4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Jonah
I dont understand why this keeps happening. Beckett runs his hands through his hair as he paces in the small on-set trailer we have in town. I get that hes frustrated, but the more he paces, the tighter this space is going to feel and the more Im going to want to escape for the wide open skies outside.
I clear my throat. Things go wrong. It happens.
Laughing, he gives me a wild look and doesnt slow his steps for a second. I understand that things go wrong. Its part of filming a movie. But this is getting ridiculous!
I have to agree with him, as much as I dont want to. What started out as a couple of accidents and malfunctions is turning into a pattern of safety issues and set disasters. Ive seen my share of mishaps on set, but something about this movie has drawn more than normal.
A few days ago, one of the crew members said something about this movie being cursed. Most people laughed him off. But as things keep happeninglike light bulbs going missing and furniture randomly falling apart, more and more people are starting to think he was right. Im not one to believe in curses or ghosts, but enough disasters have hit us that my convictions are feeling slippery. Its like someone said Macbeth instead of calling it The Scottish Play, and the theater geeks are spooked.
I can believe in ghosts for a few weeks without it turning into a whole thing. Right?
Okay, you have to stop, I say, grabbing Becketts arm as he passes me. Youre making me nervous.
Its Bonnies fault. Beckett drops onto the couch next to me and drops his face into his hands. She convinced me to change the script, and now Im being punished.
Ive known this guy for a while now, but I wouldnt have expected him to buy into the curse nonsense. Hes too pragmatic for that, and I thought his confidence had no bounds, which is one of the reasons I try to work with him as often as I can. But I guess when a caterer comes across an entire crate of empty but intact eggshells that were fine the day before, its difficult to toss the curse idea aside.
I have to admit, empty eggs are creepy.
The trailer door opens, and Bonnie comes inside with a bright smile. Good morning! she says but pauses when she sees Beckett hunched over. Everything okay?
Great, Beckett says in a groan.
Meeting Bonnies gaze, I shrug. You ready for your big stunt today?
Though she nods, Bonnies smile is nervous. So ready! My stunt double said shes been perfecting the stunt all morning and will show me how its done before I try it out.
Good for Bonnie. Growing up on a farm, I got used to doing hard things, but Ive grown soft over the years and rarely do my own stunts. If anything were to go wrong, I could get injured and be out of a job, and its not like I have many skills outside of acting. I guess I could do voice-over work, but thats way less fun than being on the set and in the moment.
Not that it matters. Im not jumping across a building like Bonnies planning to. Maybe she shouldnt do it, if the set is cursed
Okay, wow, I need some air, and Bonnie is staring at Beckett like shes worried he might fall apart. Time to run some interference. I want to see Anne in action, I tell Bonnie, gesturing for her to lead the way outside to where her stunt double has been for the last couple of hours. As soon as were out of earshot, I add, There was an incident in catering this morning, so hes on edge.
What kind of incident?
The kind where normal eggs emptied of their contents overnight. Im surprised she hasnt heard about it, but Im guessing her new relationship with the author is keeping her attention. Nothing too crazy, but you know how people are talking. So this is the rig youll be in?
As Bonnie talks me through the jump shes going to be making, my thoughts stray down the street to the hardware store like theyve been doing pretty much nonstop since last night. More specifically, Im thinking about the woman behind the counter inside. Coming across Junes house last night was purely accidental. Seeing her in pajama pants and a messy bun was a happy side effect of that accident. Even dressed down like she was, something about her scratched an itch I didnt notice I had until I kept running and instantly wanted to turn back for relief.
The freeze frame image of my face on the TV behind hervisible through one of the front windowsgot me wondering if shes more interested in me than shes pretending to be. Whether or not the two of us have potential, I plan to show June how interested I am.
It wont go anywhere, but it would be nice to have a little fun while Im here.
It should be fine, right? Bonnie asks breathlessly.
Ah man, I didnt hear a word she said before that. Im sure, I say, hoping thats the answer shes looking for.
Thankfully, Bonnie smiles and nods like my assurance was all she needed. Wish me luck!
Good luck, I say and pray she doesnt need it.
Twenty minutes later, disaster strikes. Bonnie makes the jump, but the rigging catches halfway between the two buildings. She jerks upward, and everyone gasps as it drags her higher. Fear shoots through me as I helplessly watch her keep rising until she comes to a sudden halt at the top of the crane. Dangling high in the air.
Get her down! Beckett shouts through the megaphone at the same time one of the assistant directors calls the fire department.
People start shouting, scrambling to find a way to help Bonnie, who is pale as a ghost but unharmed. What if the rigging breaks? What if she falls? I force a breath before panic overwhelms me, but theres nothing I can do to help.
I swear under my breath, but Bonnies bodyguard appears, shoving his way through the gathered crew until hes directly beneath Bonnie. He wont be able to do much but slow her fall, but at least hes there.
Its the curse, someone whispers.
Theres no such thing as curses, I whisper in return, more to myself than anything. I rub my jaw and squint up at my costar, wishing I had a way to help her. I cant just stand here and wait
In my search for a way to be helpful, I find Beckett under a canopy and breathing into a paper bag.
Whoa, I say, patting him on the back. You good?
I knew it! he says. I angered some long-dead spirit by letting Bonnie touch the script, and now its attacking the movie and trying to get rid of her.
I cant decide if I prefer ghost over curse, but Im pretty sure Becketts losing it. Dude, will you calm down? Its just a technical problem. I hope its just a technical problem.
What if she falls? Beckett groans and returns to breathing into the bag. I didnt think people actually did that, but he is a pro at bag-breathing. What if she falls from the rigging and dies? Or is disfigured? Have you seen how many people are talking about Bonnie Aiken right now? This film will be ruined, and well have to shut down, and Ill never make a movie again because Ill be the guy who got Bonnie Aiken killed by an angry ghost!
His panicking is doing nothing to help the whispers circulating among the crew, but something in his spiral sparks a thought. What if someonea real someone, not a ghostis trying to shut down the movie? People in this town havent been quiet about how much they hate us being hereeven June said as much.
Leaving Beckett to his hyperventilating, I slip through the panicked staff and down the alley Bonnies dangling over, making my way to the crane that lifted her up. The two operators who are running the thing look terrified as they whisper back and forth, and neither looks confident that theyll be able to fix the problem.
Can you get her down? I ask.
Both men jump and stare at me. Oh! Mr. James. Um, were working on it as fast as we can.
Any idea what caused the malfunction? I dont know why Im asking. Im far from a mechanical whiz, and I never even drove the tractor back at home because Dad knew I wouldnt be able to fix it if something went wrong in the middle of a field. I stuck to horses, though I cant claim to be a horse whiz either.
Im not a whiz at anything. Jack of all trades, here. Some trades. A few trades. Blegh.
If it were me in that rigging and I fell, I have no idea what else I could do with my life. Assuming I survived. And thats a terrifying thought, one that makes me think I should get in touch with my agent and make sure my schedule is fully booked next year.
Well One of the operators fiddles with a switch while the other shields his eyes to look up at Bonnie, who seems fairly calm given her situation. Her assistant is shouting something to her, and she waves back at him. We think it might be a
I lift an eyebrow when he doesnt finish his sentence. A what?
We have no idea what caused it, the other man says with a sigh. But were working on it.
It must be something in the wiring, the first guy says. But it was fine an hour ago.
Get her down, I tell them and head back toward Becketts canopy. I dont have any sort of power over the crew, but the two men renew their efforts with more vigor, so Ill call that a win.
When I get back to the main commotion, no fewer than four peopleRichie includedshuffle me away from the crane and tell me to stay somewhere safe, like I might be the next victim. Its ridiculous, but a part of me shares their worry, so I move to the edge of the street to watch in concern.
Im helpless, and I hate that feeling.
I need a distraction before I start coming up with questionable plans to rescue Bonnie. No one needs me climbing up the crane to try to help her out of the harness. Not that Richie would ever let me get that far.
Dexter finds me a moment later, thankfully providing me with the distraction I need. I got that info you were wanting, Jonah!
Finally some good news! I wrap an arm around his shoulders and walk us to an awning overhanging the sidewalk so were relatively alone. Tell me everything.
Her name is June Harper, Dexter says proudly. Yeah, okay, I shouldnt have sent my assistant digging, but I couldnt help it. Moved here a couple of years ago. She used to work for a district attorney in Denver before she bought the hardware store here in Laketown from the old guy who owned it before. She hasnt dated anyone since coming here, and the only person she talks to is the author, McAllister.
June and the author arent dating, are they? What was the guys first name? Henry, according to the tabloids, but Bonnie calls him Hank.
Dexter shakes his head. Nope. McAllister never leaves his house.
Except when he and Bonnie are out on a date. During my run last night, I ran past the ice cream shop here in town and saw the two of them sitting cozy in a corner booth. There might be more truth to the Hot Scoop articles about their relationship than I originally thought. Okay, so she owns the hardware store? Thats impressive. Any idea why she left Denver?
Because the city left a bad taste in my mouth, a feminine voice says behind me.
I whirl around, tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth as I realize Ive been caught. I recover quickly, flashing her a smile even though she looks none too happy to see me. June Harper.
How did you find all that out? she asks Dexter.
Dexter turns a deep shade of red, which is impressive. Not much can stun him, but it seems June has slipped under his skin with a single question. Oh, um, well, I asked around.
Letting out a heavy sigh, June closes her eyes, like shes praying for patience. This town
I think this town is charming outside of its ghosts, I say.
She opens her eyes, brow furrowing. Ghosts?
I nod toward Bonnie. Apparently were being haunted.
Thats not a She trails off as she seems to realize what shes looking at. Is that why everyone is freaking out? Is she stuck up there?
Something went wrong with the crane, and no one can get her down.
Poor thing.
Oh! Thats not good, Dexter says. Has anyone called 911?
Maybe go check on that. I give him a narrow-eyed look that he properly interprets, nodding once before scurrying away and leaving me alone with June. Im sorry I had him look into you, I tell her, though Im not sure I mean it. You cant fault a guy for being curious.
Maybe not, but I can fault him for using small town gossip as a reliable source.
Was any of the intel wrong?
It seems to cause her a great deal of pain to admit, No.
I think its sexy that you own the store, I tell her. And now it makes sense how you can leave whenever you want. I tug at her apron.
Call me crazy, but her glare is magnetic. And its so unlike the looks I usually get that Im desperate for more of it, even if that means making her dislike me even more than she already seems to. Glutton for punishment over here.
Do you ever actually do your job? I ask her.
She rolls her eyes. Not when youre around.
Hate to break it to you, Harper, but this is twice now that youve approached me . I dont think I can carry the blame here. Im not reading too much into things, am I? If she really hated me, shed simply avoid me.
June huffs and folds her arms, shifting so shes standing shoulder to shoulder with me. She doesnt have to stand so close, but her arm is nearly touching mine. I wanted to see what the commotion was all about.
Well, now youve seen. And I wish I could do something about said commotion. Bonnie doesnt deserve to be stuck thirty feet in the air. Forty? Its high. But Im stuck as a spectator, which means theres not much I can do but study the woman next to me who seems so determined to be cold and distant but is choosing to hang around.
Right as Im about to open my mouth, someone calls out Junes name.
She turns, eyebrows lifting in surprise, and takes a few steps forward. Hank!
The author. Im not sure I like this guy.
Whats going on? he asks. Someone said Bonnie is stuck up there.
It was a malfunction, I say, matching Junes steps so were standing next to each other again. Theyre working on getting her down.
Hank narrows his eyes as he looks at me. We havent officially met, though we talked the other day, and he seems as wary of me as I am of him. Granted, hes the one who told me I had my character all wrong, so Im guessing he doesnt have a high opinion of me at the moment. In my defense, I read his entire book over the last few daysstayed up later than I should have to get to the endand am halfway through the next book because his storytelling is compelling.
Has anyone been able to talk to her? Hank asks June.
Once more, Im the one who answers because June just got here. Her assistant has been shouting at her.
Hank frowns at me and once more talks to June. That must be awful for her. June, do you still have those walkie talkies?
Oh! Good idea. Let me go grab them.
I dont want to stand here and be judged by the author, so I follow June, something she doesnt realize until I grab the open door of the hardware store as shes stepping inside.
I dont need your help, Jonah James, she says as she rounds the front desk to the other side.
Do you always call people by their full names? I ask.
She rolls her eyes as she digs in a drawer. When they are egotistical and self-important celebrities, yeah.
Huh. Tell me if you meet one of those because they sound awful.
Its a small victory, but she smiles, shaking her head as if she cant believe I broke her hard shell with that one. She pulls out a couple of walkie talkies and fiddles with the knobs and buttons. You are something else, James.
Thats what I hear. How can I help?
Her eyes jump to me, and the surprise in her expression hits me square in the chest. Or maybe its the way she is making eye contact for longer than half a second. Last night was our longest conversation so far, but most of the time she avoided looking at me. Still havent decided if that was because she liked what she saw or didnt, but Im hoping for interest rather than disgust.
I put in a lot of work to look this good, and it might wound the ego if she doesnt appreciate the effort.
Youwant to help? she asks, as if nothing in the world could be more surprising to her.
Either I made a horrible first impression, or shes generally not fond of people she doesnt know. Choosing to ignore the hurt that comes from her unspoken judgment, I nod. It may come as a shock, but I do want to make sure my costar is okay.
Oh. Right. Well, there are some batteries on the wall in that back corner. Double A. We need four of them.
On it. I remember seeing the array of batteries when I was here the first time, so it doesnt take long for me to grab a pack and bring it back to her. Though I offer the package, I pull it out of her reach when she tries to grab it. For a price.
June sighs heavily. Youre going to make me pay for my own batteries?
Yep. With a date.
Her whole expression drops, like shes so surprised that I would suggest something like that that she has no idea how to react. A date?
With me, I confirm. Lunch, specifically, unless youve already taken your break today. This time, I set the batteries in her outstretched hand but hold on to them. Its not quite holding hands, but this is closer than Ive gotten to her so far. Theres some skin-to-skin contact going on.
Wrinkles form on her brow, and her confusion is cute. Youwant to take me to lunch? At ten in the morning?
I shrug. Of course I want to take you to lunch, June Harper. And I have no idea when you take your lunch break because it seems to happen at random times. I wont have a break until later anyway, but Im willing to pivot if lunch is off the table today. Dinner, dessert, or even afternoon tea are acceptable alternatives.
She waits for so long that Im convinced shes finding a way to turn me down, but when she finally speaks, its not an answer to my request. I should get these to Hank. Her hand slips free of mine, and she opens the batteries and stuffs them into the walkie talkies. She leads the way out of the store and back down the sidewalk.
Part of me wants to keep pushing, but Im sensing a need to step back. Give her a little space to process. There are any number of reasons why she might say no, and though Im determined to give her every reason to say yes, I have never been a typical aggressive male. I get the sense June wouldnt like that even if I was.
I can be patient.
Here, Hank, June says, handing the walkie talkies to him.
Hank immediately waves Trevor, Bonnies assistant, over and gives him the other radio. Get this to Bonnie. Then he looks up at the building next to us, a determined glint in his eyes before he slips down a narrow alley and disappears.
Wheres he going? I ask.
June smiles in a way that makes me wish she was smiling at me. Its a look of pride, something I dont get often now that I dont live on my parents farm. Praise? Sure. All the time. But pride is a whole different beast. I think hes going up to the roof, she says.
Huh. Good idea. This building isnt quite as high up as Bonnie is across the street, but itll give Hank a better view of her. So are those two really dating?
Junes eyes go wide. What? Of course they are. Why would you ask something like that?
I shrug, noting the way she has gotten defensive. They say they are, but I know a publicity stunt when I see one. Granted, theyve had their moments over the last few days, but Bonnie didnt mention Hank once until after the first tabloid article dropped about the two of them. And Bonnies chatty to the extreme, so I would have heard something about the guy if they were a thing, you know?
Im rambling. Its not a common thing for me, thank goodness, but that doesnt change the fact that Im talking way too much if I want June to agree to go out with me. Tucking my hands into my pockets, I lift my shoulders in another shrug. You dont have to tell me if you know something. Im just throwing my opinion out there.
June raises an eyebrow as she studies me. Youre something else, Jonah James.
I chuckle. So youve said.
Whenuhwhen do you get a break? She blushes and drops her eyes to the sidewalk. For all the snark shes given me, I wouldnt have expected shyness, and I take a small measure of hope from her timidity. If she wasnt interested, she would say so. And why would you want to go to lunch with me ?
Oh, she might regret asking that second question, but Im going for full honesty. Depends on how quickly we can get Bonnie down, but we usually break for lunch around noon. And I want to go to lunch with you because I think youre beautiful and youre the first woman Ive met in years who makes me feel normal.
You think Im
Okay, so Ive literally left her speechless. Thats fun. Grinning, I start walking backwards. So, would you like to join me?
I
Yes or no, Harper. Easy question to answer.
Jonah
Lunch?
Okay.
Resisting the urge to fist pump, I nod to acknowledge her response and then turn and walk away before I do or say something stupid to change her mind. People are still running around, trying to get Bonnie down, but she looks much happier now that she has a walkie talkie to talk to her maybe real boyfriend.
I locate Dexter among the crew and gesture him toward me. Weve got a date to plan.