by Amy Lignor
"Are you telling me this is a woman who NEVER thinks about herself? Come on."
Bobby laughed. "Of course she does. That's why she writes so hard and so much. That's why her head is so full of ideas and characters. Someday Beth wants to write the perfect tale. For Beth, no matter how many bestsellers she gets, there always seems to be something missing."
I sighed. "And after all this time you don't know what it is?"
Bobby looked me square in the eye, not moving a muscle. "I know she's searching for something for herself, but right now she's too busy fixing me up with your friend and making me happy to ever bring the subject back to her."
I nodded.
"She's a puzzle," Bobby said.
A captivating conundrum, I thought to myself. Looking around at all the open windows and doors, I noticed for the first time that every single room was filled with exits. I chuckled.
"What?"
"To get your friend to talk I have to first find a place with no escape routes."
Bobby laughed. "That's true. They say actors are good at exits but, believe me, Beth can disappear from sight faster than Road Runner screwing with Wile E." He lifted his mug in the air. "But you're a dancer. You should certainly be able to outrun a writer."
~***~
When Beth came back down she cooked a meal that was so wonderful, I wondered if she'd overheard the tail end of Bobby's conversation and was making sure to fatten me up so my 'moves' wouldn't be quick enough to stop her from reaching a door.
Adjourning to the garage, the pool game commenced and it was beyond fun. The laughter, the friendship, and the banter—it was like being at home with Chance, Darren and the gang having a ball.
When night fell and lights came up the gravel driveway, Nicole's scream hit my eardrum like an air horn, and I suddenly knew what a 'baby in a blender' sounded like.
I watched her run through gravel and rocks on stilts, and turned to stare at Bobby and Beth in the corner.
Chris was standing beside me. "I'll place a bet we're seeing Ken."
Bobby sighed. "Her screams remind me of Schindler's List."
"Maybe Ken finds her voice soothing," Beth giggled.
"Impossible," Bobby replied.
She grinned. "Everything's possible. In fact, every day I receive at least a thousand emails saying how I can enlarge my manhood."
Chris raised his glass to her. "God bless technology."
"Amen!" Beth agreed.
As we looked on, a man who almost blocked out the moon stepped down from the big truck and took tiny Nicole in his arms, making it look from a distance like a giant was hugging a rag doll.
Beth's beautiful eyes grew wide, and I could see the long fingers grip the pool cue—which she'd used like an expert, by the way.
Nicole raced back to the garage, barely coming up to the center of the muscular man's chest.
He tipped his Stetson to the rest of us, and made his way quickly toward Beth.
Around the other corner I matched the man step for step. I know it was silly, considering he probably could lift me up with one hand and hurl me all the way down to the lake, but I just…had to.
Glancing my way he immediately stopped. Thrusting out his hand to me across the table, he said, "Sorry about that, son. I always say hello to the ladies first—just something my Momma taught me."
I shook the huge hand and looked into eyes that seemed to search for Nicole wherever she went inside the garage, and immediately relaxed. Yup. This guy had the same look I did. He was in love and, thankfully, it wasn't with Beth.
Beth must've seen my shoulders relax, because she immediately put down the cue and walked toward us. "Mr. Spalding, it's a pleasure. Nicole has told us so much about you."
"Please, it's Ken. And you are the lovely Miss Beth, I would assume."
She laughed. "That's me. I love the accent, by the way."
"A fan of the South? I was a little upset to see that Nikki has lost hers." He glanced over his shoulder at Nicole and sent her a wink. "Thankfully she still has all the southern charm still intact."
"Is that what that is?" Bobby teased, introducing himself.
Ken hit him on the shoulder and literally moved Bobby a foot in the other direction. "She's also a regular spitfire, I'd say."
Bobby rubbed his arm. "That I agree with."
Nicole immediately pulled on Ken and led him over to Chris, who automatically placed a hand on his arm to stop the hit before it came. Chris shook hands and ended up immediately smiling at the man's pleasant face.
I leaned in and whispered to Beth, "He's perfect for her."
"I know." She nodded. "He's like a giant teddy bear."
Bobby joined in. "Wouldn't a raven rip the stuffing out of a teddy bear?"
"Raven?" Beth took Bobby's jaw and pointed his gaze directly at Nicole. "See that face? I would definitely say the raven has cried its last 'Nevermore.'"
~***~
As I walked behind Beth into the house, so she could provide coffee to the stranger, I reached out and wrapped my arm around her waist to stop her for just a minute. Leaning over, I brushed my lips against her neck, breathing in the familiar lavender scent that'd become my very own oxygen.
She stood completely still.
"You're magnificent." I placed another kiss on her neck, and I could suddenly feel her pulse speed up as she leaned back against me.
I felt like a vampire who had absolutely no desire to leave the smooth skin untouched. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to her neck once more, moving my tongue under her ear. And when the small, breathy, unexpected moan came from her lips I practically lost control. All I wanted to do was turn her in my arms and take her lips in a kiss she wouldn't be able to run from.
"Are you COMING?" Nicole thrust her head out the door and grabbed Beth's hand, ripping her out of my arms and into the house.
I stood there taking deep breaths, as my brain continuously played back the soft moan—the slight intake of breath that told me Beth could be mine.
…I was not about to stop until she was.
~***~
Everyone gathered in the kitchen, as Beth put the coffee on and went directly to the other end of the table.
She smiled. "Ken, I'm so sorry. But between beer, pool and my team completely throwing my dreams in the garbage can…"
Bobby stuck his fist in the air. "Victory is mine!"
"Shut up," Beth mumbled, turning back to the large man. "I have to be a terrible hostess and leave you."
She went to Nicole and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry, hon. One night of 'Nicole' was obviously too much for me to bear."
Ken stood up fast. "I certainly don't want to run you out of your own house, Miss Beth."
"Don't be ridiculous. I really am dead on my feet." Reaching out, she patted Chris on the back and, in the time it takes for lightning to strike, she was upstairs with the door closed.
I sighed, plopping myself down beside Chris.
"Shoot!" Nicole shouted, bounding up the stairs after Beth…doing the only thing I wanted to do.
In seconds she was back down, without the beauty by her side.
"What's wrong?" Bobby asked.
"I forgot to tell her about London."
"That there's a big bridge there?" Bobby joked.
"Funny." Nicole smiled wide. "I had a surprise when I came here and I completely forgot about it. Beth is headed back there. I know how much she loved England with all its historical thingies."
Bobby rolled his eyes. "A lot of those historical thingies are in her books."
Nicole snorted. "I know, smartass. Anyway, she'll be on her way back there after the charity event is over."
My mouth went dry.
Bobby kept staring at her, waiting for some sort of explanation.
Nicole's smile grew larger. "Beth's book is now number one internationally, and she's going to accept an award, give a presentation and hold a few conferences at—wait for it—The Tower of London."
Bobby slammed
his fist on the table. "Seriously? That is so cool; she must be SO excited." He stood up fast and ran up the stairs. I could hear the banter of the partners who'd worked long and hard to get where they were celebrating a huge victory.
I looked at Nicole. "What about Lily Stone?"
She shrugged. "It's time for the world to meet Beth."
I took a deep breath. "Don't you think America should meet her first?"
"Beth Carrier will be arriving at the charity event. I'm so happy; I so wanted people to know the face and heart that wrote Father. And with you performing it," Nicole reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "It will be a smash hit!"
I was so happy for Beth, but I wanted more than anything to be her escort in London. I loved that city; I could show her everything and we could begin. Damn it, we needed to begin!
My head started racing. I needed to be Beth's date for that charity event. The scene would be a bit overwhelming for Beth, and if she needed someone to lean on, it had to be me. All of a sudden all I could think about was calling my friends in London and having them set up the most romantic celebration humanly possible.
Twenty-Two
~ His ~
I guess I could look at this whole conundrum as a great way to stay in shape. After all, my runs were getting longer and longer every morning, considering the amount of frustration I was having to burn off every single day.
Hearing my heartbeat in my eardrums as I ran around the lake for the fiftieth time, I thought back on the conversation I had with the crew last night.
I felt almost guilty. I mean, Chance did take the time to remind me that there was a dark-haired woman back in California. And yes, she was lovely, although her whole career wrapped around the fact that she had to be on the runway. But there was always something missing in the relationships I'd had up until now; if there hadn't been, I wouldn't have wasted a single second of time slipping a ring onto their finger. What I had learned from meeting Beth was that when 'forever' came—it came fast and furious.
I was always looking for that spark. I needed intelligence that made me excited. I needed a strong female who knew who she was, what she wanted and what part I'd play in it all if we stayed together. Most of all, I wanted someone who was far more interested in standing by my side during the horrendous times than in front of a camera, hand on her hip, offering a practiced smile.
What Beth had said about someone being a great wife, mother and friend…I knew if I took the plunge with that person I would enjoy life, but in my quiet moments when it was just me, I also knew I would close my eyes and wish for something more.
My legs pumped harder, sending gravel flying in every direction. Beth was the one I'd wish for, and she had shown signs that I was something more than just a friend, or an actor she liked for her play. I knew that I disturbed her; I just wanted to know if I disturbed her as much as she completely disturbed me.
My limbs finally screamed at me to stop as I finished the last hurdle and raced up Beth's driveway. Noticing Beth's car was gone, I suddenly had the fear that she'd escaped me after all.
Running into the house, I practically barreled into Bobby coming out of the kitchen.
"Dude, hold up!"
"Sorry." I panted.
"I commend you for your energy, but do you have to make the rest of us lazy bastards look bad?"
I laughed. "Gotcha." Trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, I asked, "Where's Beth?"
Apparently my tone wasn't quite what I wanted it to be because Bobby began to laugh. "Don't know, but she's fine." He reached out and patted me on the shoulder. "Like most normal humans she has a tendency to simply go somewhere once in a while."
I sighed. "Sorry, that came out like a warden."
"She headed over to Jerry's this morning. Beth checks in on him periodically to see if he needs anything."
"They really are like father and daughter." I smiled. "I'll go shower."
"Please do!" Chris's voice came from around the corner, as Bobby ran upstairs to his room.
I stuck my head over the threshold and saw Chris—fashionably dressed and drinking his cup of coffee as he read the Times. "You look very intense this morning," I said.
He looked up. "Just mulling over Tiffany's."
"I don't think it's for sale."
He rolled his eyes. "I was thinking about purchasing a gift when we went back to the city."
I couldn't believe it. Chris sounded so serious that it was obvious to me he was irrevocably in love. "I'll go with you when we get there."
He smiled. "Why's that? Do you think I have bad taste?"
Stepping back, I offered a look of shock. "Never would I say such a thing. I just want to browse."
Chris grinned. "Don't you think you need a little more alone time before browsing?"
I could feel the sigh come from the bottom of my soul. "I've been trying."
He put the newspaper down. "Why not remove the subject from the one place everyone can seem to interrupt her? Maybe if Beth's computer, phone and front door were simply not around, then no one could upset a perfect moment."
I heard the car pull up and nodded at him.
"Oh, and really," Chris said, wrinkling up his nose. "Grab that shower."
As the door opened, I tried to stay downwind. "Hey."
Beth stopped and studied my appearance. Probably trying to figure out why a half-naked smelly guy was soiling her lovely foyer and not some locker room where he belonged.
"Hi."
"How's Jerry?"
She nodded, walking around me in a very wide circle to get to the coffee pot. "He's okay. Told me to say hello to you."
I looked at Chris and then moved my gaze back to the woman who once again had me fighting with my own lungs to exhale. "Um."
She raised an eyebrow over the cup.
"I want to see your town."
Pointing out the window, she laughed. "Not much to see."
"No. I mean, I want to see all the things you did when you were here. You know? I want to see where you hung out when you were a kid."
Her smile remained. "That should take about five minutes."
I rolled my eyes at the sarcasm. "Come on, it'll be fun."
"Okay." She shrugged, turning to Chris. "You coming along?"
I threw him a quick shake of the head, as he returned a grin. "Nope. Bobby and I are going to do a little nature exploration today."
I had to laugh. "You? Nature? The only wild things you ever get near are the really angry people in line at Starbucks."
Chris took on a shocked expression. "I will have you know I used to spend time on my grandparents' farm when I was young, and I am certainly capable of being outside in nature."
"Regular Paul Bunyan?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact." He threw a smile to Beth. "If Bunyan had worn Dior, of course. Now, really," Chris said loudly. "Shower!"
I looked over at Beth.
"I have some things to finish up in the office and then we'll head out for a sightseeing extravaganza." Her face was filled with disbelief. "If that doesn't bore you to death and send you running back to L.A., I don't know what will."
When I entered the bedroom there was only one thought running through my mind. Today, I was going to have Beth all to myself.
~ Hers ~
Closing the door behind me, heading into my beloved library where the dark green walls soothed me the moment I stepped inside, all I could think about was that chest. I know, a completely girlie moment, but Matt had the most amazing looking torso I'd seen in a long—scratch that—ever. Between the dancing, the running, the guy was beyond cut.
I looked down at my computer, knowing that the next step in my morning ritual was to call up my mail, answer, reroute to Nicole, or Bobby, delete, etc. But all I could think about was him, and how he and I would be spending time together.
I also had to add to that, discarding Lily Stone and heading to London. I certainly didn't mind having Beth Carrier appear, but as far as coming out a
t the charity event, I wasn't so sure. All I wanted was for the play to commence and have everyone see the amazing dramatic acting ability that Matt had when he gave his spectacular performance, and for Amber to get a home. I know I had to deal with the spotlight eventually, but there were simply times where staying in the background was the absolute right thing to do. But getting Nicole to listen was like getting a tornado to divert its path.
Staring at the screen, I knew my brain was just not gonna help me on this particular day, so I sat down and waited in anticipation for the knock on my door.
Twenty-Three
~ His ~
Small town living.
You'd think this would be boring, yet so far the day was as exciting for me as any I'd ever had from Vegas to Europe. Reason being? I was learning more and more about Beth.
In fact, she'd been completely open. Beginning with that mansion with the frightening wallpaper and the caretaker's cottage where she'd grown up, we then visited her grade school; we sat on the swings and talked about life here back then, and she gave me a tour of the mighty homes hidden away—even offered a little "Tour of the Star's Homes" for my enjoyment.
We passed through the library that her Mom used to run, and stared up at the green and orange stone clock tower in the center of town. We shared lunch on the beautifully manicured Green, as I learned all about the rich history of an area that most people would probably never even bother to see.
But it was in the evening when I was taken for a walk through Beth's private sanctuary to hear the most raw and heartfelt story of them all.
~***~
The building looked almost lonely in the moonlight. I looked up at the old street lamp that was still trying desperately to shine its flickering orange light down on the rooftop of the big, red barn.
It's odd seeing something through another person's eyes. I saw a dilapidated building with windows boarded up by big wooden beams. I saw a large white opening that'd been broken into, most likely by the kids in town who wanted to sneak a beer or two just to liven up their nights a bit. And I saw the old weathered sign resting on top that announced the 'Sharon Playhouse.'