The Last Goodbye (The Women of Independence) (14 page)

Danielle shuddered, suddenly cold. She
should have known better than to trust him. Brushing past Carmen, she started
to remove the salad makings from the refrigerator. “I’ll make that salad now,”
she said, piling the ingredients on the table and hauling out the chopping
board. She started to assemble the salad, wondering how she could be
functioning when there was a band of steel tightening around her heart. “Let me
know if you need help finding what you need for the lasagna.”

Carmen was watching her, an odd
expression on her face, but Danielle wouldn’t look at her. If they made eye
contact, she would lose it, and she refused to let that happen. Grayson
Crawford had hurt her for the last time.

“So did you hear what happened out at
Silverton this afternoon?” Danielle’s voice sounded brittle, but Danielle continued.
“Someone set fire to the building I was working on.”

Carmen looked startled, but she continued.
“That guy who keeps trying to get people to look at his screen plays. I think
his plan was to rescue me, but the best laid plans...” She whacked at the
lettuce. “He disturbed a wasp’s nest and they attacked him. Not a pretty sight.
Grayson had to bring him back so he could get medical attention.” She was
speaking in sharp, staccato bursts, but she didn’t care. Anything to divert her
thoughts.

“Does Sean know about this?”

“Does Sean know about what?” The
producer came in the back way.

Danielle managed a weak smile in the
direction of Jake’s friend. “I was telling Carmen about the fire out at
Silverton.”

“Yes, I heard about that.” He exhaled.
“Busy day. I just spoke to Grayson on the phone and he says the damage is on
the back corner of the building and it won’t be visible in the dream sequence.”

Danielle’s curiosity got the better of
her. “Will you still be shooting that scene tomorrow with Grayson gone?”

“No problem. He and Scott have discussed
it several times, and since it was Scott’s idea, Gray was going to hand it over
to him anyway.” He noted the look of surprise on Danielle’s face. “The First actually
runs the set; he and the Director co-ordinate. Today was unusual in that
Grayson had specific ideas about what he wanted.”

Danielle nodded.

“Anyway, I’m glad you weren’t hurt. Good
thing Gray was there.” She could feel him watching her. She gave him another
quick smile, then attacked a bunch of radishes. “What about Kevin? Will he be
okay, and more to the point, is he going to be charged?”

Sean sighed. “The police have been out
here already. I think they’re going to give him a pass. Not that he deserves
it, but I’ll be grateful if they let it rest.”

“The government likes those dollars
Hollywood spends up here.”

Sean acknowledged her remark with a wry
smile. “There is that.” He turned to Carmen. “Have you heard from Jake?”

The actress gave him the latest news.

“Okay then. I think I’ll wash up and
then join the others for a drink on the verandah.”

Carmen waved a spatula. “I’ll join you
in a while. I just have to get this in the oven.”

The women worked in silence for a few
moments, until Carmen spoke.

“Your hair looks amazing. I had a
feeling it would be gorgeous.”

“Thanks, Carmen.” She carried a handful
of material over to the compost bucket. “Why?”

“I’m sorry. Why what?”

“Why did Grayson leave? Did he say why?”
She hated herself for asking, but she had to know.

“Apparently there was a problem with
some of the footage that was shot down in LA. Gray had to look it over; see if
they can piece enough together so we don’t have to re-shoot it.”

Knowing why didn’t make the pain any
less. Danielle felt as though she were watching herself from a distance, except
that the person she was observing wasn’t acting like her. Someone had switched
off her emotional response button, leaving her cold and empty. Normally she’d
be running away... jumping on her horse and riding up to the lookout. The rocky
promontory had always been her go to place when dealing with the tragic events
in her life. But now, observing the young woman in the kitchen with the flyaway
golden hair, she saw a shell of the woman she’d been. How could she be
otherwise, when her heart had been ripped out?

“Danielle?” Carmen’s tentative voice
dragged her back.

“Sorry, I was somewhere else.”

“I was saying that my agent called and
offered me the part.” She stood with a huge baking dish of lasagna in her hands
and Danielle hurried over to open the oven door.

“That’s exciting. What did you tell
them?”

Carmen wiped her hands on her makeshift
apron. “That’s just it. I don’t know what to say. They gave me two days to
decide.”

Danielle wanted to shake her and tell
her to grab at happiness with both hands. But she couldn’t. It wasn’t her
place, and besides, her romantic track record wasn’t exactly stellar.

“What does Uncle Jake say?” Danielle
regretted the question the moment she asked it, but Carmen smiled kindly.

“You know your uncle. He’s so buttoned
up.” Her eyes softened. “It sounds impossible after such a short time, but I
love him, Danielle. I’m going to give him another day to ask me to stay.”

“And then?”

The actress shrugged. “Then I’ll play it
by ear.”

Danielle gave her a quick, fierce hug.
“Good luck. I hope it works out.”

“Thank you.” She forced a bright smile.
“Now I think I’ll go join the others on the verandah.”

* * *

It was late when Jake’s vehicle rumbled
over the cattle guard. He was glad to be home, and although he’d never say
anything to Sean, he was relieved not to have to go through a security check to
get back on his own land.

He’d waited longer than was probably
necessary at the hospital, but he’d wanted to ensure that Enrique was in good
hands. Brent Harvey was one of the new breed of doctors; they all seemed to
dress casually and speak too fast, but he was a good man. Not surprisingly,
Esperanza had insisted on staying, and he’d ensured that she had a place to
sleep, and that she had her cell phone so she could call him for a pick-up in
the morning.

He hadn’t minded the extra hours at the
hospital. It seemed that he was rarely alone these days, and he’d been glad to
have the time to think about his future with Carmen.

He’d never experienced that warm, fuzzy
feeling he’d heard about; never thought it would apply to him. He’d considered
the whole concept to be a trap, set by scheming women to ensnare a man.

He gave a snort of amusement. At least
that’s what he used to think... until a few days ago, when Carmen Santangelo
had walked into his life and turned it upside down. And now he was at a
crossroads, and much as he was man who made his own decisions, he knew that his
friend Sean was right. If he let Carmen walk out of his life now, he’d regret
it forever. A smile touched his lips as he approached the ranch house. He was
going to man up and ask her to stay.

Only a few lights remained on inside the
house. The under-counter lighting in the kitchen revealed that all of the
dishes had been done. The waffle-maker, along with the necessary ingredients
sat on the counter-top, in readiness for breakfast.

A murmur of voices reached him from the
verandah. He glanced at his watch; shortly after ten. They’d be going upstairs
soon, and he and Carmen would have some precious privacy.

He recognized the First’s voice. He was
speaking to Hayden, the young actor who had played the brother in the wheelchair.

“Did you hear Carmen’s news?” Scott
said, admiration in his voice. “They offered her a role in that ensemble
piece.”

“The one Sandburg is directing? I was
lucky enough to read the script. I’d give my eye teeth to be a part of that
film. We all know that Carmen’s a skilled actress, but this part will elevate
her to a whole new level. I know the part she’s been offered and she’ll nail
it. Good for her.”

Hayden was silent for a moment, then
continued. “She deserves a break like this, after giving up so much to take
care of her mother.”

They went on to discuss loyalty, but
Jake tuned them out. He took a few unsteady steps back, then turned, went
through the kitchen and found himself back outside. This news about the part
put a whole new spin on things. Could he ask Carmen to give up what was
obviously the chance of a lifetime to stay here with him? He raised his eyes to
the sky; it was clear tonight, and stars studded the inky darkness. As he
looked, a shooting star streaked horizontally across the sky, then faded to
nothing... much like Carmen’s career path if he got in her way.

Another star arced across the sky and
burned out. What if this passion with Carmen was like the star; a flash in the
pan? What if things didn’t work out? He’d never forgive himself if she missed
out on an opportunity like this for an old cowhand like him.

Jake blew out a long stream of air as he
forced himself to accept the new reality. He told himself that he’d survive...
and he would, even though a corner of his heart would always be reserved just
for her. The ranch house beckoned; he considered going back inside, but knew he
needed to make a break now, while his resolve was firm. He trudged toward the stable,
thankful that he kept a cot there. Now all he needed was a plan to avoid her
for the next couple of days.

The horses greeted him, but he scarcely
heard them. As he kicked off his boots and shook out a blanket, he tried to
ignore the stabbing pain in his heart. Doing the right thing was going to be one
of the toughest things he’d ever done.

* * *

Carmen woke up, disoriented. The house
was silent, although she could have sworn that something disturbed her sleep.
An owl hooted... twice... and she smiled. She and Jake had listened to the bird
the last couple of nights as they lay together, talking late into the night.

She reached for him, then sat up,
confused. She wasn’t in his room; she was still in her own bed. Why hadn’t he
come to wake her up? The owl hooted again.

“You’re right,” she said to the bird as
she slipped her feet into her slippers. “I have no reason to be shy now.”

The hallway was silent, as she expected.
She entered Jake’s room, relieved to see that it was empty. If he’d been there
and not come to her, she didn’t think she could stand it. She slipped between
the sheets to wait for him, and with a sigh of contentment, went back to sleep.

* * *

Sunshine spilled in through the open
curtains and Carmen opened her eyes, ready to greet the day. And then she
remembered... Jake had not come to bed last night. She picked up his pillow and
buried her face in it, inhaling his familiar scent. Just the smell of him was
enough to set her pulse racing. The time had definitely come to tell him how
she felt.

But where was he? She hoped everything
was okay with Enrique. Clutching her housecoat around her, she went back to her
room to get dressed.

“
Si, Senorita Carmen
. He pick us
up early this morning.” Esperanza was back in charge of her kitchen. “Enrique
was worried about the horses.”

“Did he stay at the hospital last
night?” Carmen cringed at the desperation in her voice, but at this point, she
didn’t care.

“No.” Esperanza looked at her oddly. “He
leave the hospital last night about nine thirty.”

Carmen gave what she hoped was a
confident smile. “Right. So how is Enrique?”

The housekeeper threw up her hands. “He
insists he feels better, but I don’t think so. The doctor says he should rest
for a few days, and that he should use a cane, but he’s too proud. Men!”

Carmen laughed at the expression on her
face. “You can say that again!” She poured a cup of coffee. “So where will I
find Jake this morning? I have something I’d like to discuss with him.”

Esperanza wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Senor
Jake has gone.” She made a vague gesture. “The cattle.”

Something didn’t feel right. “Is there a
problem?”

Esperanza polished the waffle maker,
which was already sparkling. “I don’t think so.”

Carmen felt guilty for pressuring the
housekeeper, but she had to know. “Did he say when he’ll be back?”

“No.”

Carmen turned away from the pity in the
housekeeper’s eyes. “Okay, thanks.” She wandered out to the verandah in a daze,
unsure of what had just happened.

* * *

“When I heard the movie people were
coming, I thought there’d be a bit of disturbance, but I had no idea it would
be this bad.” Danielle snapped another cartridge of insulating foam into the
dispensing gun and handed it to Nick. He accepted her help wordlessly; she’d
get to the point eventually.

Nick grunted. “I guess we should have
known by the way it started with that director guy.” He glanced over his
shoulder. “What’s his name? Gray?”

Danielle raised her eyebrows. “I’d
forgotten about that.” She yanked an empty cartridge out of the other dispenser
and it went flying across the room.