Coming Attractions Read Free Page B

to crowbar her mind off Levi’s hot
body and on to the matter at hand. “You always wanted to do that. You and Belle?”
    “Yeah, we married right out of high
school, but we split up about six months ago, now. It’s not bitter or anything.
Belle says we just grew apart. I’m hoping that if I give her a little space, we
might still work things out. We have two terrific boys, six and eight. What
about you, Cara?”
    Cara felt a stab of envy at the
parental pride in Brian’s voice and, as was her habit, pushed it aside and
focused on the positives in her life.
    “I’ve been writing films. Did some
indie stuff and some docos. Made a small feature that did okay in Toronto three
years back. Apollo Films has bought my latest script, Lost Treasure .” She nodded in Levi’s direction. “That’s your
company, isn’t it, Mr. Callister? Apollo?”
    “Levi,” he corrected, nodding, and
Cara could see the satisfaction in the small gesture. Clearly, heading up a
film production company was a meaningful and fulfilling role for Levi, perhaps in
the same way that her writing was deeply rewarding for her. She liked that he
had his vocation together, that he’d found a calling and pursued it until it
paid the bills. It made him all the more attractive. Too often, she found
herself in the company of struggling writers, wannabe actors, and failing
directors whose lives were punctuated by “if onlys” and “could have beens.” It
was refreshing to meet someone who’d pushed through the negativity and
obstacles, just as she had. Someone who had made the grade.
    “Things sure have changed in Ocean
Ridge since you bought up Flinders’ Keep, Levi,” Brian commented, his face lit
with genuine gratitude and admiration for the other man. “After they built the
highway bypass in ‘98, things turned sour. There was no through traffic to keep
the stores, gas stations, and hotels in business. People started moving away.
The town was almost a ghost town until you brought all these movie people with
you. Now, Ocean Ridge is the place to be. We’ve got busloads of tourists
star-stalking, constant media and film production crews boosting the economy,
year round. Best thing that could have happened.”
    It was the longest speech Cara
thought she had ever heard Brian make. And he hadn’t even mentioned football,
lingerie wrestling, or muscle cars in it. Brian had clearly matured in more
ways than just his mustache and distinguished silver highlights.
    “I’m glad it’s worked out for the
town,” said Levi, “and, naturally, I’m grateful to Cara and her sister for
parting with this grand old house.” He beamed at Cara with candid warmth and appreciation,
and she found herself smiling back, her heart doing a little happy dance at
their small moment of connection.
    “It was a win-win deal, believe me,”
she replied.
    “The house is great for interiors
and exteriors.” Levi had picked up Brian’s chatty gambit, but was looking right
at Cara, his sincerity unmistakeable. “The Victorian facade and the formal
gardens are versatile. The surrounding countryside has a touch of everything,
too—mountains, beaches, forests, lakes, and farmland. There’s a lot we can use
in the area. This house is a real blessing.”
    “Using this location will give my
screenplay authenticity, too,” added Cara. “That’s vital.”
    “It sure will. We start shooting
two weeks from now, assuming we finish the set by then.” Levi gestured toward
the main part of the house. “Half the house is torn apart and the other part
looks like it’s still set up for Secret Geisha
Dreams and Hot Arabian Confessions. ”
    Brian guffawed. “They sound like
porno flicks—oh, ‘scuse me, Cara.”
    Judging by that classic vintage Brian
comment, Cara had applied maturity credit to him too soon. She should have
guessed he hadn’t really grown up by his non-police issue Scooby Doo socks and
the milky drips clinging to his whiskers. She wasn’t sure how to