Simple Man

- SEVEN -

"I really need you to hear me," Iyana said as she parked in front of her work, the rain loudly tapping on the roof of the car as if it was trying to help get Kyra's attention. The girl replied with silence, continuing to look out the passenger window but Iyana wasn't having it and took Kyra's face in her hand, "Look at me when I'm talking to you." Iyana said firmly as she let go of Kyra's chin and she begrudgingly did as she was told. "This isn't a game and you know that, so quit playing."

"I'm not—" Kyra started but Iyana raised her hand, effectively cutting her off.

"You are. Showing your ass to Mrs. Tripp like that. You know better. I hear you and I understand your frustration but just let me deal with her, okay? We came here to hide out, not make a scene. That's how he'll find us. Our lives, that's what's on the line here. You're just a kid but you're also smart enough to understand how serious this is. Please just don't make me say this again, keep a low profile."

"Just like you do in that baby blue sundress in church?" Kyra laughed.

Iyana bucked, "Girl, you heard me."

   Kyra nodded as she leaned back in her seat, her head just barely reaching the head rest as she sighed out, "Fine." She looked so small and defeated sitting there. Kyra wouldn't know it but Iyana's heart bled watching a little girl's innocence shrivel up and die a slow death as the days and weeks went on. But if it meant keeping her alive then so be it. Kyra opened her door to get out but stopped midway to look back at her protection, "If I don't look at you sometimes I'm not just being a brat, it's just hard to look at you when you remind me so much of her."

   Iyana didn't know what to say to that but it didn't matter. Kyra slammed the door shut behind her cutting off any possible response and Iyana winced.  A single tear rolling down her cheek. She had to get ahold of herself, she couldn't get attached. Kyra's safety was her job, nothing more. She blew out a breath and with trembling hands she got out of the car.

Kyra left the front door of the bed and breakfast wide open and Iyana could hear Craig Berman, the owner, calling after Kyra. As Iyana walked through the threshold of the Magnolia Inn she could see Kyra's bright green shoes disappear up the stairs to the second floor.

"Don't bother Mr. Berman, it's been a rough day. I know my brother raised her better than that, I apologize."

   Craig huffed, "If she expects me to air-condition the whole state of Louisiana then you will be the one stuck with the electricity bill which I promise that will end up being a small fortune— yes, it's nearly October but it's still hotter than a witch's tit."

"Duly noted." Iyana replied.

"Glad." Craig replied, "Now you'll be down in an hour to cover the desk?"

"I worked the desk this morning, I thought Elijah was covering evening?" Iyana asked.

"He... called out." Craig said, looking displeased.

"Again?"

"Again." Mr. Berman confirmed.

"Why don't you fire him already?"

"Iyana, we're short staffed as it is and if I fire Elijah his father would likely rescind my invite for cards and drink with him and the other fellas. Jeff knows how much I look forward to it. It's the highlight of my week so that puts me in kind of a bind, you see..."

   Iyana sighed, "Fine, I'll be back down shortly... but I'm off tomorrow. Off—off."

"That's a dear, I do so appreciate you." Craig said as Iyana started up the stairs, "Oh and Iyana, one more thing... I almost forgot."

"Yes, Mr. Berman?" Iyana said from over half way up the stairs, she had to bend over slightly to properly see the ruddy face of her boss.

"We have a late check-in arriving this evening. I've heard he's a former resident but he left long before I moved here. He emphasized discretion, it was quiet odd but I got the feeling he didn't many to know he was coming. I told him I'm a simple man who runs a simple business, so he need not worry about word getting out of his stay. We don't make a practice of gossiping about the goings-on of our guest. This seemed to assure him. I'm telling you so are aware and should expecting him in the next two to three hours." Craig laughed as a pit in Iyana's stomach started to form, she didn't like where this was going

"Who is it?" Iyana asked, trying not to have a panic attack right in front of her employer.

Craig looked up from the sign-in book, "Pardon?"

"The name, Mr. Berman, what is his name?" Iyana pressed, trying not to imaging Isaac Wolfe walking through those doors.

"Oh yes, sorry, his name is Rowan August." Craig replied, as he checked his reflection in the mirror to straighten his bow tie.

"What?"

"Rowan August."

"You have got to be joking... Rowan August use to live here? In Juniper? Juniper, Louisiana?" Iyana asked, incredulously.

"Yes. Why?"

   Iyana paused, "I believe he's a very important man... I don't know what he does exactly but I've heard he's well connected." she lied, knowing it was best to kept Craig in the dark when it came to the truth about their expectant guest. He was an actor. A very prominent actor. Actor meant attention. Attention meant trouble.

"Really?" Craig paused his preening, looking up at his employee before looking back at his own reflection. He seemed pleased to have the patronage someone of some importance. Iyana didn't have the heart to point out that the Magnolia Inn was the only hotel that wasn't an hour or more out of the way from Juniper.

"Do you know why he's coming?" Iyana asked.

"Not a clue. But business has been slow as of late so I won't fret over the why and just be thankful he is. I just pray that his stay is long."

   Iyana was actively praying just the opposite.

"Alright, well, I'll be down in a bit... thanks for the heads up!"

"Please make him feel welcomed when he arrives! I believe his check in time is six pm but don't quote me on that!" Craig said as Iyana turned away from him and continued the rest of the way up on autopilot.

   Her thoughts were running all over the place. She desperately needed to release the expletives that threatened to fly out of her mouth so she ducked into the linen closet. She batted away the chain that turned the light on, remaining in the dark as she cursed under her breath.

   Panic had her by throat as the prospect an A-list celebrity flying into town in his flashy car. She might work here as part of her cover but she didn't have to be friendly. She resolved to be cordial but to steer herself and Kyra as far away from the actors' orbit. It wasn't Rowan August himself that elicited this fight or flight instinct in her but the very real possibility of paparazzi descending on this unassuming town. Cameras armed and ready to snap one stray photo of them. Just one photo. That's all it would take to blow their cover.

She punched her fist down on some towels.

   Everyone else in this town might live under a rock but Iyana sure didn't. She knew Rowan was a big name in Hollywood and his arrival would mean there was now an eminent threat of exposure. Iyana wasn't sure how she was going to explain all this to Kyra, it wouldn't help dropping this on her since she was probably still upset from earlier.

    Craig wanted Iyana to make Rowan August feel welcomed here in Juniper. She resolved that he would feel anything but welcomed. Professional but distant. Iyana had to smile as she thought back at her own dismal dating history. If she was an expert in anything it was how to make men run fast and far far away.