Chapter 151

"Have I really liked meat since I was a kid?" Stacey whispered, cradling a small duck. Squatting before Jeremy, she smiled. "Jeremy, do you like meat?" The thought, It can't be just me! raced through her mind.

Jeremy nodded eagerly. Relief washed over Stacey. She glanced at Hayden, then back at Jeremy. He's not shy at all! Adorable, she thought, hugging him and kissing his cheek. His eyes lit up.

"Let's get Joshua to make us a meaty lunch!" she declared, taking Jeremy's hand and leading him downstairs. Hayden watched thoughtfully. Pausing, Stacey asked, "Mr. Hoggard, any lunch preferences? Jeremy and I can tell Joshua."

"Joshua knows my preferences," Hayden replied.

Stacey nodded. Of course. "Then we'll go downstairs."

Hayden nodded. "All right."

They descended, Stacey searching for Joshua. But Jeremy led them straight to the kitchen. Instead of an elderly woman, a stunning young woman greeted them.

Stacey's eyes widened. So beautiful! she thought. The young woman, after a brief surprise, smiled warmly at Jeremy. "Jeremy, what do you need?"

Jeremy produced his tablet, drawing the same picture—meat. Stacey explained, "He wants more meat for lunch."

"Sure," the young woman replied, her voice gentle.

"Thank you," Stacey said sincerely.

"It's my job," the young woman smiled.

"We won't bother you then," Stacey said, leading Jeremy outside.

Lynn approached quickly. Hoggard Villa was unlike anything she'd seen. "Becky," she whispered, "what's your relationship with the Hoggards?"

Stacey considered, then said simply, "My grandma and Mrs. Hoggard were close friends."

Lynn was stunned. It explained everything. The Carters had connections. Envy stabbed at her. Becky's life had blossomed since returning to her family.

"Okay, I get it," Lynn finally said, her anxiety gone. She looked forward to the afternoon's shoot. Even if Becky messes up, the Hoggards won't mind! she thought.

Lynn knew Becky's talent. Given time to rehearse, she'd be flawless. She glanced at the Hoggard Technologies staff frantically typing.

She almost asked for the script, then stopped. Hayden's last-minute changes meant everything was up in the air. Getting the script before 3 p.m. would be a miracle.

Lynn's gaze fell on Jeremy, clinging to Stacey. He likes Becky. This should be easy, she thought. Squatting, she said seriously, "Hi Jeremy, I'm Lynn, Becky's agent."

Stacey squatted beside them. Jeremy, after a moment's hesitation, nodded. Lynn smiled. "Jeremy, could you help look after Becky this afternoon?"