Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee (25 page)

“Maybe this isn’t health-related,” Amy said. “Maybe…” She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe she’s not adjusting well to the changes our little town is going through. She’s lived here all her life. Could be she’s not happy with the direction things are going.”

“Hmm.” He paused to think about that. “I’m not sure. But I’ll ask her tonight before the meeting. Hopefully she’ll tell me.” A shrug followed. “That’s the weird thing. She used to tell me everything. Lately, she’s just been…what’s the word?”

“Aloof?”

He chuckled. “Okay, aloof. Not exactly a word I use every day, but it’s fitting. I don’t know what to do when the women in my life are…aloof.”

“Don’t worry, sweetie pie!” Eula Mae’s voice rang out as she entered the room once more. “I’ll never be aloof. You know me. I’ll always speak my mind. Won’t leave anything to the imagination.” Her gaze narrowed. “Which reminds me…you never did get a haircut. Do you need to borrow a few bucks to go to the barber’s office? ’Course, I don’t earn as much as you do. You know how those government people are. They never pay very much, and they keep most of it for taxes anyhow. But I’ll be happy to contribute to the cause if it will get that hair trimmed to a reasonable length before those government officials sneak in here and write you up for giving a poor first impression.”

Steve groaned. “Eula Mae, sometimes I wonder why I put up with you.”

“Funny.” She chuckled. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.” She headed back to her desk and plopped down in her seat, muttering something about how scruffy he looked.

Steve looked at Amy and rolled his eyes. “I can never catch a break, can I?”

“This isn’t about catching a break, young man,” Eula Mae interjected. “It’s about becoming the best man you can be.”

Turning his attention back to Amy, Steve realized he was staring at the only woman in the world who could possibly make him the best man he could be. And he would tell her that…just as soon as the time was right.

So I was determined to use my last two years in college doing something I thought I would enjoy, which was acting. And it was probably because there was girls over in the drama school too, you know?

J
AMES
E
ARL
J
ONES

The following morning, Steve awoke with a thousand thoughts rolling through his mind. All night long he’d tossed and turned, trying to work through the three hours of conversation that had taken place at last night’s city council meeting. It turned out the fine folks of Camelot had a lot to say about the would-be entrepreneurs and their plans. Some—like Sarge—were for it. Others, like Gwen, were dead-set against it, for fear the strangers’ influence would destroy the homey feel of the town.

And some—like Steve himself—still didn’t know what to make of it all. Sure, the building process would interrupt the town’s easygoing flow. But, really, what else could they do? If hundreds, possibly even thousands, of tourists showed up for this play, they would need accommodations, food, entertainment…the works. Right? And wasn’t the whole idea to save the city from financial downfall? Perhaps the Lord had arranged all of this to bring in revenue. He could only hope.

A hot shower didn’t do much to calm Steve’s nerves. Neither did a bowl of cereal and a banana, his usual breakfast. And the fact that Caroline wouldn’t answer her cell phone didn’t make him feel much better about things, either. He decided to stop by her place on his way into town. As he drove, he made a couple of calls, including one to Amy to see if she had ordered Woody’s hearing aid. He couldn’t help but smile as he reflected on the response he’d gotten from city council members when he’d suggested the town cover the cost as a gift to Woody for his help with the play. Their resounding “Yes!” had brought joy to his heart. At least one thing had gone well at the meeting.

As Steve pulled up in Caroline’s driveway, his cell phone rang. He glanced at it, knowing before he even saw the number who it would be. Darrell. Again. A lengthy conversation followed, not unlike the ten or twelve before it. Things at the theater build-out site were moving right along, but not without some degree of frustration on Darrell’s end. Nothing much Steve could do about that. The construction stuff was a little out of his league.

About five minutes into the conversation, someone beeped in. Steve sighed as he glanced at the number. “Darrell, I’ve gotta go. It’s the county commissioner.”

He quickly switched gears, trying to sound as businesslike as possible. Eula Mae would have been proud of his attempt, anyway. Not that he could really squeeze a word in edgewise. On and on Mr. Platt went, listing the issues he’d found on the recent inspection.

“Well, yes, that’s right,” Steve said when the fellow paused for a breath. “I saw the form. And I just heard from my brother, so I’m aware…”

The commissioner cut him off, sounding terse. So much for winning him over with the friendship approach. Maybe God had something different in mind for this fellow.

“Yes, we do have a couple of electrical problems. And we’ve got someone working on that today. We’ve also got someone on the plumbing problem. But—” Steve never had a chance to finish. Instead Mr. Platt went on and on, talking about forms. Paperwork. Holdups.

When the conversation ended, Steve found himself battling a headache.

He looked up to see Caroline standing beside the car, still wearing her housecoat and holding the morning paper in her hand. She mouthed the words, “What’s going on?”

Steve got out of the car and gave her a hug, determined to put the conversation—and the town’s woes—behind him. “G’morning.”

“Good morning to you too,” she said. “I was starting to wonder if you were coming in. You’ve been out here twenty minutes.”

“No way.” He released his hold on her and glanced at his watch. “I guess you’re right.”

“Everything okay?” She gave him a motherly look.

“There’s just so much going on.” He’d leave it at that.

“The theater?”

He sighed, trying to decide how much to share. If something really was going on with her, she didn’t need to be fretting about the construction issues. What could she do, anyway?
She could pray.
The words flitted through his mind. Yes, she could pray. Hadn’t Caroline’s prayers gotten him through most of the other hurdles he’d faced in his life?

Before he could say anything, she patted him on the arm and began to share. “I know a little,” she said. “Darrell called this morning, wondering if I’d seen you. He’s plenty worked up. Sounds like he’s run into all sorts of complications. And did he tell you about that guy from the county?”

“Yes. Fred Platt. That’s who called just now.” Steve began to walk alongside her up the driveway toward the house. “But I really don’t want you worked up over this. Not right now.”

“Why not now?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

“Well…” Did he dare broach the subject? “You’ve just seemed a little out of sorts lately. I’ve been concerned.”

“Ah.” Her gaze shifted to the ground. “Well, don’t worry about me, honey. I’m fine.” She glanced up with the hint of a shrug. “I’ll let you know if I’m in trouble. I promise.”

“Okay.”

“You’ve got bigger fish to fry right now, anyway,” she said. “Tell me what’s going on with this guy from the county. How can I pray?”

“How much time do you have?” He released a sigh, feeling the tension in his shoulders. “Might take awhile.”

“I have a couple of hours till I have to meet up with Natalie at the church. We’re still working on costumes.” She grinned. “You coming early to rehearsal today to try on yours?”

“I’ll try. I’m going to get Woody’s car worked on while he’s not looking.”

“You’re a good boy.” A contented smile followed. “Your mama raised you right.”

“Yes, she did. But she had a little help from a good friend.”

Caroline beamed.

They entered the house together and she led the way into the living room. She settled into her recliner then looked his way. “Okay, out with it. Spill the beans about the guy from the county.”

Steve took the spot on the sofa across from her. “It’s just red tape on top of red tape. That’s all. Nothing God can’t handle.”

“He’s pretty good with ripping up red tape,” she said. “But be specific. If I’m going to pray, I want to get it right.”

He told her every detail, right down to the parts he felt sure would trouble her most.

“So he’s saying we might not be up to code in time for the performance?”

“Yeah.” Steve felt the wind go out of his sails. “But don’t tell anyone, okay? I don’t want to have to push the date back. Not yet. Not till we know for sure.”

“The Bible says that our prayers are powerful,” she said. “But they’re even more powerful when we’re in agreement. Want to pray now?”

He nodded then listened in as she began a heartfelt conversation with the Almighty, pleading for His mercy and intervention. For as long as Steve could remember, Caroline had been intimate with God. Her prayers sounded very much like ordinary conversation. Regular, everyday chatter. In fact, about halfway into her prayer time, he wondered if she’d switched gears and was talking to him. No, she was still praying. A sense of stillness came over him as she continued. Truly she had the right idea. God was big enough to handle all of this.

When she finished, she folded her hands in her lap and a look of happiness settled on her face. “Well, that’s done. Tell me what else is on your mind.”

“What else?”

Her gaze narrowed. “You can’t hide anything from me. That construction business isn’t the only thing you’re struggling with.”

“O–oh?”

“Yes. I’ve been concerned about you. This is a lot for one person to handle. But I’m referring to something else a little more personal.”

“Ah.” He’d anticipated this conversation for a while now.

“I know when you’re bothered by something. There’s something happening between you and Amy.”

“Not really something bad, if that’s what you mean.” He sighed. “Honestly, I think the problem is on my end. I’m insecure, maybe? I don’t know. Does that make me sound like a wimp?” He squared his shoulders and sat up a little straighter.

“You’re the farthest thing from a wimp,” she said. “You’ve more than proven that you’re made of tough stuff. And your tenacity made your mom tough too. I honestly think she would have given up, if not for you and your brother.” She paused, her gaze unsettling him. “So tell me what’s going on with Amy.”

“I love her.”

A smile lit Caroline’s face. “Well, I’ve known that much for years. Congratulations for catching up.”

He smiled. “I mean, I love her, but I’m trying to figure out how to tell her that.”

“Have the words ‘I love you’ crossed your mind?”

“Very funny.” He paused. “I’m just in unfamiliar territory.”

“Well, maybe ‘I love you’ isn’t the best jumping-off point, then. Tell me how she makes you feel.”

“You sound like Eula Mae. She told me I should write Amy a song.”

“Maybe.” Caroline grinned. “But it helps to voice what you’re thinking and feeling before coming up with a melody line. So, spill it. If you’re comfortable with that, I mean.”

“Hmm.” He paused, his thoughts coming alive as the memory of his last kiss with Amy surfaced. “Well, you know how sometimes you’re driving along and come to the crest of a hill? You go sailing over, picking up speed as you come down the other side.”

“Sounds like Woody.” Caroline chuckled. “I’ve seen him do that a hundred times on the hill leading into town.”

“Exactly.” Steve forged ahead. “Perfect analogy. I’ve been over that hill going too fast myself. I remember exactly what it feels like. Even if you brake, you don’t always slow down enough to stop the adrenaline from kicking in. For a few crazy seconds you feel like you’ve lost control, like you’re going too fast. Like you’re flying, even. Your heart jumps into your throat. But it’s an undeniably exciting feeling.
That’s
what I feel like whenever Amy walks into the room.”

Caroline smiled. “I know that feeling well. Falling in love is amazing. If you don’t believe me, just ask your mom.”

Steve paused, realizing she must be talking about his stepfather. Definitely not his real father…not that he wanted to broach that subject. Not today.

Or maybe he did. His insecurities really went back to his dad, anyway. Didn’t they?

“What’s really bothering you, Steve?” Caroline’s words interrupted his thoughts. “It’s written all over your face. You’re troubled by something. There’s more to this than what you’re saying. I’m trying to read between the lines.”

“How do you learn to trust again? I think I still have some issues related to my dad. In some strange way, I think his actions have had me a little stuck. Maybe I’m afraid of telling Amy that I love her because I’m afraid that one of us is going to end up hurting the other.”

“You’re making assumptions,” Caroline said. “And none of it is based on fact, just on fear.”

He sighed.

“Steve, what happened with your dad stinks—for your mom, for you boys, and now for Amy. It was hard walking your mom through that. And sometimes I think you boys had to grow up so fast that you never got to relax. That’s what you need to do now. Relax. Be yourself. Let go of whatever is holding you back and jump in headfirst. Amy’s worth it. You’re worth it.”