Forgotten Dreams

by Janet Lane-Walters

  “You’re more forgiving that I would be.”

  “I’ve no reason to doubt him where other women are concerned.” But she distrusted the mention of his return as Storm.

  Just then, her cell chimed. The number on the screen brought a smile. As she walked to the porch and sat on the swing, she answered. “How are things going?”

  “Better. I rented a car. I met with some people about Rob’s movie. They’re interested in the venture.”

  “That’s great.” She sucked in a breath. “I need to know something.”

  He laughed. “I have no secrets from you.”

  “What about the mention of you doing Storm again. Are you?”

  He groaned. “I was going to tell you that this evening. I must but it’s only for two or three scenes. The studio agreed to help with the distribution of Rob’s movie. That provides a wider range for us.”

  She settled back and started the swing moving. “What are the scenes?”

  “One is with Storm’s protégée. The second is with the attempt to kill Storm. The third I believe is a scene where I play a corpse.”

  “Then you should be ready to return soon.”

  “As far as I know.”

  She relaxed. He hadn’t failed. She prayed nothing would happen to ruin his plans.

  They talked a bit more. He tried to coax her into setting a wedding date. She fended off his attempts. “When you’re back in Fern Lake we can set a date.” She thought of the ring she hadn’t accepted.

  “I wish you would tell me when we’ll wed.”

  “I told you no long distance romance. We tried that once and it didn’t work.”

  He groaned. “My fault. So where are you?”

  “On the porch swing.”

  “Wish I was with you.”

  So did she but he would be here in less than two weeks. “Here’s the number of the storage facility you wanted.” She read them.

  “I’ll call them tomorrow. I never realized how much trouble a move would be.”

  “Especially when you have no place here.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll find something after I arrive. Talk to you tomorrow after I speak to Gregson and the producer and director. I intend to wear my brace.”

  She laughed. “And I remember how you disliked it. Take a copy of Dr. Markham’s letter.”

  “I definitely will. I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  The rest of the first week passed quickly with nightly phone calls. He told her about the picture and interviews he’d had. Then came the call that turned her life around. “I don’t believe what happened. They won’t start filming for another two weeks.”

  “That’s dreadful.”

  “It’s worse. I’ll be on location. Is that doctor back yet?”

  “No.”

  “You could fly out and see me.”

  “I’ll think about that.”

  “They’re dragging some doctor to examine me. They want the scene with my protégée to be an action one.”

  The next evening on Hollywood Chatters, she received a shock. Chad was shown dancing with a gorgeous redhead.

  “In the past day or two, Chad and Valerie have become quite the item. Rumors says her character and Storm’s will wed. Will that hold true in real life?”

  On the woman’s left hand, a huge diamond flashed. Emma’s breath caught. How would Chad explain this?

  Her phone chimed. Chad’s number flashed. She considered not answering but she needed to hear what he had to say. “Hello.”

  “Emma, don’t believe everything you see and hear.”

  “As in…”

  “Hollywood Chatters. Gregson and the studio set up the pictures. We were not dancing. They combined two photos.”

  For the next four days, the reports continued. Though Emma tried to have faith, she heard a strain in his voice when he called. Her spirits tumbled.

  Why wouldn’t he favor Valerie? Beside her, Emma felt as dull as a mud hen. She was ordinary. Dark hair, dark eyes and a body that put on pounds if she didn’t hit the gym every day.

  Chad was handsome. He needed a beautiful woman. People would see her at his side and wonder about his taste.

  With each day he was away her spirits sank lower. The night he called to say he would be on location until early October stunned her. She realized a happy ever after with him had vanished. Could she believe him when he said the reception in the remote area where he would be based was sporadic?

  An excuse. Valid or invented? Emma chewed on her lower lip. She had known their affair wouldn’t last. He’d been lonely when he was here. He’d missed the beautiful woman who flattered him. The only connection she and Chad had been in the past.

  At lunch the next day, Dr. Reid strode in. “I’m back.” He waved at Emma. “Don’t you deserve a vacation?”

  “I do.”

  “Just let me know when,” he said.

  Manon grinned. “So you’re California bound.”

  “Going there wouldn’t make much sense.” Emma rose. “He’ll be on location for as long as two weeks.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “I’ll let you know when and where tomorrow. For now, patients are waiting. She knew what she would do. She would take that singles’ cruise she’d wanted to take before Chad returned to Fern Lake.

  Chapter 11

  Chad strode past the cabin located somewhere in the Rockies. This was his fifth visit to the area. Storm’s retreat was secluded, isolated and for the week or two of filming mostly out of touch with civilization. The tree-covered slopes climbed toward the snow-covered mountains.

  Valerie appeared at his side. She ran a hand down his back to settle on his ass. She leaned closer. Her lips brushed his ear. “Don’t you feel what I do?” She squeezed.

  Chad jerked away. “I feel nothing except an eagerness to finish this scene and move on.”

  “Don’t you feel the connection flowing between us? As the latest Storm’s lady, being with you electrifies me. Spending those evenings with you before we came for the filming were…”

  “Promo ops orchestrated by Gregson. I have one woman. She’s not here. Believe me. She isn’t you.” And how he wished Emma was here.

  “I can feel your body respond the way mine does.”

  He turned. “Not to you but to memories. There’s no way you and I will be anything beyond a forced connection for the movie.”

  She flipped strands of her red hair from her shoulders. “You’re wrong.”

  “Don’t believe everything you read.”

  She sashayed away giving her rear a wiggle. “You’ll see.”

  Chad drew a deep breath of the cool mountain air. Why did people believe manufactured rumors? No telling what garbage Gregson was feeding the eager gossip mongers.

  “Morgan, time.” The director snagged the phone from Chad’s hand. “You’ll get this after the shoot.”

  Chad nodded. “Let’s get this over with.” He strode onto the porch of Storms’ cabin.

  “Action,” the director yelled.

  Chad whirled to stare at the door. James Gould stepped out. “Storm, I’m ready to prove myself. Give me all you’ve got.”

  With this the fight began. Lightning leaped over the porch railing. Chad followed. The chase began. Bits of physical action were interspersed with the advance toward the goal.”

  As Chad leaped into the clearing, his left leg buckled. An ache escalated into pain and beyond. He slumped to the ground.

  “Cut,” the director shouted.

  Chad rubbed his calf. He couldn’t do another bit of action today. A soak in the hot tub followed by ice packs and a massage were in order.

  The director strode over. “When can you resume the scene?”

  Though he wanted to say never, Chad struggled to his feet. “Tomorrow. I need to handle this.”

  The director’s eyes flashed anger. “Then we’ll resume filming tomorrow but a have a good idea for a scene today.”

 
All Chad could think about was the hot tub. “What?”

  “A scene with you and Valerie in the hot tub with a lot of sexual play.”

  Chad shook his head. “Not in the contract. Not happening.”

  “I don’t see why not. Will make your last scene more poignant.”

  “I’d rather have a love scene with a viper.” It was bad enough to think about her character crying over his dead body. Chad limped down the hill to the cluster or trailers. He reached the hot tub and found Lightning soaking.

  “Good fight. Sorry your leg gave out. Hate the thought of beginning again tomorrow.”

  “So do I.” Chad lowered himself into the bubbling water. “Let’s hope we can finish tomorrow.”

  James climbed out. “I’m off to do my anger and vow of revenge scene. Hope they make no more changes.”

  “So do I.” Since he wasn’t involved in the rest of the scenes, Chad relaxed. The ache in his leg eased. Slowly the muscles relaxed. When he finished he pulled on his clothes and walked to his trailer. He sank on the couch to fasten the brace. The door opened.

  Valerie entered. “Why did you refuse to do a hot tub scene with me?”

  Chad met her gaze. “No sex for me in this movie. Go after James. You and he can burn the sheets when he comforts you after Storm dies.”

  “But…but…”

  “I mean what I said.”

  She glared. “Why? You have sex in every Storm flick.”

  “Do I?”

  “I know what I saw.”

  “Perhaps.” He’d only done the deed in the first Storm film. The others had been accomplished by the miracle of photography. He wished he hadn’t done the first one. He still felt anger at himself for being persuaded.

  Valerie wheeled and stomped out slamming the door. Chad stretched out and held his cell phone hoping for luck. He hit Emma’s number. Nothing happened. No service. He clutched the phone. After he rested he would search for a place where he could connect the call. There was much he needed to tell her.

  That afternoon and evening he had no luck in his search for a live spot. Hopefully their last conversation had quieted her fears.

  Completing the scene with Lightning took three days. By the end he wanted to hammer something. When would he film the last scene so he could escape?

  Near the end of the second week on location, Chad wanted to scream. He had finally received the changes in the murder attempt scene and for the final one. He faced the director. “I thought Storm died. Why have you made the ending so vague?”

  “You might want Storm to return in case your other matter fails.”

  Chad groaned. “Not happening. My new direction is set. I have partners who are behind me.”

  “Do you really think you can direct?”

  “I won’t know until I try. I’ve taken courses. I’ve studied films and watched directors. I’ve even thought about different approaches to scenes.”

  “Good luck then. Now about the ending. It stays. Your fans might demand you return.”

  With three takes of each scene, he was done. Tomorrow he would leave.

  As he packed to leave, Gregson arrived. “Chad, good to see you. Wait until you see how hard I’ve been working to keep your image in the public eyes.”

  Chad groaned. “What have you done?”

  Gregson handed Chad some papers. “And here are some tapes of Hollywood Chatters.”

  Chad took the articles and scanned them. “How could you?”

  “You need the promo so people know you’re back. Watch a clip of two.” He loaded them into a tablet.

  When Chad saw the second clip from Hollywood Chatters, he grasped Gregson’s arm. “Damn it. Do you know what you’ve done?”

  “Gained you and Storm some great publicity. When they see you and Valerie in the hot tub scene, they’ll have the pair of you at the altar.”

  “There is no hot tub scene.” Chad rose. “Start a denial campaign at once. I am not and never will be interested in her.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Don’t you mean won’t? I’ll give you a day to issue a retraction.”

  Gregson pulled free. “See you in Hollywood.”

  “You certainly will not.” Chad hurried to finish packing.

  * * *

  Emma stared at her phone. Why hadn’t he called? Two weeks filming he’d said. Poor reception area. She wanted to hear the truth from him, not from those reports on Hollywood Chatters. Two weeks of silence had ended last night.

  Though she’d fought to push those thoughts aside, she had given up. She stared at the suitcases. Two packed and one waiting for her to finish. Should she change her flight until tomorrow and arrive in time to make the sailing time? What good would that do? She lifted a dress and carefully folded the recently purchased garment. Finally she added the special evening gown, a slender tube in red with a slit on one side. She snapped the case closed and fitted the special tags provided by the cruise line on each case.

  With one last try, she hit Chad’s number. Once again there was nothing but dead silence. She didn’t bother to leave a voice message. He hadn’t responded to any of the others she had already sent. A veil of sadness covered her thoughts. With great determination, she grabbed the luggage and dragged them downstairs. She would enjoy the cruise. She would find a man who would erase the deadness she felt.

  Manon and Claire sat in the living room. Brian played with the baby. Emma paused in the doorway. “I’m set.”

  Manon rose and hugged her. “I’ve all the info about the cruise in case I need to reach you about one of the patients. Have a great time and knock their eyes out.” She grinned. “You’re dressed for success.”

  Emma chuckled. “Thanks.”

  Manon lifted the car seat and walked to her car. Claire and Emma brought the bags. Brian skipped behind. Manon waved as she drove away. Once the suitcases were in the trunk and Brian in his car seat, Emma sat in the passenger’s seat.

  “Do you have everything? Tickets, reservations, driver’s license and the confirmation?” Claire asked.

  “And my passport. All here.” Emma tapped her shoulder bag.

  During the hour and a half drive to the international airport, Emma and Claire talked about everything but Chad. Brian chattered about school, Jamie and Amy. “Will you send me a postcard?”

  “I will and I’ll find a present or two.”

  “Goody.”

  Emma smiled. Life was so simple for a child. She pushed all thoughts aside of her complicated life and imagined the cruise and the men she would meet. Hopefully there would be one to interest her.

  At the airport, she checked in her luggage and walked to the inspection line. After hugging Brian and Claire, she stood in the check-in line. She placed her carry-on, handbag, phone and shoes in a bin and entered the scanner. She arrived at the departure gate fifteen minutes before boarding began.

  Two hours plus saw her to Miami. Hauling her luggage, she found the bus to the hotel where she would spend the night. She studied the other passengers. Were any of the men booked for the cruise? One or two looked interesting. When the bus reached the hotel, a woman drew those aside who were taking the cruise. She spoke of the schedule for the next morning. At eight thirty, they would board a bus for the ship and have time to settle in their rooms before the eleven AM departure time.

  Emma settled in her room. At six she went to the bar for a drink. She noticed several women who had been at the short meeting. She joined them for dinner. Then she returned to her room to vegetate.

  * * *

  Chad finally coxed the rental car to start. The urge for speed filled him. He reached the small town at the foot of the hill and the local garage. The mechanic shook his head. “Be two days before I get the part.”

  The scream in Chad’s throat erupted with a growl. “Can I rent a car?” he asked. “I need to be home tonight.” He wasn’t sure what spurred the urge to hurry. He felt if he didn’t see the damage Gregson had set in motion finished all wo
uld be lost.

  The mechanic looked up. “No rentals but for a price my brother will drive you. He could use the money. He has one more year of college.”

  Four hours later, Chad hit the gate opener on his key ring. At the door of the house, he handed the young man a wad of bills. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. Thank for the autograph. Looking forward to seeing the next Storm.”

  “Might surprise you.”

  The young man reversed the truck and drove away. Chad paused at the door and hit Gregson’s number. “Have you started undoing the rumors?”

  “The studio doesn’t want the news about Storm’s being the victim of a murder attempt or that he hovers near death.”

  “Storm is dead. I have zero interest in Valerie. You can take care of that bit or you’re fired.”

  “Our contract has another three months. I’m holding you to that.”

  “Now hear this. I will not renew.” Chad disconnected and refused to answer the return call. Let the rumor about the near death ride but if Gregson wouldn’t take care of the Valerie mess, he would.

  He opened the door to the house and headed to the kitchen. From the fridge he took a beer and sat at the island. He hit Emma’s number and listened for her hello. He hoped she would speak to him. The call went to voice mail. He left a message and carried the beer to the bedroom where he showered and called again. Another voice mail.

  As he dressed he turned on the TV for the noon broadcast of Hollywood Chatters. The latest clip of he and Valerie raised an angry roar. They spoke about the movie and alerted people to look for the hot tub scene. Not happening.

  He hit Emma’s number again and received the same response. He had to talk to her. He converted the time to east coast and called the office.

  “The medical practice of Marshall and Grassi. The office is closed today. Who do you wish to speak to?”

  He’d forgotten today was Saturday. “Emma Grassi.”