Mary, Beth and Lindsey watched as they left and then emitted a collective sigh of appreciation for the handsome and debonair Robbie Vine.

“I am so helping on that play,” Mary said.

“I’m auditioning,” Beth said.

“Count me in,” Lindsey said. “Not for auditioning but anything else. If this Wargus fellow is as nasty as he seems, I have a feeling Violet is going to need all of us.”

3

“Read it again, hon,” Violet directed from in front of the stage. “And this time try it with a little less emotion.”

Lindsey glanced up from where she and Nancy were meeting with the other people who had agreed to work backstage for the Briar Creek Community Theater’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Nancy was in charge, mostly because she could bribe people as needed with cookies.

Beth was on stage with Robbie Vine, and she was reading for the part of one of the faeries. She had really sunk her teeth into the part, and Robbie had his lips pressed together as if trying not to show his amusement.

“I think Beth might be better suited to finger plays,” Nancy said fretfully.

“I think she’s nervous because she is on stage with Robbie Vine,” Lindsey said.

“Hmm,” Nancy said. “Maybe you should go where she can see you and it will calm her down.”

“On it,” Lindsey said.

She went down the narrow aisle toward the stage. The seats up front were empty, so she moved into one where she knew Beth could see her.

“From the top,” Violet instructed.

Lindsey watched as Beth clutched the pages in her hand and nodded at Violet. Beth then glanced out at the audience and saw Lindsey, who gave her a thumbs-up signal. Beth gave her a small smile and then stiffened her spine. When Lindsey glanced back at the stage, she saw that Robbie was watching her.

She met his green gaze and then he gave her a slow wink that she had no doubt was meant to charm her. It probably would have worked if her heart wasn’t completely out at sea with a handsome boat captain.

She didn’t want to encourage Robbie so she gave him her best aloof look and turned her attention back to Beth. She heard Robbie chuckle in response but she didn’t look at him to see if he was laughing at her or not.

Beth and Robbie read their scene; this time Beth reined in her overacting and nailed the part. Lindsey clapped when they were finished, and Beth flushed with pleasure.

As Lindsey walked up the aisle to return to the back of the theater, where the different crews were meeting, she was stopped by a diminutive woman with a curvy figure, which was accentuated by tight, low-cut clothes. She had a head of fiery red hair, a heavy hand with the eyeliner, and a very mean look on her face.