The Last Goodbye (The Women of Independence) (8 page)

“You can’t park there,” he said as she
approached, his gaze darting back and forth between her and her truck. He
shoved his sunglasses up on top of his head.

He had the oddest eyes she’d ever seen.
Pale green, the colour reminded her of Gran’s treasured celadon vase, purchased
many years ago in Hong Kong. He blinked as she walked up to him, and then looked
down at his clipboard, clearly nonplussed.

“Hello, Kevin,” she said. “I’m Danielle
Flynn, and I live here at Green Lake Ranch.” She stuck out her hand.

“You know me?” He moved the clipboard to
his left hand and shook.

She gestured to his shirt. “Your name
tag.”

He patted it self-consciously. “Oh,
yeah.”

“So.” She looked around. They were half
a mile away from the first of the modular buildings that had been brought in.
“You’re keeping out the riff raff, are you?”

He flushed. “So far, you’re the first,
but the talent arrived today.” His eyes widened. “Miss Thomas in particular
doesn’t want to be bothered.”

Danielle grinned. “Thanks for the
warning; I’ll try to keep out of her way. It’s been nice to meet you, Kevin.”
She went back to her truck.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you, too.” His eyes
narrowed as her vehicle rumbled over the cattle guard and she drove off. Who
did she think she was, talking to him like he wasn’t important? She had no idea
what he could do, and yet she’d dismissed him as though he were nothing more
than a paid labourer. Stuck up, privileged rich girl, that’s what she was.
Pretending to be a contractor, no less. More like a paper pusher... one of
those people who crossed their Ts and dotted their Is, but had no idea what it
was all
really
about.

He looked around, aware that he’d been
glaring at her vehicle. Wouldn’t do to have someone notice him for the wrong
reason. No, it wouldn’t do at all.

Danielle slowed as she reached the
cluster of temporary buildings. A generator hummed in the background, supplying
power. She had no idea why they needed all these buildings, and found that she
didn’t really care. Her only concern was Grayson, and he was nowhere to be
seen.

She swallowed her disappointment and drove
on toward the ranch house, replaying her short conversation with Allie. Her
friend was probably right. A few days of happiness where she allowed herself to
forget the past might be just what she needed. She recalled the look on
Carmen’s face, coming out of Jake’s bedroom this morning, and knew that given
half a chance, Grayson could put the same expression on her face. Just one kiss
had ignited sparks between them. She didn’t want to be disloyal to Jason’s
memory, but she’d been young when they were together. By comparison, Grayson
was an experienced man and there was no doubt that what she’d felt with him
could turn into something memorable. She pulled up behind the house and sat in
her vehicle, permitting herself the brief fantasy of what it would be like to
make love with Grayson. Explosive, wonderful, satisfying were words that came
to mind. That was a given, but could she survive the aftermath? Because he
would
say goodbye. She had no illusions about that. And yet, if she didn’t take this
opportunity, would she always regret it? Would she always wonder what might
have been?

“Now you’re being ridiculous,”
she said aloud.
Grayson was going to be so busy from now on, she’d probably have to make an
appointment to see him. She climbed out of the truck and went in through the
kitchen.

Esperanza was slicing tomatoes when she
entered. She looked up, gave Danielle an affectionate smile, and continued to
work.

“Those chickens smell wonderful.”
Danielle lingered by the chopping board as the housekeeper reached for the
other salad ingredients. “Do you need any help?”

“No, thank you.” Danielle watched for a
few moments. Esperanza was attacking the celery as though it had offended her.

“Is something wrong?” As far as Danielle
knew, the house full of people, plus those in the cabins was more than Esperanza
had ever fed, but she seemed to be thriving on the challenge. There was
something else going on.

“No,
Mija
. I’m fine.” In contrast
to her words, she slammed the knife on the butcher block. “Okay, I lie.” Her
accent thickened and her English slipped as it always did when she was upset.
“That woman, she treat me like a servant.”

Danielle’s eyes widened. “Not Carmen!”

“No.” Her features softened for a
moment. “I like her.” She gestured to the south, in the direction of the
cabins. “That actress.” She glanced at the list of names taped on the corkboard
in her little office area and tapped it with a stubby finger. “
Senorita
Thomas. She was demanding that I bring her some bottled water before she even
go to her cabin.” The housekeeper was almost quivering with outrage. “Enrique
stocked the refrigerators several days ago.”

Danielle thought back to what the
green-eyed security fellow had said. “There’s a security guard at the cattle
guard gate who didn’t seem to like her very much either.” She frowned. “She’d better
not expect room service.”

Esperanza grinned. “
Senor
Sean
walked her up to her cabin. I heard him talking to her. I don’t think she’ll be
bothering me again.” She pushed her shoulders back and, as usual, the Spanish
accent faded away as she recovered her composure.

Danielle nodded thoughtfully. “Shall I
say something to Uncle Jake?”

“No.” Her tone gentled. “I think he has
his hands full at the moment.”

Danielle wondered how much Esperanza
knew about Jake and Carmen. Probably everything. “Is anyone around? I can’t
believe it, but I have nothing I need to do between now and dinner.”

“
Senorita
Carmen is on the
verandah.” Esperanza made a shooing motion. “Go talk to her.”

Danielle wasn’t sure if she wanted to
face Carmen so soon after their encounter in the upstairs hallway, but it had
to happen some time. She pushed open the screen door to the verandah and
stepped outside.

Carmen looked up, as beautiful as ever.
Danielle had no doubt that Jake had played a large part in putting that dreamy
expression on her face. “Hello again,” she said, closing her book and glancing
at the chair opposite. “How has your day been?”

“It’s been good. Grayson and I checked
out Silverton this morning.”

Carmen nodded. “What did he think of
it?”

“I think he’s going to use it. I’m all
set to paint one of the roofs when I get the go-ahead.” Danielle looked beyond
the verandah to the small lake. Two men stood at the edge of the water,
conversing.

“Why would you do that?”

Danielle brought her attention back to
the other woman. “Oh, because someone put a sheet of aluminum roofing on one of
the buildings, and it’s shiny.” She interrupted herself. “Who are those men?”

Carmen turned slightly. “Oh. That’s
Hayden Grant and Tyler Davenport. My sons... in the movie. They couldn’t wait
to stretch their legs after a long day of travel.”

“Ah.” Danielle studied them for a
moment. “Which one plays the brother in the wheelchair?”

“Hayden. The slightly shorter one on the
left.” Her gaze grew speculative as she watched the two men. “He’s an amazing talent.
We have a scene together in a tack room that should be very powerful.” She
glanced down at a folder beneath her book and Danielle realized it was a
script. “Especially with Grayson directing.”

“He seems focused on that scene.”

Carmen looked up, surprised. “You know
about it?”

Danielle shrugged. “We built the set and
we were sent the wrong plans. But we sorted it out.”

Carmen raised her eyebrows. “That must
have really set him off, knowing how he feels.”

She smiled to herself. “He got over it. He
mentioned something about Andrea, so I assume she’s in that scene, too.”

Carmen didn’t acknowledge her comment at
first. “Yes,” she said finally, “she is.”

“Would you like something to drink?”
Danielle stood up. “I thought I’d grab a Coke.”

Carmen brightened. “I’d love some
water.” She started to rise. “I can get it.”

“No, don’t be silly. I’ll bring you
some.”

Danielle was back a few moments later.
Esperanza had insisted on setting up a tray with glasses and ice. Carmen
declined ice, and Danielle handed her the bottled water and a glass, then
poured a Coke for herself before sitting back down.

“May I ask you a personal question?” she
said, looking across at the older woman. “Do you enjoy acting?”

Carmen didn’t seem surprised by the
question. “Funny you should ask. I was thinking about that very thing this
afternoon. I guess the honest answer is that yes, I enjoy it, but not as much
as when I was younger. For a long period of time I had to turn down anything
that involved travel. And yet now that I can accept those roles, they don’t
appeal so much.” A sad smile passed over her face. “Interesting how that works,
isn’t it?”

“Do you wish you’d done things
differently?”

“Not at all. I was taking care of my
mother. She needed me. End of story.” She took a drink of water. “You look like
you’re trying to figure something out.”

“I suppose I am.” Danielle smiled
sheepishly. “I’d welcome your advice, but I need to do some more thinking.”

Carmen spread her hands. “I’ll help if I
can.” A shadow passed over her face. “At least as long as I’m here.” She raised
her glass again and movement on the lawn caught her eye. “Oh, look who’s come
out of hiding.”

Danielle looked to see a slender woman
walking down the sloped lawn toward the lake. She stopped about a hundred feet
away from Hayden and Tyler, and seemed disappointed when they didn’t beckon her
closer. The two women watched with interest.

“Andrea Thomas,” said Carmen, not trying
to hide her dislike. “So far, she’s the only thing about this gig I don’t like.
I shouldn’t say that; it makes me sound bitchy, but it’s true.”

“She’s certainly beautiful.” Danielle
tried to get a better look.

“Beautiful... no.” Carmen eyed the
actress critically. “She’s pretty, but you’re beautiful.”

Danielle fingered her braid. “No, I’m
not.” She watched as the actress closed the distance between herself and the
men, her hips swaying enticingly. “Do you really think so?”

Carmen laughed, but it was a kind laugh.
“Yes, Danielle. I really think so.”

Danielle didn’t know where to look. “No
one has ever called me beautiful before. I mean, look at me. No fashion sense
to speak of, I don’t wear makeup, and I never fuss with my hair.” She thought
for a moment. “I had a serious boyfriend when I was around twenty, and he’d
tell me I looked nice, but...” Her voice trailed off.

“I’m sure he thought you were beautiful.
It’s been my experience that most young men simply don’t know how to express
themselves.” She tilted her head to one side and studied Danielle openly. “I
feel sorry for women these days... especially the younger ones. Our society has
convinced them to equate beauty with appearance, when we all know it goes much
deeper. You’re a natural beauty, Danielle. I can tell that you care for the
people around you by the way you speak about your grandmother, and about Jake.
You value loyalty, and I have no doubt that you’re loyal in return. Add those
things to your natural beauty, and you’ve got Andrea Thomas beat by a country
mile. I’ll bet that hair of yours would be glorious if you let it out of that
braid once in a while.” She grinned to soften her words. “Of course I see
everyone through the potential lens of a camera, and I think you’d be perfect.”

Danielle shuddered. “No thank you.” She
looked at the distant hills. “This is where I belong.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind,
look me up.” Carmen pulled up her feet and tucked them under her long skirt. “After
my mom died, I couldn’t wait to get out of the city and I bought a small place up
towards San Luis Obispo. In the same area as Grayson, actually.”

Danielle didn’t try to hide her
interest. “Have you been to his ranch?”

The older woman nodded. “Yes. He offered
me a place to stay when Mom passed. I needed to get away for a while, and
somehow he understood that. He has a little guest cottage on his property and I
holed up there for a couple of weeks.”

“So I guess you met the people who take
care of it for him.”

Carmen raised her eyebrows. “He told you
about them, did he? Yes, Buddy and Kylie seemed to know when I needed company
and when to leave me alone. They’re wonderful people and of course they think
the world of Gray.” She smiled to herself. “I do too, for that matter.”

“What’s your next project?” Danielle gave
her head a quick shake. “Sorry, I must seem awfully nosy.”

“Not at all.” Carmen’s gaze drifted down
toward the lake, where the three actors had settled into some Adirondack chairs
near the water’s edge. “I’ve been looking at a juicy part in an ensemble piece,
but I’m not sure if I’m ready to commit that much time quite yet.”