“Well it wasn’t intentional, but I’m glad you’re okay with this new found recognition.” She patted him on the knee.
“You girls are pretty lucky to live in the boonies. With Wren being so famous and you being so well-known in the motocross circuit, you would have it real rough around here. No one would leave you two alone—hoping to catch you two doing—well, you know.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Malachi….” Aspen slapped him on the arm and laughed. “You sound like JT.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
When the SUV stopped, they both looked out the darkly tinted windows, and at the crowds of people surrounding the theatre. Aspen felt a lump thicken in her throat.
“Are you ready?” Malachi grinned. He obviously enjoyed this more than she did.
“Don’t let go of me.” She put her hand on his forearm.
“I won’t.” The door opened and they walked arm-in-arm to the entrance.
“Aspen!” She could hear her name being yelled from the droves of people as she passed by. As she looked into the crowds and waved, she wished she had on her helmet. Not only would it help muffle the noise, but it would help hide the nervousness she tried to conceal on her face. In her long gown, she felt so much more exposed than during a motocross event. This was certainly out of her comfort zone.
“They love you, you know,” Malachi said.
“They love you too,” she countered.
“I don’t hear my name, Missy. They’re screaming for you.”
Aspen looked into the crowd and noticed a couple of anti-gay protest signs waving in the air, but other than that, the crowd certainly did welcome her. She smiled at the fans standing nearby and thanked them for coming. She didn’t quite have the guts to reach out and shake their hands.
“This way,” a young man motioned for them to join him just inside the doorway of the Chinese Theatre. “Director Wolff sent me to fetch you.” Just as they stepped in the doorway the crowd got louder. As the doors closed behind her she caught a quick glimpse of Wren and JT stepping out of their limo. She got so excited she almost squealed.
“They’re out there,” she said to Malachi.
He smiled. “I figured as much.” The commotion coming from outside sounded more and more like a rock concert.
The young man interrupted the chants. “Once Miss Wren Emerson and Mister Julius Test welcome the crowd, you two will join them for the photo op.” He motioned behind them for a couple of people to join them. Two girls quickly made their way over and opened a briefcase full of make-up to immediately start touching up Aspen and Malachi’s faces. She hadn’t seen them before.
Aspen almost choked when a puff of powder smacked against her cheek and floated up into her nostrils.
“Sorry about that.” The girl looked anxious. You could tell she was excited. She leaned in so she could speak quietly. “I could lose my job for talking so frankly with you, but I just have to tell you how much I look up to you and Wren Emerson. You’re so brave and so beautiful.” Her smile was completed with an excited shrug of her shoulders.
Aspen smiled at her. She didn’t know what to say except an honest, “Thank you.”
“It’s time.” The young man opened the door for Aspen and Malachi to join Wren and JT outside.
When Aspen saw Wren she almost collapsed from the weakness that overwhelmed her knees. “Wow,” was all she could say. Wren’s brown hair, up in an alluring ponytail, cascaded to the side and against her long pink dress that modestly covered most of the actress with the exception of her back. From her long neck all the way down to the lower curvature of her hips, Wren’s soft, toned skin glistened against the flashes from cameras.
Aspen forced a smile as the lights from cameras blinded her and Malachi’s trail toward the actors. Wren looked so stunning that Aspen didn’t realize that she had been holding her breath upon their approach.
When Wren noticed Aspen, it was like a spark ignited in her eyes. She reached for Aspen’s hand to pull her to her side. “Aspen,” she looked deep into her eyes. “You look so absolutely amazing, I could seriously take you right here. Right now.” As they embraced, the camera-frenzy of flashes intensified.
“I missed having you by my side last night,” Aspen whispered in her ear. The bare skin of Wren’s back beneath her hands felt even softer and warmer than usual.
“I’ll make it up to you tonight.” Wren stepped back, but made sure to keep ahold of Aspen’s hand. “For now, let’s just smile and get these pictures over with,” she spoke from the side of her mouth.
“Good to see you again,” JT reached out to give Aspen a quick hug and then reached beside her to shake Malachi’s hand. “Hey there, Buddy. You’re looking quite spiffy tonight.” His white teeth glowed against the flashes of light. “This is going to be one hell of a night.”
They all stepped in next to each other with JT and Malachi on the outer sides, wrapping their arms around the girls sandwiched between them.
“Time to smile at the cameras,” JT said through clenched teeth. It was enough of a reminder for Aspen to finally look out at the crowd of paparazzi closing in on them, taking shot after shot. She tried not to blink, or in any way display the worry that consumed her.
Wren stretched her fingers between Aspen’s and continued to pose for the camera. Aspen did the same. She was nervous, but excited just the same. She felt Malachi’s hand pat her against her lower back and she smiled at him. He winked at her, never breaking his brilliant smile. She felt safer with all four of them together.
The paparazzi were yelling questions out at them, but the words couldn’t be heard behind the roaring crowd. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what they had to say anyway.
Before Aspen knew it, JT waved at the people and thanked them before he led the team of four into the theater. “Whew.” When the doors closed behind them, the raucousness of overzealous fans muffled enough for them to hear each other.
“Wow,” Aspen said. “I wasn’t expecting all that.”
“You did great.” Wren hugged her again. “It can be a bit intimidating, but it’s not nearly as bad as the interviews.”
“Are we going to be interviewed?” Aspen felt weak. It was one thing to answer questions about motocross—but for a big movie production with such famous people—not so much.
“JT and I already took care of it.”
“Yeah,” JT cut in. “All they wanted to know about were the two if you.”
Aspen looked at Wren. “Seriously?”
“No worries,” Wren said. “I told them all they needed to know was that our personal life is fantastic and that if they had any more questions about the movie itself, I would be more than happy to help answer them.”
JT snickered. “Yeah, she repeated those exact words at least twenty times.”
“Ladies and Gentleman.” Producer Szekely appeared through the doorway leading to the giant screen. “If the attention we are getting outside matches ticket sales in the upcoming weeks, we are going to make it to number one at the box office.” He shoved his way between Aspen and Wren, breaking their clasp. “You are my two favorite ladies. Come sit by me.” He led them into the theater. “If you don’t mind, I would like to have you ladies on either side of me during the showing.” He whispered loudly, “I’ve got some photographers inside ready to take our pictures for some upcoming articles. No way am I going to let this momentum subside. We should go on tour.”
Aspen bit her lip until she noticed Wren giving her a quick smile and wink. “It’s just a joke, Aspen.”
Aspen nodded with relief. “Oh, good.” If she was going to be away from home for any extended periods of time, she would prefer it would be on her dirt bike.
Producer Szekely led them to their seats and gestured for them to sit down before he sat between them. Malachi and JT sat to Wren’s right while the seat next to Aspen remained vacant. She wished Wren would get up and occupy it, but obviously that wasn’t what Producer Szekely wanted.
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“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering us some celebratory drinks,” he said, just as some wait staff wheeled over a cart of wine glasses. “Let’s make a toast,” he said as he handed the two girls a glass before grasping his own. Malachi and JT were handed their own by the wait staff.
Producer Szekely raised his glass in the air. “After much reflection over the past year, I have to admit, I am happier than I ever have been before. You four have been an absolute pleasure to work with, despite the disregard to my directive,” he gave Wren a firm look before he smiled, “which in hindsight, has made a huge impact on the successfulness of this undertaking. In short, I wouldn’t have changed a thing, as it has made a major impact on all our pocketbooks. Here’s to our unbridled success and here’s to many more successes.” He clinked glasses with the four celebrities before taking a large gulp. “Now let’s have a quick pose for the camera with our drinks in hand before we get the show started.”
“Splendid idea.” Director Wolff stepped in next to them and grabbed a glass before situating himself in the empty chair next to Aspen. “Apologies for my tardiness, but my interview went longer than I had anticipated.” He patted Aspen on the shoulder. “You and Wren have certainly stirred up the excitement.” He looked pleased.
He tapped glasses with Producer Szekely and swallowed the liquid in just one gulp. “Now then, let’s get the ball rolling and watch your brilliance on screen.” As if on cue, the lights dimmed, and the movie started.
~~@
Aspen sat down on the edge of the bed as she heard Wren brushing her teeth in the bathroom. The bed in the suite seemed much stiffer than her bed at home. “I had really hoped to be sitting next to you tonight.” She heard Wren rinse her mouth and toothbrush before appearing from around the corner. Aspen gasped when she recognized her favorite worn-out t-shirt draped around Wren.
Wren quickly made her way over to Aspen and stood before her. “Yeah, me too.” She stroked her blonde hair.
“Other than looking incredibly stunning in that pink dress you wore tonight, I also see you can easily pull off a brilliant appearance in a basic farmer-girl t-shirt. Did you acquire that by raiding my wardrobe?”
“Of course, silly. It smells like you.” She leaned down to kiss Aspen’s forehead, then her nose, and then her lips. The fresh taste of toothpaste graced Aspen’s lips. Wren pulled away slightly. “And how about you in that electric blue dress tonight? The way it hugged your body made me ache all over. In fact, I am still aching.” She slowly pushed Aspen back onto the bed and straddled her lap. “It’s very difficult to control myself around you. Even with hundreds of people yelling and gawking at us.”
Aspen ran her fingertips along Wren’s legs. “I am so glad all that’s over.”
Wren ran her fingertips along Aspen’s tummy. “Me too. I love acting, but these big events wear me out.” She could feel Aspen squirm a little beneath her touch and it made her smile.
“When we get back home tomorrow, let’s start building our house together,” Aspen blurted out.
Wren’s hand stopped. “Really?” She sat up straight.
“Yeah. Let’s talk to Dad about building a second home on the farm, right next to his.” It almost sounded like a question.
“I would so love that.”
“Would you?”
“Aspen, of course. I can’t see myself being anywhere else, but with you.” She leaned down to kiss Aspen. Their kiss was playful. Quick. “What do you think Cole will say about us living right next door?”
“I think he’ll be ecstatic. I mean, is there a better way of keeping us on the farm than to actually build a home of our own, right there on the property?”
Wren smiled. “Like you would ever leave Christmas Valley otherwise.”
“There’s no need to. It’ll have everything I could ever want.”
“I say we start researching our design and run with it from there.”
“We can—”
Wren put her finger against Aspen’s lips to quiet her. “Let’s discuss this tomorrow, on our way back home.” She smiled. “After sleeping alone last night, we have some serious catching up to do.”
The stretched smooth skin of Aspen’s smiling lips tickled the pad of Wren’s finger. “Well, I sure hope you can keep up. I’m expecting we’ll take most—if not all—of the night to get caught up.”
Wren reached over to switch out the light. “Then we better get started immediately.”
Chapter 18 – Life on the Farm: Summertime
“So, you guys want to add a pool?” Steve set his iced tea down next to his plate and wiped his mouth on the paper napkin he had neatly unfolded onto his lap. A nearby waitress filled the cup back to its rim before he even had a chance to finish a third of it. “Thanks, Jenny.”
“You’re welcome, Sweetie. You know you and Miss Wren here are my two favorite customers.” She looked at Wren. “Let me know if you need anything else, Sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Jenny. Now you know why Steve and I come here so often. The truth is we crave your fine hospitality and incredible food.” She meant what she said.
Jenny pretended to fluff her grey hair with her free hand. “I aim to please.” She headed off to wait on another table.
Wren looked back at Steve. “So, what are your thoughts about Aspen and I adding a pool? I think it would be cool.”
“Heck, yeah. I’d be visiting you two more than I already do now. We just need to make sure and keep Cole’s animals away from it so they won’t fall in and drown.”
“Well that’s what I’m paying you for, Steve. You help come up with the design and bring in the right resources and then you get to enjoy it with us.”
“I really appreciate you guys trusting in me to help build your house. If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I’d have ever figured out my calling in the construction business. It’s just always been assumed I would be some politician like my mom—which isn’t out of the question—if I can do both successfully.” He smiled. “What does Cole think of your house so far?”
“He absolutely loves it. Not only are we neighbors, but you matched Aspen’s and my new style just perfectly with the old style of Cole’s. The two homes really complement each other.”
“I hoped he’d appreciate it.”
“He also appreciates the updates your guys did for him. Almost makes Aspen and me want to move back into the main house.”
“That man deserves to live comfortably and in style.”
“He’s a good man and a wonderful father. I had no idea that when I fell in love with Aspen that he would be the best package deal anyone could ever have.”
“It’s obvious how much he loves you guys.”
“And how fond he is of your mom.” She grinned.
“Very true, and she’s pretty damn smitten with him. I guess it’s best you and Aspen decided to build your own house next to his. She sure spends a lot of time at his house. I hardly see her at home anymore.”
“Does it bother you?”
“Me? Heck no! But if it does get any more serious than it already is, looks like I will be blessed to have two of the best sisters a brother could ever have.”
“Cole and your mom don’t need to get married in order for you to be part of our family.” Wren got up from her seat to give Steve a hug. “You’re already like a brother to us.”
“Thanks for that.” As they released their embrace, Steve got a serious look on his face. “So, Wren…since we’re like siblings and all, I need to ask you a favor.”
Wren sat back down in her seat with a raised eyebrow. “A favor, eh?”
“Yeah.” He looked hopeful.
“What type of favor are we talking about here?”
“Well, if I get your house completely finished with a pool and all, I was hoping you would invite your actress friends over for a spring break party. You know…your cute, single actress friends.”
Wren laughed. “Steve, I have to be honest with you. I care far too much about y
ou to do that to you.”
He leaned back. “What?”
She tried to keep a serious face, amused at his request. “Let me think about it and see what I can do. I work with some pretty cool people, but I’m not sure I consider them cool enough to date my awesome bro.”
“Aw, come on.”
She put her hand on his forearm. “I’ll consider it. Let me chat with Aspen and see what she thinks.” So far, living away from Hollywood was a blessing and she wasn’t fond of the idea of bringing it to her hometown.
“Deal. You just bring ‘em and I’ll do the rest.” He straightened the collar of his shirt. “I’ll use my irresistible charm on them and they won’t be able to say no.” He gave a confident smile.
She shook her head. “No, they certainly won’t. You’re too cute and too much of a hard worker for them to resist.”
Steve looked at his watch. “Well, I better get back to site and make sure the guys aren’t keeping Aspen up. I heard she kicked butt in that motocross event yesterday.” He wiped his mouth on his napkin and placed it across his plate.
“She sure did. Let me tell you, every time she flies through the air I think my adrenaline soars with her. Then when she touches down, it’s so elegant and graceful, you’d have no idea she was so high in the air.”
“She is incredible. Her fans absolutely love her.”
“So do I.” Wren smiled.
“Can’t blame you.” Steve smiled back. “What time did you guys make it home last night?”
Wren pushed his hand back in his pocket before he could pull out his billfold. “It’s on me today.” She yanked her credit card out of her purse after tossing a twenty dollar bill on the table. “We got in about three this morning.”
“Three A.M.? How are you still awake?”
“The life of an actress. We’re used to long and bizarre hours.” She paid the cashier and thanked him for the wonderful food before turning her attention back over to Steve. “Besides, Aspen did all the work this trip. I was just there for support and to clap louder than anyone else.”
They walked out the door, admiring the summer air and the heat penetrating the exposed skin around their glasses. “Well, I’ll see you back at your house. You sticking around there?”
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