Zoe skipped having Luke pick her up at the airport. She needed a car on this trip, so renting one in Eugene and driving into River Bend was a much better option. She rented an SUV so she had room to pack it with whatever, whoever. The whoever started with Felix.
The man traveled like people had in the twenties. From the fedora that covered his bald spot to his loafers, the fancy, pinstriped slacks and button-up shirt, Felix was always ready to find the love of his life. Sorry to say he wasn’t going to find him in River Bend.
His suitcase matched the size of hers, and she was staying longer.
“I like this better already,” he said as he climbed into the passenger seat.
“This is Eugene.”
“The weather, darling. The weather.”
“Let’s hope this holds out. I’d hate for Mel’s wedding to get rained on.” Zoe slid behind the wheel and parted ways with the parking lot.
“Tell me again . . . how far is the lot for our crew from the bed-and-breakfast?”
Zoe had arranged space for the crew trailers on Grayson’s farm, which sat between town and Miss Gina’s. There weren’t enough rooms at the inn to house all of them, she told him, “. . . but there is room for the production trailer on-site.”
“You’re sure the city won’t have an issue with us being there?”
Zoe laughed. “You are greatly overestimating the concept of city. And no . . . Jo has already talked with the neighbors, and no one holds any issue with ‘movie making’ in River Bend.”
Felix set his head back and closed his eyes. “We don’t make movies.”
“That isn’t what they think.”
Zoe’s current producer agreed to a segment surrounding a wedding. With his approval came his money and the ability for Zoe to bring in a team of prep cooks and help for Mel and Wyatt’s reception.
The only cost to Mel and Wyatt was the actual food. Even then Zoe pulled a few favors and had much of it sent in at a huge discount.
Her thoughts had been on the wedding, the prep for the reception, but her family drama sat on the sideline, waiting for an audience. “I’m going to apologize now for any drama my family causes while we’re here.”
Felix rolled his head to the side and looked her way. “You don’t need to do that.”
“I do. From lifestyle choices to looks . . . there is bound to be someone talkin’ smack. I’m hoping to avoid the lot of them, but I doubt that will happen.”
Felix reached over and touched her hand. “Zoe, m’dear. I’ve been gay my whole life. I’ve lived with comments, laughter, and flat-out nastiness from my family. I expect nothing less from yours.”
She patted his hand. “Thanks.”
He turned back around and leaned back. “So how long of a drive do we have?”
“Two hours.”
“Wake me before we drive in . . . I want to experience River Bend at the city limits.”
Zoe turned onto the highway and increased the volume of the radio once Felix started to snore.
Maybe this wouldn’t turn out ugly after all.
“Now this! This is a kitchen! Zoe, why didn’t you tell me how charming this was?” Felix gushed over Miss Gina and the outside of the inn before walking in like he owned the place. “I see great things.”
Miss Gina grinned ear to ear. “I like this one, Zoe.”
“Oh, has she been bringing other directors around I should know about?”
“Of course,” Miss Gina lied. “You don’t think you’re the only man in her life, do you?”
Miss Gina and Felix were from the same generation . . . or close to it. “I can tell this is going to be very entertaining,” Zoe said.
“I think two cameras and one stationary from the pot rack.” Felix did what Felix did . . . he muttered instructions, only there wasn’t anyone there to make notes. “When is September arriving?”
“In the morning, along with Rupert and the rest of the crew.”
They were driving from Dallas and had headed out two days before.
“We might need a wide angle to capture the whole space.”
Miss Gina leaned on Zoe’s arm. “Is he saying my kitchen is fat?”
Zoe laughed and turned when she heard Hope running in from the backyard, Sir Knight at her heels.
“Auntie Zoe!”
She knelt down and picked up Hope in a hug. “You’re getting too big for this.”
“That’s what Daddy said.”
Hearing Hope refer to Wyatt as her daddy warmed her soul. The girl deserved the best daddy ever, and Wyatt fit the bill.
The back screen door slammed against the frame, announcing the arrival of Mel and Wyatt. “Look what the wind blew in.” Mel moved in for a hug.
Zoe pulled back. “You look so damn happy.”
“Swear jar!” Hope ran out of the room to retrieve the silly thing.
The adults laughed and Zoe made the introductions.
Felix embraced them both as if he knew them and talked about how he planned to make Miss Gina’s Bed-and-Breakfast a hit, starting with their wedding.
By the time they moved from the kitchen to the living room, the front door framed Luke.
He stood there watching her; only her.
Zoe sucked in an unexpected breath and held it until she reached him. His arms slid around her back, his lips found hers for a proper hello.
They broke apart when Hope walked down the stairs, saying, “Eww . . . why is everyone kissing all the time?”
“It’s in the air,” Luke explained, his arm stayed snug on Zoe’s hip.
Hope shoved the swear jar in Zoe’s personal space. “A quarter for the D word.”
Zoe rolled her eyes and moved to where she’d left her purse.
“Now that is a very enterprising idea, young lady. Be sure and stick around when we’re filming, you’re bound to make a ton of money,” Felix told her.
“And come out cussing like a sailor,” Zoe added.
“I think maybe Hope should stay clear of that.” Mel encouraged Hope to sit close to her.
Hope tipped her jar and looked at the coins inside. “I make enough off Miss Gina. She cusses a lot.”
Miss Gina’s mouth dropped wide. “I do not!”
Everyone laughed except Felix.
While Felix set up production in Miss Gina’s kitchen, Zoe directed a team in Sam’s kitchen at the diner.
Ernie and Tiffany, her seconds on set, followed her into Sam’s diner after two o’clock the following day.
A sign on the door of the diner said they were closed the day of Mel and Wyatt’s wedding and for dinner the night before.
Sam met her at the door with a hug. His welcome made her feel at home. “My kitchen is yours.”
“You’re just saying that because you want a free meal.”
Sam patted his overextended belt line. “I can always use a good meal.”
Zoe laughed. “Tiffany and Ernie will be doing most of the cooking.”
“Any friends of yours are friends of mine.”
Zoe did a quick scan of the diner.
Sam lowered his voice. “She has the dinner shift.”
For some strange reason, tears filled her eyes. She didn’t want to see her mother, and it seemed most of the town knew that. “Thanks.”
She led Tiffany and Ernie into the first commercial kitchen she’d ever worked in. Sam had cleaned it. His effort lifted her heavy heart.