Backstage Romance: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy Box Set by Gigi Blume (ebook reader with highlighter txt) 📕

rack and unzipped the inside pocket, bringing a pile of cash back into the kitchen. “Our tips.”

His eyes widened. “You mean your tips. How much did you make?”

I straightened out the bills, stacking them on the counter. “I dunno. Help me count.”

We each took a stack and counted silently. There were mostly ones, but also quite a few fives and a couple twenties.

“Wow. I counted fifty-seven,” said Wyatt. “What about you?”

“Eighty-four. That can’t be right.”

Wyatt began counting on his fingers. Fifty-seven and eighty-four...that’s...how much?”

“I don’t math this early,” I joked.

“A hundred and forty-one,” a deep voice answered. Kevin sauntered into the kitchen dressed in jeans and a flannel. He poured a cup of coffee and joined us at the island. “Good morning. Sleep well?”

We both replied that we did and thanked him profusely, especially for taking the time to wash our clothes.

He waved off our gushing. “It’s all my bride’s doing. She’s the greatest lady I know.”

“I don’t suppose we could find a really fast train that can get us to California for a hundred and forty-one bucks?” I said, squinting at Wyatt.

The ding of the doorbell echoed through the house and footsteps pounded down the stairs.

“I got it.” Teresa ran to the front door. She was a blur as she whizzed by the kitchen archway.

Kevin polished off his coffee in one swig and rinsed his cup in the sink. “Let’s all go see who that is.”

He walked out, expecting us to follow him. I couldn’t possibly imagine who might be at their door that’d care to meet Wyatt and me, but figured this was their cute small town custom.

Let’s all say hello to the Fed-Ex guy. Hugs for everyone.

But unless the Fed-Ex uniform was a beige skirt and white blouse, the visitors at the door were definitely not delivering a package. Or so I thought.

Sisters Edna, Patty, and Ruth floated in, all smiles and cheerful greetings and hugged us all. It was so nice to see them again.

“Where’s your lovely daughter?” asked Edna.

Teresa took their coats. “Sleeping. You know how teenagers are.”

I certainly did after last night. No wonder the chatty little thing was tired.

Kevin invited them into the living room. “Can I offer you some coffee or juice?”

“Oh no, thank you.” Sister Edna sat on the sofa as we all found seats. “I’m just here to ask a favor of Georgia and Wyatt.”

That was surprising.

Wyatt almost jumped with enthusiasm. “Anything. Just name it.”

“Good.” Sister Edna sat up straight. “Regarding the RV Sister Ruth here drove us in last night.”

Sister Ruth threaded her fingers on her lap. “Tried to drive.”

“You did a fine job,” said Sister Patty, covering her hand with encouragement.

“Yes, well.” Sister Edna continued. “Our sisters in the Costa Mesa convent are in need of the vehicle. They have a lot more retreats and need the RV for trips up to the mountains. There’s a retreat center at Big Bear Lake.”

I was familiar with Big Bear. My dad took us there when I was a little girl. “It’s beautiful up there,” I said.

Edna agreed. “It certainly is. But we only need to take the RV as far as Costa Mesa. We had planned on taking the trip after the Epiphany, but it’s quite a long drive.”

“So long,” Ruth agreed.

“We weren’t really looking forward to it,” added Patty. “At all.”

Sister Edna focused on Wyatt and me. “And now God has provided a solution.”

Ruth dangled a set of keys. “You would be doing us a great favor.”

“Wait. I don’t follow.” Wyatt shook his head.

Kevin jumped in. “They have a camper that needs to get to California. You happen to be going that way but don’t have wheels.”

“It’s perfect,” exclaimed Teresa.

“But, you would trust us with your camper?” I asked. “Just like that?”

Edna shrugged. “Eh. It’s insured.”

18

Georgia

The proud part of me wanted to refuse the motor home. I wasn’t accustomed to accepting charity. The nuns insisted it was they who were indebted to us for the favor, but we all knew it was a pure act of kindness on their part. After some resistance, I finally accepted the offer. It was...humbling. They even gave us gas money.

“We’re saving thousands of dollars on return airfare,” said Sister Edna. “Take it.”

She shoved it in Wyatt’s hands and wouldn’t let him give it back.

As we pulled out of town I vowed to pay them back and then some.

“Do you know what roads to take?” I asked Wyatt. “We don’t have a GPS.”

I wanted to add that he didn’t have the best track record, but I kept my lips zipped.

“Kevin gave me very specific directions and Sister Ruth said there’s a road map in the glove box.”

“Alright. You drive, I’ll navigate. And as soon as we get to a major city, we’ll get you a phone charger.”

I popped the glove box to find the map, but the most prominent item inside was a gold manila envelope with our names on it.

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

Wyatt glanced over, still keeping one eye on the road. “What?”

“There’s four hundred dollars in here and a note that reads Just in case we couldn’t convince you to accept the gas money earlier. Turn around. We’re returning this.”

“We can’t turn back, now. We’re on the highway. You wanna get lost?”

“No, I certainly do not,” I cried.

“Okay then. You said you wanted to pay them back, let’s just add this to the amount we owe them and that’s that.”

“I guess.”

It occurred to me then, how Wyatt’s understanding of my wealth must have been grossly inflated. Sure, I had a movie star brother. But that was him. Not me.

“I’m not the rich girl you think I am.”

Wyatt quickly proclaimed, “I am all about paying my share. I promise. Even if I have to take three jobs.”

“No, it’s not about that. I’m not penniless. Well, technically I was last night, but that’s beside the point. I just don’t want you to think I’m like that evil ex-girlfriend of yours.”

He laughed. “I don’t think that.”

“The truth is, yes, my brother is