Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) - Plot & Excerpts
Backstage by Shayne McClendon Chapter Twelve Ezra woke to the morning sun filling the room with light. Turning his head, he smiled at the woman beside him. She was on her stomach, hands tucked under her body, pressed against his side from shoulder to feet. Her eyes fluttered open and a soft smile spread over her face. “Any morning-after regrets?”“Not a single one.” He rolled and moved his body down to put himself at eye level. “How about you?” “None.” “Excellent. Good morning, Miss Johannson.” She rubbed her cheek against his inner arm and moved to press the front of her body to his. “Do you know what happens today?” Sleepily, she shook her head. “Today, you get reviews on your play.”Her reaction time was unreal. Throwing herself from the bed, she was a sight to see naked in morning light. Grabbing her hair in her fists, she shrieked, “Oh my god, I forgot about reviews. What do I do?” He stood up and cupped her face in his hands. “Right now, I want you to breathe. That wasn’t breathing…that was gasping. Slow and steady. I know this business, Madeline. You’re going to love your reviews.” He kissed her forehead. “I put in a request for all the newspapers. They’re probably right outside the door. Stay here.”Wrapping a towel around his lower body, he opened the door to the hall and picked up the stack of local papers. She was pacing the room. “Linn.” Her eyes were wide and panicked. “I’m going to order breakfast. Take a shower, pull on the hotel robe, and we’ll read the reviews together. The play is first rate. No worrying.”Like a zombie, she walked to the bathroom. By the time she emerged, a member of the hotel staff was wheeling in their table of food. “How much did you order?”“All of it. I’m starving.” Handing the man a heavy tip for the rush, he gently guided her into a seat. “Coffee and a croissant to start, I think.”While she sipped the fortifying brew, he went through each paper, skimmed her reviews with a smile, and folded them back. Finally, she took a deep breath, set down her cup, and gave him a nod. “Okay. I’m ready.” Handing over the folded entertainment sections, he poured his own coffee and waited, watching her expressions with pleasure. “Madeline Johannson brought Midwest values and Big City class to the Zelder Theater for her first mainstream production, Not That Desperate. Clever writing, brilliant characters, and superb set design bring the comedic musical to life…”“We hope to see more of the lovely and talented Johannson sisters in the future. Bringing their sweet country charm and ready to play with the big boys, these women stormed the stage (and a few hearts) last night…”“If you speak to either Johannson sister and think their accents and good looks are all they bring to the table…settle in for a wild ride. The play is daring, fun, and filled with an exceptional cast that kept me laughing throughout and left me wanting more, more, more! There are rumors each sister is dating a Zelder brother, longtime members in good standing among the theater community. If true, the dashing Zelders score high points for choosing such unique young women who are a breath of fresh air.”“That this play made me laugh throughout was a surprise…that it was their first attempt in a mainstream venue was a complete shock. The rest of the cast performed well, seeming dedicated to their playwright and director.”By the time she finished reading, one hand gripped the edge of the table with white knuckles. Ezra crouched in front of her with a smile. “You did it. I’m incredibly proud of you, Madeline.”She exhaled roughly. Swallowing hard, she had tears in her eyes as she whispered, “It’s so hard to be taken seriously as a new author. It seems like publishers won’t even look at you. Mikayla came up with the idea that if I could pull off a smash hit somewhere like New York, they wouldn’t have a choice. I just want a little office where I can churn out stories and live a normal life.” “Where were you going to go once you finished the run of your play?” “I have a house in Oklahoma and a cabin on a lake in Texas.” She shrugged. “I’ve fallen in love with everything about New York.” Placing her palms along both sides of his face, she added, “There are so many things to love here.”He suddenly wondered about Linn’s sister and what would happen between her and his brother. “What about Mikayla?” “None of this was what she wanted. She wants to teach and raise a family. It’s all she’s ever dreamed about having.” Her shoulder lifted. “Having a marriage like our parents is her ultimate happiness.”“Do you think she’ll stay in New York?”Madeline laughed. “Ezra, if Isaiah opens his arms, she’ll run into them. He’s here so she’ll stay here. She loves New York as much as I do.”“Thank god.” He kissed her aggressively, staking claim to the woman he wanted. Pulling back far enough to look into her eyes, he said, “I have a huge brownstone, Madeline. There’s a room off the master bedroom that looks out over the back garden. Tall windows and built-in bookshelves. It’s been empty for years because I couldn’t decide what to do with the space. I think it would make you a beautiful office.” “That sounds lovely.”“In the spring, the plants in the back courtyard blossom. In the fall, the color pallet is breathtaking. I can have your apartment packed today.”She laughed and covered her mouth. He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Okay, we’ll get you packed up next week. How long are you going to make me wait before you become my wife?” “Six months sounds like a reasonable engagement.” She gave him a wink. “I want there to be no doubt that we’re marrying for no other reason than love.” “The best reason.”“I leave wet towels around and I’m usually irritable in the morning.” She took a deep breath. “I want kids in a few years. Is that a problem?”Ezra’s smile felt huge on his face. “I drop dirty clothes everywhere. I sometimes work too much.” He kissed her soundly. “I love kids.” “Then it’s all settled. Now you need to eat and I have to call my sister.” Her kiss went on for a long time and he considered carrying her back to bed. Then his stomach growled. Against his mouth, she laughed. “Eat.”He settled in his chair and ate while he re-read a couple of the reviews. His attempt not to eavesdrop on the Johannson sisters’ conversation was futile. Their exuberance kept him grinning. When she disconnected, he asked, “So, how is your sister?”Laughing, Linn stood and walked around the table. Placing her hand along the side of his face, she answered, “Excellent. She’s at your brother’s house. She sounds blissful and I bet you a hundred dollars she doesn’t leave.”“I’m not taking that bet. Isaiah’s been alone too long.”“Once Kayla sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her. She loves him.” She shrugged. “I know the feeling.”He rested his hand over hers on his cheek. “You need to be at the theater by five. That gives us a couple of hours before check out to show you how happy you’ve made me.” He grinned.
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