A Lonely Sky

by Linda Schmalz

  “Fine.” She shrugged her shoulders and followed him into the building.

  Sam opened the apartment door with his key, and placed the picnic basket aside. He switched on a light as Julia closed the door.

  “Make yourself at home.” His face flushed at the sight of his home. Would she even be able to find somewhere to sit amongst the sparse furnishings littered with scripts and books? He watched as she removed a stack of papers from an overstuffed plaid chair and sat.

  He looked across the living room to his desk. The answering machine light blinked steadily. “There’s a message, by God.” Sam stared at the machine. It had to be Larry Minor, his agent, who called. Unless, damn it, Deirdre phoned yet again demanding a return call.

  “Well, listen to it. Get it over with.” Julia’s voice remained flat. Could she not muster up even a tad of excitement?

  Sam paced in front of the desk. “I just can’t bear to hear I lost the role.”

  The loud, shrill ring of the phone startled them both. Sam lifted the receiver, his heart beating faster than humming bird wings in flight.

  “Where the hell have you been all day, Sam?” Larry sounded chipper, a good sign. “I have news on the role. I left you a message.”

  “Sorry just got in.” Sam’s entire body tensed as he listened to Larry. He tried to keep his voice calm. “Oh. Really? You’re kidding? Why yes, that’s fine, of course, you know that. Wow. Okay. Yes, yes I can. I will. Thank you. Thank you so much, Larry.”

  Sam replaced the receiver, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

  “Well?” Julia’s voice, still edged with anger, broke his shocked reverie.

  “Julia.” Sam turned and walked towards her as if seeing her for the first time. He knelt in front of her chair, and took her hands. “I can’t believe it.”

  “You got the part?” Her eyes widened.

  Sam held her tighter. “Not exactly.”

  “Oh Sam, I’m sorry.” Her eyes softened with genuine sympathy.

  Sam realized his error. “Oh no, Julia. I didn’t get the part I auditioned for, the friend of the lead.” His eyes lit but his voice fell to a whisper. He could barely believe his own words. “I won the lead. Bryce Wilmington!”

  Julia’s mouth dropped open. “You did? The lead in the mini-series?”

  Sam allowed the reality of the moment to finally sink in. “Yes, Julia, yes, the lead!” Without thinking, he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “The lead, Julia! I got it!”

  Julia returned the hug with a quick squeeze and then tried to pull away. But Sam, aware of her soft, warm body pressed against his own, held her.

  “Just stay with me a moment,” he said. “I just need to share this moment with you. I may never be this happy again.”

  This time, she did not pull away. He felt her body relax against him as she placed her head against his chest. He stroked her hair.

  “Julia, I’m so happy.”

  “Sam, I-” She lifted her head to speak, but as she turned those cornflower blue eyes up to his, and parted her sweet lips, Sam’s resistance broke. His mouth melted hot and urgent into hers. She returned his kisses with unabashed abandonment.

  After a moment, Julia suddenly pushed him away. Tears welled in her eyes as she wiped her hand across her mouth.

  “Julia, I-” He didn’t know what to say about what he did, or how he felt.

  “Don’t-” she raised a hand towards him. “I’ll cry if you apologize for kissing me. I don’t understand you. What about everything you said at the park about how we can’t be together?”

  Sam ran his hands through his hair and glanced away. Suddenly the answer wasn’t so simple anymore.

  “I don’t know, Julia. It’s just I’m so happy now. I can plan a future of my own and I want to share this happiness with you. I almost made a horrible decision about my future and now I won’t have to. I’ll have money to do what I want with my life and I just know I want you a part of it. Before, at the park, I didn’t want you to get involved with me. I could offer you nothing.”

  Julia walked to him and rested her head against his arm. “It wouldn’t have mattered.”

  He looked down to find her staring into him. She reached up and brought his lips back to her own. “You’re all I want, Sam.”

  They spoke no more as he lifted her up and carried her into his bedroom. As he laid her down on his bed, he hesitated. As she laid there, her eyes melting into his, her golden hair splayed out on his pillow, she couldn’t have been more beautiful.

  “Julia.” His breath was quick. “Tell me what to do. I should stop this, yes?”

  “No,” Julia whispered.

  “Are you afraid?”

  “No and yes.” She shook her head against the pillow. “I’m not afraid of you, only afraid that you will change your mind again.”

  Sam entwined her fingers in his own. “Never. But I want to know you’re sure about this?”

  “Yes, Sam. I’ve never been more sure about anything.”

  Sam placed her hand on his heart as he gently lowered his body to hers.

  Brilliant rays of morning sun radiated through the amber blinds in Sam’s room, and fell on the sleeping Julia, beckoning her to wake. Not that she minded. With Sam’s arm draped protectively around her, and her body pulled tightly against his, Julia could lie here, in this moment, forever.

  Memories of the night before flooded her with joy. Sam had been a patient, passionate and exciting lover, eager to please her, and yet, so careful not to hurt her. His embrace, his urgent kisses and the caress of his hands and mouth over her entire body aroused feelings in her she never believed existed.

  Julia slowly traced Sam’s strong jaw line with a finger. She willed him to open his eyes and love her again. She never experienced nor wanted so much from someone before, and John’s inexperienced attempts at lovemaking now seemed like such muddled fumbling. His kisses and awkward caresses never roused the desire in her that Sam’s simplest touch could. Julia closed her eyes, and basked in last night’s memories, wishing time would stand still and she’d be caught in this moment forever.

  “Julia.”

  Sam awoke and reached for her. “My Julia.”

  She snuggled in the crook of his neck, her body draped across his. “Thank you, Sam.” Her heart burst with happiness. “I never expected it could be like that.”

  Sam kissed the top of her head. “I agree.”

  Julia propped herself up on an elbow. “Sam, you don’t have to pretend with me. I know you’ve had lovers, girlfriends, whatever.”

  Sam looked her square in the eye. “Trust me on this Julia. This meant so much more.”

  The ring of the phone interrupted him. “Damn it. Sorry, love, but I must get that. It could be Larry with more details about the film.”

  Sam untangled himself from Julia and lifted the receiver from the bedside phone. Julia rested back on her pillow.

  “No, no, Polly, she’s fine.” Sam winked at Julia. “Yes, yes. I should have called, you’re right. Fine, we will. Now go back to bed and get some rest. Yes, see you later.” Sam hung up the phone. He grinned sheepishly at Julia. “We forgot to call Polly and let her know where you were. She said she figured you were with me, but wanted to check.”

  He snuggled next to her, but the phone rang a second time.

  “Wow,” Julia giggled. “Your phone is ringing off the hook and word isn’t even out that you’re a movie star.”

  “Sorry again, love,” Sam said, as he reached for the phone.

  He answered the caller in brief, and hung up with a heavy sigh.

  “That was Larry,” he said, a frown forming.

  “Oh no, bad news?” Julia didn’t want anything to mar this wonderful morning.

  “I need to meet with Larry this morning to sign contracts and go over details on filming and such.”

  “Oh.” Julia tried not to look as disappointed as she felt. She had hoped they would spend the day together.

  “And, I have to le
ave for Australia in a week.”

  She sat up and pulled the covers tight. “Australia? Why do you need to go to there?”

  “Well, my character, Bryce, lives there but ends up going to Oxford in England. They want to film the Australian scenes first. I didn’t think I’d get the lead, so I had no idea I’d be going to Australia.”

  “Oh.” Julia stared at the covers. “And I have to go back home in a week. We’ll be even farther apart than we thought.”

  Sam reached up and stroked her cheek. “We have this week. And I’ll come visit you in the States once my money rolls in.”

  Julia brightened, happy to hear Sam intended their relationship to last beyond these two weeks. “Oh Sam, that would make me so happy.”

  He took her in his arms and laid her against the pillows. He kissed her softly and caressed her body. Julia felt her body respond again in ways she never dreamt possible.

  “I promise, Julia,” Sam said, in between kisses. “Good things lie ahead for us.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Spencer emerged from the locker room and glanced about the courts for his tennis partner, the perpetually late, Percy Swiggins. He checked his watch and hoped the club wouldn’t release their court to another set of players. As a professional tennis player, Spencer thought he might earn a few privileges around here, such as not having to worry that one’s court would be swiped from him, but this was not his luck. Of course, his recent disastrous matches at Wimbledon hadn’t helped his status amongst the tennis circuit either.

  “Looking for someone?”

  He’d recognize her voice anywhere. He turned to find Deirdre behind him, dressed in club regulation white tennis shirt and skirt.

  “What are you doing here?” He ran his eyes down her model-slim torso. Her long, tan legs went on forever, toned, but oh so much sexier than the muscular legs of those women who actually played tennis. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a white hair band and she wore little makeup, save for the shade of light pink on her lips.

  “Stop staring and speak.” Deirdre rolled her eyes and sighed as if bored.

  Spencer laughed, embarrassed. “I’ve just never you seen you looking so…sporty. What can I say? This isn’t exactly your crowd, Deirdre. To what do I owe this honor?”

  She smiled coyly. “Just thought I’d inform you that Percy won’t be playing today.”

  “How do you know?” Spencer’s eyes narrowed as he studied her satiny smooth countenance. What was she up to?

  “Because I told him you cancelled.” She stroked a long, polished fingernail up and down the length of her racket. Spencer shifted his stance.

  “What on earth did you do that for?” He very much needed the practice but trading up for some time with Deirdre wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

  “Because I want to play with you,” she said. Her lips formed a tantalizing smile.

  He didn’t know whether to be shocked or suspicious, but his gut told him the latter. “You and me? Play tennis? ”

  “It’s me or no one, darling. And you need the practice. Lost your last competition, I hear. Unseated by a novice? So sorry.”

  Spencer ignored the dig. “Well, bloody sorry love, but only professionals practice here. Have you ever even played tennis?”

  “Yes, actually. It’s one of the few sports Mother allowed. Anyhow what’s so hard about knocking around a few balls?” She winked at him. “I’ve done that before.”

  Spencer scratched his head. Deirdre couldn’t possibly want to spend time with him. She was up to something. But wasn’t this what he dreamt about for years? Just the two of them together? Spencer was an outsider to her social world, but from his isolated distance he observed, studied and idolized her. Perhaps he alone understood, that beneath all her glamour and wealth, she existed as insecure as the rest of them. Life loomed ahead with futures unknown, and they all strived to capture the beckoning brass rings. Sam wanted his career. Spencer wanted a victory at Wimbledon. And Deirdre, first and always, wanted Sam. For years Spencer stood aside and jealously watched Deirdre’s pursuit of Sam. This last time she edged quite close to winning the prize, but at the last minute, and to Spencer’s great relief, Sam balked. Spencer would never break her heart that way. If only she’d take the time to get to know him as something more than Sam’s friend.

  He sighed. “What is it that you want, Deirdre? I hardly think you’d risk getting hit by a ball and marring your photogenic face to play tennis.”

  “I don’t want anything.”

  “And I’m second in line to the throne.” Spencer decided to get to the point and end this verbal volley. “Sam didn’t call?”

  “That doesn’t matter.” Deirdre’s voice took on a defensive edge. Spencer knew he hit his mark. “He’ll return to me as soon as that American child goes home.”

  “Well, newsflash, Dee. He won the lead in the mini-series and will be leaving for Australia soon.”

  Deirdre jerked as if he had slapped her, yet her voice remained steady. “I didn’t know that. You think he’d call me.”

  Spencer hated his dichotomy of feelings. The information hurt her, he knew, and yet Sam’s folly might be his foot in Deirdre’s door. “Well, he’s been busy. As you said, Dee, maybe he’ll call after Julia leaves.”

  Deirdre inhaled sharply. “Yes. He’ll forget her once she goes home, mark my words. He’s no different than other men.”

  “Then why do you want him?” The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them, but it was a question he pondered a thousand times.

  Something flashed in Deirdre’s ice blue eyes and her evasion of his question did not go unnoticed. “Julia’s a novelty to Sam right now but she doesn’t have what it takes to hold him.”

  “That would be money, right Dee?” Spencer saw his opening. “Bloody hell, woman! Wouldn’t you rather be with someone who loves you beyond your trust fund?”

  Deirdre gripped the end of her racket until her knuckles turned the color of her outfit. “This isn’t your business.”

  Spencer’s anger rose along with his frustration. “You’re right. Then leave me the bloody hell out of it. I didn’t ask you here.”

  Deirdre looked away. “I’m sorry. We won’t talk about Sam any longer.”

  “Because you now have the information you came for.” Spencer wanted to slap himself for his stupidity. But his brain turned to mush around her. The information she sought and won hadn’t helped his cause; she seemed more determined than ever to win Sam.

  Deirdre sighed, but didn’t relish in her victory. She glanced around the court. “I still owe you a game.”

  Spencer shook his head and slapped his racket hard against his hand. “Actually, I think you just played brilliantly.”

  Deirdre shook her head. “Sorry?”

  Spencer sighed and offered a pathetic smile. “Good luck with Sam.”

  He turned and headed to the locker room.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The next week flew by faster than Sam thought possible. He and Julia spent every minute together. She read lines with him and helped him shop for his trip. He returned the favors with trips to the countryside and more sightseeing. They talked, traveled and shared as much as they could about each other.

  Sam felt happier than he had in years. His financial worries were nearly behind him, he was on his way to an established and respectable acting career, and most importantly, Julia entered his life.

  Their first night together had been amazing. He’d been so afraid she’d regret sleeping with him, that he half feared she’d want to go home. But she seemed happy in his arms, and every evening spent together became more special than the night before. He never missed an opportunity to hold her hand or to make her laugh. He talked excitedly about the upcoming film and the money he’d earn and how he’d fly to the States to see her.

  But now, the dreaded day of Julia’s leaving arrived. With a heavy heart, he drove Julia to Polly’s to collect her belongings.

  “I
promise you, Sam,” Julia said, as they walked the steps to McTeel Manor. “I’ll reimburse you for the flight home as soon as my trip refund check comes. In fact, it might even be there when I get back.”

  “You have high hopes for the mail system,” Sam joked. “Not to worry, love. If all goes well with the movie, I’ll fly us anywhere we want, anytime.”

  As they neared the top step, the front door opened, and a short, balding man exited. Barnabas followed.

  “Dr. Curtis.” Sam recognized Polly’s physician. “Is Polly all right?” He glanced at Barnabas, whose expression read somber. “Did something happen?”

  The doctor extended his hand to Sam. “Hello, Samuel. Good to see you again.” He nodded briefly at Julia but turned back to Sam. “Polly is fine, but she’s slipped again, I fear.”

  “What happened?” Sam shot a worried look over to the caretaker. “Barnabas?”

  “She was very confused on waking this morning, Sir. Didn’t know where she was or the day.” Barnabas looked at the ground. “She kept calling for Mr. McTeel. When Sylvie and I tried to orient her and remind her Michael was deceased, she became inconsolable. I had to call Dr. Curtis.”

  “She’s fine now, however,” the doctor assured. “Mr. Barnabas did the right thing.”

  “Thank you for coming.” Sam shook the doctor’s hand again.

  Dr. Curtis smiled for the first time. “Well, it’s not just anyone I’d make a house call for, but Polly and I go way back.” He smiled kindly at Julia.

  “Well, we should see her,” Sam said, anxious to see Polly. He saw the doctor off and followed Barnabas into the house.

  “Polly’s in the parlor, Sir,” Barnabas said. “I’ll go get Miss Steele’s things and put them in the car.”

  Sam took Julia’s hand, and together they entered the parlor. Polly reclined on the sofa. A colorful patchwork quilt covered her legs.

  “Sam! Julia!” Polly extended her arms to them, and smiled broadly, her cheeks radiant. Sam’s heart lightened. She looked rather well. One would never suspect…