Free The Last Goodbye (The Women of Independence) by Mona Ingram Page A

“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.”
    Danielle wondered if Carmen’s new
relationship with Jake would affect the actress’ decision. “How long do you
have to make up your mind?”
    Carmen made a wry face. “I didn’t mean
to make it sound like I already have the part. I haven’t worked for a while, and
I had to audition along with several other people, so it’s not a done deal. My
agent will probably get back to me in the next few days.” She was silent for a
few moments. “I haven’t mentioned the new project to Jake, so I don’t know if
he’ll have an opinion or not.”
    “Would it make a difference if he did...
have an opinion, that is?”
    Something in Carmen’s eyes softened, but
she shook her head. “I don’t think he’d let me know even if he did. He’s
difficult to read.”
    Danielle nodded. “You’ve got that right.
I’ve known him all my life and there are still times I can’t tell what he’s
thinking.” She studied the other woman for a moment. “I won’t ask you what
you’ll do if they offer it to you. I have a feeling you don’t even know
yourself.”
    “You’re very perceptive.” Carmen lifted
her water glass, and then put it back down. “How do you feel about Jake and I?
I know you saw me coming out of his room this morning.”
    Danielle’s smile was unmistakably
sincere. “I’m for anything that makes my Uncle Jake happy. I didn’t realize it
at the time, but I think part of the reason he’s never married is that he
wanted to create a stable home for me after my parents were killed. I lived
with my gran during the school year, and spent the rest of the year here at the
ranch. I don’t know too many people who would make that kind of sacrifice.”
    Carmen sighed. “I can see him doing
that. He’s a special man and I’m hoping for the chance to get to know him
better.”
    Something in the actress’ words touched
Danielle. “I hope you get that chance.” She rose, stretched, and leaned on the
railing.
    They fell into a comfortable silence.
Down by the lake, Andrea laughed at something one of the men said, and rose.
She appeared to be flirting with Hayden and an unladylike snort came from the
love seat.
    “What is it?” Danielle kept her eye on
the scene unfolding by the lake.
    “A lot of good that will do her. Hayden
has a partner at home, and it’s not a woman.”
    Danielle shot a quick look at Carmen. “Doesn’t
she know that? I was under the impression that everyone knows everyone else’s
business in Hollywood.”
    Carmen considered her question for a
moment. “Generally speaking, yes. But Hayden keeps to himself. I only know
because I worked with him on a small film a couple of years ago. He’s a nice
young man.” She rose gracefully and stood at the railing beside Danielle. “Now
she’ll put the moves on Tyler, but that won’t go anywhere. He’s recently
married and has a new baby; he’s not going to put that in jeopardy.” She
sighed. “Then she’ll turn her attention to