Once a Thief

Nine

Blake smiled with satisfaction. It worked. The new parts actually made the play better, so Hannah and Rhonda had no suspicion he’d written them just so they’d have jobs. Bosley had convinced both actresses they’d be doing him a favor if they’d take the parts. They were both doing first-class jobs. Rhonda as the older sister and Hannah as Peg’s best friend. He watched them laughing together as they walked off stage and breathed a sigh of relief.

Bosley walked down the aisle and flopped into the chair beside Blake. “I sent out a call for auditions for Peg. Let’s just hope someone shows up who can actually pull it off.”

Blake cleared his throat. “Actually, I have someone in mind. She seems perfect for Peg. Of course, I realize she’ll have to audition and you have the final decision.”

“A friend of yours?” Bosley threw a suspicious look in his direction. “Hey, you weren’t pulling a fast one on me, were you? Just to get some girl into the show?”

“Of course not. Do you think I’d try to sabotage my own play? I don’t even know if Miss Gray will be interested.”

“How much acting experience does she have?”

“Er. . .I assure you she can act.” Okay, that was evasive, but he wanted to at least give Danielle a chance before Bosley found out she’d never been on a stage.

“Well, okay. Auditions are next Monday. Eight in the morning.” He clapped Blake on the shoulder and walked away.

Blake frowned. That gave him less than a week to talk to Danielle and coach her for the part. Maybe he was out of his mind, as Bosley suggested.

And how was he going to even broach the subject to her? She’d probably think he was crazy.

As he rode the elevated train home, he ran scenarios through his mind. Finally, he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. What had he been thinking? The girl probably couldn’t carry a tune. The few notes he’d heard her sing were probably an accident. And what if she couldn’t act at all? Except to get herself out of trouble.

He moped through dinner, avoiding the glances his parents and Pop threw his way, then slammed out of the house and headed for the Kramers’. He might as well get it over with.

Nell ushered him into the front parlor where he found the Kramers, Mrs. Parker, and Danielle having after-dinner coffee while the twins played on the floor in front of the fire.

Mr. Kramer rose. “Hello, Blake. Come in and join us for coffee.” They shook hands.

Blake sat in the only available seat, which happened to be on the sofa next to Danielle. He accepted a cup of coffee and made small talk while trying to decide how to speak to Danielle alone.

Finally, when there was a lull in the conversation, he turned to Danielle. “Actually, Miss Gray, I wonder if I could have a word with you in private.” He felt everyone’s eyes on him as Danielle stared at him in surprise.

Her face flamed. “Excuse me?”

“I. . .uh. . .I need to speak to you about a business matter.” He felt curious looks leveled his way.

“I. . .I suppose so.” She stood and gave a nervous glance toward Mrs. Kramer.

“Why don’t you two go into the library, Danielle?” The lady smiled at the girl and then at Blake.

He sensed their stares boring into his back as he followed Danielle down the hall and into the library.

As soon as she’d cleared the door, she spun around to face him. “Mr. Nelson, I don’t know what game you are playing, but I hardly think you and I have any sort of business to discuss.”

Why did she always have to be so cranky? Blake could feel anger rising. Swallowing hard, he pushed it down and smiled. “If you’ll sit down and give me a moment, I’ll explain.”

“Well, all right. For a moment, then.” She sat in a wingback chair beside the window and motioned to its twin on the other side. “Please have a seat, Mr. Nelson.”

He cleared his throat. “Miss Gray, have you ever done any acting?”

“What?” She jumped up, fury on her face. “If you’re going to start your accusations again, you can leave right now.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant.” He stood and raked his hands through his hair. “Please.”

She hesitated then took her seat again. “Will you please just say what you do mean?”

He took a deep breath and sat down. “Very well. But promise you’ll hear me out.”

She gave a slight nod.

“Miss Gray, this might sound forward, but ever since I met you, I’ve had you in mind when I think of my main character, Peg.”

Interest flickered in her eyes. “You have? Really?”

“Yes. None of the actresses we’ve tried in the role have worked out. Would you be at all interested in auditioning for the part?”

“Why, I. . .I don’t know.” Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

He let out a slow breath. At least she hadn’t told him to leave again. “I’m very serious.”

A dreamy look filled her eye. “But why me?”

Good. She was considering it. “Because you look like Peg. And you have most of her mannerisms.” Never mind that before he’d met Danielle, Peg had been blond and blue-eyed. And he had to admit, she might have been a little too sweet.

The corners of her mouth tilted and she pressed her lips together. “What do I need to do?”

“So you’ll do it?” He couldn’t keep the excitement from his voice.

“I’ll consider it. But what if I’m terrible?” The last word came out almost like a sigh.

He grinned. “You won’t be. But auditions will be held soon. If you’ll permit it, I’d like to coach you.”

“Of course. But are you sure about this?”

“Very sure. Could you be free to begin soon? Very soon?”

She nodded and grinned. “I’ll be ready.”

❧

Moonlight streamed in through Danielle’s window. The day that had begun so wild and stormy had ended as calm and beautiful. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes.

Was it really true? Was the dream she’d barely dared to think about actually happening? Or was she dreaming now? If she opened her eyes, would she see the morning sun streaming instead of moonlight? Would she realize it had simply been another beautiful dream?

She opened her eyes slowly and smiled at the moonlight. Silly girl.

Blake’s face appeared in her mind. Had she noticed before how handsome he was? Yes, but she’d hardly let herself think about it. After all, he was the only one who didn’t believe in her innocence.

Her heart leapt at a sudden thought. Had God, perhaps, been using Blake to convict her of her sin? If he had accepted her story right away, would she have gone on thinking she could get by with lying?

Suddenly Danielle didn’t feel quite so good. It was time to tell the Kramers the truth. And Blake had a right to know, too. Maybe he wouldn’t use her in the show after all. But worse, what if he looked at her with hatred in his eyes?

She groaned inwardly then took a deep breath. Whatever happened with the show, God would take care of her and Jimmy. For the first time in a long while, she truly believed that God loved her and she could trust Him.

❧

“You’re asking me to put a girl with no acting experience in the lead role?” Bosley’s eyes widened and he raked his fingers through his hair as he stared at Blake. “Are you out of your mind?”

After a restless night of being bombarded by his conscience, Blake had decided he needed to be honest with Bosley before going any further with his Danielle project. So after breakfast he’d come to Bosley’s downtown office. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to sell the idea, but he was so convinced that Danielle Gray was right for the part he had no intention of giving up.

“Now hear me out, Bos. Think about Peg. She’s young and innocent. And the girl I have in mind can look so innocent she’d convince the angels.”

“There’s more to the part than looking innocent,” the stage manager snapped. “Can she sing? Can she show a change of emotion? Can she follow instructions? Would she even be able to memorize her lines?”

“Yes to everything.” He hoped. “Sings like an oriole. And remember, I’ll be there to coach her.”

Bosley leaned back in his chair and sighed, tapping his fingers against the wooden desktop.

Blake held his breath and waited.

“All right. Bring her to the audition, as planned. But I’m not promising you anything. After all the trouble we’ve had with the wrong actresses and the new backer, I can’t believe you’re doing this.”

Neither could Blake. What was he doing? He needed to have a serious talk with Miss Gray that very day.

He whistled as he stepped onto the train and headed home. Should he stop at the Kramers’ house before he went home? It was still rather early. Maybe he’d go have a talk with Pop, whom he’d been avoiding lately. Mostly because of his grandfather’s keen insight into Blake’s heart and mind. But Pop could help. Give him tips on coaching Miss Gray.

When he walked in the house, he tossed his hat on the hat rack, hung his coat on the coat tree and immediately went looking for Pop.

Not finding him anywhere in the house, he headed out to the tool shed. Shivering without his coat, Blake walked over to Pop who was leaning over an old, blackened table. “What are you doing out here? It’s too cold.”

Pop glanced up and grinned. “This old table was a prop in the last show we did before the fire. I found it in the rubble and kept it for sentimental reasons.”

“Hmm. Sentimental because your theater burned to the ground?”

“No, sentimental because it was the one show my Katie was in.”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Pop? Mother wasn’t in vaudeville.”

Pop groaned as he straightened his back. “Not vaudeville. That was New York City, before your grandmother died.”

“Oh.” Confused, Blake stared at his grandfather. “You mean you weren’t in vaudeville here in Chicago?”

“I’m sure I’ve told you before.”

“No, all you ever talked about was vaudeville.”

“Ah, I see I’ve neglected your education, lad. I was with an Irish troupe here in Chicago for years. Harrigan’s Music Hall and Theater was well known and well occupied day after day, night after night. We did musical comedy, mostly.”

“But, I don’t understand what you meant about Mother. She wasn’t on the stage, was she?”

“Hmm. You’d best be asking her about it. I’ll be in enough trouble for me slip of the tongue.” Blowing a gust of frosty air, he took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands. “Now what were you wanting with me, to come out to this dingy shed?”

Realizing he wouldn’t be getting anything more about the subject from Pop, he decided to bide his time. But the idea of Mother in a musical comedy both thrilled and disturbed him. “Could we go inside, Pop? I’d like to talk to you about something.” He nodded toward the table. “That is, if you’re finished out here.”

“I am and we can. To be sure, I’m getting a mite cold.” He grinned. “But what can one expect? It’s almost November.”

Blake grinned. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. That’s a week off.”

“Guess I’ve got turkey on my mind.” Pop laughed and slapped him on the shoulder.

They settled themselves into the wingback chairs on either side of the library fireplace and Blake rang for coffee.

“Make mine a wee bit Irish.” Pop grinned as June bit her lip and looked worried. “Just kidding, lass. Straight coffee for me, too.”

When June had brought their coffee and left, Pop leaned back and peered at Blake. “Now, what’s so important you’d pull me away from my memories?” He smiled to soften the words.

“I’ve decided to coach Miss Gray for the part of Peg. That is, she’s supposed to let me know today.”

“I see.” Pop stirred his coffee for the second time. “And is Bosley in agreement?”

“Well, not exactly, but he’s willing to let her audition.”

“Hmm. I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of the lass.”

“Yes, well, I think it’s possible I’ve misjudged her. And I can’t get the idea of her playing the part out of my head. So I have to try.” He blew on his coffee and took a sip. “I was wondering if you’d give me some advice.”

“I see. And what about the other girl? Hannah, I think her name is?”

“She and Rhonda Vale will be taking on a couple of new parts I wrote into the play.”

A look of pride crossed Pop’s face. “You wrote parts just for them?”

“Well, yes. You see, I found out that Rhonda. . .”

“Was supporting her mother and sister?”

“You knew?” Blake looked at his grandfather in surprise. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“Didn’t want to interfere. I prayed about it, though.”

“You did?”

“Well, yes. Don’t sound so surprised. What do you think I am, a heathen?”

“Of course not, Pop. I just didn’t realize you knew about it. God really does care about our daily lives, doesn’t He?” He took a long sip of coffee.

“I’m sure He does. Now, would you like some coaching tips for your young lady?”

Blake choked on the hot liquid. And felt flames just as hot wash over his face. He should have known Pop would see right through him. He laughed. “I would be very grateful, Pop. Thanks for offering.”

❧

“Will you stop overacting?”

“What? Overacting?” Danielle glared at her tormentor and flung the script on the sofa. “I’m not overacting. Why do you have to be so critical?”

“Oh, stop sulking.” He stepped closer and shook his finger practically in her face. “If you can’t take some simple criticism and follow suggestions, you’ll never make it in the theater.”

She gasped and knocked his hand away. “How dare you? And I didn’t ask to be in your play. If you’ll recall, you asked me. Maybe you should find someone else.” She swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat, wishing she could take back what she’d just said. What if he thought she was serious? Or what if he decided to get even?

She still hadn’t told Blake or the Kramers the truth. After all, she’d convinced herself, she had to find just the right moment and decide exactly how to bring it up. But in her heart, she knew she was simply making excuses. Having it constantly over her head was causing her to be short-tempered.

He backed up and threw a contrite look her way. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to shake my finger at you.”

Relief washed over her. “Well, all right. I may have spoken a little hastily. I’ll try not to ‘overact,’ as you call it.”

Danielle forced a tight smile as Blake breathed a sigh of relief. The practices had been going well, and she knew she’d been doing a good job until today. The audition was tomorrow and her nerves were on edge. Apparently his were, too.

“Shall I try again?”

“Yes, please.” He picked up the script and handed it to her.

“Thank you, Blake.” She wasn’t sure just when they’d switched to first names, but she was glad they had. She had discovered that once he stopped accusing her he wasn’t really so bad, after all. It would be nice if she could let her guard down so they could be friends. But of course, that wasn’t possible. Not until she found the courage to tell the truth. And after that, well. . .

This time, the read-through went off without a hitch. Blake’s smile, as he congratulated her, was radiant, and she basked in it just for a moment.

“Well, I guess I’m as ready as I can be. I’ll see you at the theater.”

“Nonsense. I’ll pick you up in the buggy. No reason for your getting tired out before you get to the theater.”

“Well then, thank you. I’ll see you in the morning.” She held her hand out to shake, but he smiled and bent over her hand. The slightest touch of his lips brushed across her fingers and a tingling sensation crept from her fingertips all the way up her arm.

With a sharp intake of breath, she watched him walk away.