by James, Sandy
As if it was really that easy.
Cheryl’s grin was almost contagious. “I’d give anything to see his face.”
Sarah gave herself a moment to fantasize. If she called Joshua and told him about the baby, he might still want her. Oh, he probably wouldn’t have changed his mind about thinking she was a common thief. But he’d want to marry her. The kind of guy he was, he’d insist. At least he would if he really was the kind of guy she’d thought he was. After she had read that horrible story, she feared she’d misjudged him.
If she told him about the baby, Sarah might be able to win him back. Back in her life, back in her bed, and back in her heart. Then she had to admit that she might have kicked him out of her bed and her life, but she’d never let him leave her heart. She still loved him as much as ever, regardless of how he had hurt her. Could she be happy with a man who didn’t really trust her? One who didn’t really love her in return? Would it be enough to know he would be a good father to their child? What would his family think?
She hoped Libby would welcome her back. They’d forged a connection when Sarah saved her. They would always remain close. And Laurie seemed to have believed in Sarah’s healing abilities. Would she accept Sarah being in his life? Would it be enough to know Josh’s daughter and cousin cared for her and wanted her to be a part of their family?
No, it wouldn’t. As much as it hurt to admit it, Sarah couldn’t have him marry her out of a misguided sense of responsibility. She would have to think about the right way to tell Josh about the baby so he didn’t feel obligated to be with her. He could still be a father to this child and not have to marry the mother.
Yes, God truly did have an odd sense of humor.
* * * *
“And you’ll make sure she’s there?” Josh asked, doing little to keep the impatience out of his voice.
It had taken him longer than he’d anticipated to set things up with Tanya Brady, Chicago’s Queen of Gossip. Ross had finally been the one to get everything sufficiently ironed out. In the end, it had taken the promise of Laurie doing a turn as a guest on a future show about her empathic ability to get Tanya Brady to agree to spring Josh’s surprise for Sarah during Brady’s live television show.
Brady was smart and savvy, which accounted for why she’d become one of the richest women in America. She clearly saw the potential for great ratings in having reporter Josh Miller and faith healer Sarah Reid on her show, but she’d managed to land the publicity shy Laurie Kennedy as well. Brady was going to pay the offered “bounty” for finding Sarah to the Miller Foundation, but she’d also used her well-known shark-like negotiating skills to get something for herself and her show out of the deal. Josh was handing her an exclusive on the runaway lovers.
“Josh...,” Ross began with that warning growl he always got before he lost his patience, “we’ve been over this a million times. Cheryl, Laurie, and I have things ready on this end.”
“I know. I know. I want this to... I need this to... This has to work, Ross. It just has to.” Josh’s heart was already pounding a rough cadence simply thinking about seeing Sarah again. If this little trick didn’t work, he was out of ideas.
Sarah was a smart woman. When forced to sit and listen to his explanation, to truly understand why that horrendous story had made its way to print, she would see the light. She would forgive and forget, and they could find their way back to each other—to the life they’d planned when they’d been in Montana.
Josh ached to hold her again. It felt like a part of his soul was missing. Yes, things had gotten serious pretty damned quick. But he loved her. More than she would probably ever know. That love was the only thing that had kept him functioning since she’d left him—his trust in the love he felt for her and the love he knew she still felt for him. That love made him strong enough to do exactly what he planned to do, despite the personal humiliation. Sarah was angry. She had every right to be. Yet, Josh knew she loved him enough to forgive him, especially after she heard the whole story.
But, damn, was this going to be embarrassing...
Chapter 21
Sarah glanced around the busy production studio, feeling her insides tying themselves in nervous knots. Coupled with a minor bout of morning sickness, Sarah felt miserable, constantly reassuring herself there was a bathroom close in case her stomach went into full rebellion.
“I really don’t think I’m the right person for this,” she said, trying for what seemed like the hundredth time to get Ross to let her off the hook. She’d done nothing except argue with him since he dropped his bomb on her. “What if I mess something up?”
Ross cleared his throat like it was still sore, making Sarah feel a little guilty because he was obviously sick. “I really appreciate this,” he finally croaked. “All you’ve got to do is read a couple of cue cards and take the check.”
She nodded in resignation. Tanya Brady had insisted an official representative from the Miller Foundation accept the check on her television show, and with the amount she was donating, the woman could pretty much have whatever she wanted in return. Ross arranged to be there to explain the Foundation’s crusade to fund mental health clinics for low-income communities and to receive the enormous prop check. Sarah was supposed to go along strictly as moral support and to assist Ross if he needed anything.
Then Ross had suddenly developed laryngitis the day of the show and his wife had gone out of town—not that Sarah had even met the woman yet. Sheila, Ross’s other assistant, was still recovering from delivering her ten-pound baby boy. Even Cheryl wasn’t available. After running out of other choices, Ross finally insisted Sarah go on in his place and give the short speech about the Foundation and the clinics. Her stomach churned at the notion of being on television.
The make-up artist kept throwing Sarah scowls when she insisted on talking to Ross. With an indignant huff, the woman finally put one hand on her hip and spun the tall chair Sarah sat in until they were face to face. “You just tell me when you’re done with your little...conversation. Oh, I thought I’d let you know we air live in five minutes, so if you want to look like you have any color in your face and not like Casper the Friendly Ghost, you’ll wrap it up in a hurry. I haven’t even applied all the foundation yet.”
Sarah nodded contritely and settled back in the chair. The make-up artist twirled the seat so Sarah again faced the mirrored table before she went back to work.
Watching the action around her in the mirror, Sarah was fascinated by the myriad of people it took to pull off a live television show. Cameramen. Light technicians. Hair stylists. Make-up artists. She could hear the escalating volume of audience voices, but she wasn’t close enough to see any of the group. Sarah strained her neck to watch the reflection of the studio.
Was Tanya Brady on the set yet? A few people milled about in the shadows as if they might be guests. As two of the dark figures headed toward the back of the set, the taller one stopped and turned toward her. Ross suddenly stepped behind Sarah, effectively blocking her reflected view.
“Done. At long last. You know, they don’t pay me nearly enough to work here,” the make-up artist grumbled before she put her last brush on the counter and walked away.
Just as Sarah was trying to get out of the chair, a techie wearing a headset put her hands on Sarah’s shoulders and pushed her back down. Then she proceeded to attach a microphone and power pack to Sarah’s powder-blue dress. Ross seemed highly amused watching her dodging the techie’s hands because he kept moving around to try to get a better vantage point.
When it seemed the microphone was properly attached, Sarah finally got out of the chair. She wanted to see which two celebrities waited behind the set to appear on the show. Not that she’d be rude enough to ask for an autograph, but if it was someone like George Clooney... Well then, one quick look couldn’t hurt.
Before she could walk over to see the people behind the stage’s scenery, another techie planted himself in front of her. “Follow me.”
Sinc
e he clearly wasn’t giving her an option, she obeyed. Ross dropped in step behind her, but he seemed preoccupied, constantly glancing back at the set. She sure hadn’t expected him to be the type of guy who would be so star struck.
“We need you to sit here,” the assistant said, indicating the only two empty seats in the front row of the now jam-packed audience. The noise level rapidly rose and music began to play over the sound system.
Sarah looked over her shoulder at Ross. In the short time she’d been working for him, they’d become friends. He was a bit gruff but had a wicked sense of humor and always seemed to have her best interest at heart. Their relationship had settled into a teasing camaraderie. Right now, her nervousness made her seek his support. “I didn’t think we’d be this close. I’m just supposed to take the check, right? Just that quick spiel, grab the check, and I’m done. Right?”
Her paranoia was running overtime, and she had no idea why she suddenly found herself so anxious. Although the Tanya Brady Show wasn’t her favorite, she’d seen it a time or two before she started healing. After that, she’d had no time for television. The seats the assistant wanted them to take would be on camera. A lot. She turned back to headset man. “Can’t we sit a little... I don’t know...farther back?”
He shook his head and mumbled something into his microphone as he impatiently pointed at the chairs again, clearly exasperated with having to babysit her.
“Just sit here, Sarah. It’ll be fine,” Ross said. His voice sure didn’t sound raspy now. He brusquely grabbed her elbow and pushed her toward the seats. The man had a problem being perpetually bossy. She wondered how his wife tolerated it on a daily basis.
“Gee, you sound better,” she said, not bothering to hide the sarcastic tone. Not that she was particularly mad at Ross. This whole situation was starting to get a bit overwhelming. “Why don’t you just go ahead take the check?”
Ross cleared his throat a couple of times. “See? No voice,” he finally said in a hoarse tone that sounded exactly like the one Sarah had used as a child when she’d been trying to con her mother into letting her stay home from school when she wasn’t really sick.
Thinking she’d finally figured out exactly what was going on, Sarah narrowed her eyes at Ross. “You don’t want to go on camera, do you?”
Ross flashed her an indignant glare and put his hand on his chest. “Me? Not want to be on camera?”
“Yeah, you. You’re camera shy, right?”
“I’m not that...that...female.”
“Fine. Whatever.” But she didn’t believe him. All she could think was that he was too nervous to be on the show, even if that notion went against his usual confident and forceful personality. Some people simply hated to see themselves on television.
“Besides,” Ross added, not even bothering to alter his voice now to sound sick, “you’ve already been to hair and make-up.”
Now it made sense. Her macho boss had a weak spot after all. “Ah ha! That’s it! You didn’t want to wear make-up, did you? That’s why I’m going on instead of you.”
With an exaggerated roll of his eyes, Ross dropped himself into one of the seats. “Sit down, Sarah. Just enjoy the show.”
She allowed herself to grumble about her aggravation over the whole situation as she sat down next to him. He clearly hadn’t heard her complaint because he nodded at the techie. She considered poking Ross in the ribs with an elbow, but he’d already crowded her arm off the shared armrest. Big bully.
Before Sarah could get too settled, the house lights dimmed. Theme music swelled.
Tanya Brady made a grand entrance with bursts of colored lights and one bright spotlight focused directly on her. Walking center stage, she beamed as the audience slowly rose to give her a standing ovation. Acknowledging her fans with an inclined head and hands folded as if in prayer, the Queen of Gossip seemed to absorb their appreciation like a sunbather takes in warm rays of sunshine.
She looked older in person. Maybe television softened a person’s face even as it added ten pounds. Tanya’s straight blond hair floated gently around her shoulders. Her red dress was clearly a top designer and fit her impossibly skinny frame perfectly. But her heart-shaped face bore a few more wrinkles than Sarah had ever noticed. The brown eyes, bright with intelligence, were just as beautiful despite the tiny laugh lines at each corner.
“Thank you, thank you. Y’all are too kind,” Tanya finally said in a charming southern drawl, causing the people in the audience to take their seats. “We’ve got a great show for you today. Y’all know how I feel about the supernatural. Why, I talked to my psychic just this morning! She told me it was a grand day to be on TV. I do believe I’ll take her advice.” She waited for the ensuing laughter and smattering of applause to subside. “Well, for today’s show, we’re gonna explore a mystical world that goes all the way back to the days of the Bible.”
The little red light on top of the first camera went out as one on the camera next to Ross illuminated. Tanya turned to face it as if this was all part of a well-choreographed dance. The camera led; Tanya Brady followed. Sarah was so fascinated by the activity of the numerous of assistants and the harried stage manager, she couldn’t even concentrate on what the Queen of Gossip was saying. Probably something about charities like the Miller Foundation. Sarah all but dismissed the words floating around her.
Speaking into the now active camera, Tanya continued her monologue. “We’ve found a shining star, someone who managed to rise above all the fraud surrounding people of her ability to bring about some true miracles of healing. Y’all stay tuned, and I’ll be right back to introduce you to one of the most talented faith healers in the world.”
The light on the camera faded as the stage manager shouted, “And we’re out. Back in ninety.” Sarah assumed he meant seconds.
As if jostled out of a hypnotic trance, she tapped Ross on the arm he still had resting on their mutual armrest. “I wasn’t listening. Who did she say the guest was going to be?” Maybe some major celebrity would show up after all. If she was really lucky, it would be some hunk of a guy who would take her mind off Joshua Miller.
Like that was possible. Her hand dropped to her abdomen and lightly caressed her unborn child. His child. No, she’d never be able to take her mind off Josh Miller. Not for the rest of her life.
Ross had the nerve to turn to gawk at her open-mouthed. “You mean you didn’t hear any of that?”
Sarah shook her head.
“None of it?”
This time she frowned at him. His responding chuckle embarrassed her, sounding too much like a parent scolding an inattentive child. “After all that worrying they did...” He put his hand over his eyes and gave his head a quick shake.
A warm flush spreading across her cheeks, Sarah stammered out, “I know I wasn’t paying attention. It’s just...there’s so much going on, and I was watching...” She pointed at the flurry of activity around the cameras and in the wings of the set as people hurried about getting Tanya settled in her host chair. “Them. I was watching them. I can’t believe how many people they need for a show like this.”
She thought he was being awfully rude when he chuckled again. “You know, I thought I’d have to hold you in that chair.”
“Excuse me?”
Ross couldn’t seem to stop laughing. “My wife is never gonna believe it. After all that planning... And you didn’t even hear the introduction.”
“Well, you don’t have to be so rude about it,” Sarah scolded, folding her arms over her breasts. “You know, I could make you go up there and get your own stupid check.”
The people on the set flurried back into high gear. Tanya primped in a small mirror being held in front of her by an assistant. The theme music swelled, and the stage manager shouted the remaining seconds left until they went live again. Everyone cleared the stage except for Brady as the stage manager went silent, counting down the last three seconds with his fingers.
“Welcome back,” Tanya said as the music die
d. “How many people in my gorgeous audience have ever tried something a bit...drastic when you were sick? A homeopathic remedy? Vitamin supplements? Alternative treatments? Prayer?” All over the crowd, hands rose. Several people strained to catch the Queen of Gossip’s attention, sounding much like over-eager elementary school students who were dying to answer a teacher’s question. They sat forward and stretched their arms high in the air.
“Oh, my. So many!” Tanya exclaimed with a broad smile. “Being sick is horrible. Why, the last time I had the flu, I would’ve done just about any ole thing to feel better. I can only imagine how one of my lovely fans would feel if they had cancer, or heart disease, or the illness my first guest suffered from.”
Sarah settled in, figuring the check presentation wasn’t going to happen until the end of the show. Ross had mentioned something about adding medical clinics next to the mental health clinics the Miller Foundation sponsored, so Tanya Brady was probably donating the money to get a couple of the clinics named after her. Hence the talk about being sick. At least the money was going to a good cause. Sarah realized she was here for the duration of the show, and she was sure her nervousness would only continue to grow.
“Lupus is an auto-immune disease that mostly affects women,” Tanya continued. “Something like ninety-percent women to ten-percent men. Doctors often have a hard time diagnosing it because it takes on different symptoms depending on who it strikes. Sometimes a person can have a set of symptoms one day and entirely different symptoms the next, so lupus is called the ‘great pretender.’ Most victims suffer for years before they’re diagnosed and get appropriate treatment. Even then, all doctors can do is treat some of the symptoms. There’s no cure.”
Tanya’s southern accent seemed downright hypnotic, making Sarah realize why the woman was so popular. Tanya Brady came across as a good friend, a gorgeous and kind friend who was helping you through your problems.
