Page 33 of Every Star that Shines

Her mom stuck her head into the room. “Your dad and I are going to bed. Is there anything you need before we do?”

“No, and even if there was, I know how to get it. I used to live here, remember?” She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.

“Okay, I was just checking. Goodnight, honey.”

“Goodnight, Mom.”

Cheryl closed the door, leaving Delanie with the distinct impression that her mom had been hurt by her response. But why? She didn’t need to be fussed over like a child or a guest.

She put the phone to her ear. “My parents are going to bed, so I should probably go so I don’t keep them up by talking.”

“Absolutely. I guess I’ll see you at rehearsal tomorrow night then. If Noel lets me out of the sweatshop backstage, that is.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to escape.”

He laughed. “You don’t know Noel anymore, do you?”

“Still a task-master, is he?”

“With years as the boss of his own company on him to refine the skill. Anyway, I’ll call Joe’s and Ainsley’s parents to see if they can meet us early tomorrow. Say, half an hour before rehearsal?”

“Why them?”

“Geppetto and Stella are in the most scenes besides Pinocchio. Especially Stella. And if Joe doesn’t relax a little, the poor kid is going to have an aneurism.”

Starting with Geppetto and Stella was the smart choice. She probably would have suggested them, too, if she wasn’t so worked up. “Maybe we should have Pinocchio come in too. He’s in every scene with those two, and he has more lines to learn than anyone.”

“Good idea. I’ll call Ethan’s mom, too.”

Delanie shook her head, even though Caleb couldn’t see her. “I can do that. You’ve got enough going on, what with Emma and work. This is my only job right now.”

“It’s no problem, Lanie. Seriously.”

Lanie. No one had ever called her that except him, and she was suddenly thrust back to their prom a decade ago, when he was trying to convince her that they could make a long-distance relationship work and they didn’t need to break up. Lanie, can’t you even give it a shot before you throw in the towel? Caught off-guard, she relented. “Okay. Thank you, that would be great.”

He didn’t respond for a second, then said, “Hey, are you staying in your old room on the north side of the house?”

“Um, yeah. Why?”

“Look out your window.”

“What?”

“Just do it. Look out your window right now. And turn off the lights first.”

Curious, Delanie went over to the switch and flipped it off, then peered out the tall window over her desk. The tall farmyard light on the other side of the house cast some long shadows across the yard, illuminating the barn and the corrals some distance away, but it wasn’t bright enough to diminish the light show that was going on in the sky above. Undulating ribbons of green, pink, and icy blue danced across a sky bright with stars. She leaned in closer, pushing the curtain aside to try and take in the whole view.

“Can you see it?” Caleb asked.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “Wow, have I missed seeing the northern lights.”

“Yeah, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s probably even better out there than here in town.” He sounded as awed as she felt. After a pause, he said, “I’m glad you volunteered to direct the play, Delanie. I’m not sure where we’d be without you.”

Her face warmed. “Oh, someone would have stepped up. Amber would have been only too happy to do the job, I’d wager.”

“Oh, I’m sure. But she wouldn’t have been the leader these kids needed. There’s a reason you’re here. Even if you can’t see it yet.”

Her stomach churned. There was a husky tone in his voice that reached into her innards and plucked them like guitar strings.

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