“She wants to discuss some of the scenes so that she can prepare for the table read and rehearsals.”
Rina nodded. “Sounds reasonable.”
“Aha! Who are you?” Gigi asked.
“What?”
“Rina, since when are you blasé about invoking the she-devil? Is this some kind of Zen-Jedi rehab thing?”
“Britney Cavell and I are going to be working together. We might as well get used to keeping it professional. I think it’s a good idea—like a dress rehearsal before we actually have to work together. Call her manager and set it up. Take two hours out of my schedule and get us a table at La Cigale.
When Rina’s cell phone rang, Gigi stood and retrieved it from the counter. “It’s her.”
“Cavell?”
“No. Julia.”
Rina lit up and dropped her fork onto the plate from mid-air. “Really?” She stumbled from her chair and grabbed the phone. “Hello, sweetheart.”
Gigi and Clay locked eyes.
Sweetheart? Gigi mouthed.
Clay shrugged.
“We’re feasting on lasagna here, thanks to you,” said Rina. “Everyone loves it.” She stepped toward the family room and stopped in the doorway. “I miss you so much,” she said in a hushed tone.
Gigi waited until Rina left the room. “Find her, Clay,” she whispered. “She lives in Desert Bluff.”
“Where the hell is Desert Bluff?”
“Out past Palm Springs.”
“Don’t worry. Get me Julia’s phone number and I’ll find her for you.”
“Can you hear anything?” asked Gigi.
Clay stood and tiptoed to the door. A minute later he scrambled back to his seat. “Sounds pretty hot and heavy,” he whispered.
Rina reentered the kitchen and took her seat. She slowly brought the fork to her lips, closed her eyes, and moaned when she swallowed the next bite. “Why are you staring at me that way?” she asked when her eyes opened.
“Because you just turned a bite of lasagna into soft porn,” Gigi replied. “And you’re not that good off camera.”
Rina chuckled. “Oh? Evidently I am.”
Chapter Fifteen
Vittoria Dearling made it to the Starlight Diner after the dinner rush. Julia’s carbon copy, she could be distinguished from her twin primarily by her wardrobe—she had traded in her ranchwear for New York corporate-wear. The only other difference was Vittoria’s stylishly layered, highlighted hair.
No longer the small-town desert dweller, she rented fancy cars when she visited and projected an air of success and city sophistication that made Julia tease her about becoming “New Yorkified.”
Vittoria smiled as she came through the door. “I know she’s here because that ugly Fiat is in the parking lot!”
“Vitty!” said Julia. They hugged hard and kissed on the cheek. “I can’t believe you’re finally here!”
Cass delivered the order she brought out from the kitchen and greeted Vitty with a hug.
“Cass, good to see you!”
“You too. Welcome home. It sure has been a while. Something up for you to make it all the way out here?” asked Cass.
“Can’t I just come home for a visit to see my sister?”
“Sure you can,” answered Cass, glancing at Julia.
Vitty looked around and exhaled a nostalgic sigh. “The diner has barely changed since Grandmother owned it. So, what’s on the menu? I’m hungry.”
“I made your favorite chicken dish,” Julia answered proudly.
“Grandmother Lucia’s cacciatore a la Julia?”
“Yep. Cass, would you mind fixing Vitty a plate?”
“Not at all. You want an iced tea with a slice of orange?” asked Cass.
Vitty smiled. “You remember.”
“Of course I do. Your sister went nuts in the kitchen today. Wait until you see all the food you’re going to have to eat before you leave.”
Julia smiled. “All your favorites.”
The sisters slid into the booth they had grown up occupying after school. The one where they had done their homework and where they had sat in anticipation of the special treats their grandmother gave them on all of their childhood birthdays—even the ones before their mother had left.
“This booth should have a plaque with our names on it,” said Vitty.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
“You’re such a good cook, Julia. Do you realize you could be making a name for yourself in New York? It wouldn’t be such a struggle like it is all the way out here.”
“Any horse stables in your apartment building?” Julia laughed and reached for Vitty’s hand. “I’ve really missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Juju. You really need to come for a visit. I know you’d love New York.”
“So you keep saying.”
“Maybe there’s a way to work it out. We’ll talk about it later. How’s my horse?”
Julia leaned back against the tufted Naugahyde. “You won’t believe how good Thunder looks. At least three mornings a week we climb the mountain. But I’m afraid after all this time, he thinks he’s mine. We’ll take a ride in the morning so that you two can get reacquainted.”
Cass placed Vitty’s dinner on the table.
“Relax and eat,” Julia began, “I’m going to help Cass clean up.”
“If I finish before you’re done, I’ll see you at home.”
“Good idea.”
Julia got to the ranch balancing an armful of take-out containers stacked to her chin.
“Let me take that,” said Vitty as she sprang from the couch. She followed Julia into the kitchen and placed the containers in the refrigerator. “I fed the horses. Thunder and Lightning were both happy to see me—not nearly as happy as I was to see them. Sometimes I forget how much I miss this ranch—the desert. I need to come home more often.”
“If only! It’s so weird to see you here. I’m used to coming home to an empty house.”
“What about…Nicki, right?”
“That’s dead and buried.”
“Already? What happened?”
“Turns out she was more into herself—” Julia paused “—and a stripper than she could ever be into anyone else. Besides, I’ve moved on.”
“So soon? I didn’t know there were that many gay women out here.”
Julia turned her chin toward one shrugged shoulder and gave Vitty what her twin had dubbed as her “girly smile.”
“Oh,” Vitty laughed. “You’re blushing! Spill it, Juju. Who is she?”
“She’s not from around here. We met at the diner when she was passing through.”
“Well, where’s she from?”
“LA. She’s already been back to visit though.”
“What’s her name?” Vitty asked, excited.
“Rina. She’s wonderful. Amazing. Beautiful. And she’s very good to me.”
“Any chance of meeting her on this trip?”
“She just left yesterday. We’re pretty new so I haven’t told anyone about her except you.”
“Not even Cass?”
“Nope.”
“So too soon to tell if it’s going anywhere?”
Julia sighed. “For the first time in my life, I’m falling in love.”
“You were with Nicki until recently. Are you sure this woman isn’t just rebound therapy?”
“I couldn’t be more sure. It’s more like everyone before her was just practice. Of course I haven’t told her that. I don’t want to freak her out. But I knew in an instant.”
“Don’t be naive. There’s no such thing as love at first sight.”
“For me, there was.”
“Just remember what Grandmother always said: ‘No one can be perfect in an imperfect world.’”
“As long as she’s perfect for me, that’s what matters. But we do have a couple of challenges.”
“Like what?”
“There’s an age difference.”
“How big?”
“Big enough.”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
“I’m not ready to say. It’s bad luck.”
Vitty snickered. “Now you sound like Grandmother Lucia.”
“She did raise us. Something was bound to rub off.”
“Then I’m glad it was you and not me who inherited her Italian superstitions.”
“Anyway, age is just one challenge.”
“There’s more?”
“She lives a very different life from me. The woman has everything a person could want or need. I still don’t know what she sees in me.”
“She sees what the rest of us see. Have you visited her in LA yet?”
“No.”
“So it could all be smoke and mirrors as far as you know.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why?”
“Because she tried to give me a new car.”
“But you hardly know her. That doesn’t seem suspicious to you?”
“Not if you knew why—which is a story for another time.” Julia placed the last few containers in the refrigerator. “You’d love her. If things work out, you’ll meet her. Just not yet.”
“Why? We could hop in the car and drive to LA tomorrow if you want.”
“Like I said, we’re new. Frankly, my head’s so far up in the clouds, I’m surprised I don’t have a nosebleed.”
“What does she do for a living?”
“She’s in the film industry.”
Vitty rolled her eyes. “Sounds positively fake. You know how LA people are—mansions without a stick of furniture inside, leased Rolls Royces, and not a dime in the bank. Be careful.”
“I wouldn’t care if she had nothing—because she’s everything I could ever want.”
“Then I have to meet her,” Vitty said sternly.
“You don’t have to protect me.”
“I’m a city girl now. You wouldn’t believe some of the shit I’ve seen. I hope she turns out to be who you think she is.”
“She already has.”
“So when do you think you’ll see her in her natural habitat?”
“Soon I hope.”
“Try to meet some of her friends. That’s always revealing.” Vitty smiled. “I really hope it works out—happy is a good color for you.” She surveyed the room. “The place looks nice. I like the kitchen remodel.”
“It really needed it. Good thing I have the diner, because this kitchen was out of commission for weeks. I was using the mini fridge in the casita.”
“You work so hard, Jules. Don’t you ever get tired of maintaining all of this—and the casita and the diner. And the horses?”
Julia shrugged. “Someone’s gotta do it. I mean, for Grandmother Lucia.”
“Sweetie, she’s been gone for four years. I’m sure she’d want you to go out and make your own life. Find your own happiness.”
“But this is what I know. It’s what I’ve always known. And FYI, it does make me happy.”
“There’s a big world out there, Juju. Don’t you ever think about selling the diner or the ranch—or at least part of the property?”
“I love being able to keep the horses and to live where we grew up. I need the diner to afford the ranch—and I need the ranch for those rides up the mountain.”
“But is it what you really want out of life?”
Julia stared at her. “I don’t know if I’ve ever considered there was an option. You should see what I’ve done with the casita.”
“Show me?”
“Okay,” Julia beamed.
They left through the back door, and Julia entered first and turned on the lights.
“Damn! It’s gorgeous. Look at all your sculptures! I knew this was your hobby, but I had no idea how many pieces you’ve made. You’ve really come a long way since I was here last. Wow. Just wow.” Vitty toured the room and studied them all. “I would love to have one of these.”
“Really?”
“Definitely. I would display it proudly. I like this one.” Vitty stopped before one of the Arabians.
“Sorry. That one is going to a gallery.”
Vitty turned to her sister with a quizzical expression. “What?”
“Yes, thanks to Rina there are two galleries in LA that are interested in that one and the one next to it.”
“Look at my baby sister, a known sculptress. I’m impressed.”
“Not known yet!” Julia scoffed. “Baby sister? You’re three minutes older than me.”
“Three minutes is three minutes.”
Julia retrieved a small horse sculpture from the shelf and handed it to Vitty.
Vitty studied it. “This is Thunder!”
“Yes, it is. Take him home so that your horse is with you every day.”
“Thanks, sis!” Vitty held the horse close to her chest and continued the tour. She lifted the tarp from the work-in-progress and laughed. “A human? Since when! You don’t even like humans.”
“My first. It’s barely halfway finished. I’m sure it’ll look much better once I finish carving the details.”
“She looks familiar. Who is she?”
“You’ll know once it’s done.” She scratched her head. “At least I hope you will.”
“I’m so proud of you, Jules.”
“Thanks, but you’re the successful one, remember? I’m just the cook and the rancher.”
“And the talented sculptor!”
“You mean that?”
“Are you kidding me?” Vitty looked around the room, shaking her head. “Yes, I mean it.”
“You must be tired after that long trip.”
“I am.”
“Let’s go chill, and I’ll get a bedtime snack ready for you.”
Vitty put down the sculpture and threw her arms around her twin sister. “Gosh, I miss you.”
* * *
At first light, the girls mounted their steeds and walked them until they took off toward the mountain.
“Attaboy, Thunder!” said Vitty.
A second later, Julia and Lightning came to a halt beside her sister.
“We beat you, Jules.”
“You mean as usual we let you win.”
“It’s quite a workout for them—climbing the hill.” Vitty looked out over the mesa. “It’s good to be back. Weird to see wide-open space after living in Manhattan. I pay three thousand a month for a tiny one-bedroom, and I lucked out.”
“You should bring David with you next time. Does he ride?” asked Julia.
“I love my fiancé, but he’s such a city boy. The closest he gets to riding is the subway or in taxis.”
“Any chance you can come for longer than a weekend?”
“I can probably take more time off soon—when the New York executives have their week in the Hamptons.”
Julia turned Lightning around. “Hey, wanna race across the mesa?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Like when they were kids, they raced, teased one another, and then laughed as they walked the horses on the way back to the barn.
“I’ll take care of the horses,” said Vitty. “Then I have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“We’re driving into Palm Springs.”
“Why?”
“I made an early afternoon hair appointment for you. It’s time for you to get a little style, maybe some highlights. Then we can go out for a nice meal. All my treat!”
“Aha! So that’s why Cass pushed me out the door of the diner last night.”
“Yes, we conspired against you. Hey, what do you think about David and me having the wedding here?”
“I’d love it. We can cater it from the diner. I do that now for big parties.”
“I’m so happy you feel that way! We’re not so far from LA—your girlfriend can come to the wedding.”
Julia stared into her twin’s eyes and feigned enthusiasm. “Yay!” How ever can I ask Katarina Verralta to be my date at a desert ranch wedding!
Vitty took Lightning’s reins from Julia. “Go ahead. Shower. Get ready! We’re leaving in an hour.”
“Okay!”
Chapter Sixteen
Rina pulled a fast one on the gaggle of paparazzi by zipping past them in the rejected red sports car instead of the Jag. She smiled for two photographers outside La Cigale restaurant on Robertson Drive, left the car with the valet, and entered.
“Right this way, Miss Verralta,” said the maître d’. “Miss Cavell is already seated.”
“Thank you, Martin.”
Rina followed him to the section reserved for people of her status. All decked out in a severe case of tasteful burgundy, La Cigale welcomed its guests into refined and formal dining. From the embroidered crests on the overstuffed high-backed chairs to the rose-filled centerpieces, it was the kind of place where gold-rimmed goblets matched the china and tablecloths. Rina nodded at the people who smiled at her.
She spotted Britney as she rounded the corner, and at first glance she couldn’t help noticing what had first attracted her to the younger actress. Her short dark hair provided a dramatic frame for the expressive brown eyes that spoke a million emotions—all on demand. Depending on what she wanted and whom she aimed to lure into her lair, Britney always had a matching expression. She was nothing if not a talent-wielding, attention-commanding vixen.
Martin pulled out Rina’s chair and unfolded her napkin.
“Rina,” Britney said warmly.
Opportunist Smile Number Six. Sugar sweet with a dash of charisma.
“It’s good to see you.” Britney reached across the table to take Rina’s hand.
Rina rested her hands on the napkin in her lap. “Hello, Britney.”
The waiter placed a fruit plate and a small salad in front of Rina. “As you requested, Miss Verralta, no cantaloupe.”
“Thank you.”
He replenished Britney’s glass of wine from the bottle in the ice bucket. When the waiter stopped pouring, Britney placed her hand gently on his arm.
“Keep pouring,” she said. “And come back soon.”
Rina waited patiently. What they knew about each other could sell a year’s worth of tabloids. More importantly, Rina knew how to read between the lines—and knew that waiting for Britney to speak first always put Rina in the driver’s seat.
“This is something, isn’t it, Rina?”
Smile Number Seven Page 10
