The Inn at Laurel Creek by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson Page B

his mother," she said.
    "I know that song. It's a great song."
    "When he gets back, you gotta act like I didn't tell you, ya hear?" she asked. "I don't want him gettin' mad at me for giving away his secret. Like I said, he's really taken with you, so he'll tell you in his own time, his own way."
    "But…but why Bret Bennett? Why the different name and the different look?"
    "Ben said he didn't want people knowin' about his personal life. He didn't want anyone bothering his mother when she was alive, either. He always intended to come out of hiding, but said he likes his privacy, and just never has."
    It was a lot to take in. "I…I…I don't know what to say."
    "Just tell me that his bein' famous doesn't change the way you feel about him. Don't be actin' like those girls who just want to be famous too or want his money. Promise you'll be yourself, because that's who Ben's fallin' in love with and I don't want him gettin' hurt again."
    Falling in love with me? Lou thought Ben was falling in love with me?
    "I don't think he's falling in love with me, Lou."
    "Oh child, you're pretty as a speckled pup, but if you can't see how he feels then you're dumber than a stump, too. That boy's fallin', and he's fallin' hard. Why I might oughta have to dig him up with a shovel, he's so far gone already. I've known this boy since he was a peanut in his momma's belly. I know what I'm talkin' about. Just watch his eyes when he's lookin' at ya. They get all misty and weepy. That there's love if I ever saw it."
    I dropped back into the chair, feeling almost weak in the knees, and definitely lightheaded. "Bret Bennett is falling in love with me? Holy crap."
    "Now that's what I'm talkin' about here, Carly. Ben Reynolds is fallin' in love with ya, but Bret Bennett? He ain't real."
    I rubbed my arms. "I know that he's not real Lou, but he's part of who Ben is and that could be a game changer on so many levels." My chest tightened and I tried to pull in more air but I couldn't get enough. I tried again but still nothing. I clutched my chest and Lou rushed over, bending down in front of me.
    "Oh lawd, you're havin' one of them panic attacks, ain't you, sweetie?" She felt my head. "Stan!" she yelled. "Stan, get me a cloth soaked in cold water, you hear? And hurry up. Carly here's havin' an attack."
    My breathing steadied and I gently pushed her hand from my head. "I'm okay, really. Just a little freaked out, but I'll be fine." I grabbed my glass of iced tea and guzzled the last bit. "Would you mind getting me some water?" I asked Lou.
    Just then Stan rushed in with an old brown rag, dripping with water. "This's all I could find." His breath was heavy and fast. "Is she okay?"
    Lou took the rag and threw it to the ground. "Stan Brinker, you did not just soak an old grease rag and think I would use it on this sweet girl's face now did you?" She shook her head and turned to me. "Men, sometimes they ain't got the good sense God gave a goose. He's lucky he's so handsome."
    "I am handsome and you are lucky." He puffed out his chest. "'Course I'm lucky too."
    Lou giggled and tossed the rag at her husband. "We're both pretty lucky." When she turned to me, her smiled shifted down. "Are you okay, Carly?"
    "I'm fine."
    Lou got up and refilled my iced tea. "Here, drink this, you'll feel better. I ain't never seen no one panic like that from a celebrity, but I hear it's happened."
    "You told her, didn't you?" Stan said.
    "Well she's gotta right to know," Lou snipped. "Can't expect her to fall for the boy without knowin' the truth now, can we?"
    Stan shook his head. "Our boy ain't gonna be happy, Lou." He patted my head. "Don't you worry, Carly. Ben's a good southern boy. He'll treat you like a lady. His celebrity ain't gonna change him. Hasn't yet, and I don't see it happenin' either."
    "Thanks, Stan," I said, not knowing what else to say. "I'm really tired now, actually. I think I'm going to head on up to my room for the night." I stood and hugged Lou. "Don't worry,