Page 43 of Rags's Awakening
“You love your job, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“I do, too.” His eyes moved between the console and her. “Want to help me figure out why this dimmer pack hates us? I swear it has a personal vendetta.”
Casey laughed—more from relief than humor—and joined him behind the board. For a while they worked in comfortable silence, adjusting cues and tapping through menus. Crew voices filtered in from the stage, and the afternoon hum settled around them. Casey tried to focus, but her thoughts kept slipping back to the sight of Rags turning away, and how something inside her had crumpled in response.
Jacob moved closer to reset a cue, his shoulder brushing hers. He didn’t pull back right away. The familiar awkwardness curled low in her stomach.
“You smell like vanilla,” he said softly.
Casey stiffened. “Jacob—”
Realization flashed across his face. “Sorry. That came out wrong. Really wrong.”
“It’s fine,” she said gently, though she stepped away. “Let’s just finish the cue sequence.”
“Yeah,” he murmured, cheeks flushing as he turned back to the board.
She exhaled and forced herself to concentrate. Jacob meant well—he always had—but moments like this reminded her how careful she had to be. He was a good friend, steady and loyal, and the last thing she wanted was to hurt him. But sometimes she wished he wouldn’t make things so complicated.
She shifted her attention to the monitors, focusing on the patterns. Work always cleared the clutter in her mind. It was steady, predictable, uncomplicated.
Jacob tested the sound, and it burst over her, clear and strong. Casey lifted her thumb and grinned. He mimicked the gesture and dimmed the volume. She ambled back to the console.
“You did it.”
“No, we did it,” Jacob said. His gaze lingered on her for a second too long. “We make a good team.”
“For the theatre,” she said. “Our efforts are always for the theatre.” She laughed. “Does that sound like someone you know?”
“Now you’re throwing my words from years ago back at me?” He leaned back, eyes on her. “That’s what I thought back then, but now… I don’t think work is everything. There’s much more out there, you know?”
Wanting to sidestep that conversation, she nodded. “There is, but right now there are several budget sheets needing my attention.” She started toward the door.
“Thanks for stopping by. It was a nice surprise.”
“I’m happy I could help.” She smiled. “I’ll see you.”
Casey retreated to her office, glad to escape the direction Jacob had been edging toward. She’d hate for their friendship to end on a bad note, but she just didn’t have those feelings for him.But they’re there for Rags.She rolled her eyes.Of all the guys in town, I’m attracted to an outlaw.
She sat down, tried to refocus, and dove back into the spreadsheets. After a couple of hours, she leaned back, rubbed her eyes, then shut off the monitor.
The book Devin had loaned her sat on the corner of her desk. She’d been meaning to return it. A glance at the clock told her the museum was open for another twenty minutes. Casey grabbed her keys. A quick trip to the Frontier Museum would be a welcome way to end the day. Afterward, she’d pick up a gooey lasagna from Little Pepina’s, pour herself a glass of cabernet, and watch the latest episode of theHalloween Baking Championship.
The short walk to the museum was just what she needed. Some of the shops that lined the street were winding down as last-minute customers hurried into the butcher shop to pick up that night’s dinner. Casey pushed open the museum door and stepped inside, the familiar scent of varnished wood and old paper wrapping around her. Sunlight filtered through the old glass windows, turning the dust motes into slow, lazy sparks.
Devin looked up from behind the front desk. A small smile curved his mouth. “Casey. I was just thinking about you. How’s that for coincidence?”
She held up the worn hardcover. “Then that’s what brought me here—your telepathy.” She laughed. “At least that’s what Curtis would say.”
Devin grimaced. “Don’t lump me in with him.” His eyes dropped to the book in her hand.
“I figured I’d better return this before you thought I was keeping it forever.”
He chuckled. “I told you no one’s checked that book out in a while. You could’ve kept it as long as you wanted.”
“I devoured it in one night,” she said, setting it gently on the counter. “I kept forgetting to bring it by. The section on the mining towns was incredible.”
