Kit was barking orders to Josh, who was on the roof of the gazebo, a hammer in his hand. “I want no leaks!” he yelled.

Josh was his usual smiling self. “Too bad, because I always leave holes in every roof I repair.”

“Smart-ass,” Kit said under his breath as he turned and saw Casey. “Did you finally get out of bed?”

“Wow! You’re in a bad mood.”

“That I am,” Kit said. “Rehearsals can’t be held in the theater because there are a dozen giggling girls waiting outside to get a glimpse of Tatton.”

Casey decided that now was not the time to tell him about Stacy. In fact, she was going to make her sister break the news to him. “Send Landers back to L.A. That’ll solve everything.”

“If he goes, then I’m stuck with your brother for Darcy, and he has the acting ability of that tool he’s holding.”

“I heard that!” Josh called.

“I meant for you to.” Kit was gazing at Casey with steely eyes. “You look like you have something you want to say to me.”

“No, not really.” She took a step backward. “I just wanted to say that we’ll all do our best to help out.” Kit’s eyes were boring into hers. “I’ll be around so, uh…” She turned on her heel and started to leave so quickly that she was almost running.

“Halt!”

“Damn,” she said quietly, then forced a smile as she looked back at Kit. “Need something?”

“Yes. When will Stacy be here?”

Casey could feel her entire back turning yellow—not just a cowardly stripe, but every inch going Technicolor. When—if—she lived through this, she was going to murder her sister. “She’s not, uh…” She gave Kit a little smile.

“Not what?” Kit bellowed so loud that all the workmen looked at them.

“Coming,” Casey said.

“Stacy isn’t going to show up?” Abruptly, Kit’s stormy face calmed, and he smiled. “She’s with Rowan, isn’t she?”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you what a great name I think that is. He sounds like a hero from the olden days. I think you should call her right this minute and let her tell you everything.” Casey was slowly walking backward. Yes, she was definitely going to annihilate her sister.

“You will tell me everything,” Kit said.

Behind him were nearly a dozen people. Hammers and saws had stopped. Josh had come down off the roof. Who needed an old play to watch when they had such great real-life drama?

Casey took a very deep breath and let it all come out in one big gush. “Stacy is falling in love with some guy named Nate Thomas so she’s staying in D.C. and can’t do the props. But the good news is that she’s turned the female costumes over to her mom’s reading group and her dad is getting the clothes for the men, so you see, everything will be fine. I have to go, uh, cook something.” She turned at warp speed and started walking.

“Acacia!” Kit said in a way that made Casey stop.

Slowly, she turned toward him.

“Was it Nate Taggert?”

All the anger about the bad day had left Kit’s face. He seemed defeated. As Casey walked toward him, she glanced at Josh. “Don’t you guys have something else to do?”

“Not anything as exciting as this. Could somebody get us some water? Drinking out of the hose has lost its country appeal.”

“Sure.” Casey looked back at Kit, who had sat down on the edge of the gazebo. She sat beside him. “I’m sorry about this. We’ll find someone to deal with the props. Stacy’s mom—”

“Stacy is falling for the wrong man. Nate isn’t right for her.”

“Oh.” What could she say to that? “Love is blind, so maybe…” She trailed off.

Kit took his phone out of his pocket, and with it came a folded brochure that he handed to her. “Stacy was to go to that tomorrow and buy things to use onstage.”

It was for an estate sale that was about a hundred miles away.

“You’ll have to go instead of her.”

“I don’t know anything about buying props. What would I get? What’s needed?”

“Stacy has a list. Get her to send it to you. She can—” Kit moved the phone to speak into it. “Rowan, this is your father. Call me immediately.” He touched the off button. “Not that anything I say will do any good. He’s as stubborn as his mother.” He turned to Casey. “Of course you can buy props. Take Tatton with you. He knows about sets.”

Casey stood up. “No, but I’ll find someone. Right now I’m going to get food and water for the guys. I’ll be back by lunch. If you need anything while I’m out, call me.” She started to walk away.

“Casey,” Kit said and she looked at him. “I apologize for my bad temper.”

She smiled at him. “That’s okay.”

“By the way, did the caretaker find you? He asked if the peacock had done much damage inside your house and if the door was okay. He said the bird tore through the screen so he put in a new one. And oh, yes, he congratulated you on getting the creature out. He said they can be devils.” When Kit’s phone rang, he looked at the ID. “The prodigal son doth call.” He clicked the phone on and took long strides to get away from everyone.