The Cinema of Lost Dreams
Page 36
“It’s not exactly the world stage.”
“True, but who knows where this will take you?” Luke slowly ran his hand down the side of her face. “I’m so proud of you.”
Claire bristled and stood. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t think we can go back to this again. We’ve tried, it didn’t work.”
“Claire…”
“I’m serious, Luke.” Even though she sounded confident in her decision, her heart yearned for the only man she’d ever loved.
“Stop,” he said.
“What?”
“Stop pushing me away. We can make this happen.”
“I want to, more than anything, but the distance is too great and you’ve barely returned my phone calls and—”
“My retreat opens next week.”
“What?” she almost shrieked.
“I’ve been working crazy hours to make it happen.”
“Luke!” She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss, then quickly stepped away, embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” He laughed. “I’m glad you’re happy about this.”
“Of course I am! This is your dream!” Excitement buzzed through her. “Oh my god. Your dream. You’re actually doing it!”
“Thanks to you.”
“How so?”
“After you left, I reassessed my entire life, especially what I wanted. You were off living your dream and I was…just thinking about it. Your belief in yourself inspired me.”
“Belief in myself?” Claire laughed. “It’s all bravado. Like my grandma always said, ‘fake it until you make it.’”
“She really said that?”
“My grandma was before her time.” When Claire looked into Luke’s eyes, her resolve wavered and nerves made her want to flee. “I better go back to the party.”
She turned, but Luke grabbed her hand. He gently pulled her toward him and she leaned against his chest, listening to his rapidly beating heart.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her hair.
She pursed her lips, too scared to say anything for fear the dam of hot tears would explode.
They stood in the park in silence, the sounds of merriment across the road. Claire nestled into his strong arms, wishing she could stay like this forever. Being in his company only reminded her what she’d walked away from, yet she couldn’t give up on her dream now that things had started moving in the right direction. Damn it. Luke was right. There was no way anyone could have everything they wanted.
“Ah, here you are!” Hattie crossed the street and Claire and Luke broke apart. “When are you coming back to the party? People want to talk with the woman of the hour.”
“That’s you, Hattie, not me.”
“Oh, my dear girl, without you I would never have been able to tell my story—Reeves’s story. When are you going to realize how talented you are? You could get Marcel Marceau talking!” Hattie stopped and looked from Claire to Luke. “I’m sorry, I’ve interrupted something.”
“No, no, it’s okay,” said Luke. “We were just reminiscing.”
Luke’s offhandedness made Claire wonder if she’d imagined the tender moment they’d just shared. Hattie turned and headed toward the cinema but stopped before she crossed the road, her eyes fixed on her building. Luke and Claire stood next to her.
“My, she is beautiful,” sighed Hattie.
“She is,” Claire said. “What’s going to become of her now?”
Hattie looked at Luke.
“You tell her,” said Hattie. “I better go mingle. And Claire?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for everything. Your arrival in Starlight Creek has changed the lives of many, and you’ve helped this old duck finally remember her past and how much she’s achieved.” Hattie’s grin was like a five-year-old’s. “I’m going back to it. Toodle-oo!” With a wink at her great-nephew, Hattie crossed the road, leaving Claire and Luke in the darkness once more.
She turned to Luke. “What’s happening with the cinema?”
“My artists’ retreat isn’t all that’s happening.”
“Pardon?”
“Hattie and I have decided to keep the cinema open, and we’re going to specialize in Hollywood classics. In fact…” He smiled. “Hattie is going to lead the way by showing movies and talking about her time in Hollywood. We’re already booked up every weekend for the next six months.”
“Really?”
“And it wouldn’t have happened without you.”
“I’m sure in time you two would have—”
“Claire.” Luke’s tone was one of frustration.
“What?”
“You can’t see it, can you?”
“What?”
Luke laughed. “Is that your favorite word?”
“Pardon?” She joined in his laughter.
Luke held her face in his hands, his gaze intense. “Please, stay.”
“I can’t. I ……” Her shoulders slumped. “We can’t keep going around in circles!”
Claire looked at the cinema and all the townsfolk milling out front, camaraderie in their laughter and animated chatter. How very different Starlight Creek was from when she had first arrived. Once a town on the verge of collapse that had shunned newcomers for years, now it had a palpable energy and warmth that invited strangers in. Never in her life had she felt more at home.
“This could be my base,” she said. “I’d have to travel a lot.”
“I’d be here, waiting for your return.”
“Are we really doing this?” She laughed. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer in my life.”
Luke’s lips met hers.
Home at last.
Luke moved back slightly, his lips kicking into a slow smile. “And Claire?”
“Yes?”
“You were right. It is absolutely possible to have everything you wish for. I’ve wished for you for a very long time.”
“Then you have me.” She rested her head against his shoulder, taking in the cinema that had changed so many lives. “Dreams really can come true.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
Once again I am so very blessed to work with a wonderful group of people who love stories as much as I do.
A huge thank you to the talented and magnificent team at Kensington Publishing. It’s an absolute delight working with all of you. Extra special thanks to my wonderful editor, Esi Sogah, whose passion for the written word shines through in everything she does. Esi, your fabulous feedback and encouragement is always greatly appreciated and your eye for detail is amazing.
A super big thank you to the brilliant Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. I adore working with you and your insight, support and enthusiasm is fabulous. Thank you so much for all that you do.
Stories like this can’t happen without in-depth research and I’ve been so very fortunate to have had the help of a plethora of experts in the field of film and television. My heartfelt thanks goes to those who answered my myriad questions and allowed me to experience what life on set was really like: Pino Amenta, Sue Edwards, Yael Bergman, David Hart, Kevin Carlin, Kate Atkinson, Susie Porter, Kathy Chambers, Penny Moore, the cast and crew of Trust Frank, Marion “Maz” Farrelly, Denise Eriksen, the Australian Film Television and Radio School, and Women in Film and Television.
Of course, I need to thank my writing crew who think it is totally normal if I talk to myself or the characters in my head. Thank you to: Dave Sinclair, Angela Ackerman, Di Curran, Nicki Edwards, Delwyn Jenkins, Heidi Noroozy, Juliet Madison, Kariss Stone, Kerri Lane, Louise Ousby, Natalie Hatch, Lisa Ireland, Rachael Johns, Supriya Savkoor, T.M. Clark, Ros Ward, Tess Woods and Vanessa Carnevale for brainstorming and cracking the whip when n
eeded.
Thank you so much to all the booksellers, book bloggers, librarians, journalists and every reader who promotes authors and their books. On behalf of every author, I extend a huge thank you because without you, our stories would not be make it out in this world.
A whole world of thank-yous to my extended family and nonwriting friends who don’t mind when I’m a little distracted with my characters and plotting. This journey is so much sweeter with your unwavering support. Special thanks to Mum, Dave and my beloved Dad and Nanna (missing you always) for encouraging me to follow my dreams.
Thank you to my partner Garry and my gorgeous kids Rebecca and Nicholas: you are the sunshine in my life and your laughter the sparkle. Love you so very much!
This book is dedicated to my brother Dave who shares my passion for writing books as well as our love for Hollywood classic movies. I probably don’t say it enough, but I’m so glad you’re my brother, Dave. Love ya!
And a special thank you to you, dear reader, for choosing to spend time in The Cinema of Lost Dreams.