Stars Collide (7 page)

“I guess.” After a few quiet moments, he finally looked my way. “Here’s the deal. My dad isn’t keen on this acting thing. He thinks it’s a phase I’m going through until I get a real job.”

“A phase?”

“Yeah. He always hoped I’d become a doctor, then come back to Alma and start up a practice there. I still don’t think it’s registered that I’m planning to keep this as my career.”

“Does he watch TV?” I asked. “Or read magazines? If he did, he would know you’re already the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

“The greatest thing since sliced bread, eh?” Scott chuckled. “Now there’s a compliment I wouldn’t want to trade.”

“Maybe when your parents are out here, they’ll see for themselves,” I said. “They’ll see you in your element and understand that God is using you here, just like he’s using your brother in Mexico at that orphanage.”

Scott shrugged. “Maybe.” He paused and a funny expression crossed his face. “I used to think about moving my parents out here. Buying them a place of their own. But I can’t blame them for wanting to live the ideal life in a small town. They don’t really fit out here, and I sure don’t fit in Alma anymore. Honestly, if it weren’t for my relationship with the Lord, I’d have to wonder where I fit at all.”

“Right here,” I whispered, then shyly gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re right, Kat,” he said tenderly. “And I’m grateful to God for arranging such a perfect fit.”

My heart swelled with joy at his words.

“I can’t really blame my parents for being stunned that I chose acting,” Scott said after a few moments of silence. “I’d never done any acting in school or anything.”

“No way.”

“Yeah.” He laughed. “I played sports like all of the boys in Alma. But acting? Um, no way.”

I couldn’t believe I was talking to the same Scott Murphy, the one with the impeccable acting skills. “So how did you get from point A to point B?”

“Actually, I got my first acting job by accident. Our church in Alma was putting on an Easter production and they needed guys. You know how that goes.”

“Sure.”

“So I offered. And the next thing you know, there’s a talent scout in the congregation.”

“No way.” I laughed. “Do you still know him?”

“Sure. Bert Frasier. He’s still my agent.”

“And he knows you play a talent scout on TV?”

Scott chuckled. “Of course. He got me the audition. And we’ve joked about the whole talent-scout thing, trust me. I would never have ended up working in television at all if not for him and that Easter production. The whole thing has been quite a ride.”

“I hear ya.”

“I’ll be honest. After my first couple acting gigs, I had a crisis of faith. I’d bought into the idea that I was supposed to be a doctor. Couldn’t quite fathom that God would call me to act.”

“Why not?” This one really stumped me. “God doesn’t like actors?” I took the plastic top off my cup and swallowed down what was left of the chocolate shake.

Scott laughed. “That’s not what I meant. I guess I just thought acting was . . . you know, menial. Small stuff. Anyone can act.”

My chocolate shake practically came shooting out of my nose at that one. After all the years I’d spent studying the craft, and he thought anyone could act?

“I’m just saying I want to do great things with my life,” Scott said. “Like Bryan.”

“You
are
,” I reminded him. “So don’t ever let me hear you compare yourself to him . . . or anyone else, for that matter. You are who you are, and you’re doing what you’re called to do. Period.”

“Okay, okay.” He gave me a little salute and I laughed.

“So, back to your brother and his fiancée. When are they getting married?”

“Next summer.” Scott paused. “Guess it makes sense that Bryan would marry first. He’s on the mission field most of the time these days, so he really needs that other person to walk alongside him. He met Julia in Ensenada. She’s the pastor’s daughter at the church he attends down there.”

“Oh, wow. Crazy how he had to go halfway around the country to find her.”

“I feel the same way about meeting you, Kat.” Scott’s penetrating gaze cut straight to my heart. “I came all the way from Arkansas to California, which is practically another country, to meet you.”

I gave him a shy smile. “Was I worth the trip?”

“Oh yeah.” The gentle kiss that followed offered all the reassurance I needed. I nestled into his embrace, more content than ever. The two of us fit together perfectly, and not just physically. He was strong in so many areas where I struggled. And he had such a great heart for others. Maybe God really had brought him all the way from Mud Creek to the Pacific Ocean to meet me. Crazier things had happened.

“I’d like to think the Lord has us all exactly where he wants us,” I said. “Your brother is in Mexico working with kids. You’re here working with kids and using your talents. I’m with my grandmother, taking care of her—” I started to say, “in her final years,” but stopped short. Every time I thought about losing her, my heart went straight to my throat.

“You know what makes me think the trek from Alma to L.A. was worth it?” Scott asked. “Other than the obvious acting stuff, I mean.”

“What?”

“I’ve found someone who loves the Lord and isn’t afraid to say so. I wasn’t sure I’d find any girls in Hollywood with your convictions.”

“Oh, we’re here,” I said. “There’s a quiet undercurrent of Christians in Hollywood.” I grinned and added, “And maybe a few not-so-quiet ones too. I’m just trying to say that for all of the wild living going on out here, there’s a contingent of folks who still love God and want to make an impact in their own way.”

“I think it’s awesome. And I love that I can travel halfway across the country and still find people I can relate to.” He paused. “My parents raised me in church,” he said. “We were there every time the doors were open.”

“Awesome. I’ll be sure and tell them they did a fine job raising you.” I gave him a playful wink.

“So what about you?” he asked. “You said that you went to church with your grandmother, but you haven’t really talked about your faith.”

“Ah.” I chose my next words carefully. “I gave my heart to Christ when I was little, but it hasn’t always been easy to trust him. When I was seven . . .” I got the usual catch in my throat, and I couldn’t seem to get the rest of the words out.

Scott reached to grip my hand.

I could barely speak above a whisper. “When I was seven, my mom was killed in a car accident. It happened off of Mulholland. She was on her way home from work.”

Scott gave me a sympathetic look. “I’m so sorry, Kat. Did she work in the movies like your grandmother?”

“Oh no. She was never really into the whole movie thing. My mom was a legal secretary.”

“Interesting. The daughter of Lenora Worth a secretary.”

“Yeah, I know. Probably because she was the daughter of Lenora Worth, she’d seen too much of the whole Hollywood lifestyle. She was much more down to earth and office work suited her. But as she was coming home from work that day . . .” The memories washed over me afresh and another lump rose in my throat, but I managed to speak above it. “She lost control of her car going around a curve. I guess she was going too fast.”

“Kat, I’m so sorry.”

“I loved my mom. She was my best friend. My dad was never really . . .” Now the tears really welled up. I pressed them back, though, just like I always did. No point in letting an MIA father rule my life. I’d done that long enough.

Scott gave me a kiss on the forehead and I sighed. “Let’s just say I’ve always had a hard time picturing God as a father figure because the word
father
conjures up so many bad memories. My dad was never around much when they were married. And after they divorced, he just walked away and forgot he ever had a daughter. I think it’s crazy that someone could do that.”

“Wait. You’re saying you haven’t seen him since you were seven?”

“Right.” I nodded. “Not that there’s anything right about it. And if you want to get specific about it, he left the first time when I was five. Then after a few months he came back and they tried to put their marriage together again. It didn’t take. I don’t really remember the details. I just know that when I was seven, he was gone for good. I didn’t find out till later that he’d been seeing someone else that whole time.”

Scott shook his head but didn’t say anything. I could tell he wanted to, though.

I pushed away the mist of tears that now covered my lashes. “My mom had been crying on the morning of her accident. A lot. I heard her in her room. I always wondered if she lost control of her car because she was so upset. So emotional. You know?”

“Kat, I’m so sorry.” Scott reached to brush my cheek with his fingertip. “I had no idea.”

“I’m not saying I blamed him, exactly. Just always wondered if things would’ve been different if he’d been a different sort of man. If he’d stuck around. It stinks that I’ll never know. And what stinks even more is that he married that other woman and they had a daughter together. You can read all about him in the papers. And online. He’s a prominent attorney in Newport Beach.”

“Ouch.” Scott shook his head. “Well, he’ll never know what he missed by not being there for you. And with you.” He gazed into my eyes with such tenderness that I calmed immediately. “And listen, Kat. You’ve learned from his poor example, so now you know what
not
to do. You’ll be an awesome parent someday. There’s still time to turn things around for the next generation.”

“True. I hadn’t thought about that.” After drawing in a deep breath, I stared out at the vastness of the ocean. With the crashing of every wave, I felt the tension release. Funny how the water could do that. “Let’s go back to planning the fund-raiser, okay?” I said at last. “We can talk about personal stuff later.”

“Deal. But one thing I need to take care of first.” Scott leaned over and gave me the sweetest kiss I’d ever received. After a few lingering moments, he ran the backs of his fingertips along the edge of my cheek and whispered, “Thank you for telling me your story. I know it was hard, but I feel like I know you better now.”

I nodded, my heart working overtime. One of these days I’d have to finally deal with the remnants of the pain my dad’s leaving had caused. But for today I would sit on the white sands of Laguna Beach and look out over the brilliant blue waters of the Pacific with a good man at my side. A really good man.

Scott’s next words were tender. Soft. “The past is in the past, Kat. Hanging out there isn’t really for the best, anyway. I know God has great things coming for both of us. After all, tomorrow is another day.”

I brushed aside any remaining tears and, with the hint of a smile, said the only thing that made sense at the moment . . .

“Vivien Leigh.
Gone with the Wind
. 1939.”

8

To Tell the Truth

On the morning of the proposal scene filming, I was filled with nervous energy. I sensed an unusual vibe in the cast members as well. Tia Morales’s arrival had brought new life, new enthusiasm, to us all. Hopefully it would spill over to the viewers too. Of course, I had something else to be nervous about. Tonight I would meet Scott’s parents for the first time. I’d been looking forward to this ever since our day at Laguna Beach.

As Nora worked on my hair and makeup, I looked over my lines one last time. I’d deliberately avoided asking Grandma to help me with them. They were too personal. Besides, she’d been acting odder than usual lately. I didn’t know what to make of it. Many times the thought occurred to me that we needed another trip back to the doctor to see if her current medication regimen was working. Getting her there, however, was another thing altogether. Lenora Worth apparently had an allergy to doctors.

I found myself lost in thought, focusing on her latest memory lapses, as Nora continued to work on my hair, never missing a beat. The bright lights on the makeup mirror did a number on my eyes and I started to rub them, but Nora stopped me. “Don’t you dare! I’ve got your eye makeup just like I want it.”

“Ugh.” I winced as she tugged on a section of hair, and then I glanced at her reflection in the mirror. It always struck me as odd that hair and makeup people were so bare-skinned themselves. Nora wore her hair in a messy ponytail, and I couldn’t find a smattering of makeup on her freshly scrubbed face. In fact, I could hardly remember a time when I’d seen her in anything but the tiniest bit of lipstick and mascara. Interesting. And under the glow of the makeup lights, she seemed tan, but I knew the girl hadn’t been out in the sun in ages.

“Sorry, Kat.” She released her hold. “Guess I’m nervous today.” She tried once again to get my hair to cooperate but still struggled, her hands trembling.

“How come?” I asked.

She grinned. “You and Jack are getting engaged.” She paused and chuckled, then corrected herself. “I mean, you and Scott are getting engaged.” Shaking her head, she tried again. “I mean, Angie and Jack are getting engaged. Good grief.”

Now I joined her in laughing. “It is pretty confusing, isn’t it? But that doesn’t explain why you’re nervous.”

She crossed her arms at her chest and stared me down. “Are you kidding? A girl only gets proposed to once—in an ideal world, anyway—and I want you—er, Angie—to look great.”

“Aw, that’s sweet.” I rested the script on my lap and stared at my reflection in the mirror. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Even if it’s not real.

“Tell the truth, Kat . . .” Nora leaned down to whisper, “You like Scott in real life too.”

“Oh, well, I . . .” We hadn’t exactly shared our relationship with the cast and crew. Not yet, anyway.

“I saw that write-up in
The Scoop
.” Nora gave me a knowing look. “Didn’t look staged. You were kissing him on the cheek.” She worked with my hair as she talked, finally getting it the way she wanted. In the meantime, the bright lights continued to blind me.

“Well, yes, but . . .” I stopped before saying something I’d regret. If only Nora knew that Lenora Worth had set the whole thing up with reporters in advance.

“He looks smitten too,” Nora continued, still working to make me look beautiful. “I know acting. He’s not acting. And neither are you. I’ve been watching. I know you think no one has noticed, but I’m good at reading the love signals.”

“Love signals?” Now she had me. I’d never heard of love signals before. And if I’d been exhibiting them, someone should’ve told me before now.

“Oh, c’mon, Kat. You know. The shy glances. The shifting gaze. The rosy cheeks. A certain tone of voice. Love signals.”

“Nora, you’re nuts.” I turned back to check out my reflection in the mirror, for the first time noticing my cheeks were pretty rosy. Then again, Nora had just applied blush, so that didn’t really count. Or maybe they were just scorched from these makeup lights.

“I’m just saying, Kat . . .”

I put my finger to my lips, hoping to keep her quiet before Candy, who was being made up in the seat next to me, overheard. Nothing like letting the kids in on the secret.

“I’ll talk to you later, I promise.” My words came out as a hoarse whisper. Picking up the script, I studied my lines once again, though my thoughts kept shifting back to tonight’s meeting with Scott’s parents. Would they like me? And what about Grandma? Would throwing her into the mix confuse or delight them? Only time would tell.

After a few moments, Nora stepped back, examining my hair. She gave a whistle. “Girl, I’ve made you look like a real Hollywood star today.”

I stared at my reflection, hardly able to believe the transformation. I had to give it to her. This was her finest work. Perfect for a proposal scene.

Proposal scene. My heart jumped to my throat.
Lord, help me!

Rex tapped on the door and hollered out, “Five minutes!”

After one last glimpse in the mirror, I turned to Nora. “Well, this is it.”

“Yes.” She giggled. “Break a leg, Kat.”

I laughed. “That’s a theater expression, honey. Not very Hollywood. And if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to keep my arms and legs intact.”

Nora followed me to the stage, where she got her first glimpse of my grandmother for the day. She let out a whistle. “Wow, Lenora! You look like British royalty. Who are we today?”

Grandma turned in a circle, primping. “Katharine Hepburn.
The Lion in Winter
. 1968.”

“1968, eh?” Rex said as he passed by. “Tragic year in American history. I’m surprised you went with that one.”

“I never could resist Kate Hepburn.” Grandma Lenora grinned at Rex. “Kat is named after her. Did you know that?”

“No.” Rex gave me an admiring look. “Nice name to live up to.”

“I do my best.”

Grandma’s eyes took on a faraway look. “Remember that time we all went down to the Villa Nova and Kate Hepburn accidentally ate my shrimp cocktail instead of her crab cakes? She was always such a hoot!”

“Well, of course,” he said, looking quite matter-of-fact. “You were wearing a blue dress that afternoon. And if memory serves me correctly, Kate was dressed in blue also. I remember saying you looked like twins.” Thank goodness he played along. Relief swept over me.

“Oh, go on with you.” Grandma waved her hand. “I was never as pretty as Kate.”

He shook his head, and for a second I thought I saw his eyes grow misty. “Yes you were, Lenora,” he said with great tenderness. “And you’ve only improved with age.” He reached out to take her hand and kissed the back of it. I’d never seen my grandmother’s cheeks so red.

“Th-thank you, Rex.”

He turned and walked away with gentlemanly flair. I would have to remember to thank him later. Talk about working overtime. The man could win an Academy Award for his performance today.

Still, as I pondered the scene the two of them had just played out, I had to wonder about my grandmother’s random stories from the past. It was getting harder and harder to tell fiction from reality where she was concerned . . . and that worried me. Not that I needed to be worrying right now. Or ever, really.

Snap out of it, Kat. No time for sadness today. Not with so much work to be done.

Like getting proposed to would qualify as work. I chuckled as I thought about that. Why not just relax and enjoy the ride? See where it might take me?

After a couple of deep breaths and a quick, silent prayer, I got ready to take my place on the set. Nora stopped me long enough to touch up my lipstick. Great. Now I’d probably get lipstick all over Scott when we kissed. Not that kissing was first and foremost on my mind today. No, that faux diamond ring he was about to slip on my finger took precedence, even over great kissing.

“There.” Nora nodded. “Go out there and knock ’em dead, Kat.”

“Um, okay.”

Butterflies took flight in my stomach as I pondered what was about to happen. Just as I took my first step onto the set, I heard Grandma Lenora’s singsong voice ring out. “You’re going out a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star!”

Perfect distraction. I turned around and, with a grin, responded, “Warner Baxter.
42nd Street.
1934.”

“You’re good,” Grandma said. “Real good. But it was ’33, not ’34.”

With a chuckle, I turned back to the matter at hand.

Scott glanced my way, smiling as he took in my hair and makeup. He mouthed the words, “You look great,” then offered a shy smile. Good grief. We really were in junior high again.

“Quiet on the set,” Tia called out. She took her place in the director’s chair, glanced at Rex, and gave him a thumbs-up.

The lights in the studio audience went down, and the overhead lights on the stage sprang to life. I took my place, ready to begin. Scott joined me, standing so close I could smell his yummy cologne. As we waited for our cue, I realized just how ready I was . . . for anything that life with Scott had to offer, both on stage and off. What a lovely revelation.

After a few seconds, Tia was ready to roll. She took one last look at her notes, then hollered, “And . . . action!”

The scene board snapped and we were off and running.

Stay focused, Kat. Keep your mind on the matter at hand. Just think about the scene. Nothing else.

I went over it all in my head, bit by bit, thinking of it as the script had laid it out.

Location: Stars Collide Talent Agency, back room audition stage

Synopsis: Kimberly—played by Candy—auditions for a major role in a Broadway show.

Action: After Kimberly’s song, Jack proposes to an unsuspecting Angie in front of all the children they represent.

Reaction from children: Shock, surprise, and glee—from all but Kimberly, who is angry that they’ve interrupted her big moment.

Reaction from Angie: Pure bliss as she accepts his ring and his proposal.

Reaction from the real-life characters of Kat and Scott: A mixture of delightful emotions, thoughts, and internal questions as they forge ahead with a relationship of their own.

Okay, so that last part wasn’t in the script, but I knew we were both struggling with a mixture of emotions. Reality and fiction had blurred all right. And things were just getting more tense with this ring about to slide on my finger. Was Scott feeling the heat of the moment like I was? One glance his way—that smile, those soft eyes, that little wink—convinced me otherwise.

I took my stance as Angie, talent scout extraordinaire. Piped-in music began for “Lullaby of Broadway,” and Candy—playing the part of the young, yet-undiscovered star Kimberly—took the stage, her blonde curls bouncing and dimples showing. The little charmer almost convinced me. Almost.

She sang the familiar song with unbelievable strength and gusto. I had to give it to her, the kid was great. And who knew? Maybe she really would end up on Broadway someday. Funny, the places life took you.

When the song ended, I spoke my first line: “What do you think, Jack? Is she ready for her big day?”

Scott—as Jack—joined me on the stage, taking my hand in his. “She’s ready, but the bigger question is . . . are you?”

“Am I what?” I quoted from memory.

“Ready.”

“Ready for what?” I asked, gazing into his blue eyes.

“The big day.”

“Jack, you’re not making sense.”

Scott gazed longingly into my eyes, and I almost forgot we were still on the script. His words, “Angie, there’s something I need to ask you,” caused me to catch my breath.

I noticed the look of expectation in his eyes. And in the eyes of the children, who hung breathlessly on his every word. You would have thought this was really happening . . . right here, right now.

I looked directly into Scott’s eyes, not even having to act. My heart was fully in this, which made it not only exciting and romantic but also a little unnerving. When he dropped to one knee, one of the kids hollered out an impromptu, “Go, Jack!” Not in the script, but Tia didn’t stop the filming, thank goodness. I wasn’t sure I could go through this scene again. Hopefully we could get it in one take.

“Angie, I love you.” He spoke the words, his hand clutching mine. For the first time, I noticed he was trembling. Or was that me? I couldn’t really tell.

“O-oh?” I responded.

“From the minute you walked through the door of my agency, I found you irresistible. Your smile. Your zeal for life. Your temper.”

“Hey now.”

“Seriously. I love everything about you. The way you play with your hair when you’re nervous. The way you stutter when you’re mad. The way you work to make our business the best it can be. You’re the best business partner in the world. But I want a different kind of partnership now, Angie. Totally different.”

I could hear some of the children giggling in the background. The camera overhead moved in closer, and Scott—er, Jack—reached into his pocket, coming out with a tiny box.

At this point, I slipped off into a self-induced fog. Thank goodness I’d memorized my lines. Otherwise I never would have made it through this next part without fainting.

Scott’s next lines came out flawlessly, but I never heard them. In fact, the only thing I heard was the sound of my heartbeat inside my ears as I glanced at the beautiful ring he’d slipped on my left ring finger. I held it up for closer examination, my heart going crazy. Then, as Scott pulled me into his arms for a passionate kiss, the children began a rousing rendition of “The Hallelujah Chorus.” Before long, the studio audience joined in, lending their support.

I would have joined them, but my lips were busy.

Coming up for air, I looked over the group of children, who now rushed my way and swept me into a group hug. I could tell they weren’t acting. These little ones were really thrilled at the idea that Jack and Angie were getting married.

I caught a glimpse of Grandma Lenora off in the distance. She stood next to Rex with tears streaming down her face. Wow. Never saw that coming. In fact, the whole studio audience seemed awash with emotions. Some folks sniffled. Others cheered. Even the crew members clapped and shouted. I’d never seen such a positive—and strong—reaction to a scene before.