Chapter 27
27
Michelle had barely enough time to relieve her bladder and brush her hair before her phone rang. When she answered it, Keith was sitting in a rocking chair on a porch. The sunset reflected in the window behind him, and stained logs outlined this head.
“Don’t you look comfortable.”
“It’s beautiful here. I love the sunset at my ranch and even my house in California, but this is right up there.”
“It is special, isn’t it?”
“The best part is knowing that you’re sharing it with me.”
She smiled. “Are you always this sentimental? I would have never imagined you this way.”
“What way?”
“Making me feel special, like I’m the only woman on earth who has your attention.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You are the only one who has my attention. In fact, if someone had told me three months ago that I’d meet a woman who would intrigue me the way you have, I would’ve told them they were full of shiii... off their rocker.”
“I appreciate your being a gentleman, but my ears aren’t that sensitive. They’ve heard worse, and sometimes out of my own mouth.” She grinned.
“I don’t believe you. I don’t think you’ve ever said a foul word in your life.”
She burst out laughing. “That comment alone reminds me just how long we’ve known each other. You’d be surprised.”
His beautiful smile and dancing eyes were all she could see on the screen. The sunset that was so captivating moments earlier couldn’t compete with his face. She gazed into his eyes, longing to know what secrets they held.
“You’ve got a funny look on your face,” he said as his smile faded.
“Just admiring the view.”
“There’s no way that your view comes close to mine.”
“You do realize that we sound like a couple of silly teenagers waxing poetic.”
“I never thought I could experience that again, but since I met you...” He shrugged.
Michelle blushed to the point that her ears felt hot. She cleared her throat. “How were your meetings today?”
“I met my costar. She’s someone I’ve worked with before, so that’ll make things simpler. She’s a solid actress. We have good on-screen chemistry, so that’ll make some of the scenes easier.”
“Some of the scenes? You mean the love scenes?”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, but it isn’t like how it appears on the movie screen. I promise.”
“I’m sure it isn’t.” Why did that bother her so much? Why was he reassuring her? She dared not get her hopes up.
“Do you think you could drive up here one day? I’d love for you to watch us film some scenes. Not those scenes, mind you, but some of the others.”
“I should be able to make that work. Give me a few dates to choose from.”
“I can do that.” He flipped through a few pieces of stapled papers. “We found out that we’ll be hitting another location that wasn’t previously on the list.”
“Oh, where?”
“Waynesville.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Apparently, they have a festival in the next few weeks that the director wants to use. We’ll be filming some scenes there.”
“That’s exciting. The Apple Festival is very popular.”
“I’m assuming you’ll be there.”
“I haven’t been in a couple years, but I think I can make it.”
“Great.”
“When do y’all actually start filming?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Are you ready? Got your lines memorized?”
“I started reading the script a few weeks ago, so I’m familiar. I’ll work on the exact delivery of the lines when we hang up.”
“Do I need to let you go?”
“Not yet.”
“What scene are you shooting?”
“When I meet Robin, the lead female character, for the first time. I’m answering an ad for a ranch foreman.”
“You’re going to love this role.”
“We’ll see.”
“What do you mean?”
“The title of the movie is Saved by Love , Michelle. And that title has my head all over the place. Not only the movie and the character but because it could very well be referring to my life.”
Michelle gasped. “Keith . . .”
“No, wait, Michelle. I didn’t mean... what I meant to say was... shit.” He sighed. “I’m not rushing this, whatever is forming between us, but I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together, and I definitely want to see where this leads.”
She closed her eyes. “Me too,” she whispered. When she opened her eyes, they pleaded for understanding. “One day at a time, please.”
“I can do that . . . for now.”
“Fair enough.”
Keith looked out over the valley in front of him, then turned back toward the phone. “I need to ask you something and please be honest with me.”
“That doesn’t sound good. What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? Nothing is really wrong , but there is something I need to know.”
“Sure.”
“Chip told me that when he went to pay for breakfast, you told him it was taken care of. What did you mean? Please tell me that sweet Ms. Carol didn’t comp us breakfast.”
A demure smile pulled at Michelle’s lips. “No, she didn’t. I wouldn’t have let her do that.”
“Then how?” His eyes widened when she placed her fingers over her lips and realization dawned on him. “You? You paid for breakfast?”
“Would it be so bad if I did?” Her smile faded.
Keith rubbed his jaw, then walked toward the porch railing, not looking into the screen of his phone, so he wasn’t seeing her. “Bad? I... I don’t know, Michelle. I’ve never had someone buy me a meal when it had nothing to do with business. I’m not used to that.” He finally gazed at her. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
“Again, why?”
She exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “It’s a long story.”
“I have all night.”
“No, you don’t. You’ve got to work.”
“I need to know, Michelle. I seem to be on shifting ground with you. I need to find my footing, so help me understand.”
“I see.” She stood and walked onto her deck. “If I tell you that it was a growing moment for me, will you let it drop?”
“I’d prefer the story behind the growing moment.”
“This will be hard for me.”
“Try, please.”
For the next several minutes, Michelle explained her terrible dates to Keith, from the mortification of the first date to the boomerang effect of the last one with Gene. She finished by saying, “So, for me to do this and feel secure in the action was a huge step for me. Can you see that?”
“I can. Thank you for explaining.” He contemplatively pinched his lower lip. “Having said that, you can surprise me for my birthday, but when we’re together, it’s my treat, my honor to take you to dinner or whatever else we’re doing.” He grinned. “I won’t let you rob me of my masculinity.”
“Never.” She laughed.
“With that settled, have you told your children that we’ve met?”
“I haven’t seen them. I’ll tell them when it’s right, and I feel comfortable with where this is going.” She smiled. “Have you?”
“Like you, I haven’t talked to them since I’ve been here. I’ll call them this week.”
“I feel I must warn you... Adam, my oldest, isn’t keen on my dating, much less my getting serious about someone. When the time comes, he’ll be your hardest won ally.”
“I see.” He stroked and massaged his forehead. “Sam will be yours. He’s the youngest and a mama’s boy. He hasn’t accepted the fact that we’re divorced with zero chance of reconciliation.”
“How old is he?”
“Eighteen. He just started Southern Cal.”
“Hopefully, we can be friends then.”
“Friends.” Keith let the word sit on his tongue. “I hope you’re referring to you and Sam and not you and me.”
Michelle flashed a mischievous grin. “I thought you and I had already decided to be friends. I was referring to Sam and Kevin. I’ll never try to replace their mother.”
“We are friends... with the chance of more.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’m not going to push my luck, so I’ll end this conversation on that affirmation.”
She chuckled. “Plus, you have to work, and look, the sun has completely set.”
“When I get the shooting schedule, I’ll text you some dates for you to choose from.”
“Perfect. Good night, Keith.”
“G’night, Michelle.”
She hit the video button, and the call disconnected.