Dallas started worrying—and that was usually not a good thing when she was so anxious. She’d get so nervous, she’d come up with far-fetched, sometimes ridiculous, scenarios. This time, she was thinking, as she had been for months, about the anchor seat. What if they put Courtney on the same float with her and Courtney pushed her off? It was an insane thought, but Dallas couldn’t help imagining the absolute worst-case scenarios.
“What are you so stinkin’ quiet about?” Daniel asked on the drive over.
“I don’t know. I just worry, that’s all.”
“Let me guess, about the anchor job?”
“Well, they’re gonna be announcing soon, and I haven’t had a real meaty story to compete with.”
“Excuuuuse me, missy, but who had the lead during the entire senatorial campaign? Live shots nearly every single night? And who had billboards from here to Mississippi when Lewis Heart went missing last spring? I think you are the queen of the lead—and queen of the live shot, if you ask me. They’re not gonna base their decision on just the couple of weeks leading up to the announcement. You have an entire career of amazing work behind you, and that’s what you’re using to compete. Maybe Mike’s just tryin’ to give the others a fighting chance.”
“Well, I don’t want them to have a fighting chance,” she said with a playful laugh. He was right, of course. And she was pretty glad she had such a great friend in her corner to keep her sane whenever she started to go off track.
“You’re good, Dallas. Everyone knows this stuff comes so naturally to you. You have a definite gift when it comes to live television. Don’t keep sweatin’ it.”
Dallas exhaled. “You’re right. Okay, I know I’m being crazy.”
“I bet it’s the hunger talking. Let’s eat. I’m starved.” Daniel pulled up to the window and ordered.
* * *
After lunch was over, Daniel and Dallas went back to WTAL to package the story on the parade. She recorded her voice-over and checked in with Mike, then headed out to the theater. The clouds had rolled in, and the darkness had invaded the rare December sunshine they’d had today. Sleet was expected before midnight.
She was only a few minutes early, but the stage was still empty, so she figured Betty Ann must be running late with the kids today. As she made her way down the aisle, she could hear a piano playing, but it wasn’t the usual Christmas songs from choir practice. The music was darkly beautiful, dramatic and played with such intensity. Dallas followed the sound, which came from down the hallway near the star dressing room. She came upon the beautiful grand piano, with her precious Cal sitting there playing the classical piece Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Dallas stood still, careful not to interrupt him, and listened. Her heart was melting. This was definitely her dream man. Was there anything he couldn’t do?
He was gorgeous, even wearing tiny rectangle-shaped, wire-framed glasses she had never seen him in before.
He finished the song and pushed the hair back from his eyes. He was in partial darkness and still didn’t see her there. She broke into spontaneous applause. He looked over to her and smiled.
“How long have you been there?” he asked.
“Long enough to know your secret,” she smiled, walking over to him.
“Aww, I’m embarrassed,” he said.
Dear God, he is adorable, she thought. She was falling hard. “No, silly. Don’t be. It was my number-one wish that my dream man would play the piano.”
“Number one? Really?”
“Okay, maybe number two—or three. But it was on my list. I loved hearing you play. I had no idea you played at all— especially not that well.” She moved to stand behind him as he sat on the bench, pressing herself against his back and draping her arms around his neck and shoulders.
“Now you have to play for me all the time,” she said playfully, caressing his chest from behind.
“Anything that pleases the lady.” He kissed her hand and clasped his fingers through hers.
He turned around on the seat, his legs spread, catching her in between them. He placed his hands on her hips, kissing her stomach, feeling the curve of her body. Then he stood to hold her properly. His hands moved from her hips to her ribs, just below her breasts. He kissed her passionately in the darkness, running his hands up her body, then dropping them down her backside, squeezing her butt on arrival. If it hadn’t been time for the kids to arrive, that grand piano would have served as more than musical entertainment. In fact, it would have given entertainment a whole new meaning.
They heard the kids laughing and wanted to make sure they weren’t the subjects of their entertainment this time, so they pulled away from each other before they were seen.
“Whadya wanna do tonight?” he asked as he slipped in one last kiss.
“I’m up for anything,” she said.
“Okay, I’ll think of something fun and let you know after practice,” he said, taking a risk and squeezing her ass one more time.
“Ooh, a surprise. I love surprises. And you’ve already given me one by playing the piano.” She tiptoed up to him and bit his earlobe, gently giving it a tug, then walked back down the hallway past the dressing room to the stage, thinking of nothing but Cal and his promise of a surprise.
25
Rehearsal began, and the children were enthusiastic. It was just a little over a week until the show, and the excitement was bubbling over. They started at the top.
“Okay, kiddos, this is going to be what we call the run-throughs. It’s time to practice the whole show straight through from start to finish, just like we’d do on the big day.”
The kids clapped and shouted, excitement buzzing through them.
“When is the donkey coming?” Tristan asked wide-eyed.
“Not till the real show, sweetheart,” Dallas answered back, grinning. “Now, let’s get going.”
The children took their places, and Cal began the music from his booth—just as Courtney James and her cameraman walked in. Dallas caught them from her peripheral vision and lost her breath—and nearly her lunch. What is she doing here? Mike didn’t tell me about this, she thought angrily. She saw the red light on the camera flick on and knew she was being taped. Dallas kept directing the kids as they moved around the stage, eventually catching the attention of Betty Ann.
“Take this for a second. I’ve got a fly to swat.” Dallas turned and went down to the audience seats.
“Can I help you with something? You seem to have lost your way. No crime to report of in here.”
“Hello, Dallas. Love the shoes.” Dallas had finally given in to the appeal of flats when working with the kids, so Courtney towered over her in her high heels.
“I wasn’t told you’d be doing a story on the theater today. This is kinda my storyline, you know?” Dallas felt suddenly protective of the charity tie-ins she had created for the TV station, now that someone else was barging into her territory.
“Oh, I’m not here to cover the theater or even the kids. You are the story.”
“What? Me? That’s ridiculous.” Dallas said, confused.
“Mike wants a story on how one of our own is directing this year’s charity Christmas play,” Courtney said as if she was being made to clean toilets.
“Seriously? I’m the story?”
“God, for the hundredth time, yes. You.”
Courtney was looking as though she had to pick cotton in the heat of July. Clearly she just wanted this punishment over with, and Dallas was brimming with satisfaction. Competitiveness was in her blood, and this could definitely be counted as a win.
“Well, how wonderful,” she said, accentuating her Southern drawl. “Just one second while I get myself together.” She turned, slinging her long blond hair behind one shoulder and sauntering up the stairs and backstage. After a few short moments, she emerged i
n her blazer and high heels for the interview.
“Okay, now what would you like to ask me?”
She loved this—being the center of attention and getting one up on the competition at the same time.
“First of all, how ever did you get this unusual assignment?” Courtney asked almost scornfully.
“Well, I was originally going to be the celebrity emcee for the production, when suddenly the director, poor Miss Fairbanks, got the flu bug. I had been here for most of the rehearsals already, so I was the obvious choice, I suppose.”
“Uh-huh. Well, do tell, how’s it going?”
“Fantastic, so far! The children are wonderful, and I think we’re going to have a heck of a show.”
“And how do you like directing? I mean, could it be the start of an entirely new career for you?”
Dallas was expecting some sort of curveball from Courtney, but she took it all in stride. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love having this opportunity, but TV news is in my blood. Nothing could tear me away from my day job.” Dallas smiled her perfect, superstar smile.
“Okay, that’s all we need,” Courtney said abruptly, turning away from Dallas and back to her cameraman. “Kevin, lets get some B roll.”
“I’ll go get my directing shoes on and meet y’all on stage,” Dallas said. She knew it was making the very driven Courtney crazy to have to do a story on her, so she was even more effervescent than usual.
“Okay, children, listen up,” Dallas said, making her way back on stage. “Miss James is here, and she will be taping some of this for us to see on TV tonight.”
The children went nuts, their already sky-high enthusiasm now pushed over the top. Kevin’s camera rolled.
“Okay, let’s calm down and show ’em what we do best,” Dallas said to the kids, but they barely heard her as they bounced around the stage.
“Listen to Miss Dallas, y’all,” Betty Ann called as she tried to round up the kids. She and Dallas were chasing a few of the children, trying to get things under control, but the camera kept rolling, Courtney smirking and taking notes.
Chris and Jay got out the nutcracker puppets before Dallas could stop them, and they hopped around the stage biting anyone nearby. Chris climbed on top of the gingerbread house hollering, “Look, I’m Santa!” Then he tried to squeeze into the chimney, breaking the roof in half. A few of the smaller children had begun to fling the fake snow around the stage, one of them tripping on her own feet, taking down a string of lights as she tried to catch her balance.
Dallas was mortified—her carefully orchestrated interview now a joke next to the catastrophe happening on stage.
“Getting all this, Kevin?” Courtney said with a laugh as she flung her long dark hair back toward a cringing Dallas.
“Every single thing,” Kevin answered.
“Looks like you’re running a zoo instead of a play, Dallas. Maybe you were right. Better not lose your day job.”
Just when Dallas was feeling the last ounce of confidence drift away, Prince Charming came to the rescue. Cal could see what was going on from the booth, and in an effort to get things under control he turned on the music for Sara Grace’s solo. The kids recognized the music and stopped what they were doing to return to their seats. They all knew it was time for Sara Grace to sing, and since it was one of the highlights of the play, the kids always enjoyed watching with full attention.
Meanwhile, Sara Grace heard her cue and approached center stage.
She sang her best that day, soaring with the voice of an angel and the stage presence of a Broadway star. Even Courtney was moved, Dallas could tell, since she stood mesmerized by Sara Grace’s voice.
When she finished, Sara Grace ran straight to Dallas and hugged her, not letting go.
“That was beautiful, sweetie pie. I’m just so proud of you.” Dallas bent down in a genuine moment and looked Sara Grace in the eyes. Dallas looked up at Cal, who was standing up now, with his arms folded. He was looking down, grinning at her.
Kevin was taping everything. This was good for everyone. Cal and Sara Grace had saved the day for Dallas. And since this would make great television for tonight’s newscast— emotional stories always won out over most things—Dallas knew Courtney would use it, even if she didn’t want to.
“Thanks, I think we have everything,” Courtney said. “Tell the kids to watch the six o’clock if they’d like to see themselves on TV.” She and Kevin turned to walk back up the aisle. Dallas knew Courtney could have that story edited any way she wanted, and the kids had given her some pretty decent footage if she wanted to make Dallas look bad. She thought about calling Mike and letting him know they’d had a slight incident, but she didn’t want to draw any more attention to it. She hoped Courtney would just put the focus on Sara Grace.
Then she realized she had a much bigger problem to worry about. Her eyes wandered to the stage, taking in the little town in disarray, especially the gingerbread house. In all their excitement, the kids had all but destroyed some of the set, the gingerbread house crumpled and unusable now. Dallas wasn’t sure how she’d get everything back into shape in time for the big performance.
Then she remembered something. Blake had told her at lunch the other day that she was great with set design. With help from Blake and the production assistant, Corey, she was sure they could put the house and the rest of it back together again in time for the show.
In that moment, Dallas realized it was most definitely true: she had fallen down the rabbit hole. She was calling Blake O’Hara Heart for help.
26
Rehearsal ended, and Dallas made a beeline to her cell phone. She had become consumed with thoughts about this call for the entire practice. Blake had been open and genuine with her during their lunch last week, so Dallas wasn’t worried about that. It was the timing. With the play quickly approaching, she’d need help right away.
She reached for the cell in her leather faux Hermès bag.
“Hey, Blake. It’s me, Dallas.”
“Oh, hey. How are you?” Dallas was relieved by the cheery tone of Blake’s voice.
“Great, and you?”
“Just peachy. Gettin’ as big as the side of a barn, but, hey, my boy’s gonna be a football star, I’m sure, ’cause of the way he kicks all the time.”
“Oh, my gosh. You already know it’s a boy?”
“Yep, we just found out yesterday.”
“That’s wonderful. I bet Sonny is thrilled. Congratulations.”
“Thanks! So, what’s up?”
“Well, I’m calling because I have a quick question for ya. How would you feel about helping me fix a gingerbread house?”
“Sure, I love those little houses. So adorable—and delicious.”
Dallas couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, well, it’s...a little bigger than what you might expect.”
“How big?”
“Life-size,” Dallas replied. “It’s part of the set for the Christmas play.”
“Oh, my word. What happened to it?”
“One of the kids sat on it during practice and fell through the roof, trying to be Santa Claus,” Dallas explained.
Blake burst out laughing. “Sorry, sorry—I know that must have you feeling pretty stressed. Of course I can help. I did so much set design in college, it’ll be a snap. I’ll create a new roof and y’all can stick it right on.”
Dallas felt the weight drop from her shoulders. “Works for me,” she said happily.
“How ’bout you come by Vivi’s on Saturday? We can have lunch and fix it together. She’s got plenty of space there.”
Spending an afternoon with Vivi wasn’t exactly Dallas’s idea of a good time, but she wasn’t about to argue now. “Oh, that’s great. I’ll be there. Noon sound okay?”
“Perfect. Now let me tell yo
u the supplies we’ll need and you can bring them.”
Dallas fumbled for a pen in her bag as Blake rattled off a list.
“Okay, got it,” Dallas said, writing the last of the items down.
“I’ll call Vivi and we’ll see you then.”
Was Dallas joining the Sassy Belle clique? She’d heard Blake talking about their little club back in high school. She and Vivi had called themselves the Sassy Belles, their motto being, “Classy, sassy and a tad smart-assy.” She’d been jealous of their friendship for as long as she could remember, and every time she’d heard Blake refer to a woman as a Sassy Belle, she’d felt a twinge of longing to be part of that circle of tight-knit women. She also knew they’d sworn never to invite her in. But here she was, being invited to Vivi’s. Maybe things were going to change.
Cal approached her just as she was hanging up.
“You handled that surprise visit well,” he said.
“Ya think? I’m not so sure.”
“Who was that woman anyway? I don’t remember seeing her on the news.”
“She’s new. She didn’t even go to Alabama. I have no idea why in the world Mike hired her.”
“Surely not everyone there in the newsroom went to Bama,” Cal teased her.
“No, but any reporter who wants to be an anchor in Tuscaloosa should at least be from here. That way the locals love her and she’s involved in the community.”
“Uh-huh, like you.” Cal waggled his eyebrows at her, and she had to laugh.
“Well, of course.”
“I’ve been thinking about tonight. Wanna come to my house for a change?”
It was an offer she was dying to take him up on. To see Cal in his man cave made her stir from top to bottom.
“I do, but I need to go out and get some supplies to fix this gingerbread house. Tonight’s the only night that looks open with the parade coming up in a couple of days and rehearsals going overtime. Blake is gonna help me get things repaired, and she gave me the list of things she’ll need.”
Sleigh Belles Page 14