Page 14 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

Aylin smiled widely as Lara walked out from the bathroom looking like a drowned rat, a towel wrapped around her incredibly thin frame.

“See you soon,” Aylin said, disconnecting the phone before turning back to Lara. “My sister’s going to bring along her makeup in about an hour, and I’m just going to have her make you up. Are you ready?”

Lara grimaced. “I sure hope so.”

Chapter Seven

“Ben?” Mom called out, approaching as he stood behind the auctioneer. “I haven’t seen Lara around anywhere this afternoon. Have you?”

Ben pursed his lips as he continued to straighten and tag all the sold items. “I dropped her off earlier at the front entrance before I went to park the truck. She must be hanging out somewhere.”

“I’m trying not to worry, but lately I just can’t seem to help it.”

“I know,” Ben agreed. “I decided today that I’m going to be a better brother. She really doesn’t look well, does she?”

Mom bit her lip.

“I think she’s okay, Mom. She was in a decent mood when she walked into the lobby. She was going to go drop off the clothes she forgot to bring to the boutique this morning.”

Mom nodded. “Maybe she’s just been hanging around with Rene.”

“She said she’s supposed to help out in the dressing room and hand out costumes for the entertainers.”

“That’s right,” Mom said, pulling out her phone to check the time. “Her shift begins at four, so that’s not for another hour yet.” She heaved a sigh. “I’m going to try not to worry. But do me a favor, text me if you see her?”

“I will. But Mom? Why don’t you just talk with her?” Ben asked.

“I’ve tried Ben, which is why I brought Dr. Wynter into the picture. She’s the psychiatrist over at the wounded warrior home. She says I should be patient and non-accusing because too many accusations might make everything much worse than it already is. Lara’s grades are still good, so that’s something positive. I’m supposed to be nosy in terms of signs of escalation with her behavior issues but only when Lara’s not around, so I don’t appear to be invading her privacy.”

“She’s got a definite eating disorder. I wonder what can be done about that?”

“If we could figure out what brought this change in the first place, it might even help with that. Well, I’d better go find your father.”

“I’ll stop by the dressing room in an hour and make sure that she’s there.”

Mom reached out, squeezing his hand. “Thank you, Ben. That would be helpful. I’m supposed to be onstage to begin introducing the performers soon.”

Once Mom was out of sight, Ben headed off to the dressing rooms. Truthfully, he was a little more worried than he wanted her to know.

Walking through the hallway to the banquet room that opened up at the end, Ben headed inside. Dividers separated the space into a dozen different changing areas, while costumes were organized and hung on racks around the edge of the room.

He waved at Mrs. Frazier, the local bank president who was in charge of doling out the jewels being worn by the various performers onstage for display since they were all up for auction.

“Hey, Joanie,” Ben called out to the Inn manager who was volunteering her time here this afternoon. “Have you seen Lara around?”

“Would you believe she just called in about five minutes ago? I guess she’s got something going on this afternoon but found a friend who’s going to take her place.”

Afriend?Now Ben was definitely worried. Lara wasn’t exactly close to anyone anymore.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Joanie said. “But she sounded pretty upbeat, which does sound kind of crazy I know.”

“Upbeat?” Ben was even more puzzled. “Are you sure?”

Joanie nodded, shuffling through the costumes after someone handed her a number.

“She called on the hotel phone. And there were people talking in the background. And someone was playing Christmas music on a guitar.”

“I wonder what the heck is going on?” Ben muttered.

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