Here Comes My Woman: Book Three (The Woman I Love Series 3)

by G S Binkley

  Dejectedly, flopping down on the floor in front of them, Dani weakly suggested. “Then can Derek play little Jordan?”

  Derek huffed up at his sister’s proposal. “I will not play a girl.” It was probably the first time Derek ever totally disagreed with his sister.

  “You don’t have to play anybody, Derek.” Lacy assured her irate son. Pursing her lips together, Lacy formulated an idea. “You know, Dani, there is a scene where Jordan has to sing and dance. Perhaps you could help choreograph that.”

  Bolting up off the floor, Dani warmed up to the proposition immediately. “Just what I was thinking. As a matter of fact….” Dani shoved aside the coffee table. She entertained them with an impromptu dance routine.

  ***********************

  As the evening came to a close, Lacy and Gage readied the kids for bed and tucked them in. When they returned to the living room, Stella was fast asleep in her easy chair.

  Gage generally allowed Lacy to deal with the nanny. Her continued wariness of the older woman plagued her. So, in a rare show of concern, Gage offered. “Should we… wake her up?”

  With eyes still closed, Stella said. “I’m awake. Just resting my tired old eyes.”

  “Good then.” Pulling Gage down beside her, Lacy asked. “Do you mind if we go over a few things… regarding the movie?”

  It was hard to break Stella of calling her ma’am like she did with Julie Grant but Lacy finally won. “Whatever you say, Lacy.”

  Seeing the puzzling look on the older woman’s face, Lacy inquired. “Is there something wrong?”

  “No….no. It’s quite unusual for the nanny to have it so easy. I’m used to putting the kids to bed, getting them up… taking care of them. Working for you is like being on… vacation.” Stella admitted. The older woman felt that Julie Grant, her former boss, would have been the same as Lacy except for the fact that she ran her own production company. Though there were many times that in spite of her demanding schedule and being totally exhausted Julie found the time to be there for her children.

  “That’s about to change.” Lacy informed her. “I’m afraid the movie will take a lot of our time. However, I want the kids to be with us as much as possible.”

  “As if Sammy would ever let you get more than ten feet away.” Gage said with mock sarcasm.

  “Whatever you want.” Stella agreed.

  “Stella.” The dark haired woman sat up straight. “I want….” She sighed. “I want this to be more than an employer employee relationship. You’ve been with us for nearly two years now and…. we think of you as family.”

  Stella chanced a hasty look toward Gage.

  I see. Lacy mused. She jabbed Gage with her elbow and requested confirmation from her partner. “Right, Gage?”

  “Hey.” Following suit, Gage agreed. “Family, right.” Somehow that statement did not meet a warm reception by either party especially Lacy. “And…..” Gage rapidly continued. “…everybody likes you, the kids, Lacy….” Another nudge prompted her again and her voice squeaked. “..me. Matter of fact, the kids love you… just like a grandmother.” Feeling as if Gage just saved herself from falling off a very tall cliff, she smiled.

  “That’s the nicest thing you’ve….” Stella made a quick verbal detour. “Thank you.” The brilliant smile on the nanny’s face gleamed. It took a great effort for the older woman’s eyes to peel off the blonde, coming to rest on Lacy. “I’ve never been on a movie set. Mrs. Grant let her children come to the studio offices but not on the set.”

  “It’ll be fun. My producers were so thoughtful….” Lacy spared Gage a loving glance. “..they have set up two trailers. One of them for my costume changes, etc. and the larger one is for… all of us.”

  “We realize you and kids may want to stay home… there’s lots more to do here. Or, you guys may want to come by later in the day.” Gage said then added. “However, when you do that….” The blonde paused to glimpse at her partner. “Lacy and I will have a car pick you up. We don’t want to take any chances.”

  Stella nodded.

  Lacy leaned forward, placing her hand on Gage’s thigh. “Stella, if at any time you feel the children….. it’s about their safety.”

  “You will be the first to know if I see anything or anyone suspicious. Mrs. Grant had the same concern. Trust me, I know the drill.” The nanny assured them. Pushing herself from the easy chair, Stella said. “If there’s nothing else….”

  Gage nodded and Lacy bid her goodnight.

  Long moments passed before Lacy spoke again. “If we were shooting this movie in St. Troy, I’d feel much better. I know crime is everywhere and you can never be too safe but…..”

  Seeing the worried and forlorn look on Lacy’s face, Gage suggested. “Lacy, we could hire a bodyguard.”

  Laying her head on Gage’s shoulder, the dark haired woman snuggled closer. “I thought about that. Having family close is another reason I’m glad our home is in St. Troy.”

  A brilliant idea popped in Gage’s head. The blonde shifted her body up and around, facing her partner. “Lacy, let’s build a studio there.”

  “What?”

  “Lacy, listen. Hank and Jason could build it. Oh, nothing fancy… enough that we could use it. At least, when you’re doing a film Mark and I are producing and what the heck even if you do someone’s else film…. we’ll rent it out cheaper than they could get here in LA.”

  Mulling the idea over for a moment, Lacy reached up and kissed her lover. “Knew I loved you for more than your body.” The younger woman crawled onto her lover, knocking Gage back onto the couch and growled. “But that’s the part I want now.”

  As if being trounced by a great hunter, Gage felt like the prey. With the way her lover was devouring her in their heated exchange, all she could do was pray that she would survive.

  ***********************

  The next day Lacy’s agent, Arthur Graham met with her at Mark’s home. “Hi, Art. Thanks for meeting me here. Why don’t we go in the library?” Lacy led the way. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Nah.” Even as he followed his client, Art was rifling through his satchel. Pulling out some papers, the uptight man handed them to her before she sat down. “Not much there to speak of…….” His words trailed off. Art didn’t relish breaking the bad news to Lacy. However, it was his duty as her agent. “Lacy….”

  “Art. Please sit down. Relax.” It didn’t take her long to peruse the document that revealed the skimpy offers. “Beating down my door, aren’t they?”

  In a rare display of emotion, Art replied. “What the hell do they know?” Catching himself before he completely dropped his ever-present professionalism, he continued. “Sorry. Lacy, it’s not about your talent. Everyone knows you’re the best. The quintessential actor.”

  That last statement brought back fond memories of when Gage first said that about her acting. She allowed that recollection to wash over her, relishing in the image of Gage’s soapy hands gliding over her body, lingering, tantalizing every inch as she fell blissfully into the wonderful touch of her lover.

  “Lacy!” Art elevated his voice to get her attention.

  It was Lacy’s turn to apologize. “Sorry.”

  “It’s…. well, it’s like this. Hollywood wasn’t too happy about the way you seemingly turned your back on them. It was your self-imposed exile.” He shifted in his chair when she raised her eyebrows. “Crackdown was a huge hit. You were riding on a wave that everyone and I mean everyone wanted a piece of. You know, when you announced that it would be the last season, the offers poured in. Your popularity was higher than…..” Art paused briefly. “….at one time I would have said the pope but, now…… Anyway, the execs….the producers felt you rebuffed them personally when you walked away.” The actor started to protest but met an upraised hand. “Let me finish.”

  *************************

  Gage bolted through the door, practically falling into the kitchen. Upon seeing Stella near the sink,
she hastily shoved the item in her hand behind her back.

  Stella’s astute green eyes recognized the item in question. “She’s in the library.”

  An embarrassing smile found its way to Gage’s face before she shuffled sideways across the kitchen. After she passed through the doorway, the blonde heard a knowing laugh escape the nanny. “Damn.” Though that didn’t deter her from finding the love of her life. Gage sped down the hallway and around the corner then just as she was about to approach the library’s door, she recognized Art Graham’s voice. His words froze her in place. Perched just outside the slightly opened door, Gage couldn’t help but overhear.

  “Then there’s your involvement with Gage.” Once again, Lacy opened her mouth to protest, meeting that same hand. “Lacy, hear me out.” The balding forty-five year old agent cautiously proceeded. “The whole town’s gay if you ask me. It’s just that working and living in this fantasy world of theirs, they would much rather pretend to be straight. As if it legitimizes them. Oh, you got your one or two….. mutineers that come out and when they do…. what happens? Actors, producers, directors, all of them run for the hills acting so appalled as if they aren’t gay themselves…so most of them dig deeper in the closet. It’s really all about money.” Art sat back in his chair. “For any person who comes out in this business, it’s like signing a death warrant for their career. It’s a fact of life, Lacy.”

  With those words, Gage’s world crashed down around her. Dropping the single red rose to the floor, the very dejected blonde ran.

  “I’d do it all over again, Art. Wouldn’t change a thing.” Lacy adamantly stated to her agent. “Yes, it’s a fact of life as you say. It’s a fact that needs to be changed.” Lacy stood up. “I never wanted to be a poster girl for anything. Role model or anything else. I’d much rather live a very private and quiet life.” This time it was the actor who cut off the agent’s protest. “Apparently, that’s not in the cards. If my relationship with Gage costs me roles then so be it.” Leaning over the desk, Lacy propped herself up and vowed. “Lacy Levine will not go quietly into the night.”

  It could turn into a hornet’s nest but….. Art grinned. “Right with ya.”

  “One more thing, could you set up an appointment with my lawyer? Sometime in the next couple of weeks would be great.” Lacy guided her agent out of the house but not before picking up the fallen rose.

  Chapter Seven

  The first day on the set was going to be extremely hectic so the decision was made to leave the kids at home. It was a welcome relief to Stella as she had a couple of telephone calls to make and wanted the privacy.

  The couple arrived at the studio at dawn and immediately met up with Mark and Ryan White along with several other members of the cast. Over the next few weeks they would be shooting most of the interior scenes in the film. After a holiday break on the fourth of July, the schedule called for the ‘arch scene’ to be shot in St. Louis. Then it was back to LA for the final few weeks of shooting.

  While many of the players coveted their early morning coffee, Gage sucked on the ice in her cup. I can’t seem to get enough of this lately. The novice producer decided to sit back and let Ryan and Mark lead the way. She relegated her role as producer to gopher. At least, I’d go fer anything Lacy wants. Gage spared a glance at her delicious looking lover across the room as Lacy reacquainted herself with Shanti James.

  “Does my aunt know?” Shanti inquired.

  “Gosh, I haven’t talked to her in years.” Lacy answered after a short moment. Out of the side of her eyes, she saw her partner watching her.

  Shanti placed a friendly hand on Lacy’s forearm. “Neither have I. She’s been traveling all over the world for a while now.” Leaning in conspiratorially, she added. “Husband #4.”

  “Lacy, Shanti.” The director interrupted. “I’d like you to meet Ben Thomason.”

  The twenty-six year old sandy haired actor leaned in, extending his hand to Lacy then Shanti. “Toffer.” Meeting Shanti’s questioning look, he continued. “My character.”

  “Ohhh…” The reddish-blonde actress smiled. He’s cute.

  Ryan continued the introductions. “And, this is Boyd Dietrich… he’s playing Michael Cooley.”

  Boyd nodded.

  Turning to the tall black actor, the director made the final introduction. “Shonnel Westin.”

  Shonnel clipped his heels and fell into character before he quoted one of his lines. “Jackson, Jackson Bodine… don’t you just love it… the name, I mean.”

  “Everything’s here, Ryan.” Michael Jessop announced.

  “Good. Everyone. Take a seat.” Ryan directed.

  It took a few minutes as everyone rushed to make a quick trip to the breakfast buffet laid out on a nearby table. Gage saw the stampede headed her way and evaded being tromped on but not before snagging a donut and bagel for her partner.

  “Michael. Give everyone their packet.” The forty-three year old director commanded then waited a few moments as his young assistant director finished his mission.

  Lacy covertly handed her partner an iron pill along with a vitamin. Completely ignoring Gage’s disgusted face, Lacy nodded then glared at the blonde until she reluctantly swallowed the pills.

  “You’ll find the schedule in there along with everything else you’ll need. Michael’s….”

  The young man snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”

  Ryan ran a hand through his gray hair, attempting to relieve the growing stress. Twenty minutes into it and that young man’s gonna cause me a nervous breakdown. Michael Jessop begged Ryan to work as his assistant director for the film. Over the last couple of years, Michael worked for Griffen Studios and the studio boss there kept the young man’s talent harnessed. It was Jessop’s dream to direct. When Ron Griffen showed no sign of allowing Jessop to develop his talent, he quit.

  Directing his comment to Michael, Ryan said. “I was just going to say that you’re the AD on this shoot. Now, siddown and relax.”

  “Right.”

  Gage pushed the empty chair next to her out for him.

  Addressing one of his partners, Ryan continued. “Mark? You got anything before we start the read through on these scenes?”

  Mark shook his head.

  “Gage?” Ryan turned to the other producer and writer of the script.

  “Me? Oh, no…no.” In a vain attempt to don a very professional producer’s decorum, Gage rubbed her chin and said. “Let me get back to you on that.”

  The room erupted with laughter and Lacy nudged her lover.

  God, that was embarrassing. Gage’s spirit deflated but soon soared when she looked into the loving blue eyes staring at her. Leaning in close to her lover, Gage whispered. “Why don’t I call it a wrap and get the heck out of here.”

  Lacy brushed her lips against the blonde’s cheek. “See you later.”

  “Mark, come on.” Gage scooted back her chair and rose. When Mark closed the door behind them, the younger producer fell against the wall. “Great first day, huh?”

  Mark rubbed his chin with his fingers and said seriously. “I don’t know. Let me get back to you on that.”

  Sneering at the smiling man, Gage growled. “Funny. Very funny.”

  ***********************

  When Lacy arrived at her trailer, she spied a note attached by a magnet to the small refrigerator. L, be back in a bit…. had to run an errand for Mark. All my love, G

  After waiting for a half an hour, Lacy gave up the vigil and headed back to the set. Ryan’s schedule called for a run through of a couple of scenes that afternoon. Not knowing where her partner was at, Lacy knew she’d be a bit distracted until she saw Gage again. I’ll have Michael look for her. God, I can’t believe I’m so worried or how much I miss her. She walked out the trailer and right into Boyd Dietrich.

  “Ryan sent me. Thought you got lost.” His lips curled into a snakelike charming yet poisonous smile.

  “Boyd.” Lacy recognized the excellent job Mark and
Ryan did regarding casting. He was so much like his character, smug and self-serving. “Did I mention you are going to be a perfect Michael Cooley?”

  A knowing smirk crossed his face. He took her covert insult as a compliment. “Thanks. I knew you had brains as well as beauty.” The thirty-eight year old dark haired actor had heard all the rumors regarding Lacy Levine and her female lover.

  “Bright, too.” Smiling, the actress added sarcastically.

  As they walked side-by-side back to the set, the slightly shorter man stood straight up. Gotta put those lifts back in the shoes. God, she’s tall. Another viper smile spawned on his face. And all mine!

  Boyd had a theory about women. He figured even if they had a boyfriend or husband, or in this case a girlfriend, no matter how perfect the woman’s partner was, they always had a flaw. He would find that flaw, exploit it, then Lacy would fall into his arms.

  There was one thing that was definitely flawed with his thinking. No matter what kind of flaws the blonde had and, there were a few, nothing was more powerful than Lacy’s love for Gage.

  ***********************

  Across town, a very desperate and demanding daughter was pleading with her powerful producer father to get her a job on the set of a new movie. Reluctantly, he acquiesced. “You know, I’m going to owe him big for this one.”

  Skipping around his massive desk, she plopped down on his lap and kissed him. “Thank you, daddy.”

  He watched his stubborn daughter leave. “I hate owing anyone. I got a feeling this one’s gonna come back and bite me in my derrière.” Reluctantly, he picked up the telephone and called his old friend.

  ************************

  Gage rushed back onto the studio parking lot. Checking her watch, she knew she would miss Lacy so she headed straight to the set. Swirling around the corner, she pounced head on into Mark. Jamming the small article into his chest, she apologized. “Sorry.”