An Unlikely Match

twelve people, but she nodded.
“I’ll go get the six staying in the house.” He nodded over his shoulder. “Are those other houses rented?”
“Ya, one is leased long-term to a gentleman, and the other haus is occupied by a young couple.” Esther didn’t think she’d ever referred to Gus as a gentleman before. She hoped he wouldstay tucked away for the next month, but all this activity was more than likely going to upset him. And when Gus was disgruntled,there was no telling what he might say or do.
The man flinched. “We’ll have to run the generators for the motor homes most of the time while they’re parked here. They’rerather loud. I didn’t know there would be other residents close by.” He paused. “By the way, I’m Brandon Clarkson, the producer.I’ll be staying inside, along with my son and four others. I’ll go get everyone staying in the house and introduce you. Wehave a few who aren’t thrilled about sleeping in a house without air conditioning.” His voice held a tinge of irritation.
Esther pushed through her worry. About the food overage, the loud generators, and the likelihood that Gus would throw a fit.
“I’ll be right back with the others.” Mr. Clarkson did an about-face and rejoined his crew.
Esther glanced at Lizzie, proud that her sister had pressed her lips together and stayed quiet. “You can speak now.”
Lizzie stretched her arms stiffly at her sides. “Don’t yell at me. I didn’t know it would be like this.”
“I don’t ever yell at you.” Esther grinned. “I might scold you when you act like a child, but I don’t yell.” They watchedas Mr. Clarkson spoke to the group. “Gus is going to be very unhappy.”
Lizzie cackled. “Well, now, there’s a silver lining after all.” Esther’s sister avoided Gus whenever she could. Most people did, but Lizzie and Gus fought like five-year-olds, even though they were both in their seventies. In his own disconnected way, Gus was like family. The black sheep, for sure, with a nasty temper and a foul mouth to match. But he’d been good to Esther during a health scare not long ago. Besides, Lizzie and Esther’s mother had made them promise before she died to let Gus live in the cottage for the rest of his life, for reasons she would not share with them.
Mr. Clarkson walked back up the porch steps with five others in tow. He introduced Esther and Lizzie, then each person individually.“This is Quinn. She’s our art director.” He nodded at the tall slender woman with white hair as short as a man’s. Then hepointed at the two men on either side of her as he spoke their names. “That’s Hal, our director, and Giovanni, our cinematographer.”
Esther had no idea what any of those titles meant. One of the remaining unidentified men moseyed up to Mr. Clarkson. “AndI’m Jesse, the production designer.”
The younger man who had been off to the side of the group earlier was still lagging behind. Mr. Clarkson gestured over hisshoulder without turning around. “And that’s my son, Jayce.”
The lad nodded when he reached the steps but didn’t say anything. Most of the people Mr. Clarkson had introduced appearedto be in their late thirties and early forties. Jayce was younger—maybe early twenties. His sour expression was a mystery,but when Mr. Clarkson locked eyes with the boy, he just shook his head and frowned at his son.
He turned back to Esther and Lizzie. “We’ll get our things, and then if you’d be kind enough to show us to our rooms, I know we all have work to do.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, I know you don’t have Wi-Fi, but can we get cell service inside the house?”
Several guests had asked Esther about this before, so she was familiar with the lingo. “I’m told only one to two bars,” shesaid apologetically.
Mr. Clarkson glanced around at the others. “Everyone just hotspot. It seems a little faster if you only have one or two bars.Do the best you can.”
“We have lunch planned for twelve if anyone is hungry.” Esther smiled as her stomach churned with worry.
Quinn stepped forward. “We ate on the road, but how nice of you to offer.” The woman was dressed in a sleek black pantsuitthat was belted with a white sash. A long white necklace and matching earrings completed the outfit. With her short whitehair, she reminded Esther of a zebra. Her fingernails were pearly white and long, and the spiked white heels made her appearat least five inches taller than she was. Esther couldn’t imagine walking in such footwear.
They all echoed her response, then headed back to the vehicles to get their luggage. All but one.
“I’ll eat.” The youngest of the group, Jayce, stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He wore a yellow T-shirt, andthe edge of a tattoo showed beneath one of the short sleeves. His dark hair was wild and untamed, landing just above his shoulders.He was handsome and tall with an athletic build, the type Esther thought would be confident, like most English men with suchstunning looks. Instead, an air of isolation clung to him, most evident in his dark eyes. This boy had a story. Esther wassure of it. But for now, she was glad at least one person was willing to eat.
*  *  *
Jayce stowed his suitcase in the small room upstairs. It was a far cry from the luxury hotels his father’s crew usually stayedin. But Montgomery, Indiana, didn’t have such accommodations, and this Amish house was big and had room for the motor homeson the property.
He sat on the bed and gave it a little bounce. Seemed comfortable enough. He pressed down on one of two feather pillows. Therewas a small desk and chair against one wall, along with a small dresser, and a rocking chair took up one corner of the room.His father probably chose the largest room for himself.
The only reason Brandon Clarkson was staying in the house was because he and Veronica had recently broken up, and she refusedto stay under the same roof as him, motor home