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The Trouble in Willow Falls- Willow Falls Series Book Two

By Pat Nichols

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Rachel Streetman stood on the sidewalk in downtown Atlanta and imagined living on the street. Sleeping in a doorway or on a bench in Centennial Park. Penniless. Alone. Men and women stepping around her as if she was nothing more than an obstacle blocking their paths. Children staring at her.

She tilted her head back and gazed at the top of the seventy-three-story circular Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Until a dizzy sensation threw her off balance and forced her focus back to ground level. She pressed her hand against a light pole. A week away from the most important audition in her life, she couldn’t risk passing out and breaking her arm or a tooth.

When the spinning stopped, she glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes before lunch with her former assistant. She walked across the street and spotted a young man crouched on the sidewalk. His dog sprawled beside him. Brown hair brushed against his shirt collar. A scruffy beard covered the lower portion of his face. Was he the guy she’d befriended last year, before she resigned as vice president for her father’s company?

She moved closer and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. “Dennis Locke?”

His eyes widened. “Ms. Streetman?” He stood and wiped his hands on his jeans.

“It is you.”

He nodded.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around in a while.”

“No need to apologize. I didn’t expect a fine lady like you to keep coming back.”

She swiped a layer of sweat from her lip. Should she give him money and walk away? Or do some audition pre-work for the role—Penelope, a homeless woman who finds a winning lottery ticket. She stepped beside Dennis, relieved he smelled of soap and shampoo. “Are you still staying at the homeless shelter?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She leaned back against the wall. A man wearing expensive shoes and a three-piece suit tossed a handful of change toward the ball cap serving as Dennis’s collection plate. A quarter and three pennies missed the target and landed on the pavement. He moved past without making eye contact or uttering a word.
Heat crept up Rachel’s neck. “I guess he didn’t want those pesky coins rattling around in his pocket.”

“Don’t give him a hard time.”

“He could have said hello or at least nodded.”

Dennis shrugged. “Why would he?”

Rachel turned her attention to men and women rushing past without acknowledging their existence. “It’s like we’re invisible.”

“Easier for them.” He slid back to the pavement.

She sat beside him and imagined this was her spot, her cap poised for contributions. How would it feel to be hopeless and invisible, then suddenly have enough money to turn your life around? Frightening? Challenging? What if she had no place to go? No one to love?

She swallowed the lump in her throat as images of Charlie, Mama Sadie, Emily, and Willow Falls played in her mind. Her refuge. She glanced sideways at Dennis. Maybe he needed something … or someone to motivate him off the street. A bizarre idea bubbled up. “July Fourth is in a few days.”

He swatted a fly from his face and wiped sweat from his forehead.
Words tumbled off her tongue before she had time to think. “Why don’t you spend the holiday in Willow Falls with me and my family? Emily, my twin sister, owns a lovely inn. You can stay there.”

Silence.

What are you doing, Rachel? You don’t need responsibility for a homeless man days before your audition. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her shins. Should she withdraw the invitation? Treat him like everyone who passed him by? She couldn’t do that.

“Look, I know I’ve caught you off guard. Frankly, I’m a bit surprised myself. The invitation still stands. I’ll come by the shelter on the third and pick you up.” She opened her wallet, removed all the bills, and dropped them in his cap.

“Thank you, Ms. Streetman. My buddies back at the shelter can use the money.”

“I know you’ll put it to good use, like you did last year. By the way, you can call me Rachel.” She lowered her sunglasses, then stood and brushed off her slacks. “Until the third, stay safe.”

She walked away, hoping she hadn’t made an offer she’d live to regret. As she turned the corner, she saw Nancy standing on the sidewalk fronting Pittypat’s Porch. She rushed to greet her former assistant. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”

“Just walked up. I thought you’d fallen off the face of the earth.”

Rachel pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. “Sorry it took so long to call. You picked a fun spot for a reunion.”

“Did you know this restaurant is named for Scarlett O’Hara’s aunt in Gone with the Wind? One reason I like it. The other is the scrumptious Southern cooking.”

“All those years I worked at Streetman Enterprise I never ate here.”

“About time you took the plunge.” Nancy touched her arm. “You’re in for a treat.”

They entered the restaurant and followed the hostess down a wooden staircase. She led them to a table beside a movie poster of Rhett Butler embracing Scarlett.

Rachel sat across from Nancy. “You look great. I assume life is treating you well.”

“Thanks. Everything’s good. Although I imagine yours is way more exciting.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it.” Rachel opened her menu. “What do you suggest?”

“The salad bar is awesome. I know it’s only noon, but I’m in the mood for Scarlett’s Passion.” Nancy leaned forward. “A yummy strawberry daiquiri. Want to join me?”

“Hmm, I don’t have a job or rehearsals to go back to, so why not.”

“Now you’re talking. I told my boss I had an important female appointment. I think he was afraid to ask questions, so you and I have lots of time to catch up.”

Rachel laughed. “I always knew you had more brains than anyone else in the office. Maybe my father should promote you to vice president.”

“Not a chance. I could never live up to his insane demands.”

“Believe me, I know what you mean.”

They ordered drinks, loaded their plates at the salad bar, and returned to the table.

Nancy sipped her daquiri and licked her lips. “Just like dessert, except with a kick.” She set her drink on the table. “What’s happening with your dream to star in a Broadway show?”

“Making a living in the entertainment world with a thin résumé is a lot tougher than I expected.” She dipped her fork in the chicken salad. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve landed a few parts here and there.”

“It’s good your father has plenty of money for you to fall to back on.”

Rachel froze her fork halfway to her mouth. “No way I’m taking one dime from him.”

Nancy’s eyes widened. “Uh oh, I touched a sore spot.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.” She set her fork down. “I walked away from a lucrative job and a secure future, so it’s up to me to make it on my own. The good news is I have an important audition coming up. Have you heard about the new theater in midtown?”

Nancy shook her head.

“A director with loads of clout transformed a storefront. He’s producing a new comedy about a homeless woman. I’m trying out for the lead.”

“Interesting role for a former business executive.”

“No kidding. Anyway, I’m counting on the part to jump-start my career.”

“I know I’ll see your name in lights one day soon.” Nancy swiped her mouth with a napkin. “I hope you don’t think I’m being nosey, but I’m dying to know what’s going on with you and Charlie Bricker.”

“It seems he’s found his calling as a country boy and a vintner. Everyone in Willow Falls is crazy about him.”

“What about you?”

“He’s a great guy. The thing is … we’re on different paths. Willow Falls doesn’t have a functioning movie theater, much less a venue for live performances.”

“And Atlanta has a slew of theaters.”

Rachel nodded. “If … I mean when I land the homeless woman role, I’ll aim for a part in an Alliance production.”

“The city’s most exclusive theater.”

“I’ve been in the audience countless times, dreaming about being on that stage.”

She paused. “Enough about me. What’s going on at Streetman Enterprise?”

“From what I hear, your father’s staff meetings are as boring as ever.”

“Thank goodness I no longer have to sit through them and pretend to pay attention. Other than conducting mind-numbing meetings, how’s he doing?”

“He still works harder than anyone else. Some employees swear he lives at the office.”

“The consummate workaholic. Sounds like nothing’s changed.”

“How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”

“A while.” Rachel fingered her diamond and emerald tennis bracelet, the last gift she and her father gave to her mother before she died. “We’ve talked a few times.”

“You should pop in and surprise him.”

“I’m not sure he’d welcome a visit from the daughter who abandoned him.”

“If he was the only father I’d ever known … I’m just saying you might want to reconsider.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t wait too long.”

Following more light-hearted conversation and a shared dessert Nancy’s phone pinged. “I think my female appointment time has run out.”

“A text from your boss?”

“The one and only.” She glanced at her watch. “Guess he figures two hours is long enough for any kind of engagement.”

The women left the restaurant. Outside, Rachel embraced Nancy. “I enjoyed catching up.”

“Don’t forget my promise to start a fan club when you make it big.”

“I’m counting on it,” Rachel said, confident she was a few days away from seeing her name on a theater marquee.

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