A Woman Like You: Book Two (The Woman I Love Series 2)

by G S Binkley

  After depositing their bags inside the guesthouse, the foursome debarked on a quick tour of the grounds. Dani ran ahead searching for the swimming pool while Derek insisted on walking alongside the couple because it was closer to the multi-colored flowers that lined the walkway. Plucking a flower from its stem, the shy three year old looked up spying an old man intently watching him. Derek hurriedly found shelter behind one of Gage’s legs.

  The small boy returned the intense stare as the old man plucked a flower of his own, spinning it under his nose, inhaling deeply. Derek found this interesting and did the same with his flower. When the old man dropped his flower down then jerked it back up to his face, Derek giggled and followed suit.

  “Chance!” Gage hollered dragging Lacy behind her while Derek did his best to keep up. “Lacy, this is Chance Mallicoat.”

  Chance nodded his head in respect. “Ma’am.”

  Extending her hand, she requested. “Please call me Lacy.”

  Again, he nodded then turned to the small boy. “Who are you?”

  Scooping Derek up in her arms, Gage made the introductions. “Chance, this is Derek. And, Dani’s around here somewhere….” Swinging her head around scouting the grounds for the little adventurer.

  Chance slid his own flower toward Derek so he could experience the sweet scent of a different flower from the garden he lovingly tendered. The young child sniffed cautiously before inhaling deeply drawing the pedals to his nose then smiled because it tickled.

  “Hey, where’s Mark? I want him to meet my family.” Realization dawned, offering a sense of peace and contentment embracing the writer at her chosen words. My family.

  Before Chance opened his mouth in response, he noticed his boss’ car enter the main gate. “He’s here.” With these words Chance faded into the background where he felt the most comfortable.

  Grabbing her partner’s hand, Gage dashed off. “Come on.”

  Mark Calico opened wide arms welcoming his friend and business partner. “Gage, you look great.” He kissed her on the lips then stepped back, blue eyes coming to rest on the young boy in her arms. “And, who’s this?”

  “Derek and…..” Pulling Lacy closer while entwining their fingers together, Gage smiled at her friend. “This is Lacy Levine… my partner.”

  Mark didn’t miss the gold necklace Lacy nervously fiddled with when he embraced his blonde friend. “Finally….” Mark wrapped strong arms around her offering a very sincere greeting. Over Lacy’s shoulder, Mark noted a young girl with pursed lips and hands cocked on her hips pinning him with a possessive glare. Releasing the star, Mark ran his hand threw his short neatly cut dark hair, graying at the temples. “And, you must be Danielle.” A few short steps later, Mark held out his hand.

  Dani gave him the once over then yielded. “Hello.” She said sweetly. He must own the pool. “You can call me Dani.”

  “Done.” Mark accepted the offer. “Well, then, you get settled? Sorry, I wasn’t here to meet you…. some business.” Turning to Lacy, Mark continued. “As a matter of fact, an old friend of yours… Ron Griffen.”

  Lacy knew the head of Griffen Studios well. “How is he?”

  “Doing fine. Gage, Ron’s interested in distributing our first picture.”

  “About that, Mark, we need to talk.” Gage stated.

  A slight concern crossed his face briefly. “All right. Not till after I make sure you have everything you need. You check the place out yet?” Like the natural born leader he was, Mark led the way back to the guesthouse. “I had my staff stock the place with food and things… though if there’s anything you need just call Chance or the housekeeper.”

  As they entered the small cottage, Lacy thanked him. “I’m sure everything is fine.” Taking Derek from Gage’s arms, she leaned in. “We’ll take care of things here. I know you want to talk with Mark. Go ahead.”

  Gage smiled at her partner’s generosity. “I love you.”

  “Go on.” Lacy pushed her lover away while sucking in a sliver of doubt regarding the relationship Gage shared with her friend. She didn’t know whether to be jealous, glad or indifferent so she busied herself unpacking till Gage returned.

  Mark hooked his arm around his friend as they walked away from the guesthouse. “So, it’s serious?”

  “You don’t know how much.”

  “I think I do.” Mark nudged her. “Ever since I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you without that necklace and now…” Nodding back over his shoulder. “She wears it.”

  Blushing, Gage admitted. “Yeah, she does.”

  “And I know how much it means to you.” Mark added then dropped the subject just as quickly. “What’s on your mind?”

  Reluctant to address the issue at hand, Gage started the journey in a roundabout way. “Where are you at with the movie?”

  Accepting Gage’s detour around the subject, Mark answered. "It’s set to shoot in February next year. Eight weeks, but I’ve allowed ten. As I said earlier, my old college friend, Griffen, wants in on the action. Since we’re new at this that could be of great help. Hired the director, Hugh Hayes, and most of the casting is done. Thought you wanted to be in on that?”

  Running an anxious hand through her short blonde hair, Gage broached the subject. “I… I had better things to do.” The writer and producer wanna be decided to be direct. “Mark, listen….” She stopped both of them in their tracks. “Things have changed.”

  “Lacy?”

  “Lacy, the kids… me.” Briefly allowing a reflective moment to wash over her, Gage sighed. “God, Mark, I knew the moment I saw her I was in love. The moment I heard her voice I’d fallen completely and the moment she touched me, deeply in love and I knew when she kissed me that I was totally, absolutely in love with her and there was no going back. She’s my past, my present, my future.”

  “So, tell me how you really feel.” The hearty laugh that accompanied Mark’s remark teased his friend mercilessly, but Gage took if for what it was. A friend who cared for her and always would.

  Elbowing him in the side, Gage let a small laugh escape of her own at her overwhelming admission. “Wait till you fall.”

  The sad smile and thoughtful glance he gave Gage told her exactly what he was feeling. “I did that once and it was enough for a lifetime.” Fond loving memories of his departed wife, Sharon, along with his parents stilled his broken heart in that one brief moment. If nothing else, he would always have the memories.

  “Sorry, Mark.” Gage apologized. “And, I’m sorry about letting you down with the movie and…. here it is the one I wrote.”

  “I would have done it anyway, Gage. You’re still going to let me have first shot at your screenplays?”

  “They’re all yours to produce if you want. By the way, how’d you like HERE COMES JORDAN?”

  “It’s going to be my next picture after this one, right?” Gage nodded so Mark continued. “You need time with this new family of yours, but we’re still partners to the end. I won’t have it any other way.”

  “Mark, I won’t be able to help much…”

  “You write… and whatever else you have time for is good enough for me. Gage, you’ve got great instincts. Besides, we’ve already talked about this project before you left for my cabin. I know what you see in that noggin of yours. It will be a great little TV movie.” Mark was referring to the writer’s screenplay, A QUESTION OF MURDER. Suddenly, Mark turned her around facing the cottage. “Go on. I see someone is waiting patiently for your return.”

  Gage twisted back around falling into her ever-loyal friend’s arms. “Thanks.” Then gave him a kiss.

  *************************

  The next day Lacy set up a meeting with the director of her movie, Ryan White. He was once in business with David and, fortunately for Lacy, a good friend. “Ryan, I’m going to have a baby.”

  The tall man just sat down when Lacy blurted out the newsflash. “Don’t beat around the bush, do you?” A quirked eyebrow caught him dead center upon misun
derstanding his comment. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Lacy…” Ryan covered her hand on the table. “You know, I love you. Does David know yet?”

  “No. You need to know for the movie. Seven weeks.”

  “It’s set for eight.” He countered.

  “Seven weeks pregnant. So, you may want to shoot around it. I won’t be showing much.”

  “It’s a romantic comedy, Lacy. No stunts or anything that would be dangerous….a couple of love scenes and I was hoping to show a little flesh.” Ryan’s liquid brown eyes twinkled at the suggestion then hinted further. “A little eye candy.”

  “I bet you do.” Revealing a little skin wasn’t new to Lacy since she had posed in a couple of men’s magazine though not the raunchy ones. Nothing blatant, but racy enough to send a sexual shiver through any red blooded man bringing him to the brink of boiling. “Nothing to exposed, okay?”

  “You should know then that Griffen….” I didn’t want to be the one to tell her but….. “…renegotiated your contract in reference to that little detail.”

  “He couldn’t…. I’ve not seen anything.” Lacy’s contract regarding skin exposure kept her well shielded though she’d allow certain aspects of it in filming if it suited the material tastefully. “David.” The cold crack of dawn snapped enlightening Lacy as to who was behind this renegotiation.

  “You let him have too much control, Lacy.”

  “I know.” Despair set in knowing that Ron Griffen would hold her to it.

  “As long as I’m directing and producing it, I’ll keep it tasteful. Nothing more than you already have. I promise.” Ryan was the director and producing the movie while Ron Griffen backed the film. He assured her. “Listen, I’ve got to go.”

  Lacy smiled hopefully.

  Touching her face after he stood, Ryan pledged. “Trust me.”

  And, she did. It was the man behind Ryan that she didn’t trust. “David. Sit down.” After a brief exchange between her director and David, Lacy watched Ryan leave the restaurant. “How did you know I was here? Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

  Well, it worked on Ryan so here goes. “David, I’m going to have a baby.”

  Focused on the plate before him, David scarfed down an uneaten half of turkey sandwich. “I know. I’m going to have a baby. Old news, Lacy. Everyone knows Hayston is pregnant.”

  Lacy let out a short snort. “You take the cake, David. You really do. It’s always about you. Let me rephrase this.” Getting his full attention. “Hayston is pregnant. I am pregnant and you’re the father.”

  David gulped. “I’m the father?”

  “David, don’t even go there.”

  “No, I mean. Lacy, this changes everything. First thing, I’ll stop the divorce.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “Yes, I can. I’ll call the lawyers right now.” Flipping out his cellular telephone, David punched in a few numbers.

  Yanking it away, Lacy reiterated. “You can’t do that because I am not going to let you. End of discussion on that topic.”

  “Lacy, I have to keep my family together….”

  “And, what family is that?” Lacy sarcastically threw that question at him before tempering her anger. “Never mind! We can do this the easy way or the hard way and, David, please for the sake of the kids let’s stop fighting each other. Our children need to know both their parents. Let’s do what’s best for them.”

  “But….I’m the father.”

  “Drop it and I won’t bring up… this ‘little behind my back’ renegotiation of my contract with Griffen. You had no right and you know it, David.” Lacy sighed heavily. “I’m calling my agent later and get this straightened out. You don’t have a free hand when it comes to me any longer, David. Understood?”

  It wasn’t what he wanted, but he would have to quell his desires for the time being. Too much was riding on his plans for the future. Stirring up a hornet’s nest with his soon to be ex-wife didn’t suit his purposes. There’s plenty of time between now and when the divorce is final. And, I am the father. “Understood.” David confirmed offering a pleasant and, at the same time, devious smile.

  Lacy bounced that same smile back to him not having spent ten years with the man sitting in front of her without learning something along the way. Like a snake before he strikes.

  ************************

  With their mother away for a business meeting, Dani and Derek took advantage of the luxuries offered by their host, Mark Calico. Splashing in the huge pool, Dani savored the sun-warmed day while Derek played with his plastic water pistol.

  “Are you coming in Gage?” Dani yelled.

  “No…. Ohhh.” Gage jumped from her chair, face dripping with water. “Why should I? Your brother is getting me wet enough.”

  Derek hurried away to refill his toy gun once again. This time when he approached Gage, the blonde redirected him to the older man lounging on a patio chair dressed in slacks and a white business shirt.

  Gage helped Derek sneak up on the unsuspecting victim then stood back as the young boy did as he was directed firing streams of water at Chance. Unscathed, the old man didn’t move a muscle till one gray eye popped open zeroing in on the attacker then to the blonde instigator. In a calm steady voice, the sixty-year-old man said. “That was refreshing. Thank you.” Chance then got up winked at Derek and walked away as if nothing had happened.

  From a distance, Lacy watched her son’s antics under her partner’s guidance when a hand touched her shoulder. “You love her?”

  Lacy turned meeting warm blue eyes. “With all my heart.”

  “I do, too.” Mark smiled. “Does that bother you?”

  A perfectly sculptured eyebrow rose.

  “I saw you watching us from the window yesterday with…. interest.” Mark carefully chose the last word.

  “More like with a bit of jealousy.” Lacy admitted.

  Mark offered an arm. “Walk with me.” After a few long moments, the tall man continued. “The bond Gage and I have comes from tragedies in our lives. Mine from losing my wife and parents in an airplane accident twenty years ago.” A momentary pause. “We were going to have a baby.”

  Lacy gently squeezed his arm offering comfort.

  “All I have left is my grandfather in England and…. Chance, my ever-loyal assistant. But, that’s a story for another time. And, Gage. We hit it off from the very beginning. When I read her screenplay, A QUESTION OF MURDER, that’s the one we’re shooting next year.” Lacy nodded knowingly. “I felt some kind of connection in the words she wrote. I love the way she writes. Then when we met, well, who wouldn’t love her?”

  “I know. I do. And, so do my children.”

  Mark stopped short, staring deeply into Lacy’s now worried eyes. “Lacy, Gage has been hurt in ways…. she doesn’t feel she deserves a family or anyone for that matter. It truly makes me happy to see her with you and the kids. She needs this. Very much.” Mark considered for a brief moment her partner’s recent decision before letting Lacy in on it. “Gage told me she’s not going to be involved as much with filming our movie.”

  “No, she can’t. It means a great deal to her.” Lacy protested.

  “And you mean the world to her. Let her, Lacy. This is something that she needs….. it will heal her soul.”

  Pensively, Lacy nodded fully understanding as she remembered Gage’s words regarding getting a speech therapist for Derek. It would be a… soothing salve to my soul helping him like someone helped me years ago.

  “Friends?”

  “Friends.” Lacy confirmed.

  “Now, may I ask you a favor?” Lacy nodded. “I have many businesses throughout the world and have naturally become aware of the plight of people in it…. mostly the children. Money can only do so much.” Glancing at Lacy briefly, he asked. “We could use your…..well, face to get the awareness we need in helping the children of the world. I know it’s a lot to ask….”

  “I’ll do it. Whatever you want.” Taking in a quick
view at her children happily playing in the pool, Lacy added. “Having children of my own…” Lacy’s hand unconsciously drifted to her stomach rubbing it.

  “I know.” He winked. “Gage told me.”

  “I want to help Mark and…..” Sucking in a short breath. “…not be so jealous of your relationship with Gage.”

  “Don’t be.” Pointing to the necklace she wore. “Do you know where Gage got that?” Shaking her head. “About twenty years ago, Gage made an attempt to find her mother. That led her to the social worker that helped Gage’s mom during that time.”

  A questioning eyebrow rose, remembering that Gage told her she never got around to searching for her mother.

  “The social worker wouldn’t or couldn’t tell Gage anything about her mother. But, that necklace, Gage got it from the social worker. She doesn’t know for sure but Gage thinks that it may have belonged to her mother.”

  Speechless, Lacy’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Mark, maybe you can do a favor for me.”

  Mark understood the silent request being asked. He draped a steadying arm around his friend’s lover in comfort. Maybe, Lacy, maybe in time she’ll be ready.

  Chapter Eight

  The first week in the guesthouse flew by as Lacy and Gage readied their family for the upcoming movie and school year. Dani was enrolled in school and ready to start the following week. Gage made a few inquiries regarding getting a speech therapist for Derek. And, took the suggestion by Mark to call Dr. Charles. All the while Lacy prepared for her upcoming role in her movie.

  The first day on the movie set was hectic. Lacy was escorted from place to place getting fitted for costumes, meeting the cast and crew and the last agenda item on the day included a script reading. Ryan White prepared meticulously for the short shoot. With only eight weeks allotted, he had things lined up ready to fall into place like a well-oiled machine.