropomorphism’ is more correct.”

  “And that’s why I went to culinary school instead of college,” Jessica said, pressing her fingertips to her temples. “English makes my head hurt.”

  “Oh, Mom, you’re so full of it,” Madison told her. “You’re as smart as they come and you know it. Head chef at a four-star restaurant? Um, you’re no slouch, Mother dear. I’m sure the Chicago Blue Bistro misses you.”

  Jessica patted her daughter’s hand. “Ah, but it’s much more fun making Rock Soup.”

  “And less stress, I imagine,” Olivia commented while she crunched more crackers into her bowl.

  “The remodeling hasn’t been without stress, but Jason and his crew are doing a bang-up job,” Jessica admitted. “The addition is going to be fabulous. Jason even came up with a see-through fireplace to connect the two rooms. I love it!”

  “That does sound fabulous.” Olivia slid a glance at Madison, who pretended to be concentrating on her soup, but the color in her cheeks told a different story. “Jason is a good guy and a hard worker.”

  “Not to mention easy on the eyes,” Myra added as she came out from the kitchen with a heavy tray of food hoisted on her shoulder. “Makes me want to add another room just to have him around in tight shirts and a tool belt.”

  “The scary part is that she’s serious.” Jessica rolled her eyes and then turned her attention to Olivia. “I hope that by expanding and having a bit of a coffee shop and bistro vibe but keeping the comfort food favorites we’ll bring in some folks from the burbs, along with more tourists. I’m even thinking of having music on Friday and Saturday nights, and if things go well we might extend the patio so patrons can dine alfresco. Jason said he can do brick pavers, and Aunt Myra said that your father can add some landscaping.”

  “Dad would love that,” Olivia said. “All we need is a reason for both locals and tourists to come back into town. Success will breed success. It will liven up the marina too. I sure miss seeing boats on the river.” Olivia folded her hands on the table. “I know I’ve said it before, but we are so lucky to have you and Madison back here.”

  “You got that right!” Myra Robinson announced as she pushed through the kitchen double doors again, this time with two fat slices of apple pie. “It’s good to have my girls back.” She set the plates down in front of Madison and Olivia. “Thought you two could use something sweet.”

  Olivia eyed the pie. “Mmmm, I shouldn’t.”

  “Oh, go for it,” Madison said. “That’s been my motto lately.” Olivia noticed that Madison’s comment drew a look of interest from Jessica.

  Olivia thought of her own “Just do it” motto and grinned. “Mottoes are fun. We should all have one.”

  “Wanna hear mine?” Myra asked.

  “No!” Jessica answered and then everybody laughed.

  “Do you want the pie?” Madison asked again. “Baked fresh this morning.”

  “Oh, stop tempting me. I really shouldn’t …”

  “Well, well.” Myra gave Olivia a wide, sassy grin and flipped her long braid over her shoulder. “Maybe you’re gettin’ some sugar someplace else? Like from a certain hunky baseball
player?” She wiggled her hips, making her big hoop earrings dance back and forth. Olivia had always admired Myra’s style, a funky mix of hippie with a Southern flair that only she could pull off.

  “Aunt Myra!” Jessica scolded and turned to Olivia. “Don’t mind her. She is such a busybody.”

  Myra slapped the thighs of her vintage Levi’s. “Oh, like Olivia isn’t? She’s always trying to hook people up.”

  “Tell me about it,” Madison chimed in.

  “I don’t know what y’all are talkin’ about.” Olivia tried to appear innocent, without much success.

  Myra rolled her eyes. “Your Southern drawl is getting heavy, which could mean only one thing.”

  “That she’s lying?” asked a deep voice that made Olivia feel warmer than the rock soup.

  “Well, now, speak of the devil,” Myra said and gave Noah Falcon a wink.

  “Me, the devil?” he asked with a dramatic sigh and then pointed at Olivia. “I think that putting up with Miss Lawson’s acting lessons makes me more of a saint. Do you know that I have homework?”

  “Something that was foreign to you in high school,” Olivia muttered. “Oh, right, unless someone else did it for you.”

  “Well, I’m making up for it now. By the time Miss Lawson is through with me I’ll be able to win an Oscar.”

  “A Tony is for theater,” Olivia corrected.

  Noah sighed again. “Are you going to make me write that two hundred times as punishment, Miss Lawson?”

  “Maybe I’ll just stand you in the corner,” she countered, amazed that he could still make her heart beat faster just by entering the room. After the past few weeks, though, her comfort level with him was becoming easier, and she looked forward to the evening acting lessons much more than she let on. And she had to admit that his progress had been nothing short of amazing.

  Myra raised an eyebrow. “How about a spanking?”

  “Aunt Myra!” Jessica scolded, but Madison laughed at her aunt.

  “Just a suggestion,” Myra answered without batting an eye and then turned her attention to Noah. “I bet your ears were surely burnin’,” Myra told him. “You’re still the talk of the town around here, sweet cheeks.”

  “Please, don’t mind her,” Jessica said and gave her aunt Myra a stern look. “I don’t think I’ve taken the opportunity to personally thank you for coming here to Cricket Creek to be in Madison’s play. We’re thrilled.”

  “It’s been my pleasure,” he said, and Olivia was sure that every female eye in the diner was on him, but she tried to act as if his presence was no big deal and slowly swiveled around in time to see him fold his long frame onto a stool next to hers. “How’s it goin’, Teach?”

  “Just fine, thank you, Pupil.” When his leg brushed hers she felt a tingle but lifted her chin and said, “Were you attempting to sneak up on me again?” She tried to remain calm, but with his leg pressed against hers it was difficult.

  “Not sneaking … stalking,” Noah corrected with a lazy grin that made her drop her spoon. She left it there, hoping he would think she’d tossed it down in exasperation. The weather had turned spring-fever warm, and he was wearing a short-sleeved midnight blue golf shirt that was the perfect accent for his jet-black hair and steel blue eyes. “What smells so good?” Dark stubble covered his jaw, making Olivia want to rub both hands over his cheeks to feel the soft abrasion. When he reached for the glass of water that Jessica placed in front of him, Olivia couldn’t help but notice his tanned, muscled forearms.

  “Rock soup,” Madison leaned over and answered with a chuckle. “My mother’s specialty.”

  “Rock soup, huh?” Noah angled his head. “Interesting. I’ll have a big bowl of rock soup and some sweet tea,” he said, as if rock soup was a normal menu item.

  “Coming right up,” Myra told him. Just minutes later she served him a tall glass of sweet tea and a steaming bowl of soup. “Here you go, hot stuff. And I’m not talkin’ about the soup.”

  “Oh, Myra, please don’t inflate his ego,” Olivia complained in her stern teacher voice. “It’s already bigger than a Macy’s parade balloon.”

  Myra, however, had a mind of her own and smiled at Noah. “Seriously, how’d you get so tan?”

  Noah swallowed a spoonful of soup and said, “I’ve been working out with the Cricket Creek baseball team in the afternoons.”

  Myra fisted her hands on her hips. “Wow, I bet they love that, Noah. It’s very cool of you to donate your time.”

  “I enjoy it,” he said, dismissing her compliment with a slight shrug. “We have some talent this year. I’m looking forward to the games.”

  “It’s still nice of you,” Olivia added firmly. She’d noticed that it was a habit of his to do good deeds and not want credit. “Don’t play it down.”

  “Do you have to argue with me about everything?” He frowned at her, but his eyes were dancing with amusement.

  “It was a compliment,” she insisted.

  “Oh, and that is coming from someone who can never accept a compliment.”

  “Yes, I can!”

  “Okay—you look really pretty today.”

  “You just said that to prove a point.”

  “Um, yeah, and I just did because I meant it!” Noah looked at Jessica and Myra and said, “See what I mean? I can’t win for losing.”

  “That doesn’t even make sense,” Olivia said.

  “Yes, it does.”

  Madison laughed with delight. “I swear, you two really are Amy and Ben. Mom, isn’t it just uncanny?”

  “Sure is,” Jessica agreed with a grin, but there was something wistful in her eyes that made Olivia wonder if she’d ever had a special man in her life. Olivia got the impression that Jessica had devoted her time to Madison and her career. But she was so pretty, smart, and talented that the matchmaker wheels in Olivia’s head started turning as she thought about who in Cricket Creek might be right for a savvy Chicago transplant. Jessica needed someone strong who’d be able to hold his own with her. Nobody readily came to mind, but Olivia filed the idea in the back of her mind for future consideration. “But I am sure that the baseball team soaks up every minute of your instruction,” Jessica continued.

  “Kinda like me with Livie,” he said before squeezing the lemon wedge into his tea.

  “Oh, would you stop callin’ me that?” Olivia pleaded and felt her face grow warm. “My name is O-liv-i-a.”

  “What would be the fun in that?” Noah asked and then looked at Jessica and Myra. “If O-liv-i-a hadn’t tutored me in English back in high school, I would have missed the regional play-offs where there were baseball scouts on hand. So I guess you could say that she was instrumental in getting me to the major leagues.”

  “Oh, come on,” Olivia said and felt another blush creep into her cheeks. “You’re giving me way too much credit.”

  Noah took a long pull of his tea but then tilted his head. “Not so far-fetched. You played a hand in my future back then, and you still are if you think about it.” He put his hand over hers and squeezed.

  “Nonsense.”

  “You mean ‘poppycock,’ right?”

  “You ruined that expression for me,” she answered glumly.

  Madison snorted. “Well, thank goodness for small favors. I actually said ‘fudge’ the other day and I thought Jason was going to die laughing.” She shook her head. “But if I said ‘poppycock’ I’d have to slap myself.”

  “Yep, Livie, you’re rubbing off on me,” Noah said.

  “Lucky you,” she responded as a joke, but he didn’t laugh.

  “Yeah, lucky me,” he answered thoughtfully and then added, “Hey, it’s a nice night out. When we’re finished eating will you walk over to the Dairy Hut for an ice cream?”

  “I have apple pie,” she answered, but Myra reached over and snatched it away. “I’m going to wrap this up for your breakfast. Go have an ice cream with the man, Olivia. Day-um, are you plumb crazy, girl?” She flipped her braid over her shoulder and
shooed her with her hands.

  “It is a lovely evening,” Olivia answered slowly, but she hesitated. The more time she spent with Noah, the more she was starting to like him. But not wanting to interfere with the play, she had been careful to keep her emotional distance. It was darned difficult, since when she wasn’t with him he was constantly on her mind. She even found herself daydreaming at school. And she had relived the kiss a million times. Walking to the Dairy Hut with him was something she had fantasized about as a teenager. And lately she had fantasized about something way better than ice cream. Oh, boy … nice night or not, she should refuse.

  “Don’t get too excited,” Noah complained after polishing off his soup.

  Therein lies the rub, she thought with wry humor. His tone was teasing, but she sensed just enough disappointment to be tempted.

  Madison gave her a hard nudge and a bug-eyed you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me stare.

  Olivia swallowed hard. Being attracted to him was a given. The man was drop-dead gorgeous and a natural-born charmer. But really liking him was traveling into dangerous territory. Add it all together and she could very easily fall for Noah Falcon yet again. And if she’d thought he was out of her league in high school—well, now Noah Falcon wasn’t just big man on campus. He was a celebrity. He could very easily sweep her off her feet and then be gone in an instant.

  “It’s just ice cream.” Noah leaned in and said close to her ear, “But I’ll even spring for a sundae if you say yes.”

  “Do you ever take no for an answer, Noah?” Olivia had to ask. She wondered if eyes were on them and tried to act casual.

  “I never go down without a fight when it’s something I want,” he answered without the teasing tone she was expecting.

  “I believe it.” Olivia had to admit that he had been working hard to improve his acting skills, and although he was rough around the edges he had the talent and the drive to do an excellent job. She had been involved in live theater long enough to know that his stage presence was going to be compelling. And he had joked about homework, but the character biographies they had just worked on during the past week had helped both of them connect with Ben and Amy. Noah Falcon was nothing if not determined, and she liked that about him. But when he reached for her check, she pushed his hand away. “No, you don’t.”