A Winter Wedding

Kyle paced back and forth while he spoke to Ed. As he’d thought when he first saw Ed’s number, Noelle had struck again. She’d alerted the editor, who also served as the paper’s only staff reporter, to the fact that they had a celebrity in town. She’d even told him about the furnace in the farmhouse not working and that Lourdes was currently staying with him. Now Ed was following up to see if he could get an interview.

The privacy that Lourdes needed would be much harder to get after this...

“It’s not every day we have a country music star in our midst,” Ed said. “Especially one who’s hit the top of the charts, like Lourdes Bennett.”

Kyle pivoted at the fireplace. “But we do have a famous movie star who stays in Whiskey Creek from time to time, and Simon has given you plenty of interviews.”

“That may be true, but he’s not coming back for Christmas this year,” Ed argued. “At least not that I’ve heard.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Kyle asked.

“I’m looking for good content. A paper needs new content in every issue. What was published three or four months ago isn’t relevant anymore. So what Simon’s done in the past is great, but I need to find more things like that. Folks here are familiar with him. It’s time they learned more about Lourdes.”

“Why? She’s not interested in doing media interviews. She’s looking for some quiet during the holidays. You can understand that, can’t you?”

“What I don’t understand is why you’re so hot under the collar,” he said. “I won’t bother her. I just want to talk to her for a few minutes.”

He didn’t seem to understand that talking to her was bothering her. But Kyle had to continue to live here after she left, and he liked Ed. Lowering his voice, he said, “That may be true. One interview wouldn’t be a big deal. But after you print that she’s in town, everyone else will want to talk to her, too. So I’m sorry, she’s not willing to do an interview.”

“Wait! You haven’t even asked her.”

Kyle stabbed a hand through his hair. Damn Noelle. He’d wanted to throttle her for a long time, but never more than now. She didn’t give a shit about Ed or the paper. He doubted she’d ever read more than a handful of issues. She’d done this simply because she knew he wouldn’t want her to—that it would cause problems.

She was probably hoping he’d lose his tenant...

“I’ll tell Lourdes you called, and she can contact you if she’s interested,” he said. “How’s that?”

“It’s not what I’d hoped for,” he admitted. “If she’s staying with you, why can’t I just stop over? I won’t be there long...”

“Have you been listening to me, Ed? Do not come over.”

“Jeez, calm down, Kyle. I’m only doing my job.”

“And I’m only protecting my friend!”

“From what? I’m not going to hurt her! Oh, forget it. I’ll wait until the heat’s back on at the farmhouse and swing by when she’s moved in and I can catch her alone. You won’t be able to run interference then,” he said and hung up.

Incensed that Ed wasn’t willing to drop the matter, Kyle called him right back. But Ed wouldn’t answer. “Don’t. Bother. Her,” he said when Ed’s voice mail came on.

Lourdes looked a little pale as she sat on the couch. He could tell she was as upset as he was, but his argument with Ed seemed to be affecting her differently. She sat frozen in one spot while he couldn’t stop moving.

“See what I mean?” he said as he tossed his phone on the couch. “See what she’s like?”

Lourdes clasped her hands in her lap. “Maybe I should do the interview. Get it over with. It never works to make an enemy of the media.”

He shook his head. “You should have the choice of taking some time off. It’s Christmas, for God’s sake.”

“But I don’t have a choice! Not really. I can’t afford any negative press right now.”

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