Chapter 14
Hollywood, California
A dozen people stood behind and beside the camera as Spencer and I waited for the scene to begin. We’d already run it twice, but Papa wanted one more take. It was exhausting work, but we were almost done.
“I still think Laurie should be successful in getting the kiss in this scene,” Spencer said as he leaned against a tree and ran his finger over a piece of grass he’d plucked from a nearby clump.
I fanned myself and moved closer to the tree to stand in the shade. I was wearing a hoop skirt, layers of petticoats, and a long-sleeved gown. My wig made my scalp itch, and the bonnet on top only added to the weight on my head.
“I’m going to ignore your comment,” I said, watching as the sound technicians adjusted the microphones that had been set up near the bridge where Spencer and I would pause in the scene.
His character was playfully chasing mine through the woods on the way home from downtown Concord, where Jo had just received the good news that she would officially become a published author.
After she bumped into Laurie, she revealed her secret about the publication, and he told her that his tutor, Mr. Brooke, had kept Meg’s glove after discovering it at a ball.
It made Jo upset, and Laurie teased her that she wanted a beau.
When he tried to put his arm around her to kiss her, she pushed him off a rock and ran away.
He playfully chased her back to Orchard House.
Something tickled my cheek, and I lifted my hand as I turned. Spencer smiled as he brushed the grass over my skin. “We can still practice it, you know.”
I playfully swatted at the blade of grass. “You’re incorrigible.”
His gaze didn’t look like he was teasing. “I know what I want.”
I rolled my eyes and turned away from him again, my pulse thrumming from the look in his eyes. “Everyone knows what you want, Spencer.”
“They all know I want you?”
I shook my head as I turned farther, trying to steady my breath.
He pushed away from the tree. “Is this one of those times you’re not taking me seriously, Ally?”
My heart beat hard as I continued to watch the sound technicians work, but I didn’t answer him.
The grass touched my cheek again.
I struggled to breathe. “Please stop, Spencer.”
“Why?” He moved closer to me. “I think you want to believe I’m not being serious because it’s easier than risking your heart.”
“There you are!” Vicky approached, sweat beading on her forehead as she trudged up the little incline to where we were standing. She hadn’t been needed in this scene and had stayed at the studio.
Spencer put a little distance between us.
“What brings you here?” I asked, thankful for the distraction.
“Mama realized that Papa forgot his reading glasses, and she asked me to bring them to him.” She looked between me and Spencer, a slight frown on her face.
Neither Spencer nor I spoke as an awkward silence suggested Vicky had caught us doing something wrong.
“I also wanted to ask Spencer something,” Vicky said. “There is a charity event at the Beverly Hills Hotel tonight, and I suddenly have an extra ticket. I am wondering if you would like to go with me.”
Spencer glanced at me. “I was going to take Ally out somewhere special.”
I frowned since he hadn’t mentioned anything to me.
“I didn’t have a chance to tell you,” he explained quickly and then offered Vicky an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh. Of course.” Vicky looked down at her hands, clearly embarrassed by his rejection.
Curious park visitors appeared on the path leading to the bridge where we were shooting the scene. There were several young ladies in cloche caps and men wearing fedoras. Cal noticed and walked over to them, though we were too far away to hear what he was saying.
One of the young ladies pulled out a Brownie camera and turned it toward us. “Spencer Hayes!” she yelled, waving her free hand to get his attention. “Come this way, please.”
Spencer sighed but put a smile on his face. “If I’m getting my picture taken, you two are coming with me.”
Vicky shook her head. “I don’t think she wants me—”
“She wants you, too,” he said with a smile, extending his elbows to each of us.
Cal lifted his hands to try to calm the girl.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“I like being seen with you.” He grinned and then said, almost as an afterthought, “Both of you.”
We walked down the incline and approached the group of young people.
The girl with the camera jumped up and down with excitement. “We heard a movie was being filmed back here, but we had no idea Spencer Hayes and Ally Bennett would be here. May I take your picture?”
“Of course.” Spencer smiled.
“Just you two,” the girl said, waving Vicky aside. “The movie stars.”
Vicky’s lips parted, and embarrassment colored her cheeks as she began to pull away from Spencer.
“Don’t you know who she is?” I asked, frowning. “Victoria Bennett has been in dozens of movies. She was famous long before Spencer or me.”
The girl turned to Vicky, her cheeks pink. “I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you, Miss Bennett.”
Vicky smiled stoically, though I saw how much the girl’s words hurt her. My heart broke for my sister. She was beautiful, talented, and hardworking, but I knew she struggled to believe it because she wasn’t a popular actress.
“Don’t worry,” Vicky said as she stepped away. “I’m nowhere near as famous as my little sister or her boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” the girl asked on a cry. “Spencer Hayes and Ally Bennett are a couple?”
Her friends broke free of Cal and approached, all of them squealing with delight.
“Is he really your boyfriend?” one girl asked me.
Vicky walked away, her chin held high.
“Pardon me,” I said to the girl as I broke from the group. “Vicky,” I called. “Wait.”
She finally stopped but didn’t turn to me.
“Vicky,” I said again, putting my hand on her arm.
“What do you want?” she asked. “To gloat over your success?”
I pulled back, frowning. “No. I wanted to apologize.”
“For what? Being better at everything? Don’t bother, Ally. It doesn’t become you to patronize me.”
“Patronize?” I pulled back farther, anger building. “I was feeling sorry for you.”
It was the wrong thing to say.
She reared back, her face turning red. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me.” Her voice rose to a pitch that made everyone turn to look at us.
“Calm down, Vicky.” I lowered my voice, hoping she’d match my cadence. “There’s no need to make a scene.”
“Why not?” Her voice was still louder than it should be.
“Are you afraid people will realize your life isn’t picture-perfect?
What do you have to worry about? You have the fame, the beauty, the man, and the close-knit little family.
Maybe it’s time the world realizes your life isn’t spotless, Ally Bennett.
I know where Spencer has taken you, and it’s not only illegal, but also immoral. ”
“It’s time to leave,” Spencer said to Vicky as he approached. “We shouldn’t air out our dirty laundry in public.”
“Of course we shouldn’t,” Vicky said. “Should we go to a speakeasy instead, Spencer, or a gambling ship? Would that be better? We can have a little more privacy there, can’t we? Just like you have with Ally.”
“Vicky.” Papa approached, his jaw tight. “That’s enough. You’re making a scene.”
Vicky let out a breath, then turned and walked away, wiping at her cheeks as she went.
“The viewing party is over,” Cal said to the group of young people. “We need to finish our work.”
“But I didn’t get my picture,” the girl said.
“Sorry. Perhaps another time.”
I turned to Spencer, an apology in my eyes.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I don’t have any siblings, but if I did, I’m sure we wouldn’t get along.”
Despite the seriousness of the moment, I couldn’t help but smile. “Why are you so sure?”
“Because I’m impossible to get along with, of course.” He motioned for me to follow. “Come on, we still have time to practice that kissing scene.”
I groaned as he laughed and put his arm around my shoulder and led me to the bridge where the cameramen were waiting.
By the time I stepped out of the dressing room, I was tired but strangely excited—and a little leery—about where Spencer might be taking me.
I exited the building with Mama, Julia, Grace, Vicky, and the younger girls and found Spencer waiting just outside, leaning against his Rolls-Royce, a big grin on his face. “Are you ready, Ally?”
Annette and Lydia giggled and squealed with delight, approaching Spencer with dozens of questions about where he planned to take me. He laughed and answered their questions evasively.
Vicky didn’t pause like the rest of us and instead walked past Spencer toward our family automobile.
His gaze followed her, but then he turned back to me, his smile not wavering. “Ready?”
“Do you mind if I go with Spencer?” I asked Mama, knowing she had plans to take everyone back to the house for a late supper.
“Of course not. You’ll join us at home, won’t you, Spencer? I’m making supper,” Mama said.
Spencer straightened and nodded. “I’ll get Ally home a little later and stop in to say hello, but I have something special planned for us this evening. Don’t wait on us for supper. I’ll make sure she’s fed.”
“Oh?” Mama asked. “May I inquire what you plan to do?”
He looked a little sheepish as he said, “I’d rather keep it a surprise, if you don’t mind. I can assure you I’ll keep her safe.”
“I have no doubt.” She gave me a quick hug and said, “Have fun, Ally. Don’t stay out too late. Papa has plans for an early start tomorrow, and it will be another long day.”
I yawned just thinking about it and met Spencer at his car. He opened the passenger door with a big smile and closed it behind me after I was inside.
When he got in, I put my hand on his arm before he could start the engine. “Are you taking me somewhere illegal? I need to know right now to save us both the time.”
He laughed. “Where we are going is perfectly legal, I promise. You’re going to love it.”
“That’s what you said about the gambling boat.”