“Come on, walk for a little while. Pleeeease.” He could only hope that his voice held the right amount of pleading. She didn’t look concerned.
Darnell didn’t feel sorry for him, no matter how pitiful he looked. She started toward the house, strolling leisurely at first as Thad limped beside her, trying to keep up. Then she picked up her pace.
As Darnell poised to resume running, Thad became desperate.
“Look at me, I think I might have pulled a muscle or something. I can hardly walk, let alone run. I might have to pitch a tent down here on the beach beneath your house. I don’t think I can make it back to your place.”
Darnell gave a victorious smile, buoyed by Thad’s inability to keep up. That should teach him a lesson. But she continued walking.
Thad caught the smile. Too bad he didn’t see it more often. He wondered if he could make her laugh.
Snapping his fingers, he reached into the pocket of his jogging pants, withdrew a leather wallet and hollered at her retreating back, “I’m not even going to try and walk back to your house. I’ll just camp right here on the beach!” That caught her attention as she stopped and turned to look at him. Thad withdrew several bills from his wallet and held them up. “If I give you some money, will you go to the sporting goods store and buy me a tent and some camping supplies?”
Darnell shook her head at the absurdity of his request. She fought a giggle at the seriousness in his tone.
He continued. “I’ll need a sleeping bag…”
The giggle was threatening to erupt.
“A kerosene lamp, some bug spray…”
Darnell couldn’t hold the urge to laugh much longer.
“A portable grill would be nice, and some food, of course.” He paused dramatically. “And I’ll need a portable john.”
That did it. Darnell collapsed into uncontrolled laughter. The man was a maniac. Thad limped up to her and stood gawking with a deadpan expression.
“Is there a problem?”
Recovering, Darnell wiped the tears from her eyes. “You’re sick. Do you know that? You are totally loony tunes.”
Thad tried to look confused. “I beg your pardon. I’m not crazy. I just need help buying the supplies. So here.” He took her hand and tried to force the money into her palm. “Please, go get them for me. Bring them back to me, and I’ll be grateful forever. I’ll wait on the beach near the rocks.”
He walked away from her with an exaggerated stiff-legged limp that brought a new wave of laughter from Darnell. Laughing hysterically, she caught up with him.
“If you don’t take this money I’ll strangle you.” She tried to push the money back into his hand. Thad resisted.
Darnell’s laughter enchanted him. To his surprise, he liked this carefree side of her. In the short time that he’d known her, he had never seen her like this.
As she recovered, Darnell felt self-conscious. She was amazed at the idea that she was enjoying herself with Thad Stewart, but gradually she turned serious.
“If you keep acting crazy, they’re going to put you away for good.” Placing the money firmly in his hand, she continued down the beach.
Thad followed her, disappointed that their moment of levity was over. “You know that’s how I got into show business in the first place, acting crazy.” Picking up a large, sturdy stick that had drifted in with the tide, he began using it as a walking cane. “I started out as a standup comedian.”
“Yes, I know.” Darnell glanced at him as he stumbled along beside her, aided by his makeshift cane. “And from there, one magazine went on to dub you as ‘The Sexiest Man of the Year,’ the irascible playboy with the million-dollar smile.”
Thad blanched at the censure in her voice. “That’s just media hype.”
“I have no doubt about that, just like all of the women you’ve been rumored to have gone through.” She shook her head at the thought. “Surely you want to leave a greater legacy behind than that?” Or did he? Did the man have any character? Was he committed to anything? Darnell quickened her steps, anxious to get home.
Insulted by her words, Thad was aware of Darnell’s change in demeanor. A minute ago, she had seemed to be enjoying herself, but now she was back to her old self. The woman was schizophrenic. Besides, she of all people should be aware of the games played in Hollywood. Everything was for publicity or show.
He had never been comfortable being dubbed a sex symbol. He had worked hard to be respected as a legitimate actor and did not appreciate being thought of as some testosterone-driven clown. As for the rumors of his sexual exploits with women, for the most part they were without fact. He had never bothered to squelch most of them because they’d never seemed to be that important to him, until now. Darnell had made it clear that she thought less of him because of his reputation—among other things—and although that shouldn’t matter, much to his annoyance, it did.
They continued walking the beach in silence, but as they drew closer to the path leading to her house he confessed. “I’m serious about my aching body having trouble getting up the steps to your house. Let’s take that path over there. That’s the way I got down here the other day.”
Throwing a glance in the direction he was pointing, Darnell shook her head. “You go that way. I’m going this way. I’m in a hurry.”
Thad was disappointed, but tried not to show it. “Where are you off to?”
Continuing to make her way toward the house, Darnell’s words drifted to him from over her shoulder. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m going dancing.”
CHAPTER 5
While Darnell got ready, Thad kept Mrs. Sharon company in the kitchen. He was rewarded with two plump burritos and a plate of Spanish rice.
A short time later, Darnell reappeared in the kitchen, and Thad nearly choked on his meal. She was dressed in a form-fitting leotard with a colorful African-print cloth tied loosely around her shapely hips. Thad sat in a daze. Darnell had to call his name twice before his mind was clear enough to respond.
“What did you say?”
“I said, what are you doing here? I thought you left!”
Thad looked at her blankly. “Why would I leave? I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Darnell gave a frustrated sigh. Lord, the man was like locusts. She couldn’t get rid of him. Then Mrs. Sharon intervened and made it worse.
“Why don’t you go to dance rehearsal with her?” she asked innocently. “I’m sure she won’t mind.” She turned to Darnell. “Would you?”
The look Darnell gave the older woman was deadly. Obviously, Mrs. Sharon wanted to be on the unemployment rolls.
Darnell’s reaction didn’t appear to faze the woman as she added, “You ought to go. It should be fun.” Mrs. Sharon smiled fondly at Thad. It looked as though he had won the admiration of another female.
Grinning as if he had won the lottery, Thad questioned Darnell.
“What is this dancing thing about?”
“I’m in an African dance troupe that performs for charity events in this area. It’s called Nia, which is Swahili for ‘purpose.’ I’m on my way there now.”
“I think they’d get a kick out of Thad Stewart sitting in on a rehearsal,” Mrs. Sharon added, continuing to ignore Darnell’s dagger stare.
“I’d think that your presence would cause enough of a stir among the dancers,” Thad contended, silently blessing Mrs. Sharon for this tidbit about Darnell.
She shrugged. “They’re used to me. I’ve been with the troupe for three years, so I’m nobody special in the group. When we perform, I go by the name Nailah when I’m introduced. Most people in the audience don’t even recognize me.”
Thad nodded. So the lady had a secret life, and he just might have a chance to catch a glimpse of it. Maybe progress was being made. “I’d like to tag along, if you don’t mind. I’ll even drive if you want me to.”
Darnell’s eyebrows shot up. “You have got to be kidding! You want me to ride in that conspicuous contraption of you
rs?” she asked, referring to his Ferrari. “That’s a little too much for my taste. I’ll take my car. You can follow me.” She headed for the front door.
Thad leaped from the barstool. “Guess that means I’m invited,” he mumbled as he passed Mrs. Sharon. She winked at him, and he grinned. At least he had one ally in the Cameron household.
* * *
An hour and a half later, Thad regretted his having attended the rehearsal. The problem wasn’t the sensation his presence caused among the women dancers. It was the rehearsal itself that proved disturbing.
Darnell took pains to protect them both from speculative gossip about their having arrived together. As a cover story, she told the other dancers that he was looking at the troupe for a possible booking. At first Thad thought that she was being overly cautious, but by the time the rehearsal ended he was grateful that she had thought to avoid speculation because her performance shook him to the core.
Her shapely form glided through the African dance movements with the grace of a gazelle. With braids flying and hips swaying, she danced with unrestrained abandonment, gyrating provocatively to the vibrating beat of the accompanying drums. Thad was mesmerized.
He made more than one attempt to give the other dancers equal attention, but his eyes always strayed back to Darnell. She was an African queen—regal and magnificent.
After the rehearsal, he tried to collect his senses but found it all but impossible. So he thanked her for inviting him, muttered goodbye to the other dancers, then hurried from the building as if it was on fire. His plan to talk to her about the script was all but forgotten for today. Hot and bothered by her seductive performance, he headed back to his hotel feeling as though he had been hit by a thunderbolt.
As Darnell drove home, she too was bothered by the day’s rehearsal. The Nia Dance Ensemble was as much her sanctuary as the cliffside retreat she called home. She had never been self-conscious when executing the movements of the dances they performed, but today had been different. Under Thad’s intense scrutiny, she had been more than aware of every movement of her body. His visual appraisal had been disturbing. Yet, it had also been intoxicating, and that’s what bothered her. Never had her pulse raced so rapidly. Never had her heart beat so loudly. She had tried desperately to mask her reaction.
As she sped along the highway, Darnell tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She was more than a little annoyed, and it was all Thad’s fault! She wasn’t used to anyone leering at her. Before, she had always danced for the simple joy of dancing. Today, she had danced for him.
Shaken by that revelation, Darnell stomped into the house and up the stairs, passing Mrs. Sharon in the hallway.
“How did the rehearsal go?” she asked, noting Darnell’s irritation.
“Fine,” Darnell answered before slamming her bedroom door behind her.
Mrs. Sharon chuckled. It seemed that sparks were beginning to fly.
* * *
After a sleepless night of self-recrimination, Thad came to the conclusion that the safest recourse for him was to talk to Darnell about his script ASAP, then get the hell out of town. If she rejected the script and his pitch about it, so be it. If she accepted it, their lawyers would handle the negotiations. This woman had messed with his mind yesterday, and he didn’t like it.
Bright and early Tuesday morning, he called Darnell and confirmed the trip to Hazelwood’s Garage. He informed her that he needed to talk with her about something important prior to their appointment and that he also needed to finish with the garage business no later than noon. He had an important appointment in Oakland. He arrived at her house fifteen minutes early in a good mood, which quickly changed when Darnell met him at the door with a cordless telephone dangling from her ear. She held up a finger and mouthed, “This is business. I’ll only be a minute.”
Thad frowned. He had grown up with three older sisters, and he knew how long “a minute” could be. He had planned to pitch the script in the interval before going to the garage, and very much doubted that her conversation would be as short as she had stated. He was right. As the minute turned into two, ten, and then thirty, he glanced at his watch pointedly and repeatedly. It didn’t matter.
With each ticking second, Darnell made it obvious that she would be talking on the telephone as long as it would take. She paraded up and down the room in front of him, leaving a trail of scented body oil with every step. Clad in a pair of shorts, her tousled cornrows held back from her face with an African-print scarf, she looked and smelled delicious. There was no doubt that she had alluring qualities. That couldn’t be denied. It was her personality that stunk.
As Darnell’s telephone conversation continued, she ignored every entreaty he made of her to respect his time. Desperate, he tried to suggest that she resume her conversation on her cell phone so that they could go. She ignored him. It was only Thad’s good home training that kept him from strangling her. He was about to leave her house and never grace her doorstep again when she decided to hang up the telephone. One minute had turned into forty. Darnell was apologetic.
“I’m sorry it took a little longer than I’d expected,” she said, leaving the sincerity of her apology open to question as far as Thad was concerned. “But, as I told you earlier, I’ve made all of the arrangements, and they’ll take us whenever we get there.” She could see from his expression how upset he was.
Slowly, Thad got to his feet. Without a word, he started toward the front door with her behind him. He was incensed. His momentary fascination with this woman yesterday had been an aberration. He was sure about that. His equilibrium was back on track, and she was going to pay for this. He didn’t know how, but he had decided that her inconsideration was going to cost her.
CHAPTER 6
It was after noon when they pulled up to Hazelwood’s Garage and Body Shop. Thad’s schedule was shot, but at least one thing was going right for him today. Hazelwood’s Garage turned out to be way above his expectations.
It was a small place, located on what could more easily be described as an alley than a street. Mr. Hazelwood turned out to be a pleasant man in his sixties, tall, slim and meticulously groomed. He was dressed in spotless gray overalls with the name of his business embroidered in red across his breast.
Thad had to admit that he was impressed. The man knew his business and was very professional in the way he handled his customers. The two men busily working in the garage with Mr. Hazelwood appeared to be well trained. The office walls were adorned with numerous awards for excellence, and there were other luxury automobiles being serviced. Thad breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his car would be in good hands. He didn’t even mind the smug look that Darnell gave him as he and Mr. Hazelwood spoke.
Things were going well at the garage until Thad saw the car that Darnell had rented for him to drive while his was being repaired. He was dumbfounded. The vehicle was a conservative black. It reminded him of a hearse.
“This is an old man’s car. I know you don’t expect me to drive around in this.”
Darnell was taken aback by his ingratitude. “You said you have another car at home you plan on driving. Just use this one to get to Tiburon, and you can use the other one as transportation until yours is ready. Although I really don’t see what’s wrong with this one. It’s new. It has tinted windows, and at least it’s inconspicuous.”
Thad was not persuaded. “Then if it’s all that, you drive it.”
His retort started a round of verbal sparring that had Mr. Hazelwood and his employees taking side bets on who would land the first blow. Finally, Mr. Hazelwood made an attempt to quell the storm. “I’m sorry to interrupt you folks, but I need to know if you’re going to leave your car for that tune-up, Ms. Cameron. I mean, since you’re already here, this would be a perfect time to do it.”
“I don’t know, Mr. Hazelwood,” Darnell hedged, still upset by her exchange with Thad. “I’ll need a ride home.” She didn’t notice the sudden light that appeared in Thad’s eyes.
Darnell started to decline, but, anxious to move both temperamental celebrities out of his garage, Mr. Hazelwood spoke up.
“Sounds good to me. Especially since I can’t spare anybody to take you home right now, Ms. Cameron.”
Reluctantly, Darnell accepted the offer.
Once buckled into the car, Darnell sat stiffly, her arms folded across her chest. She didn’t have anything to say until Thad passed her exit on the highway and headed toward Santa Cruz.
“Where are you going?” she demanded as they passed a second exit to her home.
“To Oakland,” Thad stated calmly. “You’re going with me.”
Darnell went ballistic. He had to admit that the language she used was creative. She opted to avoid the most obvious expletives and, instead invented new ones in an effort to be more lady-like, he assumed. When she eventually stopped screaming at him, he explained to her how she had disrupted his time schedule.
“I have no choice but to take you with me if I want to get to my appointment before the day is over.”
“And how am I supposed to get back to Carmel?” The chill in her voice was deadly.
“Maybe you can drive this car back,” he drawled.
The car’s interior was sizzling from the heat of Darnell’s anger. “You’re going to jail. I am with you against my will, which is kidnapping, and I’m putting you on notice that I’m filing charges as soon as we get to Oakland.”
Thad shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re going to put me in jail?”
“Did I stutter?” Darnell rolled her eyes at Thad as hard as she could. She was seething.
For a while, they rode in silence with Darnell staring out of the window. When they reached San Jose, Thad turned on the radio. Darnell’s voice drifted from the dashboard and filled the car’s interior. He hummed along with the familiar love song, occasionally singing a line or two. He had a beautiful baritone voice.
Singing a Song... Page 4