He thought of the house where she’d grown up and decided that was too large for one person. Didn’t she say Claire and her son lived with her? Maybe Rob knew. He would ask later.
Rob appeared in the doorway. “Ready for lunch?”
“I am. Simon will arrive this evening with views of property we can see.” He didn’t mention his thoughts on the place he’d liked. Rob had a say.
“Good. Jay and Nate, he’s my attorney, will be here this evening and we’ll try to bring them into the company.”
* * *
Just after lunch, Emma prepared to see her afternoon patients. Claire stepped into Emma’s office. She carried a plant. Not an ordinary one but an array of cactus. Three cacti surrounded a rundown shack and a hill with a sign. Last Chance Mine. “This is yours why?”
“An old joke about my black thumb.” Emma burst into laughter and opened the card. The words turned her laughter into a giggle.
“What’s so funny?” Claire asked.
Emma drew a deep breath. “To my prickly friend from a man whose ego you thoroughly pricked. Sorry I was a jerk, Chad.”
Claire shook her head. “Wonder where he found them.”
“Who knows?” Emma put the arrangement on the windowsill. The gift reminded her of the silly presents he had sent to her from California years ago.
“What are you going to do about this?” Claire asked.
Emma shook her head. “Not much I can do. I’d like to thank him but I don’t have his number. I’m certainly not calling Andi and asking to speak to him.” Doing that would make her feel foolish. If Chad wanted to talk to her he would have to call the service. She turned to the door. “Patients are waiting.”
* * *
Chad wondered how Emma had liked the cactus display. He also was on edge. After dinner, the men who might be interested in the plan he and Rob had devised would be arriving for a meeting after dinner.
This evening Rob fired the grill and broiled the steaks marinated in beer and herbs all day. He also grilled potatoes and vegetables. Chad glanced at the clock. Soon the men would arrive.
Andi carried the dishes from the table. “I hope you don’t mind but tomorrow Rob, Tammy and I will be gone for most of the day. We’ll be at the lake. My partners are having a picnic.”
“I’ll be fine.” Chad smiled. The card with today’s gift had contained his phone number. If Emma didn’t call, he would call her answering service and plead an emergency.
“Good,” Rob said. “There are things in the fridge for sandwiches.” A short time later the first of the men arrived. Simon carried a tape. “Do you want to see this now or wait for the others?”
“We wait,” Rob said. He pointed to the monitor. “Our other guests are on the way. We’ll watch the video here and then head to my study.” They settled to eat.
Chad met Jay and Nate. They settled on the couch and watched the video of the three places Simon had visited.
“Number one is the right one,” Chad said. “We’ll need to rent the property.”
“Agreed,” Rob said.
“Will you tell me what this is about?” Nate asked.
“Come to my study.” Rob lifted a huge thermos. “Coffee. We’ll need it. Time to explain our plan.”
A different kind of excitement stirred. Chad rode to Rob’s office and opened the computer to the plans. He turned to the attorney. “We’ll have a lot of business for you. There will be contracts and a partnership agreement.” He began to explain about Rob’s book and his rights to make the movie.
“Do you mean to direct?” Jay asked.
Chad nodded. “I’ve been taking all kind of classes. I’m ready to leave the rough and tough roles I’ve been forced to take.”
He and Rob took turns explaining their plans. “We want to locate in Fern Lake,” Rob said. “That’s the reason for the video.”
Jay looked up. “I’m in for the music end but I want to have a share in the company. I’m sure I’m good for the same amount as you put in.”
Chad stared. “That takes gut. We could lose all.”
Jay grinned. “I’ve read Rob’s book. You say you have a treatment. Make me a copy and I’ll tinker with some tunes.”
“I’ll send it over tomorrow,” Rob said.
“We’ll make this a limited company,” Nate said. “Three major share holders.”
“Five on the board. The five of us,” Chad said. “First thing is to rent the property.” He laughed. “I’ll make another list.”
Nate took notes. “I’ll write this up and get copies to all of you.”
Rob poured coffee for all. “There may be other people who want to invest. Do we take them on?”
Chad shook his head. “This is ours. I’ll start making lists of equipment we’ll need and try to interest some people I know for some of the technical jobs.”
“You really need to talk to your agent,” Rob said.
“I will. Maybe next week. I need to call Dr. Markham for that letter he promised.”
The attorney nodded. “I’d like to see the property. Might be better to buy than rent.”
“We’ll go on Monday.” Simon said.
Before long they left. Chad returned to his room. Jeff arrived to help him into bed. As he settled to sleep, he thought about Emma. He hoped to hear from her.
* * *
Emma was sitting in her office on Friday afternoon when Claire and Karen walked in. “Another gift,” Claire sad. She placed a bouquet of fruit turned into flowers on the desk.
“You are so lucky,” Karen said. “Who’s your admirer?”
Emma snatched the card before the other two could. She tucked the card in her pocket. “Enjoy. I’m off to see patients.”
“What does the card say?” Claire asked.
“Later,” Emma said.
Emma engrossed herself in the patients. What was she going to do? She’d figure that out later when she was alone. The moment the others left, she completed her records. Then she popped a strawberry into her mouth and fingered the card. Should she call?
Finally she tapped the number into her cell. A moment later she heard his deep voice. “Hello.”
“Chad, no more flowers or fruit to the office, please.”
“Didn’t you like them?”
She laughed. “Of course I did but Claire’s and the office nurse’s curiosity is driving me crazy.”
“I would have sent them to you at the house but I don’t know where you live.”
“I live where I always did.” She kicked off her heels and rested her feet on the desk.
“Isn’t the house too big for one?” he asked.
“When Dad retired and moved to Florida, three of the youngers still lived there. They were in college. I bought the house so they would always have a home.”
“So now I know. Shame I can’t come to visit. I have great memories of those days. Do you still have the great porch swing?”
“There’s a swing but a new one. The one you remember died of old age.” She closed her eyes. That’s where she had her first kiss, one evening after she and Chad had done homework.
A buzzing sound caught her attention. She dove from dreams of the past. “The office phone. Hold on while I answer.” She lifted the receiver. “Yes. I’ll be there in ten.” She hung up. “Chad, they need me at the hospital. Got to go.”
“Duty.”
“Afraid so. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be around.”
“Bye.” She rose and left the office. Her smile grew. Almost like the old days.
The next day after rounds, she returned home to complete the housework and to pack for the short trip they planned. The doorbell rang. Brian ran to answer. “Aunt Emma, come quick.”
Emma ran to the porch and burst into laughter. The delivery man held a huge plush bear with the same colors as the one Chad had won for her at the fair years ago. She took the creature and read the note. “Shows how much my love has grown.”
Clai
re shook her head. “What next?”
“I don’t know. Let me take this up to my room. Then we’ll finish cleaning and packing.”
“Aren’t you going to call him?”
“Later.”
When the cleaning spree ended, Emma sat on the swing and hit Chad’s number. “The bear arrived and thank you for the memories.”
“Where are you?” he asked.
“On the porch swing.”
“I hoped you were in your room and we could indulge.”
She laughed. “You’re moving too fast.”
“I know. What do you plan for the rest of your day?”
“Claire and I are taking Brian to Playland. We’re staying overnight.”
“Oh.” She heard disappointment in that one word. “Have a great time. Call me when you have a chance.”
“Aunt Emma,” Brian called. “We’re ready.”
“So am I. Chad, I’ll call later.”
During the two hour ride to the small amusement park, Brian chattered and kept Emma’s thoughts from Chad and what she wanted do about him.
They spent the afternoon and early evening at the park watching Brian on the rides, riding others with him and playing games. Emma won two bears. She gave one to Brian and decided Chad deserved the other. She headed to the room they shared, too tired from the day spent in the sun to call Chad.
On Sunday, they checked out of the motel and went to the park. Brian rode all his favorite rides. Emma bought three boxes of fudge, one for Chad, one for the house and the last for the office. After dinner, they drove home.
Before she unpacked, Emma called Chad. “I’m back.”
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes, and I’m exhausted. Too much sun.”
“Can you come tomorrow and have dinner here?” he asked.
“I think so. I’ll see you then.”
After office hours, Emma hurried home to change clothes. She picked up the fudge and the bear and drove to Rob’s estate. At the gate she let herself in. When she reached the house, Chad waited outside.
“I’ve a gift for you,” he said.
“Great minds. I’ve two for you.” She handed him the bag with the logo of the park on the bag. She opened hers and found a book of poetry. “John Donne. You remembered.”
He nodded. “I remember everything. Your grandfather used to read these poems to you.”
“He did.” She waited for him to open the bag.
He pulled out the bear and laughed. “I have a feeling the imp will steal this.” Then he saw the fudge. “You remembered my sweet tooth.” He opened the box and took a piece. He bit and then offered her a bite.
His fingers lingered on her lips. Her tongue flicked out to take the rest of the candy. One hand drew her head closer and their mouths met. A blast of chocolate flavored the kiss.
Reluctantly, she stood. “Didn’t you invite me for dinner?”
“I did. Rob’s doing chicken on the grill and there are strawberries for dessert.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
After a delicious dinner, she and Chad walked past the pool just as they had before. He told her of the plans he and Rob had made for forming a movie company.
“We’ve even found a place for the studio and intend to buy. It’s five miles from town. Negotiations are taking place and I’ll be in touch with some people to head different areas.”
She frowned. “What does this mean?”
“I’m returning to Fern Lake for good.”
The joy in his eyes delighted her but a nagging doubt tickled her thoughts. Would he be content not to be the star and in the spotlight? “What if…” She didn’t want to think his plans would fail. “Won’t you miss the money you earn?”
He laughed. “I’ve been frugal and invested smartly. I could never work another day and still manage to live in good style.”
“Good for you.”
He made a face. “As soon as I can move about I’ll need to go to Hollywood for a number of reasons. To sell my house, pack up what I want to bring and settle the contracts for the Storm movies.”
“Have you talked to your agent?”
“Not yet. He won’t be happy when he reads the letter from Dr. Markham. Good thing I put off signing the contract for the fifth and sixth version of Storm. Enough business. Come here.”
Emma moved closer. He pulled her into an embrace. Their mouths met in a fierce kiss. He groaned. “I can’t wait until I’m free of these casts. I’d really like to move on from kisses.”
She ran her hands over his chest. “We could…Like in the old days.” Her fingers slipped beneath the band of his shorts.
He grasped her wrist. “Though that would be wonderful, there’s no way to clean me out here. Another time I’ll plan better.”
For a while they kissed and then returned to the house. Emma popped in to tell Andi and Rob good night.
Chad went to the car with her. “Tomorrow?”
“Evening hours for patient convenience.”
“When will your partner return?”
“The middle of August.” She kissed him and opened the door. “Enjoy your candy. I l love the book. Night.”
“Night. I love you.”
As she drove away, she thought about his words of love. She hadn’t said them back. Maybe she never would. Some of her doubts remained.
Chapter 8
Andi and Rob returned from the grocery store. Chad met them at the car and accepted a bag of groceries. Plans for making Rob’s book into a movie had progressed. Simon and Nate had arrived with the contract for the purchase of the lot. An architect and contractor had been reached and would be arriving to talk about the needed changes in the space.
Andi followed Chad into the house. “You need to do something about that man parked outside the gate. He was nearly hurt trying to get in while the gate closed.”
Chad drew a deep breath. “You’re right. Can the gate be opened from here? I wouldn’t trust Gregson with the combination. The man believes the world runs on promo ops.”
Rob nodded. “Just let me know when.”
“How about now?” Chad pulled out his phone and keyed in Gregson’s number. He waited for an answer.
“It’s about time,” Gregson snapped. “I’ve called dozens of time and they go straight to voice mail.”
Chad’s hands clenched. “I’ve needed the time to come to grips with my new normal.’
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you. Rob will open the gate. You have five minutes to drive through. Park in the circle and ring the doorbell. Only you. No photographers or reporters.”
“I hear you. I’m alone.”
“Drive to the gate.” He watched Rob activate the gate. “Send him back to my room. We may be some time.” He turned the chair and rode down the hall. He reached his room and located a copy of the letter from Dr. Markham. He opened the computer and pulled up his plan.
As he sat by the window and stared at the pool, he wished he could shed these casts and dive into the water. Wrapping the fool things the way they did for his shower would keep the cast from getting wet but the weight would sink him. He laughed as an image formed in his thoughts.
“Chad.”
Gregson’s sharp tenor tone snapped his laughter. He turned the chair. “Good morning.”
“Is that all you can say?”
“For right now while I’m in a wheelchair.”
The slender man sat in the chair near the computer. “I’ll admit this is a nice place to rest but you’re losing tons of opportunities for publicity. More of the paparazzi have given up and have left town. Others are snagging the ops you’re missing.”
“I’m glad to hear the vultures are leaving.”
Gregson opened his briefcase. “I’ve had a long talk with the studio powers. They’ve designed a new opening scene for movie five.”
Chad gulped a breath. “You need to read this letter from Dr. Markham.”
Gr
egson scanned the paper then crushed it into a ball. “This is unacceptable. What does he know?”
“He’s a skilled surgeon. He’s Board certified. Young. He finished his training a year ago and had his residency at a top notch hospital.”
“We’ll get a second, third and fourth opinion and find someone to say this recommendation is nonsense.”
“We will not. This is my body and my career. You’ll need to let the studio know now Storm is dead.”
“Damn it, no.”
Chad shrugged. “I’ve made my peace with the news.”
“What are you going to do?”
Chad smiled. “Rob and I along with three friends are forming a film company. Our first venture will be turning Rob’s book into a film.”
“But the studio is interested. I told you that before. They even have several stars lined up for the major roles.”
“They can’t do that. I have the film rights.”
“They’ve talked to your friend’s agent. She’s angry nothing has come of your plans. She’ll talk to Rob. He’ll see the need to put an end to your ideas.”
Chad laughed. “Not happening. Our plans are taking form. We’ve signed contracts and our studio will be ready this fall.”
Gregson scowled. “So how will the studio handle you leaving Storm?”
“Build his protégée into the star. Start the next film with Storm’s death.”
“I like it but not sure I can sell the idea.” He looked at the crumpled paper he’d tossed on the floor. “I shouldn’t have destroyed that.”
“You’re in luck. That’s a copy. I made several.” He pulled a clean one from the desk, folded and put it in an envelope. “Here.”
Gregson nodded. “You’ll still need to come back and talk to them.”
Chad scowled. “I will in a month or so. The casts will be on for at least two more weeks. Then I’ll need to learn how to walk again.”
Forgotten Dreams Page 9
