Beth Ciotta - Anything but Love

“It is,” Rocky said.

“That second shot,” Jayce said. “That’s Main Street.”

“Paparazzi in Sugar Creek?” Kaye asked.

Luke stared at the headline at the bottom of the screen, scrambled to get the letters straight in his head. “Trust Fund Baby—”

“—Turns Philanthropist,” Rocky finished.

And just like that the show jumped to the next story.

“What’s going on?” Kaye asked.

Luke had a clue, he just hadn’t expected the news to break so soon and not while he was away. He turned and saw Dev, Rocky, and Jayce scrolling through their smart phones.

“It’s all over the Net,” Dev said.

“Mostly entertainment venues,” Jayce said.

“This has Harper written all over it,” Rocky said.

Still focused on his phone, Dev asked, “See that bit about the Cupcake Lovers self-publishing a recipe book? What’s that about?”

Rocky shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“You have a signed contract with Highlife.”

“I know.”

Luke thumbed his own phone. “I’ll call Rae.”

“I’ll call Chloe,” Dev said.

“Calling Harper,” Rocky said.

“I’ll do my thing,” Jayce said, which meant some sleuthing.

“I’ll be reading,” Kaye said, sounding irritated now. “Someone let me know something when someone knows anything. Wait. I’ll call Daisy. She knows everything about the Cupcake Lovers.”

Luke crossed the room, searching for a quiet corner as everyone connected with someone in Sugar Creek.

Rae answered on the first ring. “What’s going on with your dad?”

“Still waiting for news. What’s going on with you?”

“I guess you saw one of the reports.”

Luke jammed a hand through his hair, torn between worry and frustration. “Why didn’t you wait until I was back to unleash this media blitz?”

“I wasn’t me. It was Harper Day.”

“The publicist Rocky’s been working with.”

“That’s right,” Rae said, sounding a little out of breath. “It was a mix-up. A miscommunication. Daisy sent a text to Sam asking for Harper’s advice. Sam forwarded the text and … Harper’s a real go-getter who jumped the gun. She thought she was acting on Sam and the club’s wishes and a couple of leaked leads later.… It’s mushroomed throughout the day.”

“Are you being hounded?” Luke asked. “Reporters? Photographers?”

“I’ve gotten more phone calls than anything. Nearly as many as my lawyer. There are a lot of organizations desperate for a hefty donation.”

“Why did Gram tell Harper you wanted to give away your money like that?”

“I don’t think she did. I think that’s the angle Harper used to get the most publicity bang based on my buying the day care center and offering to fund the publishing of the Cupcake Lovers book. Speaking of,” she rushed on, “I heard back from Brett late this afternoon. Highlife does want to push on with the release. Except, the rest of the CLs heard about my offer through the news and, according to Daisy, everyone wants to bail on Highlife and go our independent way. I don’t know what to tell Brett. I don’t know the legal ramifications and my lawyer, Al, isn’t familiar with the contract. I don’t—”

“Reagan. Calm down.” Head down, voice low, Luke spoke in a soothing tone. “Getting worked up about this isn’t good for you or the baby. Listen, if all goes well, I’ll be home tomorrow. Hell, maybe I can catch a red-eye. I don’t know. Whatever the case, just lay low until I get there. Stop taking those calls and stay out of sight. I’ll give you Adam’s number. If you need to go somewhere, call him. Or hell, Sam or Leo. I’d rather they handle some obnoxious photographer than you.”

“I don’t think it’s that bad, Luke.”

“Humor me.”

She blew out a breath.

“Say ‘okay.’”

“Okay,” she said on a wobbly laugh. Then, “I’m sorry, Luke. Not knowing your dad’s condition I didn’t want to trouble you about any of this. Not until later. I know Chloe and Daisy felt the same about Rocky and Dev. I should’ve known one or another of you would’ve caught wind of the news via some outlet.”

“We’ll sort it out when I get home.”

“I know. I’m not worried.”

“You sound worried.”

“It’s the contract thing. What if I caused a legal mess for the club? What if—”

Her voice hitched and Luke frowned. “I’ll talk to Dev about it. He’ll know what to do. He always does. He’s a wiz at that stuff.”

“I know.”

Luke heard his family signing off their own calls. “I should go. I’ll call you again later.”

“Luke, I…”

The emotion in her voice, set him on edge. “What?”

“I … I’m thinking good thoughts for your dad.”

“Thank you for that.” Luke disconnected, his own emotions jumbled. If Rae hadn’t been so jazzed about so many projects, if she’d exercised a little restraint …

“I’m guessing you got the same scoop as us,” Rocky said. “What a mess. Although Harper swears she can spin things either way regarding the book deal.”

“I went over that contract with my lawyer with a fine-tooth comb,” Dev said. “There’s a way out if the club wants it.”

“From what Daisy said,” Kaye said. “They do.”

“From what little Chloe shared about self-publishing,” Dev said, “sounds to me like a sound financial risk.”

“How’s Rae holding up?” Rocky asked.

Luke crossed his arms, shook his head. “Not great. She’s caught me off guard more than once this week. Moments of supreme confidence and enthusiasm and then— wham —she’s fragile and vulnerable. It just hit me but, sometimes she’s like two different people.”

“Hormones,” Dev said. “Chloe was like that when…” He trailed off but not soon enough.

“I knew it,” Rocky said. “Rae’s pregnant.” She elbowed Jayce. “I told you…” She trailed off, too, suddenly conscious, as was Luke, of their mother hovering, eyes narrowed.

“Lucas Monroe,” she said in a tone every kid dreaded. “What have you done?”

And just because the situation wasn’t awkward enough, Luke’s dad ambled in, took one look at his family, and glowered. “What’s going on?”

Rae chose to spend the rest of the night in her suite. Shutting out the world until Luke returned to Sugar Creek seemed like a fine idea. Not that she wasn’t capable of handling things on her own—for the most part she’d been navigating life solo for a long while—but in this instance, she didn’t have to. In this instance she had a friend and partner in Luke. Somewhere along the way he’d garnered her trust, so she trusted his advice regarding her immediate crisis.

She shut off the television and monitored all calls, most of which tapered off after six, although she had jumped on the call that had come in from Luke just past five. The relief in his voice had been evident, filling Rae with instant joy. Her heart had pounded as Luke shared the results from the scan.

The cancer had not spread. His dad’s condition had not worsened. Treatment and monitoring would remain status quo.

The Monroes—including Jerome and Kaye—were flying home to Sugar Creek tomorrow.

Rocky and Jayce would be married on schedule Saturday afternoon.

Rae had been so thrilled for everyone concerned that she hadn’t taken offense when Luke had rushed her off the phone. She knew he was overwhelmed and that he was heading to dinner with his family to celebrate their good fortune. It wasn’t until after that she realized he’d sounded a little awkward when they’d said their good-byes. When he’d added they had a lot to discuss when he got back, she assumed it was the media frenzy coupled with her house-hunting mission. But maybe it was something more. Or maybe her imagination was running amok. Her emotions certainly were. She’d been on a roller coaster all day.