Page 45 of Muskoka Miracle

“At least in front of Jackie.” Anna smirked.

“Look, I feel like if an actor is on a TV show or a movie, then he’s fair game for us to comment on.” Rachel tossed back her hair. “So, what do you think, Sarah? Do you think Lincoln is better inAs The Heart Drawsor that sci fi film with Chlolinda Drewe?”

“Um, I’ve only watched a few episodes ofAs The Heart Draws,and haven’t seen the other,” Sarah admitted.

“You’re not missing much,” Rachel said. “I’m pretty sure she only got that role because her dad was the director, am I right?” She glanced at Jackie, who shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

Rachel smirked at Jackie then returned her attention to Sarah. “She always does that, says she doesn’t know when I bet she knows a lot more than she lets on.”

Jackie shook her head.

Rachel continued undaunted. “But as forAs The Heart Draws, well, you gotta love a nice PG historical TV drama series about Mounties like that, right?”

There were various murmurs of agreement.

“Lincoln used to be the lead in that show before his career took off,” she explained to Sarah.

Sarah nodded, and pinched a small bunch of grapes.

“Ooh, speaking of,” Rachel continued, “let’s have opinions on Harrison Woods in that show. He’s the new Mountie hero, but he used to be inBeach Guard,” she explained to Sarah.

“I haven’t seen that either,” Sarah confessed.

“Well, you’redefinitelynot missing much withBeach Guard. Apart from a couple of scenes when he’s riding a horse along the beach with no shirt on, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Clearly.

“Harrison took Tanner’s role, who played the previous Mountie character that Lincoln played, and let’s just say that Harrison isfire. I’m like, Tanner who?”

The other women laughed, and Sarah joined in. It had been a long time since she’d laughed with other women like this.

The evening continued, with easy conversation and tasty food, and Sarah relaxed some more. These women were fun, their snippets revealing aspects of their lives that helped her piece together where they fit in Muskoka Shores. Most attended John and Angela’s church, which was why she’d recognized some, like Serena, Jackie, and Anna, more than others. Others, like Toni and fellow redhead Staci, were newer to town.

Jackie had worked at Golden Elms retirement home, which was how she met Lincoln, who’d been visiting his grandfather. Anna worked as a medical receptionist, with Staci’s husband, Dr. James Wells, who was a retired missionary. Staci was a successful author of historical novels, many with a spice rating above what Sarah preferred, but she’d started writing clean and subtly Christian romance in recent years. It was fun joining the dots that showed just how close a small town could be.

But small towns also meant less space to hide, and it was obvious from the conversations that people didn’t mind diving into each other’s business. Which drew new tension, as she poised for hard questions she didn’t want to answer, even as she smiled and pretended she was fine.

“So, can I ask, what’s it like—really—to be married to a hockey star?” Staci asked.

“You’re not going to put this in one of your books, are you?” Anna asked.

Sarah froze. She wouldn’t. Would she?

Staci smiled. “I think Anna has forgotten that I write historicals.”

“But that doesn’t mean that’s all you’ll ever write,” Anna said. “I don’t understand why authors focus on only one genre.”

“It’s got a lot to do with publishers wanting to satisfy their readership, and not wanting to take risks.” Staci shrugged. “But I’m not looking to write Sarah’s story, even though I firmly believe everyone has a story. I just don’t want Sarah feeling like she’s under the microscope here.”

“Too late for that.” Sarah added a smile to help convince her comment was a joke.

“So, whatisit like?” Rachel asked.

“It’s got some benefits.”

“Ooh, like those super cool leather jackets you got to wear for the playoffs a year or so ago.”

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