Summer

  “He’s in his trailer talking to Randi Wells,” one of them called back.

  A round of laughter came from the group of photographers.

  Very funny, Katy thought. Dayne was meeting with the producer. But the paparazzi loved a conflict. First they snapped a hundred pictures of her in the arms of Rick, and then they suggested Dayne had his attention somewhere else.

  She shook her head, her smile still in place. “Always full of good news, right, guys?” She waved and then turned her back. At the first table, she found a paper plate and piled it high with fruit salad and a few chicken wings.

  “They were telling the truth.” One of the bit-part actors approached her and filled his own plate. “Dayne’s been talking to Randi for the last hour.”

  Katy didn’t let her surprise show. Was Dayne really in his trailer talking to Randi Wells? And why now, just hours before he was scheduled to board a plane for Los Angeles? “Amazing how news travels around a location shoot.” She tried to look unconcerned.

  “This ain’t nothing.” The guy was a ranch hand from Santa Fe, a local who would be one of the cowboys working the livestock in a few of the horse scenes. He took a napkin and grinned at her. “I’ve been on movie shoots where couples got divorced then and there. You never know what’s going to happen.” He wandered off and joined a group of extras.

  Katy found a chair by herself and kept her back to the paparazzi. As much as the reality show gave them open season to take pictures and video footage during the filming, they couldn’t get to this part of the set. She stared at her fruit, and suddenly she wasn’t hungry. Every photographer was still watching, waiting. Looking for a sign that something wasn’t right.

  Dayne and Katy had separate trailers for the location filming, and Katy hated that too. It had made sense at first. They would each need a place where makeup artists could do their work and where changes of clothing would be readily available. Katy assumed that when they weren’t getting ready for a scene, they’d spend time together in one trailer or the other. But it hadn’t worked out that way. Their schedules were different almost every day.

  Katy wanted to talk to Dayne right now, but she had the feeling that by knocking on his trailer door, the paparazzi would smell a problem. Why else would she be checking in on her husband only minutes after learning that he was on the phone with one of America’s favorite actresses?

  She picked up her fork and stirred the fruit. The entire notion was ridiculous, a waste of time. If Dayne was talking to Randi, then he must’ve had a good reason. She was his friend, after all. Back when he was in the hospital, Randi had admitted her feelings about Dayne to Katy. But she had also admitted that she wanted to buy a Bible because she admired Dayne’s faith.

  Maybe that’s what the call was about.

  Katy would eat her lunch and then find her husband. Never mind what the paparazzi thought. If she had the right look on her face, they couldn’t dream up more than a midafternoon rendezvous. She and Dayne had nothing to hide. No, they weren’t spending as much time together as she wished. But their feelings for each other were stronger every day.

  No horse trainer or lonely starlet was going to change that.

  Katy waited an hour before heading to Dayne’s trailer. She followed her plan and gave the paparazzi who trailed her a sly smile as she knocked on the door and proceeded up the two steps and inside. When the door was closed behind her, she turned, and there at the back of the trailer, she saw Dayne.

  He had the phone pinned between his ear and his shoulder, and he was packing a small suitcase. He smiled at her and motioned for her to sit down.

  She did as he asked, but her heartbeat felt erratic and unsteady. She gripped the arms of the chair and watched him.

  If he was talking to Randi, the conversation wasn’t a private one. He was laughing and saying something about the film, about the craziness of the press and how he was glad it wouldn’t last much longer without a break. Another month, maybe. The conversation ended, and he snapped his phone shut.

  “Hi.” He pulled her to her feet. “Is it my imagination, or do we hardly see each other?”

  “It’s not your imagination.” Katy didn’t want to be angry or short with him. Still, she wanted to know, and there was only one way to find out. “Who was that?”

  “One of the backers. He’s got dinner planned for seven tonight.” Dayne kissed her and then studied her eyes. “Something wrong?”

  Here it was, her chance to let it go or make herself look like she was doubting him. She took a steadying breath and made her decision. “I wish you weren’t leaving.”

  Relief seemed to come over him. He smiled at her before he turned back to his packing. “I wish you were coming with me.”

  Katy watched him. Funny how their roles had changed. When they first returned to the house in Malibu, Katy had been the calm one, the one ready to take on the press and make the best of the situation. But now that they were on location, the cameras were wearing on her.

  “You seem better about the paparazzi.”

  “They can’t chase us.” Dayne shrugged. The sun had been good to him. He looked tanned and relaxed, more handsome than ever. “That’s the only thing I worry about, Katy. They can take all the pictures they want, but when they put our lives at risk . . . that’s when I draw the line.”

  “Oh.” She angled her head. Hopefully Dayne would have an equally relaxed attitude when the tabloids ran pictures of Rick helping her off the horse.

  Dayne asked her about the horse training, but before their conversation really had a chance to take off, he looked at his watch, then zipped his bag shut and picked it up. “I’ve gotta run.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Call you tonight, okay?”

  “Dayne . . .”

  He already had his hand on the trailer door, but he stopped and looked at her. “Yeah, baby?”

  “Why am I feeling scared about us?”

  “Katy . . .” His tone softened, and he set his suitcase down. He held his arms out to her, and she went to him, slipping into the familiar feel of his embrace. “This is what it’s like on a movie set. Crazy busy, rushing every which way.”

  “I don’t like it.” Her voice was a whimper against his chest. “I miss you.”

  “The best part’s just ahead.” He crooked his finger and lifted her chin so he was looking straight into her eyes. “Everything’s been building up to the scenes between you and me.” He hesitated. “Hey, I hate it too. I could drop it all and fly home to Bloomington tomorrow.”

  “But we have a promise to keep.” Katy knew the right answer, and now, lost in his eyes, safe in his embrace, she felt her world straighten once more on its axis. “Thanks.” She touched her lips to his. “I needed this.”

  Dayne held her eyes a few seconds longer. “I’ll call you tonight.” He grabbed his bag and stepped outside.

  She waited a few beats, then chided herself. The press would see them leaving separately and wonder if trouble was brewing. She hurried out the door behind him, the familiar smile plastered on her face. “Love you,” she called after Dayne.

  He was already climbing into the limo, but he turned around and waved. “Love you too.”

  The cameramen caught every moment, and the video crew that was almost always running film captured it too. As Katy headed back to the arena for her next horse lesson, she heard two of them talking.

  “No trouble in paradise,” one called out.

  “Not yet, anyway.”

  Laughter came from the group, but Katy didn’t turn, didn’t let them see her reaction. By now she was getting good at hiding her real feelings, but if she turned around, she had no doubt they’d see the truth. She was furious. Was this what the reality show was all about? Staying on the lookout for trouble between her and Dayne? She should’ve expected that they’d want conflict, but she never imagined this. Almost as if the cameramen were taking bets on when the first cracks would appear.

  For Real had a reputation for giving viewers a behind-the-
scenes look at a work situation. A husband and wife starring opposite each other in an upcoming blockbuster movie was just the sort of show they were known for. So why the push for some kind of rift in her marriage?

  Katy was glad she had the next two hours scheduled with Rick. Otherwise she’d be tempted to march over to the photographers and ask them what they were trying to pull off.

  Everything feels out of control, God. She kicked at the dirt as she walked into the arena. It was soft and fine, and a cloud rose as she shut the gate behind her.

  “Whoa there.” Rick held the reins of her horse even as the stallion jumped. “Save that for the movie, okay?”

  “I tripped.” Katy grinned at her trainer. She didn’t need two hours of Rick asking questions. She kept her smile in place as she approached him. “Sorry.”

  “Hey, Katy.” He kept his voice low so he couldn’t be heard by the paparazzi gathering outside the arena fence. “I know things are rough for you.” He seemed to look straight to her core. “I’m here if you wanna talk. I don’t have anything going on tonight.”

  She looked away. “Thanks, Rick.” She wasn’t about to open up to the horse trainer about her insecurities and doubts. That was a conversation for Dayne alone. “The only thing I’m struggling with is this horse. We start filming live-action scenes in a week.” She slipped her foot into the stirrup and eased herself into the saddle without his help. “Now where were we?”

  He shrugged. “Okay. Offer stands.”

  Rick didn’t bring up anything personal for the next two hours. But there was no mistaking the fact that he seemed to enjoy the moments when they were close, when he was showing her what to do with her legs or when he had to hold her hand with the reins so he could demonstrate the slight movements she was expected to produce on camera.

  Before they were finished, he tied his horse up to the closest fence post. “We need a few minutes of bareback riding.”

  Katy had read the script. Rick was right; she and Dayne had a scene next week in which Katy would be on the horse bareback, and Dayne would jump up behind her. The scene involved an argument that culminated in an angry ride together across the pasture.

  Rick took the saddle off the horse, then helped her back on.

  Again cameras clicked behind her. Katy didn’t pay much attention. The idea of riding without a saddle was the scariest part of her horse training.

  “This is where your body’ll come into play. Remember what I told you.” Rick walked in front of the horse, and the animal followed without any further command. They made a loop around the arena, and Rick nodded to Katy. “Ease back in your seat.”

  Katy did as he asked, and the horse came to a gentle stop. “Like magic.”

  “Exactly.” Rick grinned. “Okay, now hold on to his mane. I’m going to get on behind you, and we’ll bring him up to a trot, nothing faster.”

  She wanted to slide forward, but she was up as far as she could get without sitting on the horse’s neck.

  “Ready?”

  “Ready.” She braced herself in case the horse took off.

  Rick was very athletic. He made an agile move of getting up behind her, and with only the slightest sound from him, the horse moved forward. Rick eased his hands around her waist and spoke near her ear. “Very nice. You’re a natural.”

  Katy almost asked him if he’d ridden double with Dayne, or if she was the only one who needed the benefit of his training. But the sun was setting in the western sky, and the training was almost over for the day. Besides, it felt good trotting around the arena with someone as skilled as Rick. She could imagine taking this ride at a faster pace with Dayne.

  The scene was bound to be a strong one.

  Two video cams and half a dozen still cameras captured every minute of her ride with Rick, and now as he brought the horse to a stop, they seemed to zoom in even closer.

  Rick didn’t appear to be in a hurry to get off. He leaned into her and laughed. “You’re gonna show up your husband if you’re not careful.”

  “Get down, Rick.” Katy kept her tone reserved and cautious, the way she’d talk to one of her drama students.

  “You’re welcome.” He swung himself off and helped her down. His eyes held hers a few seconds longer than necessary. “I gave you a compliment.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled, then brushed the dirt and horse hair off her hands and jeans.

  She was on her way back to her trailer when she spotted the director headed her way.

  “Katy, I’ve been looking for you.”

  Her smile was genuine this time. “I’ve been bouncing around on that horse all afternoon.”

  Stephen laughed and put his arm around her shoulders.

  The cameras were capturing every move, but Katy didn’t care. The director was a Christian, a man of virtue. He was also very warm and almost fatherly with his cast. Let them take their pictures. She grinned at him. “What’s up?”

  “I’ve looked at the dailies from the past week.” He whistled low and his eyes lit up. “The camera loves you. You’re brilliant on-screen. Absolutely brilliant.”

  “Thanks.” His compliment was one of the first good things that had happened today. Because when it was all said and done, when the filming stopped and she and Dayne found their way home and back to how things had been before, a movie would be all they had to show for this time. Two hours of footage. From the beginning she’d been afraid that she would be the weak link in a cast with Dayne and a handful of other stars with far more experience than her.

  Stephen walked slowly beside her. “It’s true.” He looked at his watch. “Hey, have dinner with me tonight. Dayne’s gone, and I’ve got something I want to talk to you about.”

  In any other setting, Stephen’s offer would have made her suspicious. But this was the movie industry, and they were on location. Nothing was the way it normally might be. Stephen certainly wasn’t interested in her; he only had something on his mind he wanted to talk about. She felt herself nodding, and the plan was set.

  Just before seven, Stephen knocked on her suite door. He was dressed nicer than usual. Katy hesitated. Don’t make too much of it, she told herself. He’s an important man in the industry; of course he dresses nice for dinner. Stephen was a father figure, nothing more.

  He gave her an approving look as they walked to his car. “Your beauty is that rare kind, Katy Hart. It comes from inside you first.”

  She allowed a nervous laugh, one that dismissed the compliment. She shifted the conversation to her horse training session.

  “Rick has a crush on you. He’s telling everyone.” Stephen opened the car door for her.

  She rolled her eyes. “Rick’s had a few too many hours in the sun.”

  Her comment made him chuckle, and the atmosphere between them remained relaxed and casual through the ride to the restaurant and on into dinner.

  Three photographers arrived a few minutes after Katy and Stephen were seated. They took a booth across the restaurant, one with a full view of Katy and Stephen.

  It doesn’t matter, she told herself. I’m allowed to have dinner with my director.

  They’d talked about every aspect of the film, and now Stephen anchored his elbows on the table. “Okay, this is why I wanted to talk to you.”

  She held her breath. Whatever was coming, Stephen was treating it like a big deal.

  “When we’re done shooting this film, I’ll be working with a very talented cast on another picture. It’s a drama about a young woman with a beautiful family and everything going for her, but she has a secret. And that secret drives her to depression and the brink of despair.” He leaned closer and took hold of her hands. “You’d be perfect for the part, Katy.”

  The cameramen at the far table were forgotten. Katy’s head began to spin, and a dozen different thoughts swirled about, none of them making sense. The idea struck a nerve and challenged her. She felt her eyes get big. “Really? You want me as the lead?”

  Stephen released her hands and lean
ed back in the booth. “Katy Hart, my dear, you are a star. You just haven’t figured it out yet.” He cocked his head. “And maybe that’s part of your charm. You don’t know how good you really are.”

  A light-headed feeling came over her. Was this really happening? Why wasn’t Dayne here to help her make sense of this offer? One of the best directors in the movie business wanted her to star in his film. She swallowed hard. “Dayne’s not in the movie?”

  “It doesn’t need a big name for the male lead. The character is married, but the strength of the film comes from the female part.” He smiled bigger than he had all night. “The part that belongs to you.”

  Katy grabbed at the only thought that made sense. “I’m flattered, Stephen. Truly.” She thought about the upcoming year. CKT was closing down, and Dayne had three more movies left on his contract. Why couldn’t she take the offer? Being in movies was what she’d dreamed about when she was in college.

  “So . . . can I tell the team you’re interested?” Stephen was beaming like a proud parent.

  “It sounds wonderful.” She set her fork down and tried to focus. “I need to talk to Dayne, of course.” Questions flooded her mind. “Where will it be filmed?”

  “England. The budget’s big enough to give us location shots where we want them. We’ll be there maybe six or seven weeks.”

  The news was like a glass of cold water straight in her face. Six or seven weeks in England, away from Dayne? Tabloid headlines filled her mind about actors married to each other and trying to carry on separate careers in different parts of the world. Almost always the strain became too much. She started to shake her head, because if this next film came between her and Dayne, then the answer was no.

  But she hesitated. This was only one film. She tried to focus on the director sitting opposite her.

  “You and Dayne talk it over.” Stephen slid his plate back and stood up. “Where’s his next movie taking him?”