Men Made in America Mega-Bundle

by Gayle Wilson, Marie Ferrarella, Jennifer Greene, Annette Broadrick, Judith Arnold, Rita Herron, Anne Stuart, Diana Palmer, Elizabeth Bevarly, Patricia Rosemoor, Emilie Richards

  “Here we are.” Drew inserted the key Tom had handed him, opened the door and presented her with the key. She stepped inside and paused. The view of orchards and rolling hills gave a sense of timelessness to the place.

  “Oh, Drew, this is—” She looked around but he hadn’t followed her inside. She poked her head through the doorway in time to see another door closing down the hall. He hadn’t waited. He’d done as Tom requested—no more and no less.

  Lisa shook her head. I wonder how we’ll get through the next few weeks?

  Drew was asking himself the same question. He sank down on the edge of the bed, his knees trembling so he could scarcely stand. He’d just given the Oscar-winning performance of his life. Too bad no one had been around to appreciate it.

  God, how he’d dreaded seeing her again. It had been worse than he’d expected. He should never have touched her, never felt the slight tremor in her hand, never felt the warmth of her arm beneath his fingertips when he guided her down the hall.

  If he could only understand why she’d left. If he could only make some sense out of her change of attitude and feelings. Drew stretched out on the bed and tried to relax.

  He’d known this was going to be a tough assignment, but he was determined to see it through. It would have been so much easier to give her the money, but he knew her pride wouldn’t allow her to accept it. Too bad he couldn’t tell her how much more painful it was for him to see her each and every day, to play opposite her in such a passionate love story, and know she wasn’t interested in his love for her.

  No. Lisa had no idea how much she was asking of him.

  Lisa sat in front of her mirror, adding the finishing touches to her makeup. She’d carefully covered the signs of strain around her eyes and added more blush to her cheeks than she normally wore. Drew would not have cause to wonder at her lack of color. She intended to put on the performance of her career while in Mexico, and it wouldn’t be in front of the cameras.

  A slight knock at the door caused her to start, and she recognized how on edge she was. Tom had called earlier to say he would stop by her room to escort her to dinner. Grabbing her stole, she checked her clutch purse to make sure she had her room key, then opened the door. Tom’s elfin grin greeted her.

  “You look smashing, old girl. I always said red was your color.”

  “Actually, Tom, you manage to say that about everything I wear.”

  His grin widened. “So I do. That’s because you look great in all the bold colors. No simpering pastels for you.” He clasped her hand and started down the hallway.

  “Are we eating alone tonight?”

  He glanced over at her, his eyes only a few inches above hers. “Why? Are you afraid I’ll make a pass at you?” His eyes danced with mischief.

  With a slight chuckle, she shook her head. “As a matter of fact, the thought hadn’t entered my mind. However…”

  “Rest assured, milady, I have no evil designs on your luscious body, but you may be further reassured by the fact that I’ve reserved a room here so that all of us can eat together. I think it will be much more simple. We can cover a great deal of business over our meals that way.”

  “And encourage indigestion as well,” she added wryly.

  “How can you even suggest such a thing? Why, this picture is going to fall together like glue—there won’t be any problems to cause indigestion.”

  “Could I have that guarantee in writing?” she asked with amused interest.

  He grinned appreciatively. “Not likely. However, I really don’t anticipate anything more than the usual irritating annoyances that occur whenever we’re on location. Do you?”

  Tom guided her through double doors to where several of the cast and crew were gathered enjoying predinner drinks. Drew stood by the makeshift bar listening intently to one of the cameramen. One of Drew’s more endearing traits was his ability to focus on a person and listen to him, giving him his undivided attention.

  Lisa recognized the abrupt relief she felt when she hadn’t found him with another woman. It was one thing to accept something intellectually, but it was much more difficult to accept it emotionally. Perhaps this was what she’d needed, a chance to be around him without being a part of his life.

  Drew knew the exact moment Lisa stepped through the door, her hand resting lightly on Tom’s arm. He could feel himself tense at the picture they made, Tom so fair and slender, not much taller than Lisa, and Lisa, with her dark coloring and her flame-red dress, a perfect foil for him. Actually, any man looked better with Lisa on his arm.

  He had no idea what Casey was saying to him but he nodded politely. He wondered how long he would wait before finding an excuse to join Tom and Lisa. He was going to make damn sure he sat with her at dinner.

  Drew had made up his mind during the hours before dinner that he was going to do whatever he could to convince Lisa they needed to be together. He was operating in the dark, not understanding the reasons for the split, but he intended to convince her that she was wrong.

  If Tom thought he was going to occupy her spare time while they were down there filming, he was in for quite a surprise.

  Casey eventually wandered away to freshen his drink and Drew immediately joined the circle around Lisa. With practiced ease he slid his arm around her waist and leaned down and kissed her near her ear. “Hello, darling. You look radiant tonight.”

  Drew’s conversation stopper couldn’t have been any more provocative. It wasn’t so much his words, but his manner. His tone was possessive and seductive, and the look he gave her would have melted steel at twenty paces. Lisa was certain that everyone in the room had been waiting to see how they treated each other, what they said and how they behaved. Drew must have been just as aware of the spectators’ curiosity as she was. So why had he done it?

  She stood in the circle of Drew’s arm, stunned at the change in the man since that afternoon. With a glance at the glass he held in his hand, she wondered how much he’d had to drink. Then she recognized that he was drinking ginger ale, a ploy both of them used, since neither drank except for an occasional glass of wine with dinner.

  She stared up at him, bewildered. The chocolate-brown suit enhanced his tawny skin and caused his sherry-colored eyes to sparkle. Or was something else causing that gleam in his eyes? She shook her head slightly, as though dazed.

  “You’re certainly in a good mood tonight,” she murmured.

  “And why not? I’m looking forward to working on this movie—I think we’re going to enjoy it, and the location is perfect for the story line.” He glanced at Tom who was watching them with amused interest. “Was it planned that way?”

  “As a matter of fact, I believe the writer had vacationed down here earlier and was quite taken with the place. When she talked to Adele about the screenplay, Lauraine suggested the Hacienda Vista Hermosa as a logical place to film.”

  Lisa could feel herself slowly relaxing against Drew. How many times over the years had they stood together in this very comfortable position? Drew was a toucher and she had quickly learned to enjoy the trait. It felt so natural and right to be in his arms again.

  “Who is this Lauraine and why would she show her screenplay to Adele?” she asked.

  Tom took a sip of his drink and cocked his head. “Adele is Lauraine Snelling’s agent. As I understand it, Adele suggested she adapt her novel to a screenplay, and the rest, as they say, is history. Adele had no trouble selling the producer on the idea, especially when she suggested using you two in the leading roles.”

  Drew and Lisa stared at each other, then back at Tom. Lisa finally found her voice. “Are you saying that it was Adele who suggested Drew and me for this picture?”

  Tom looked a little startled at the change in his female star. Why did she look so upset? “Well, uh, honestly, Lisa, I can’t swear to it as fact. I just know when Harry called me he said he had a great screenplay and had been promised that the two of you would star in it, and I was as excited as he was about being
part of the whole production.” He glanced around at the small group listening to him. “I think we’ve got a smash hit on our hands, don’t you?” he asked the group in general.

  Drew stood there, thinking furiously about his conversation with Morey, and he had a strong hunch that he’d been had. He wondered why, and who was behind the whole setup. He leaned down and spoke in Lisa’s ear in an undertone. “I think you and I have some talking to do.”

  Lisa remembered the scene in Adele’s office. In particular she remembered Adele’s insistence that both of them had to make the picture or neither would be offered the part. Was it possible that Adele had lied to her? After all these years, the knowledge that Adele could betray her caused her head to ache suddenly. Oh, Adele, how could you? she wondered.

  What had Drew just said to her? Yes, they certainly did need to talk. Was it too late to back out of the picture? Adele would know. Adele. Lisa had always depended on Adele to handle the business end of her career. She’d relied on her integrity.

  Tom didn’t know what was going on, but he had a very bad feeling about it. Lisa was acting peculiar and he couldn’t understand it. Her agent had pulled off the deal of the century. She’d found a promising writer, encouraged her to adapt her novel to the screen, had found a producer and managed to snag two of the biggest stars in the business. What was wrong with that?

  He shrugged. Something, obviously. “C’mon, let’s sit down and eat. I’m starving. How about you, love?” he asked Lisa as he took her hand and gently led her to one of the tables. Drew determinedly followed.

  For some reason Lisa couldn’t face Drew. After all, it had been her agent who’d pulled this despicable trick. She wasn’t exactly sure how she’d done it, but by damn she was going to find out as soon as she got back to her room and the telephone.

  Drew and Tom kept the conversation going, and Lisa forced herself to eat. She’d lost too much weight lately and knew if she didn’t keep up her strength, she would become ill. There was no sense in adding to production costs because she was too selfish to take care of herself.

  She was mentally counting how many more bites she needed to take when Drew said, “If it’s all right with you, Tom, I’d like to take Lisa with me tomorrow. I want to take a ride out to the river and explore some of those caves we intend to use in the film.”

  Tom raised his brows inquiringly at Lisa. “Fine with me, but Lisa’s the one to ask.”

  “I know, but I wasn’t sure when we’re going to do the actual filming.”

  “Well, Casey probably mentioned to you one of the crises that occurred this afternoon. A case of film wasn’t what we ordered and we had to phone for more. Rather than start with what we have on hand, I thought I’d spend tomorrow with some of the crew members, setting up the key scenes we want to shoot first.” He smiled at the two people sitting across from him. “Since you’ll be familiarizing yourself with the area, I think it’s a good idea myself.” He looked at Lisa. “What do you think?”

  What did she think? The swirling images parading through her mind could not possibly be classified as thoughts at the moment. She still hadn’t recovered from what appeared to be Adele’s treachery, nor from the shock of being with Drew again.

  What did she think? About what? Somehow she must have missed the question. She stared at Drew, bewilderment plain on her face. He placed his hand over hers. “I thought I could rent a couple of horses. I know how much you enjoy riding.”

  No. She definitely didn’t need to be reminded of other times with Drew, better times, happy times. But what excuse could she give? “If we don’t go too far. It’s been a while since I’ve done any riding.” She avoided his gaze and turned her head toward Tom. “What is the shooting schedule, Tom?”

  “Barring any more unforeseen events, I want to start Wednesday morning with the scene between Conchita and her father. Richard Driscoll is on a tight schedule and I promised to do all his scenes first.”

  Lisa knew they were fortunate to have coaxed the stage actor away from his first love, the theater, to play the role of her father. She was looking forward to meeting the man for the first time.

  “I take it he hasn’t arrived yet?” she asked.

  “No. He’s due in tomorrow evening and I hope will be prepared to start shooting right away.”

  “From everything I’ve heard about him,” Drew pointed out, “he’ll be fully prepared. He’s quite a man.”

  Tom stood up. “You two enjoy your ride tomorrow, and I’ll see you for dinner in the evening. Driscoll should be here by then.”

  Somewhat dismayed, Lisa watched Tom walk away. Did he intend to desert her just when she didn’t want to be alone with Drew?

  “Would you like to explain what you and Adele have been up to?” Drew asked in a soft tone of voice.

  Lisa’s gaze fell on Drew in amazement. “What Adele and I are up to? What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about whoever told Morey that the producer wouldn’t do this movie unless both of us were in it.”

  “That’s exactly what Adele told me as well.”

  “How convenient for Adele. Her writer sells the screenplay, she gets a commission, she gets you a part in the movie, she gets a commission. I just don’t understand how I came to be part of the deal.”

  It was Lisa’s turn to be confused. “You mean you didn’t want to do the movie? But I was told…” Her voice dwindled away as she recalled her conversation with Adele.

  “Yes. I’d like very much to learn what you were told.”

  Did Drew need the money for this picture? If so, it was a carefully guarded secret and one she was not to admit knowing. Even discovering that Adele had possibly tricked her into agreeing to do the film, Lisa could not betray the confidence. After all, anyone could make a poor investment. It was nothing to be ashamed of, but Drew didn’t need to discover she was aware of his problems.

  She gazed up at him and smiled. “Adele told me that the producer wanted both of us, or neither. I thought it was a marvelous story and agreed to do it. Why did you agree to do it?”

  Drew stared down at Lisa’s hands, loosely clasped on the table in front of her. Why had he agreed, really? Of course he knew why. Because he would do anything for this woman, anything at all. If she needed to do the movie, and she had just as much as admitted it, he would be there to help her.

  He shrugged. “I thought it made a nice change of pace from some of my more recent films. I’ve gotten a little tired of the same old themes—life is real, life is earnest, and love is make-believe.” His gaze returned to her face. “You see, I still believe in love, I believe in its power to change lives, to make each of us better people.” He stroked his finger across her cheek. “And most of all, I believe in us—you and me. I wanted to see you again, Lisa. That’s the honest-to-God truth. When I heard you were willing to do this picture with me, I jumped at the chance.”

  The look in his eyes turned her bones to overcooked noodles, and she almost sagged in her chair. Please don’t let him turn his full battery of charm on me. I can’t deal with it, she thought frantically. Hadn’t he heard anything she said to him the day she’d left? How could he still want to see her and want to be around her? She could still see him standing in the hallway, pale and stricken, while she walked out on him. It could have happened yesterday, rather than almost a year ago. Surely he hadn’t forgotten!

  Hadn’t he believed her? Was there some way he could sense her real feelings for him, despite her words? If so, she was lost because she couldn’t possibly say them again, even at the ultimate cost of his happiness.

  “Drew?” she finally whispered.

  “Yes, love.”

  “I don’t think this was a very good idea, our making the film together.”

  One side of his mouth lifted in a lopsided smile. “You’re a little late in deciding that, I’m afraid.”

  She was afraid also. In fact, she was terrified. How was she going to hide her feelings for him if he treated her with
so much love and kindness? She’d counted on his being hard and bitter, resenting her, even possibly snubbing her. Instead he was treating her as though nothing had happened to them, almost as though she’d never gotten pregnant and lost their child.

  But she had and Lisa loved him too much to stand in the way of his eventually having a family of his own to love.

  She stood up. “I’m rather tired,” she said abruptly. “What time do you want to leave in the morning?”

  Drew slowly came to his feet, puzzled at her sudden change of mood. He’d always been adept at reading her before, but she had changed too much during the past year. He hated that cold, aloof expression on her face, and he hoped he could discover how to erase it permanently.

  “Why don’t we meet for breakfast at eight, and leave right afterward.”

  “Fine. I’ll see you in the coffee shop.” Lisa grabbed her small purse and left the room as though all the hounds of hell were pursuing her. She felt as though they were.

  She knew what the first thing she was going to do when she got to her room would be—and that was to call Adele. Her agent had some explaining to do!

  Five

  Lisa sat on the side of the bed, impatiently tapping her foot, while she listened to the endless ringing of the telephone. There was no answer at Adele’s office or home, nor was there a recorder on either phone. What was Adele thinking of? She never left her phones unattended. In fact, she’d used an answering service for years, but had finally succumbed to the answering machine for messages.

  Now what? Lisa returned the receiver to its cradle and stood up. She wished she could remember exactly how Adele had presented the script and the idea of her starring with Drew. All she could remember was her intense reaction to the thought of working with him again.

  Whatever had possessed her to agree? One day around him and she could already feel herself slipping back into the old magic they seemed to share. She’d found herself hoping that Drew would suggest they spend some time together that night. Was she losing her mind? Any time spent with him only lowered her resistance to him. She didn’t need that.