“I suppose it couldn’t hurt, but I think they’re more interested in my skills than my name.” A bit of a stretch, in light of the comments at church this morning, but in truth, the actress’s fame would be a bigger draw than hers in the general population.
Lauren looked back out the window, where a few white clouds had drifted into view. “I never thought I’d be in a position where I had to rely onyoufor help.” She swallowed. Dropped her voice. “I always assumed Dennis would be there for me in an emergency.”
Devyn studied her.
Up to this point, she’d shut down every conversation that drifted toward the subject of her marriage.
Was this an opening to ask a few questions?
Devyn smoothed out a wrinkle in her slacks and proceeded with caution. “Are you certain you don’t want me to contact him? I know you’re separated, but—”
“We’re not separated anymore. The divorce came through a few weeks ago. He moved to Seattle last fall with his ... with the other woman.”
Devyn’s stomach knotted. “He cheated on you?”
“Yes.” Bitterness scored her words. “And it wasn’t the first time, although I didn’t realize that until a year ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
Lauren’s chin quivered. “The truth? I didn’t want to admit I’d failed at marriage.” She played with the ties on her hospital gown. Gave a mirthless laugh. “You want to hear the ironic part? Dennis was super possessive. He didn’t like me talking to friends or going out with them, so I let them drop away one by one. Whenever I glanced at another man, he got mad. Yet he’s the one who cheated on me.”
What a loser. A world-class control freak—and maybe something worse?
It took all of her self-discipline to maintain a neutral expression. “Did he ever hurt you, Lauren?”
“Not physically, but he did a number on my self-esteem.” She shook her head. “Thank goodness Dad put the house in a trust and made me promise to always leave it there to prevent a future husband from claiming a share of it. Dennis would have done that in a heartbeat.”
Swallowing past the bad taste in her mouth, Devyn reached over and touched Lauren’s arm. “I’m glad you told me about this.”
Her sister’s shoulders sagged. “After all that’s happened over the past week, it seems stupid to keep it a secret. But please don’t share any of the details with Mom.”
“I won’t.” Not that she’d ask for them, anyway. Given how little contact she had with Lauren and how wrapped up she was in her own life, a simple “it didn’t work out” would satisfy her.
Lauren exhaled. “I guess you can stay. It seems both the show and I could use your help.” She positioned the walker in front of her. “I have to lie down.”
As she pushed herself up, Devyn stood too, grasping her sister’s arm to steady her when she tottered. And she stayed close while they walked back to the room.
Lauren made it on her own, but sixty seconds after climbing back into bed, she was sound asleep.
Amazing as her recovery had been, it would likely take weeks for her to regain her strength and stamina.
But at least she’d agreed to accept live-in help.
And once she woke up and confirmed that she’d meant what she said and hadn’t capitulated in a moment of weakness, a call to Reverend Baker would be in order.
It seemed Helping Hands now had a choreographer for its summer show.
9
“Woo-hoo.Oklahomais a go.”
As Gramp joined him in the kitchen, Aaron pulled their dinner plates out of the dishwasher and slid them into the cabinet. “How do you know?”
“I’m on the Helping Hands email list. I just got a note. And they’re not wasting any time. Auditions are Thursday night.”
“Thatisfast.” He plucked the water glasses from the rack, trying to shift mental gears. The town musical wasnotfront and center in his mind tonight.
“Don’t you want any details?”
