Chapter One
Excitement buzzing in the hallway distracted Phoebe from the file opened on her computer. She had three repair requests to send off before she could leave for the day, but the way things were going, she’d be getting out late this evening.
The office door swung open, and Darla Rochon burst into the room then closed the door behind her. “Did you hear the news?”
“What news?” She tried keeping a straight face, but a smile tugged at her lips.
“They’re shooting a movie in Jasper Lake. Rumor has it that Deena Frasier is the lead actress.” Darla’s hands moved in animated gestures. “Deena Frasier, America’s Sweetheart, is coming to our little town! Of all the towns in the Adirondacks, they chose us.”
“So, I’ve heard.” Her cheeks hurt from keeping her muscles from grinning.
Darla’s manicured brows shot upward into sharp peaks. She pulled a chair to the desk, sat down and leaned forward with anticipation in her eyes. “You know something. Spill the beans.”
“You can’t tell anyone, not yet.” Phoebe pressed her palms against the desk and leveled her gaze at Darla.
“Tell what?” Impatience poured out of Darla, who tapped her nails against the lamp base.
Phoebe adored Darla, her good friend and coworker, but the girl lived for celebrity news and gossip. She’d been shocked when Ted, her boss, offered her the Chatham Studios account when Darla had more experience, but now she understood the wisdom behind that decision. Darla, for all her wonderful qualities, never would have kept the secret this long.
She opened her mouth to answer but thought twice and reconsidered. Would Darla be upset with her? She had to tell her something. “I like Mac.”
“That’s old news. Everyone except Mac knows it, and you could have at least told me something related to Deena.” Darla leaned back and crossed her arms, pinned Phoebe with her stare. “Your weak attempt at a subject change further convinces me that you know something.”
“First, you have to promise not to get upset if I tell you.”
Suspicion mixed with curiosity in Darla’s eyes. “I promise?”
“Since the cat is unofficially out of the bag, yes, Deena Frasier is coming.”
Darla’s squeal pierced the room. “I can’t believe it. When?”
“The filming begins in two weeks, and she’ll be here a few days before that.” Phoebe’s gaze darted to the computer screen where she had a post-it with the date. Although she knew the exact day, she couldn’t give out that information. Even confirming the rumor pushed the boundaries of confidentiality.
“How do you know?”
“We’re handling all the accommodations.” She held her breath until she saw Darla’s response.
Confusion danced across Darla’s suddenly somber face. “We as in…”
Phoebe cringed. “Jasper Properties.”
“Oh.”
“Are you mad?”
Silence permeated the air.
Darla shrugged after twenty uncomfortable seconds. “No. Not really.” A humble smile flared into a chuckle. “If I’m honest, I would have made the same choice if I were Ted and not told me either. I doubt I could have contained my excitement enough to keep it a secret.”
“Only Ted and I know, no one else in the office. The studio has a strict non-disclosure agreement.”
“What else can you tell me?” Darla’s knees bounced until she jumped to her feet and blatantly stared at the papers on Phoebe’s desk.
“You won’t see anything there.” Phoebe smirked and stacked the papers. She knew Darla well enough to know she wasn’t really trying to read the papers. Darla might be nosy and curious, but she was a good friend and coworker who respected boundaries. Most of the time.
A dramatic sigh pushed through Darla’s lips. “My best friend knows how much I adore Deena Frasier, and she won’t even give me the scoop.”
“I promise you’ll be the first to know as soon as I get the clear to say more.” She wiggled her brows. “Plus, I’ll have a few special assignments for you.”
