“Don’t thank me just yet,” Samantha said. As much as she liked Cass’s eagerness and admired her determination, she still didn’t have the first clue about whether the teen had what it would take to overcome the natural biases she was likely to face from some casting directors. And if she didn’t, letting her down was going to require diplomatic skills Samantha wasn’t entirely certain she possessed, no matter how confidently she’d assured Ethan that she would protect Cass’s feelings.
* * *
Ethan had arranged to move his regular session with the kids to Tuesday this week since he’d scheduled Boone’s bachelor party for Thursday night on the outside deck at Castle’s, which would be long closed by the party’s starting time.
Today he planned to take them to a pool where he’d arranged for them to have swimming lessons. Most kids who lived in the coastal communities were in the water practically from infancy, but for some whose injuries had affected their mobility, the ocean had become the enemy. He wanted them to rediscover the joy of swimming. For many of them, exercising would even be easier with the water’s natural buoyancy. He’d assembled several volunteer instructors who had experience working with people under these conditions, enough that the kids would have close to one-on-one instruction.
When it was time to leave for the pool, he kept glancing at the clock, then looking for Cass. When he could wait no longer, he told the driver to take them on to the pool. En route, he dialed Cass’s cell phone.
“Where are you?” he asked without preamble when she answered. “You know you were supposed to be at the clinic ten minutes ago.”
“Oops,” she said, though she sounded more excited than apologetic. “I’ve been with Samantha Castle. I forgot we’d switched the day for our outing.”
Ethan felt his heart sink. He’d worried about exactly this, and Samantha herself had warned him that Cass would seek her out on her own, if she wanted her advice badly enough. At least Cass sounded upbeat.
“You had a good conversation?” he asked.
“The best,” she assured him. “I’m going to read some scenes with her next week. Can you believe it? I get to read with somebody who’s been on TV and in plays on Broadway.”
“That’s great,” he said, forcing himself to sound enthusiastic. At least that meant Samantha would be sticking around a little longer. He couldn’t help wondering what that meant, if anything. “Do you want to meet us at the pool? You can tell me all about it.”
“Is it okay if I miss today? I really didn’t remember about the switch, so I don’t have my bathing suit with me, and by the time I get home to get it and make it to the pool, you’ll be finishing.”
“Fine,” Ethan said, relenting at her logic. “But I do want to hear more about your meeting with Samantha next time I see you.”
“Promise,” she said at once. “I’ll probably talk till you’re sick of hearing about it. She is sooo amazing.”
Yeah, Ethan said to himself. He thought so, too. And more and more he was wondering if he was a fool not to do something to try to keep her right here in Sand Castle Bay.
* * *
As soon as Samantha got home, her grandmother took one look at her and smiled. “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. Something happen after I left Castle’s today?”
“Cass Gray stopped by,” Samantha told her.
“I see,” Cora Jane said. “She wanted your advice about acting, I’m guessing.”
Her comment startled Samantha. “You know her?”
“Of course. I’ve made it my business to attend all the productions at the schools to lend my support to the kids. Cass was always a real standout. What did you tell her?”
“I asked her to read with me next week. I want to see if she truly has what it takes before I say anything about her prospects. It could be tough enough for her even if she’s loaded with talent. If she’s borderline, she needs to know that now.” She sighed. “Of course, Ethan doesn’t agree.”
“Oh?”
“He’s made it clear how strongly he feels about her being surrounded by positive vibes these days.”
Cora Jane nodded. “I suppose he has a point. She’s traveled a rough road the past couple of years. Adjusting to an injury like hers would be tough enough, but with her longing to be in a profession that relies so heavily on looks, it’s been particular devastating.”
“I understand that, but what am I supposed to do? Should I lie to her?” Samantha asked in frustration.
“Well, hopefully, you won’t have to do that. As I said just now, I’ve seen her in several plays. Of course the ones in elementary school hardly count, but the spring play she did in middle school and the first one she did at the high school were quite good. And she had unmistakable star qualities, or at least it seemed that way to me. She has a lovely singing voice, too. That high school play was a musical, and she was the lead. I’ve heard enough kids butcher the melodies of some beautiful songs to recognize one with talent when she comes along.”
Samantha’s mood brightened. “That’s definitely encouraging. I’m still not looking forward to telling Ethan about this, though. He wanted to control the situation, set up when and where we met. Cass settled that by showing up at Castle’s on her own.”
“Not your fault,” Cora Jane said, waving off the issue. “But I have to say, you seem awfully eager to check out this girl’s capabilities. Any particular reason for that?”
Samantha hesitated, then admitted, “After stopping by the high school rehearsal the other day, I’ve been giving some thought to maybe teaching a few acting classes here.”
Cora Jane’s eyes immediately lit up. “You’d stay?”
“At least long enough to give it a try. What do you think?”
“I think it’s an incredible idea, but would it provide
