He ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know. But the project is done, and Dad said it’s time to go. It’s a long drive.”He seemed to be picking up on her response as he kept his eyes on her. “Can you hang around after this thing is over? Or maybewe can sneak out early, after they show the clip. It’s pretty short, and then all the back patting will start and everyonewill praise my dad for the great job he’s done on these last few scenes.” He nodded toward the back of the room. “Those twoguys flew in last night. They’re the biggest investors in the movie.”
Evelyn nodded as she looked at two older men standing next to Jayce’s father. They were all dressed nicely, and as she glancedaround, she noticed everyone was wearing fancy clothes. Even Jayce had on crisp black slacks with a belt, a starched long-sleevebutton-down shirt, and shiny black shoes. It was a far cry from his usual jeans and T-shirt.
“You look nice,” she said barely above a whisper as she glanced down at her dark-blue dress covered by her black apron, thenat her black ankle socks and black loafers. She’d never felt so out of place in her life. Would spending more time with Jaycetonight and tomorrow just make things worse?
He smiled. “You always look nice.” His expression fell. “I take that back. You always look beautiful.”
Her heart began to sing again, but it felt temporary. Eventually she’d regret ever meeting him.
* * *
Esther couldn’t get over how handsome Gus looked, even with his enlarged middle. He’d disguised it well with clothes thatactually fit. He wore black pants with a black belt, a long-sleeve button-down shirt, a black-and-white tie, and black dressshoes, resembling half of the men in attendance. His gray hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he’d trimmed his beard.
She recalled the time she had helped Gus get cleaned up for his meeting with his daughter. He must have paid attention andtaken it upon himself to better his appearance for this event, although Esther was sure it was mostly because his daughterwould be coming. She hadn’t seen the woman yet and wasn’t sure what to hope for—that she showed up or that she didn’t. Therewas a strong possibility Gus wouldn’t be in the film, and he would be humiliated. If she didn’t show up, he would be equallyas hurt.
“Good grief, Esther. Quit gawking.” Lizzie slapped her hands to her hips, and Esther felt her cheeks warming.
“I’m not gawking, just surprised. Gus looks . . . very nice.” She grinned at her sister. “And you’re still alive, not cursed.”
“Well, clothes don’t change a fella,” Lizzie muttered with a sour expression. “He’s still mean as a rabid hound dog, and I’mprobably still cursed. He’s just going to drag out my demise.”
“You’d best behave.” Esther nudged her sister’s shoulder. “This is an important evening for Gus and all of the people here.”She thought Lizzie had softened a little toward Gus since opening the box and finding an urn, but maybe she’d been wrong.
“Ya, ya. I know.” Lizzie gasped and her eyes widened. “Look. That must be her, Gus’s daughter, Heather.”
Esther’s stomach swirled in a nervous tornado of emotions as she nodded. The reunion between Gus and his fiftysomething-year-old daughter last year hadn’t gone well at all. She twisted and wrung her hands as the woman searched the room.
“Should we go help her find Gus?” Esther eyed the woman’s black pantsuit. Her dark hair was styled in a short bob.
“She found him,” Lizzie said when Heather began walking toward her father.
Esther said a quick prayer that all would go well.
“She’s hugging him.” Lizzie’s eyebrows knitted into a frown. “Don’t you think that’s kind of fake since you said they wereat each other’s throats when she was here last time?”
Esther was surprised at Lizzie’s attitude toward Gus. She was acting protective. But she tended to bounce back and forth—she’djust said clothes don’t change the man. Either way, Esther was glad that this reunion was starting off on a better note. Andso far Lizzie had behaved.
“Look over there.” Lizzie nodded toward Jayce and Evelyn. “They don’t appear to belong in the same room together, but seehow they’re looking at each other.”
“I know. I noticed it earlier.” Sighing, she said, “Hearts will be broken after Jayce leaves on Tuesday.”
Lizzie shrugged. “We’ll see.”
Esther clamped her jaw tight as she peered at her sister. “Do you know something I don’t?”
“Of course not.” Lizzie lifted her chin. “Only Gott knows how things will turn out with those two.”
“Were Naomi and Amos invited to this event?” Esther asked.
“I don’t know. We probably should have opted out, too, the way Rose did.” Lizzie shook her head. “Esther, that girl is driving me ab im kopp.”
“Well, you’re right. The bishop wouldn’t approve of us being here, so Rose probably made the right decision.” Esther sighed.“As for Rose, ya, the maedel talks a lot, but she’s a hard worker and very kind.”
Lizzie pouted. “Thankfully she hasn’t broken out in any more of her midnight dance sessions.”
Mr. Clarkson spoke above the crowd, saying it was time to begin. Esther and Lizzie found chairs in the back row, as did Jayceand Evelyn. Gus’s daughter sat next to him in the fourth row. Everyone else was clustered together up front.
Gus looked over his shoulder and caught Esther’s eye, as he’d been doing all evening, like he was making sure she hadn’t snuckout. He turned back around quickly.
After Mr. Clarkson welcomed their two special guests, he introduced Veronica and the rest of the cast and crew.
“Obviously, we have a larger group of players,” he said. “But it wasn’t necessary for them to join us on this trip.” He motionedto his team. “And we certainly couldn’t have finished these challenging cavern scenes without this talented and creative group.”
Everyone applauded, and Esther’s stomach churned like
