Chapter 45
45
The following morning, they arose early and dressed for the Apple Festival. Michelle parked away from Chip. She still wasn’t ready for people to put them together as she enjoyed their little secret.
With blue skies and mild temperatures, hundreds of people wandered around. Food trucks, vendors, artisans, and craftsmen lined the streets. Stores had their doors open, welcoming people to shop. Music wafted through the air from the live bands. The festive atmosphere spilled throughout town. Smiling, Michelle walked toward the church parking lot.
“Mom?”
Michelle turned to see Belynda and Nelson. “Hey!”
They hugged. “Fancy meeting you here.” Belynda cut her eyes toward the movie crew. “I wonder what brought you out so early.” She flashed a Cheshire Cat’s grin.
“I was asked to come down here today. I didn’t expect it would be with the rising sun.” Michelle gave her a patronizing look.
“He’s walked out of one of the trailers over there.” Belynda tilted her head in the direction where the movie trailers were located.
“I need to find Cassidy. She’s the girl who helped me when I went to Boone.”
“Have fun. We’re going to find candied apples.”
Michelle waved as she looked for Cassidy in the parking lot. When their eyes met, Cassidy motioned her over.
“Good morning, Michelle. I was told you’d be joining us this morning.”
“Good morning. I’ll stay out of the way.”
“Not yet. You’re going to be in the crowd this morning.”
“What? No.”
“Per Mr. Mason’s request.” Cassidy grinned. “Walk with me. I need to show you where we want you.”
Michelle’s hand landed on her stomach, trying to calm herself. “He didn’t tell me.”
“I think he wanted it to be a surprise.”
“He succeeded.”
Cassidy led Michelle through the crowd, showing her what to do when cued. Who would see her among all the people gathered? Michelle could walk up the street, no big deal.
Once everything was ready to go, Michelle and Cassidy stood at the corner of Church Street where Michelle would begin her stroll. Cassidy tapped her shoulder, and Michelle walked, looking at the exhibits along the street. She didn’t see the man heading toward her. Keith bumped into her, catching her before she fell.
“Excuse me,” he said as he looked into her eyes. Their gaze held for a moment before he looked past her as Diane came into view. “Sorry again,” he mumbled as he touched the brim of his hat and set her steadily on her feet.
Before she knew what had happened, he’d moved on. She turned to watch him, then continued on her way. By the time she made it back to the church, Cassidy was waiting for her.
“That was perfect. The surprise on your face . . . well, it was just . . . perfect.”
Michelle rubbed her shoulder. “I didn’t know he was going to do that.”
“He added it this morning.”
“What?”
“That scene wasn’t in the original script. He added it.” Cassidy raised her eyebrows. “Adamantly, if I’m not mistaken.”
“He never told me.”
“Again, part of the surprise. Plus, if he would’ve told you, the authenticity of the scene wouldn’t have been there.”
“You know better than I about these things.”
“His trailer is the last one.” Cassidy pointed to the one in the back. “He asked for you to wait for him there. They should be done with this scene soon.”
“Thank you.”
Michelle walked to Keith’s trailer and waited in luxury that she never expected in a trailer. Plush furniture with a built-in microwave and coffee maker, a full bathroom, and a bedroom housing a king-sized bed. She sat on the sofa, surfing the internet.
Keith walked up to Michael. “How did it look?”
“Sit down, and I’ll show you.”
Keith watched as Michael showed him the scene with Michelle. “If anyone knew who she was to you, they’d see it on both of your faces. Hell, I see it, and I’ve hardly been around you. Having said that, it’s perfect. The audience will see that you only have eyes for Diane’s character.”
The smile on Keith’s face broadened. “She looks great, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, she’s nice, Keith.”
“Thanks, man.” He stood and slapped Michael on the back before heading to his trailer, where Cassidy said Michelle was waiting for him.
He reached for the door handle when Diane’s voice called. “Keith!” He turned to see Diane and Steve approaching.
“Good scene today,” Keith kissed her cheek and shook her husband’s hand. “Glad you’re finally on set, Steve. I know Diane is happy you’re here.”
“She tells me the lady in the scene today is special to you.”
“She is. I’d love for y’all to meet her. Steve, you may be of help to her.” Keith rubbed the side of his eye. “She... uh... she’s not sure...”
“Of the love scenes?” Steve asked.
“Yeah.” Keith looked at Steve. “You seem to handle them well. Would you be willing to give her some pointers?”
“Be glad to, but meeting Diane will help her more than anything.”
“Then let’s step inside.”
Michelle was sitting on the sofa when he opened the door. She smiled. “You tricked me.”
“How’s my movie star doing?” He grinned.
“I’m trying to decide if I’m angry with you.”
“Don’t be. It was something I wanted to do, and it looks great on film.”
“That was sneaky.”
“It was. I admit.” He kissed her cheek. “Still glad I did it though.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.” She laughed.
“There are some people I’d like you to meet.”
“Really?”
Keith stepped away from the door so Diane and Steve could enter. “Michelle Conroy, I’d like you to meet Diane and Steve Gardner.”
Michelle swallowed as she reached out her hand. “P-Pleased to meet you.”
“I assume you’re the lady that’s kept Keith in a tizzy.” Diane grinned.
“A tizzy? I don’t know about that,” Michelle laughed.
“She’s definitely kept me on my toes.” Keith held her hand. “Why don’t we sit down?”
“Keith tells us that you’re new to the movie scene,” Steve said.
“This is definitely new to me.”
“Diane told me about the day you joined them on set. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Sometimes it helps to have a person who has been in your shoes. I remember the first time I was on set with Diane. It was hard to watch her kiss another man.” Steve chuckled. “I wanted to hit someone, namely the actor.”
Michelle bowed her head as a guilty smile threatened to form. “I can understand that.”
“The best piece of advice I can give you, Michelle, is to meet the actress that Keith will be starring with. Go with him to wardrobe so you see what he’s wearing under the covers.” Steve glanced at Keith. “Show her the difference between an on-screen kiss and a real one.”
“Good point. I’ve given her plenty of kisses from me, the man. I haven’t thought about giving her a stage kiss.”
“Run a scene with him. That might help too.”
“Not for me. Then all I’ll see is Michelle and that won’t help matters.” Keith winked at her.
Diane looked at Michelle. “As much as I adore Keith as a friend and costar, I have no romantic feelings for him. Steve is the only man that owns my heart. I do feel comfortable working with Keith. We’ve starred in a few movies together, so we’ve learned what each other needs to make the scene work.” She looked at Steve. “It’s rare that Steve isn’t on set when we do love scenes, but that one was thrown in that morning. I know that Keith respects me and will have my back when my husband can’t be there. Some stars don’t care about their costars, and depending on who the costar is determines how much I use a body double. Knowing Keith was my costar for this movie, I agreed to show my chest. I knew he’d keep it professional. I knew he’d find my robe for me as soon as the scene was over if Steve wasn’t there. He’s a gentleman on set. If we can pull off a scene where people think we’re in love on screen, then I think we’ve done an excellent job. Don’t you?”
Michelle smiled. “Keith basically said the same thing.”
“I promise you, Michelle, it’s all mechanical with two dozen people watching and cameras in our faces. Romance is the furthest thing from our minds.”
“Thank you both. This helps me so much, but I don’t think I’ll completely relax until he’s behind the camera instead of in front of it.”
“That may come sooner than you think, honey.” Keith squeezed her hand.
“Is that a scoop, Keith? Don’t let the ears outside hear.” Diane grinned.
Keith shrugged. “Life is full of surprises. You never know what’s around the corner.”
“Let us get out of your hair. I know you want to spend some time together before we leave.” Diane reached out her hand. “It was a pleasure to meet the woman who’s stolen his heart.”
Michelle blushed. “The pleasure is all mine.” She shook Diane’s hand, then Steve’s.
“Good luck. Keith knows how to get in touch with me if there’s anything else I can help you with.”
“Thank you, Steve.”
Keith locked the door as soon as it closed. “When I saw Steve on set today, I thought meeting them may help us.”
“You mean help me.”
“No, us. What affects you affects me. If we’re going to give this thing a legitimate shot, then we gotta be a team.”
“You’re right.”
“So, what do you think about what they said?”
“Steve makes a lot of sense, and Diane put my mind at ease with this movie. But she won’t necessarily be your next costar.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Keith pulled her in for a hug, and she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Helping me... my insecurities. Who would have thought at fifty I’d have insecurities?”
“Only because you’ve been thrust into a situation you’ve never been in before. It’s natural.”
“Are you finished, or do you have more to do?
Keith’s face sobered as he laced his fingers at the small of her back. “We’re heading back to Boone now. We’ll finish up there in a few days, and then I’m scheduled to do a few promo sound bites in LA. I should be done in time to fly back out for Thanksgiving if that still works for you.”
Her chin quivered. She hadn’t expected those words to come out of his mouth. She swallowed. “Of course, that still works. I just can’t believe you’re leaving so quickly.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” He hugged her. “Do you want to get lunch before we leave?”
“Do you have time?”
“I can make time.”
“If you have a schedule to keep, you need to do that. The sooner you get your stuff done, the sooner you can get back to me.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’re making it too easy for me to fall in love with you.”
“That road seems to be running both ways.”
“Good to know.”
They walked out hand-in-hand, and a few heads turned. Michelle smiled before looking down while Keith stared at them all, causing most to walk away. She stopped beside the trailer and looked at Keith. “You know how I feel about unwanted attention, so I think it’s best if you don’t walk me to my car.”
“So, you’re still embarrassed to be seen with me?”
“No, but I like our relationship private right now. Please understand. I’m getting there, and speaking with Diane and Steve really helped, but your lifestyle is so different than mine.”
“Only because your fans don’t know your real name.”
“And that’s why I did it.”
Keith grinned. “Smart move. I knew you were good for more than just arm candy.”
Michelle burst out laughing. “I don’t think I’ve been called that in my life.”
“Good to know there are some things that are new to you.”
Michelle held out her hand. “All of this is new to me. You’re showing me a different side of life.”
“Keith!” Chip called from across the parking lot.
“Looks like it’s time to go.” Keith lifted his chin in acknowledgment.
“Be careful.”
“We’ll talk.”
Michelle waved as she walked toward the crowd still gathered on the street. Tears stung her eyes, knowing she wouldn’t see Keith again for a while, and they didn’t get a proper goodbye. With him going to California, this would be their first real test. Will he change his mind once he’s back to his real life?