The woman definitely had secrets, and he needed to find out what they were.
Amayah needed to be stopped before she hurt others.
Luke had to keep that as his focus.
For Hannah’s sake, he reminded himself again.
CHAPTER 6
The next afternoon,Amayah brought Luke across town to an older neighborhood near Linden Park. Here, the houses were worn in the way old sweaters were—comfortable, familiar—and Christmas felt more like tradition than display.
Every year, the community closed their streets to vehicular traffic and set up a Christmas bazaar featuring local vendors selling hot chocolate, kettle corn, and handmade gifts. Christmas carolers dressed in Victorian garb wandered the streets, the sweet sounds of Christmas songs filling the air.
Amayah had been asked to judge the neighborhood’s annualChristmas Door Showcase, a community tradition that gave residents an excuse to turn their front porches into miniature celebrations.
She’d almost declined. There was a lot of publicity around the event, and she wasn’t much for being in the spotlight. It was one thing to be in front of her camera, and it was another thing to have an audience watching her live in real life.
But Miranda had practically insisted.It’s perfect for your platform.
Amayah had met Miranda at just the right moment. Miranda happened to see one of her videos—not because she wasscouting, but because a friend sent it to her saying,“This woman is the real deal.”
Miranda reached out first not as an agent, but as someone who was moved by the message. They’d had coffee. Miranda gave advice. One conversation became three.
When Amayah’s videos began to blow up and opportunities started pouring in, Miranda stepped in to help her navigate contracts and protect her from predatory offers.
Eventually, becoming her agent was the most natural next step.
Now Amayah considered her one of her closest friends.
So here Amayah was—walking beside Luke, cocoa steaming between her palms and a paper bag of fresh kettle corn gripped in his hand—while a small camera crew trailed a respectful distance behind them, recording everything for the town’s website. Miranda was here and, in true Miranda fashion, she seemed to have taken charge.
Luke had met Amayah at her place and driven them here, since parking was nearly impossible on the narrow historic street. Normally, she didn’t ride with people she didn’t know well. But Luke didn’t feel like a stranger. Not today.
She hoped she didn’t regret that decision.
The first thing he’d asked her was about her broken window and having the door locks replaced. She’d assured him that she’d called about both.
It was kind of sweet that he’d expressed his concern.
Miranda strode up beside her and introduced herself to Luke before turning back to Amayah, her eyes dancing. “I got a phone call today that you’re going to want to hear about.”
“Oh, yeah?” Amayah kept walking as Miranda fell into step beside her. “What was it about?”
“Rumor has it that The Home Show station is eyeing you for a new show they’d like to launch about Curb Appeal.” Mirandasquealed. “Except it will be calledDoor Appeal, of course, to fit your brand. Wouldn’t that be fantastic?”
Amayah swallowed hard. “A show? That’s a big leap from the videos I make of myself to a TV show.”
“It would be such a great opportunity.”
She slowed her steps, uncomfortable with the idea. “I don’t know.”
“You’d be great.” Miranda turned to Luke. “Don’t you think?”
“It would be an amazing opportunity,” he said. “If that’s what she wants to do.”
“She’d be a fool to turn it down! Okay, Amayah, remember—natural light is your friend,” Miranda called from behind one of the cameras, snapping her fingers twice as she positioned a videographer. “We’ll keep wide shots while you’re judging, then I’ll cue the close-ups. Mayor Grayson is waiting at the end of the block.”
The mayor—an older man in a plaid scarf—stood by the lamppost with a thermos in hand, waving cheerfully as they approached. Beside him, the head of the community association, Trina Sutter, reviewed her own clipboard and mouthed something about battery-powered lights versus extension cords.
