by Anne
They sat down behind the girls. "Say, how would you all like to come to the studio tomorrow and see a real Captain Wonder show being made?" he asked.
"Oh, wow, could we?1' Karl's eyes shone with excitement.
"Will you beat up the Dark Avenger?' Megan asked.
Mike laughed. "I don't think he's In the scenes we're working on, but there ought to be something exciting happening."
The girls settled back in their seats with cries of "Oh, neat," and "It'll be awesome."
Sara stared at the screen, conscious only of Mike's arm around her shoulders and her earlier decision to leave the next day. Now was the time to say something, she knew, to refuse his offer politely and tell the girls they had other plans. But in her heart she knew she didn't want to.
In spite of all her worries about the differences in their lifestyles, she couldn't bear to leave Mike until she absolutely had to. They had only two more days in Los Angeles. Would it be so terrible to spend them with him?
Later that evening, long after the girls had been tucked into bed, Sara lay sleepily at Mike's side. His arm held her just where she wanted to be, with her head resting on his chest and their legs intertwined. She could hear the beating of his heart, and its steady rhythm was soothing. Her eyelids drooped.
It had been even better than the night before. Each body had seemed to know unerringly how to bring pleasure to the other. Or maybe it was just that after spending the whole evening watching each other over the heads of the girls and touching only briefly, their need was too explosive for slow loving. The moment the bedroom door had closed behind them, they were In each other's arms, clothes removed effortlessly as their passion demanded release.
"Sleepy?" Mike asked. His voice was a soft whisper.
She opened her eyes to discover him watching her. Her hand began to trace lightly through the thick mat of blond hair on his chest. "No," she said with a laugh. "I'm ready to run a marathon."
"Oh, yeah?" His free hand brushed slowly down her back and onto her thigh. He turned her so that she lay on her back, then knelt over her. "I've thought of just the type of marathon you might enjoy."
She laughed, suddenly tired no more. Her hands reached up to pull his head down to hers. She didn't want to waste precious hours in sleep and dreaming. She had only a little more time to spend with Mike and she didn't want to waste a moment of it.
She knew that was all there would be, and she wasn't indulging in silly daydreams of love and forever. That didn't happen in the real world. But when she went back home, when she was alone again and had to be strong all by herself, she would have some wonderful memories to keep her company.
Nine
"Just go on in, ma'am. They're expecting you."
Sara thanked the driver as she helped the girls out of the car. Mike had sent a car to bring them over to the studio Tuesday morning for their promised tour, and she was a little embarrassed by their preferential treatment. But then, so much of this vacation seemed unreal, she was beginning to feel like Alice in Wonderland. She smiled as she led the girls through the double glass doors of the studio's entrance. Maybe it was the remake: Sara In Wonderland.
"Is this where we meet Mike?" Karl asked.
"No. honey. He's too busy to take us around himself. Well see him later."
The girls sighed in disappointment, and Sara knew just how they felt. She'd rather have him here with them too- They had so little time left together, and it was almost over. It seemed a crime to be away from him for even a moment.
Sara led the girls up a wide staircase, then stopped suddenly as they found themselves In a sumptuous reception area about ten times as big as their living room. A tall, elegant blond who looked like a model in her slinky dress and high heels was at the reception desk. Sara approached slowly, not feeling at her best in her plain cotton sundress and with only a touch of makeup on. She stopped in front of her and took a deep breath, try-Ing to remember all of Mike's compliments.
"Hello. I'm Sara Delaney."
The blond was not impressed. She looked at her coolly through mascara-encrusted eyelashes. "Yes?"
Sara swallowed. Mike had asked them to come; she didn't need to make any apologies. "We"re here fora tour."
A frosty smile appeared on the woman's face. "Tours are at ten o'clock and you 11 have to go to the south gate."
Sara had dealt successfully with difficult students and irate parents. She was not going to let herself be intimidated by this woman just because she looked gorgeous. "Mr. Taylor said we should come here and I—"
The blond blinked and her icy manner melted before Sara's eyes. "Mr. Taylor?"
"Yes," Sara replied. "Mike Taylor."
"His real name is Captain Wonder," Kari piped up.
'Yeah," Megan added. "He wears a black and red suit and beats up bad guys."
"Oh. ' The woman was suddenly all smiles. "You're Sara Delaney."
Sara was surprised at the way the woman said it, as if she knew all about her. "Yes," Sara said slowly. "That's what I said." Just what was there for anyone to know about her? she wondered.
"Mike made all the arrangements," the woman told them, oozing affability. "Please sit down. Someone will be with you in a moment."
"Thank you," Sara murmured, and led the girls over to a group of leather chairs. She was just overreacting, she told herself. Mike had probably said that some friends of his were coming In. That's what they were, after all.
"Hi, I'm Nicki."
Sara looked up to find a short, slender woman standing in front of them. She had long black hair and was wearing a shiny black jumpsuit. Her nails were long, with dark red polish, and she held a cigarette in one hand. Sara got to her feet and introduced herself and the girls.
After drawing heavily on her cigarette, Nicki crushed it in a nearby ashtray. "Well, let's get going." She led them through a door behind the receptionist and down a series of halls.
"Are we going to see Mike, Mommy?" Kari asked after they had turned down the third hallway without another word from their guide.
"I don't know," Sara said quietly, hoping against hope that they were. How wonderful it would be to round that next corner and walk into his arms, she thought.
"Maybe she works with the Dark Avenger," Megan said in a stage whisper. "And she's gonna kidnap us."
"Don't be silly, Megan," Sara scolded lightly.
"They're going to kill us and torture us."
Sara ignored her.
"They're going to drink our blood."
"Megan." Sara tried to muffle a laugh.
"She's wearing black," Kari whispered, "Witches wear black."
"Don't worry. Captain Wonderll save us." Sara said, then felt her cheeks burn. She was as bad as the kids, mixing up Mike and Captain Wonder.
Nicki had stopped at a door. When they caught up with her, she led them into a small room with people sitting before a bank of TV monitors. "This is a control booth for the taping of a live show."
The girls looked around. "It's Quiz/Whiz/' Kari exclaimed.
"That's right." Nicki confirmed.
"But we watch this around dinnertime," Megan said with a frown. "And we just had breakfast."
"They're taping the show now," Nicki explained. "This one will probably be shown next Friday.'
This time Kari frowned. "Then how come the announcer says Quiz/Whiz is live from Hotly-wood?"
"It's live when they tape it," Nicki pointed out.
The girls exchanged glances, obviously classifying the announcer as a liar, but said nothing more. They all watched silently as the people worked. It was not terribly exciting, Sara decided.
"Any questions?" Nicki asked.
Megan had one. "When are we going to see Captain Wonder?11
Some of the people in the room looked up and smiled. It must be a common question from all the kids that came to the studio, Sara thought.
Nicki just laughed and led them toward the door. "I imagine you see more of him than I do, staying at his house and
all."
Sara fett a sudden stillness descend on the room. Every eye in the place turned toward her. She blushed a fiery red, certain that all the world knew about their nights of passion. What must they be thinking? Worse yet, they probably were right. She followed Nicki and the girls into the hallway with relief.
"How'd you know we were staying with Mike?" Kari asked.
"Oh, you can't keep anything quiet around here," Nicki said vaguely, with a short laugh.
"Have you ever stayed at Mike's house?" Megan asked her.
"I should be so lucky." she said. Then, in answer to the girls' blank stare, she added, "No."
So that was the way it was around here, Sara thought, not really surprised. There were a lot of women who'd be delighted to move In with Mike for a spell. Gorgeous, sophisticated women. Then why had he picked her? Did he want a little change of pace from the usual glamor?
She shook herself mentally and took a deep breath? "What's next?' she asked Nlckl.
Things went from bad to worse. Every place they went she felt curious stares from the studio people. What had Mike done, taken an ad out in the newspaper, or just had it announced on the evening news?
She could see it now: "Sara Delaney, Kansas City grade school teacher, has succumbed to the fatal charms of Captain Wonder. For the last few days she has behaved scandalously, living in his house and sharing a bed with him. No need to repeat the details, everyone knows them already."
She couldn't decide whether to kill him or just never speak to him again. The trouble was, the moment she saw him. all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. Where was her pride? Her self-respect? She simply had none where he was concerned. The overwhelming passion he awoke In her left no place for other, trivial emotions, she thought helplessly as Mike approached them.
"So how was your tour?" he asked her quietly while they walked toward the Captain Wonder set. The girls had run up ahead with Nicki.
"Fine," she said after a moment.
"Look, if you had any problems, please tell me. I let It be known that you were special friends of mine and that everyone should take good care of you."
"I wondered who I had to thank for that," Sara said, unable to keep the hurt and anger from her voice.
'"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing at all, Mr. Taylor," she blurted out. "It's just that everyone in this studio seems to know all about us."
"What's wrong with that?" Mike asked.
Sara clenched her teeth. Why didn't he understand that she hated the stares and whispering behind her back? That they thought she was some groupie who got her kicks by sleeping with someone famous? That she didn't care if he was Captain Wonder or the Wonder Bread man. she'd love him all the—
Oh Lord. She stopped, her mind frozen with horror. What in the world had she done? She was too smart to let herself fall in love. She'd learned her lesson years ago and had vowed never to make such a stupid mistake again. She wasn't In love. She couldn't be. But she was.
'Tor heaven's sake, Sara,1' Mike went on, "what are you mad about? You wouldn't have seen much of anything if you had gone on a regular tour. All I wanted to do—"
"Mike"—a short man with frizzy hair and hornrimmed glasses hurried over to them—"You have thirty minutes to get into costume. Andy's going to take the Jump and then they'll be ready for you."
Sara was grateful for the interruption. She needed time to get her mind working again. She was somewhat surprised by the irritation in Mike's voice when he spoke. "Tell Hal we don't need Andy. Hold up shooting until I come out."
'What the hell are you talking about?" the other man asked.
"Just tell Hal to wait, "Mike snapped. 'Til see you later,' he said to Sara, then hurried down a hallway.
The man sighed and shook his head. "Hal isn't going to like this," he muttered, more to himself than to Sara, He left as Nickl and the girls came back to join Sara.
Nicki took them around the Captain Wonder set and showed them some of the special props, then herded them up to a balcony where they could look down on the scene as It was filmed. Sara was rather worried by the exchange she had just heard and was glad when the girls were distracted by the goings-on below.
"Who's Andy?" she asked Nicki casually.
"Mike's stuntman." Nicki went to get some chairs before Sara could ask her anymore. Sara did not feel any better.
"Look, there's Mike," Megan said, pointing.
Sara looked down and saw Mike, In costume, engaged In an argument with a gray-haired, heavyset man. Nicki had returned with the chairs, though, so she went to help her set them up. By the time they were all seated, there was more action below.
"Mike's climbing a ladder, Mommy."
"No." Nlckl corrected. "It's the stuntman."
"No, it's not." Sara was surprised to hear the certainty in her voice. Even though they were not very close to him, she was sure It was Mike on the ladder. Something about the way he carried himself, the strength in his movements, the power in his build. She knew positively it was him.
"He cant be doing his own stunt," Nicki said firmly. "Hal would never let him."
"Is he in any danger?" Sara asked, her voice barely more than a worried whisper.
"Mom, he's Captain Wonder," Megan reminded her.
No, he was just Mike Taylor, Sara thought. She understood the girls getting the two mixed up, but surely he shouldn't. He should know his own limitations and not believe the superhero descriptions in his script.
They watched in silence as Mike climbed the ladder to the top of a platform that had been made to look like a three-story building. There was a thick air bag on the ground beneath him. Apparently he was going to jump off the roof. Sara felt her heart stop. Her hands clenched into tight fists. Her nails dug into her palms.
"This Is gonna be neat," Megan said.
Sara's face must have registered her concern, so Nicki tried to reassure her. "Mike used to do a lot of his own stunts. It's just that once he got famous, the insurance carrier wouldn't let him."
"Why Is he doing it now?" Sara asked.
Nicki shrugged her shoulders as Mike ran toward the edge of the dummy roof. He took a flying leap, turned a somersault in the air, and landed on the air bag on his back. He lay still for a long moment.
"I think he's dead," Megan said, a tremor of fear in her voice.
"Don't be ridiculous," Sara snapped, jumping to her feet.
"Yeah," Kari said, "Captain Wonder can't die. He can't even get hurt."
Sara felt sick to her stomach, but bit back a reply.
"He probably just had the wind knocked out of him," Nicki assured them all.
But Megan was still worried. "What happened to his wonder powers?"
No one answered her as Mike got to his feet slowly. The girls let out a sigh of relief.
"See. he's not hurt," Kari pointed out. "I told you Captain Wonder couldn't get hurt."
Sara couldn't bear it any longer and almost ran down the steps. She didn't care if there was a group of people surrounding Mike or that the set itself was crowded. She pushed through the others until she reached his side.
"Are you all right?" she asked him.
"I'm fine," he snapped. "For goodness1 sake, it was one stupid little jump. What's everybody so upset about?"
As he walked over to the director, she noticed a number of the crew glaring at her.
"I hope you got it out of your system, Mike," one of them said to him.
"Yeah. Let Andy do the stunts from now on. You want to show your little dolly any tricks, just make sure that they're in bed." Mike's face turned dark red with fury, but he controlled his anger at the remark.
Mike left the set without another word to Sara. She felt a slight quiver in her lip, but forced herself to still it. It hadn't been her idea for Mike to do his own stunt, she thought angrily. She wasn't the one who didn't know where Mike Taylor stopped and Captain Wonder began.
"You okay?"
It was Nicki. The girls stood behind
her. Suddenly all Sara wanted to do was go home. To be where things were normal and peaceful and not confusing.
"A limo brought me this morning," she told Nicki. "Is there any chance I can get a cab to take us ... to our trailer?"
The woman patted her arm. "Come on," she said quietly. "Ill drive you."
Mike got out of the car and waved the driver away before he began limping up to the house. The whole afternoon had been a bust, He had wanted to look good for Sara. He had wanted her to think he was something special, not just a clown who couldn't do anything but pose for pictures. Then he had to go and get the wind knocked out of him in that stupid jump. What kind of hero did that make him?
Fred opened the door for him. "Are you all right, sir?"
"I'm fine," Mike snapped, and tried to speed up his walk. A pain in his side twitched in protest.
Sara must have told Fred about the jump. Probably about how much of a fool he had appeared too. "Where's Mrs. Delaney and the girls?"
"I believe they're out by the pool." Fred hurried ahead to open the patio door for him and Mike glared at him.
"I just pulled a muscle, I'm not an invalid."
"Yes, sir. Would you like me to bring a drink out to the pool for you?"
A nice cold beer sounded great, Mike thought. Just the thing to wipe the disastrous afternoon from his mind. "What about Mrs. Delaney?" he asked. "Is she having anything?"
"A lemonade."
Mike continued out the door. "Bring one out for me too then." Anything cool would be fine. It was really her touch that he needed to soothe his aching muscles and wipe the foolishness from his mind.
He hurried through the gate, anxious to see her and feel her in his arms. She was sitting at the edge of the pool, her feet dangling in the water- The two girls stood by the diving board. Megan was poised for a big jump; Kari was waiting her turn, but she spotted him first.
"Mike!" she cried, and came speeding around the pool to throw herself into his arms.
He hugged her just in time, then caught Megan's hurtling body and gave her a squeeze too. He looked up hopefully, but Sara was still sitting at the edge of the pool.
