She whirled. “You may be right but that doesn’t matter. I’m not waiting another ten years. Thank Rob and Andi for dinner. Goodbye.”
She raced up the path and sought refuge in her car. At least she’d left her purse on the front seat. She shoved the key in the ignition and started the engine. Tears blurred her vision. She drove down the hill and stopped to wipe her eyes. Would the gate open?
She released a sigh when the barrier moved. As she pulled onto the road, she noticed the parked car was gone. What now? She couldn’t go home. Claire would want to know what had happened.
* * *
Though Chad tried to push the wheelchair to a faster speed, the way was uphill. Emma had reached her car and driven away just as he entered the circular drive. He felt invisible hands squeeze his heart. What she’d said was the truth. When he left to pursue his desire to become a professional actor, he had asked her to wait. Though he could have asked her to join him, he’d known how serious she was about seeing her younger siblings grown. She took her promises as sacred vows.
For years, he had continued to share the events of his life with her. She knew about his work as a stuntman, the acting courses he’d taken and the small roles he’d had and how he’d met Gregson. That meeting had changed his life. Why had he neglected to call Emma and tell her about the new phone number?
“Cut all ties to the past,” Gregson had said. “You’re on your way to stardom. You have to embrace the life. Parties where you can be seen. Photo ops to increase your exposure. You want starring roles, I’ll show you how to get them, but you have to do as I say.”
The agent had been right. So much had changed so fast. Suddenly Chad was in demand for small roles as a fighter. Then the script for Storm arrived and he’d forgotten everything about his past and concentrated on becoming Storm.
He drew a shuddering breath. Before Emma had run, she’d said “Goodbye.” She had never said that word to him before. His chest ached and felt as if a heavy weight had landed. He refused to believe he couldn’t find a way to let her know how much he cared. Damn the accident and these broken legs that kept him from pursuit. He would find a way. He must.
Andi, Rob and Tammy emerged from the trees. “Where’s Emma?” Andi asked.
“She just left. She sends thanks for dinner.”
“When’s she coming back?” Rob asked.
Chad gripped the arms of the chair. “I don’t know.”
Rob carried Tammy to the house. Andi lingered. “Are you okay?”
“Not really, but there’s nothing you can do. She told me some things I needed to hear. I never realized how badly I’d hurt her several years ago. I can’t change what I did and I can’t think of a way forward.”
“Give her time.” Andi patted his shoulder. “She’s a very contained person. I can understand how she feels. She needs time.”
“Since I’m grounded for a month or so I can give her time.” He started the wheelchair. “There has to be away to spend time with her.”
Andi grinned. “Use your imagination.”
“At the moment mine is dead.”
“You’ll find a way.” She walked to the house. “Time to put Tammy to bed.”
“I’ll be along later.” Chad sat and stared at the darkening sky. He replayed the scene with Emma, trying to find a way to change what had gone down. He couldn’t. The moon rose and stars appeared. The sultry night breeze flowed over his skin.
Finally he turned the chair and rode to the door. He pushed and the door flew open and banged against the wall.
Rob stepped from the kitchen. He held a bottle of beer. “You do like making grand entrances. Good thing the wall is sturdy.”
“I didn’t expect the door to open at a touch. Couldn’t reach the knob.”
“You could have rung the bell.”
“What I did captured your attention.” He pointed to the bottle Rob held. “Is that for me?”
Rob chuckled. “Am I corrupting you? You seldom drink.”
“Maybe I’ve changed.”
Rob opened the fridge and took out another. He twisted off the cap and handed the bottle to Chad. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Chad paused. “Too much.”
Rob shook his head. “If nothing happened why did she leave?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Life usually is.”
“She doesn’t want to see me again. Damn, I was such a jerk. I listened to Gregson when I signed on with his agency. You need to change your image. Be a playboy. Wow the ladies. Show off your physical talents. Everything you do is a photo op. Forget the past.” He groaned. “So many of my encounters were nothing more than publicity.”
“What did you do to Emma?”
Chad gulped a mouthful of peer and swallowed. “Didn’t let her know my new phone number. Stopped letting her know my romances were fakes. I never kept in touch with her after Gregson controlled my career.”
Rob raised his bottle. “Sounds like you have a lot to overcome. I know how hard eating crow can be. Give her time.” He walked to the couch. “What are you going to do while waiting for your bones to heal?”
Chad wheeled the chair to face his friend. “Several things. One is to figure how much of my assets I can use to make your first book into a movie. Gregson has been no help there. He just drools over the money a new Storm will bring.”
“I suppose making a movie is expensive.”
“Depends. Some are made with little cash outlay but I don’t want this to be an amateur production.”
“How many people would you need to hire?”
“A lot. There’s lighting, cameras, sets, costumes, makeup people. I’m sure there are dozens more areas. Think of the list of names you see at the end of a movie. This isn’t counting the actors and extras.”
“What about the director?”
“That’s my next goal. I want to produce, direct and star. All three. I’ll hire an experienced assistant director.”
“Do you have to fund the entire project?” Rob asked. “I’ve got money just collecting interest and Andi insists she worked too hard to become a practitioner to quit. What about forming a company?”
Chad grinned. “Come into my parlor.”
“I’m willing to be caught. Come to my study and we’ll start a file.”
“Already have one. Let me get the tablet.” He handed Rob the beer. “You bring this and maybe some coffee.”
Before long they were in Rob’s study. He opened his computer and transferred the file from Chad’s tablet. “Will we need music?”
“For background. I’m not ready to tackle a musical. Why do you ask?”
“I’m thinking of a third member for the group. You remember Jay Lockley?”
Chad nodded. “A whiz at the piano.”
“He’s done music for movies. He might be interested in investing. Who else will we need?”
“An attorney.”
“I know one. Bate Forbes handles my book contracts and my other affairs. I’ll ask him.”
“We’ll need a studio with space for sets. I thought we might tap Simon and his partner for security and maybe to scout properties.”
“Good thought. So you think we won’t have to relocate to Hollywood.”
“If we can find the space here we can set up shop in Fern Lake. Much of the book takes place in a small city. We’ll need some interior shots and one or two scenes at the hospital.” He groaned. “I’m stuck here so I can’t explore to find a place.”
“Not to mention the crowds you would gather.”
Chad laughed. “There is that.”
“I’ll call Simon tomorrow and see what he can do,” Rob said.
“I’ll call him,” Chad said “You need your writing time.”
“And you need something to do but I will call the other two and set up a meeting.”
Chapter 7
Emma halted her car at the gate and was surprised they opened. She drove through and it closed behind her. The c
ar she’d seen parked wasn’t there. She imagined Chad’s agent had become tired of sitting in the car and hoping to slip onto the estate.
As she pulled onto the road, she debated where to go. Definitely not home, not yet. Facing her sister’s curiosity didn’t suit her. Where then? She thought about Manon and shook her head. Rafe would have returned home from his meeting by now.
She had no desire to hit one of the local bars. The diner where she and her friends had once hung out held no interest. As she drove toward town, she reached the road leading to the lake. It was late, here was a place where she could walk and think. In the past she’d come here when acting as a substitute mother had depressed her spirits. A few cars remained in the lot. She parked, left the car and walked down the path to the lake. The bright moon in a cloudless sky provided light.
As she ambled along the edge of the water, her thoughts turned to Chad and the kiss. The same sensation of warmth and arousal flooded her body. She released a sigh. The kiss, his touches and caresses, they’d brought a rush of desire she couldn’t deny. Thank heavens she had enough sense to put distance between her and temptation. Much more time and she would have given herself to him.
Tears smarted her eyes. Realization spewed like an erupting volcano. She still loved him. That created a dilemma. She wanted to be free and she wanted to walk away. She couldn’t let him know the kiss had ruined her plans to end her longing for a happy forever with him.
How could she have thoughts of a life with him? His lifestyle shouted danger. His affairs with women, though he’d said some were arranged for publicity, would drive her into storms of envy and jealousy. She wanted a man to be hers alone. She refused to become a photo op.
Her thoughts scattered. She turned and retraced her steps. Chad could change. She laughed. Would a man used to women swarming him like bees, each wanting to be his queen ever settle for just one? She didn’t know and had no way to learn.
A scream built. She’d had choices. She’d dated a half dozen men but turned them all away. Her chest ached. She reached the car and slumped in the driver’s seat. She must push those dreams away and learn to live with a second choice. She started the car and drove home.
When she pulled into the driveway, only the porch light glowed. She let herself in and hurried to her room. She grabbed a sleep shirt and went to shower, hoping to wash away the touches of Chad’s kisses and touches. Not possible. She drew on her sleep shirt and walked to bed.
Claire sat in the chair beside the window. Emma swallowed a groan. Soon the questions would begin. She wasn’t ready to answer.
“Did you have a good time? It’s nearly midnight. I was worried.”
“It’s only a few minutes after eleven.” Emma sat on her bed. “I left at nine and drove around a bit to think about the evening.”
“What happened?”
Emma released a held breath. “He kissed me. He apologized for his actions in the past. I don’t believe him.” She didn’t mention Chad’s declaration of love.
“Why not?”
“I’m just the flavor of the week.”
“Why not give him a chance?”
“Why should I?”
Claire rose. Her hands rested on her hips. “You’ve been obsessed by him for years. How can you be sure he hasn’t changed?”
Emma uncoiled her fisted hands. “You’ve seen the life he lives. While he was in Hollywood, I could dream he would come to his senses. Then I remembered he’s a Leo. Leos thrive on attention. He’ll never change. I’m tired of being a fool. Unfortunately, Cancers tend to cling to old things.”
“Just take a chance.”
“Would you if Kevin…”
Claire scowled. “Kevin broke our marriage vows. He saw other women. He scared me and Brian with his threats. He hit me repeatedly. Unless you and Chad snuck off and married, he was a free agent.”
“Go to bed. We have to work tomorrow.”
“Night. Just think about what you want.” Claire closed the door behind her.
Emma slid beneath the sheet. She had to think but she needed to sleep. Tomorrow would be a busy day. Before long she drifted away.
Troubled dreams. Searching. Following Chad, always reaching but never touching. The kiss replayed again and again.
The sun streaming through the lace curtains woke her. She rolled on her side and turned off the alarm. After a short visit to the bathroom, she dressed in gray slacks and a blue sleeveless blouse and combed her hair. After eating a bowl of cereal and drinking two cups of coffee, she walked to her car. Brian and Claire waved.
At the hospital she made rounds, wrote orders and discussed the results of tests with two patients. This done, she drove to the office.
A call from Dan interrupted her lunch. “I’m in town until tomorrow afternoon. Let’s hook up for dinner.”
“Where and what time?”
“Seven at Louie’s.”
“See you there.’ Though she and Dan had never been anything but friends, being with him would give her a break from obsessing over Chad.
* * *
That morning while waiting for Jeff, Chad reviewed the plan he and Rob had begun, He ran a finger down the list and thought of several items to add.
A knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
He nearly laughed. Jeff carried the supplies for the wrapping. “Do you have enough for the job?”
“Andi said one roll of the wrap is nearly gone. Where she found this massive one is beyond me.” He dropped the supplies on the bed and walked back to close the door. “So Curious Miss doesn’t wander in. One morning of her help was enough.”
Chad laughed. “Remember the wad of wrap she tried to stick on my cast.”
“Too well.” Jeff quickly finished one cast and began on the second.
A half hour later, Chad sat on a shower chair with a second one to prop his casts. From a dozen directions water pulsed his body. He quickly washed and was hoisted from the chair. His casts lay on a metal tray and Jeff eased the lift into the bedroom. Once dried and dressed, he and Jeff moved to the main room.
“I’m off to fight with the computers,” Jeff said. “See you this evening.”
“Have fun.”
“I will.”
Rob turned from the stove. “French toast and sausage patties this morning. There’s syrup, honey and several kinds of jam.”
“I’ll weigh a ton before these casts are off,” Chad said.
The doorbell rang. Chad wondered if he could hide. Rob placed the platter on the table and walked to the door. “Just a delivery. Jeff let him in as he left. He carried a box. “Your computer. The tablet is great for quick things but you need more space and power. After we eat, I’ll set it up. You can transfer your lists and spend time on the internet.” He filled mugs with coffee.
Tammy dashed into the room. A young woman ran after her. Tammy ran to Rob. “Up, up.”
He scooped her into his arms and put her into the high chair. After they ate, Rob rose. “I’ll set up the computer and get to work. Chad, this is Janine, Tammy’s nanny. Chad is a friend and broken. He’s an anonymous man.”
“I understand,” Janine said.
“I ride,” Tammy said.
“Not this morning. After lunch.”
“Okay.”
Before long, Chad sat in the bedroom at the desk. He transferred his files to the computer. He couldn’t resist reading the latest gossip about his accident and his whereabouts. An interview with Gregson made him shake his head. “He’ll be back better that before. Once he finishes rehab, he’ll begin filming Storm 5.”
Chad closed the article. He needed to talk to Gregson but not until he had his plan in order. He reached for the phone to call Simon. “You busy?”
“Not at the moment.”
“I have something to ask you.”
“Problem with Jeff?”
“Not a bit. I want to talk to you about empty warehouses.”
“Why?”
“We need a place to s
et up for a studio.”
Simon laughed. “Then you and Rob are going through with the movie. I’ll make some calls and see if I can take you on a tour.”
“That’ll be a bit difficult, especially if someone recognizes me.”
“Right. I’ll arrange a virtual tour. I’ll call you later.”
While Chad waited for the call, his thoughts turned to Emma. There must be a way to show her he was changing his life. Just thinking about her caused him to pulse with anticipation. He’d never felt this way about any woman in his life.
Was there a way to capture her interest? An idea popped into his head. He searched sites on the internet and found one for flowers and fruit. He laughed. He’d found a way.
Before he had a chance to order, Simon called. “Check your computer. Do you have Live Chatter?”
Chad studied the icon display. “I do.”
“Log on. It may take a few minutes. You’ll need to create a user name and a password.”
A short time later, Chad had an account. “I’m in. Do I need to hang up?”
“Unless you want double sound, do. I’ve found what might be the right place. It’s five miles from town. About seven acres of property. Two buildings. One’s a warehouse. The other’s offices.”
“Sounds good. I’m hanging up.”
“I’m recording this on video. This might be the right one.” He showed the two buildings. “There’s a stone wall around the property. Lots of room for parking and for creating sets. You and Rob can watch the video later.”
Chad watched as Simon showed interior shots of the long one story building and the smaller three story one. “This is great.” Ideas flowed into his head.
“There are two other properties,” Simon said. “Do you want to see them?”
“Just make videos of them,” Chad said. “You have an eye for what’s needed.”
Simon chuckled. “How about a share or two in the company?”
“That could be arranged.”
“I’ll stop by later today.”
Chad leaned back. He glanced at the clock. Two hours until Rob’s lunch break. Get to work. He returned to the site he’d found and sorted through the selections. He found a whimsical arrangement of cacti for today and an arrangement of fruit tor tomorrow. Choosing anything else stymied him. He doubted she would be at the office on Saturday and Sunday. Where did she live?
Forgotten Dreams Page 8
