Chapter 20 #2
“Well, I look forward to working with you then, Karla. And next time, I bet you’ll be playing the lead instead.”
“Oh my gosh,” Karla said, “I sure hope so. I’d give anything for that.”
Ellie grinned. “I remember the feeling.” She didn’t bother saying that one day, Karla might do a one-eighty. That one day, she may be willing to do anything to get out of the business instead.
“And this is my boyfriend, Nash,” Ellie said, turning to Nash with a grin.
Karla waved as Nash pinched the brim of his hat.
“Hi there,” he said.
“Hi. I saw all the articles about you two this morning. That’s cool that he got to come on set with you.”
Ellie grinned. “I think so too. Well, good luck on the set today. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Perfect. Oh, and did they tell you we’re starting with the pasture scene?” Karla asked. “They brought in an exterminator. He kicked everyone out of the farmhouse. I guess they’ve been seeing a lot of mice and whatnot.” She shivered.
“Ick,” Ellie said. “Well, I’m glad they’re taking care of it.”
“Me too, although, I’m sure Melody has seen her fair share of them, having grown up like she did.” The comment made Ellie wish she could give the role to Karla. It was obvious she’d taken time to get into the character on the off-chance Ellie didn’t show.
“That’s a good point,” Ellie said.
Karla grinned and waved again, this time rather awkwardly. “Well, bye.”
“Bye, hon.” Ellie watched the young woman nearly skip off toward the pasture.
“What a sweetheart,” she said.
“Too bad you can’t hand the role over to her and come home with me.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Meeting Karla had been a welcome distraction, and so had the image of Nash suited up for baseball. Yet the mere sight of her trailer had Ellie recalling the flowers she hoped she wouldn’t see.
Just as they were about to enter her trailer, Geneva rushed up to them with wide eyes. "Have you seen your dad anywhere?"
Something cold and prickly poked at her mind. "No, not yet."
"Have you heard from him at all?" she prodded.
Ellie shook her head, trying to recall the last time she’d spoken to him.
"I actually haven't talked to him since the Zoom call.
" Ellie stifled the irrational level of fear that threatened to rise within her.
Dad was just giving her distance. Sure, that was typically a difficult thing for him to do, unless…
oh no, she didn't even want to finish that thought. Dread crawled through her as she replayed Dad’s unhealthy patterns.
The fact was, Johnny Blaire only went silent when he was getting himself into trouble.
A look passed between Ellie and Geneva, and suddenly, Ellie wished she could have a moment alone with her.
Perhaps it was time to tell her about the conversation she’d had with him the day she arrived at the ranch.
"Hey," she said. "Why don't you meet me in wardrobe in a few minutes.
I have a couple of questions about the set. "
Geneva gave Ellie a knowing look. Questions about the set did not fall under her management, but hopefully, Nash didn't know that.
"Sure, sounds good." Geneva nodded to Ellie before reaching out and tugging the brim of Nash’s cowboy hat. "See you later, handsome."
Dad has gotten himself into trouble.
That phrase cycled through Ellie's mind again and again. She recalled the way he’d rocked restlessly in the backseat of the car while telling her about the dark path he’d been treading.
She pulled open her trailer door and scanned the area quickly, knowing that if the flowers had been delivered, they’d be close to the vanity.
A wave of relief washed over her as she came up empty.
No flowers, thank heavens. There were, however, lined up along the cocktail bar, an array of greetings by way of welcome baskets and cellophane-wrapped gifts from diverse groups who were in the know.
It was often she'd have a welcome gift from the city Mayor, welcoming her to their town with sentiments like, ‘we hope you will enjoy our fine city. It’s an honor to have you here.’
The producer, of course, always provided the most personalized selection, having kept track of Ellie’s preference where snacks and drinks were concerned.
Still slightly disturbed by the worry she’d seen on Geneva’s face, Ellie pulled Nash toward the easy-to-spot basket from the producers.
"Do you recognize anything in here?" she asked.
Nash pulled a face of disgust. “Ew, looks like they know you have gross taste when it comes to jerky. If I were you, I'd have let that one remain a secret.”
Ellie laughed, though she sensed that Nash's teasing seemed forced. He’d definitely noticed Geneva's reaction, too.
"Hey,” he said, “if you want to try and reach out to your dad, I’ll give you a minute. I mean, I’m leaving anyway."
Ellie nodded. “Why don’t I just text him.
He’s usually quick to respond.” She shook her head as she imagined where he might be.
“I bet he’s chatting up one of the actresses on set.
Lela King is playing the part of Melody’s deadbeat mom, so he's probably in her trailer.
" Ellie retrieved her phone and typed up a quick text to Dad.
Ellie: Where are you?
A tap sounded on the trailer door, and Bronson's voice came from the other side. "Special delivery."
Nash cracked open the door, and Ellie prepared herself. It’s fine if it’s the roses. They don’t mean anything.
Only as Bronson came into view, an arrangement of flowers in hand, Ellie was relieved to see they weren’t roses at all.
"Here," Nash said, "I'll take those. And just give me a minute while I switch out the card." He chuckled. "I thought you were supposed to give flowers at the end of a performance," he added sheepishly.
Ellie pointed to an empty spot on the cocktail bar.
“Go ahead and set them right there, thanks.” She tugged the envelope from the prongs, nearly certain the card within would be different.
But even if it wasn't, even if the card had that same lone image of a dark wolf, Ellie assured herself she would not panic.
Wolf was merely an investor, which was why he was interested in her career.
Still, the second she spotted the handwritten note on the card, Ellie sighed once more with relief. Looking forward to working with you again. Signed, your lovesick cowboy, Trigger.
Ellie caught sight of Nash as he raised one fist and pounded it into his cupped palm. "Heaven help me,” he groaned. “Just what kind of torture did I sign up for?"
Ellie grinned, glad that the mood had seemed to shift.
But then she glanced down at her phone, half-expecting to see her dad's reply, quickly disheartened when it wasn’t there.
She considered the cycle he'd repeated so many times before.
A similar question ran through her mind as she wondered about her father's whereabouts.
Just what kind of trouble had he signed up for?
In an ominous answer to her question, a deafening explosion blasted through the air. The ground rumbled, causing the trailer walls to tremble and shake.
Nash caught the arrangement, barely keeping it from falling off the bar and crashing to the floor.
Ellie locked her eyes on him, her chest and throat tightening with panic.
Her question came out at the same time his did.
“What was that?”
Bronson flung open the door. “Hurry,” he hollered, “you two come with me.”
They were quick to obey, rushing from the trailer and onto the open field where black smoke billowed from the farmhouse.
Or from what was left of the farmhouse. Heart thrumming wildly out of beat, panic building with every breath, Ellie clung onto Nash’s hand as he ushered her to the parking area, sheltering her with his body as they moved.
Actors, set staff, and members of the filming crew scrambled as a police officer barked orders to clear the set.
“Glad I didn’t park where they wanted me to park,” Bronson said as he approached the car. “We’d be stuck behind everyone else trying to flee this place.”
Speaking of everyone else… “I wonder where my dad is,” Ellie said, half-tempted to go back and look for him. She glanced over her shoulder, stunned by the sight of towering flames, pluming smoke, and rising ash from one side of the house.
“They evacuated the farmhouse,” Nash reminded her as he flung open the back door. “I’m sure he’s safe. Get in, and you can call him.”
Bronson had already climbed in behind the wheel and started up the car.
Ellie hurried inside and scooted over for Nash to climb in, too. “Come in this way,” she urged while tapping her phone to call her dad. She pressed on the speaker in time to hear it go straight to voicemail.
She called Geneva next.
“Where are you?” Geneva asked through panting breaths.
“Nash and I are in the car with Bronson. Where are you? And do you see my dad anywhere?”
“Still no sign of your dad,” Geneva said. “But I’m sure he’s fine, hon. I’m with officers right now. They’re escorting us to our vehicles. “
Ellie nodded, relieved that Geneva was all right, while still worried about her dad.
Just then, a beep sounded, indicating Ellie was getting another call.
“Hey,” she said, “this might be him. It’s an unknown number, so maybe he lost his phone.”
“Get it and let me know,” Geneva said.
Ellie wasted no time switching the line. “Hello?” she said frantically.
“Hello, Ellie,” came a rather calm voice. “This is Wolf.”