Capture the Rainbow (7 page)

Kendra tried to keep a straight face. “He can’t be over thirty, so I think adopting you is out. Perhaps you misunderstood his intentions.”

“Well, I think I got the gist of it,” Billie said gloomily. “It seems Yusef here has an overdeveloped protective instinct. That’s why he was being worked over by those hoods today. He was working as a bouncer in a bordello in town and he objected very strongly to the way one of their influential customers was abusing one of the girls.” She made a face. “He objected so strongly in fact that he broke the man’s arm. Evidently the man hired some local gangsters to exact a bloody revenge.”

“Charming,” Kendra said, her lips twitching. “Just like a 1930s screeplay. May I ask what you intend to do with our gigantic friend?”

Billie sighed as she started the ignition. “I guess I’ll have to take him back to the location with us. It will be safer to keep Yusef out of town for a few weeks and maybe by that time I’ll be able to convince him I can take care of myself.” She bit her lip. “I don’t know what Joel will say. He’s probably going to murder me. He’s going to be mad as the devil anyway after I took off with the jeep to come and get you.”

“You weren’t supposed to pick me up at the airport?” Kendra asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Billie shook her head. “I took off on my own when I heard Joel was tied up. Ron, the assistant director, was supposed to make the trip, but I persuaded him to let me come instead.” She grinned impishly. “After all, Dave Balding arranged for us to share a cottage together. It was only natural that I’d want to meet my roommate, right? It was completely irrational of Joel to think I might get into trouble just driving to the airport.”

“Oh yes, totally unreasonable.” Kendra couldn’t hold the laughter in any longer. She could almost sympathize with Joel Damon trying to control a puckish elf like Billie. “Nothing could possibly happen to you just picking me up.”

“Well, that’s what I thought.” Billie sighed. “Why do these things always happen to me? I’m really a very responsible person.”

“I’m sure you are,” Kendra said gently. Billie might be a bit eccentric, but her actions today had been anything but irresponsible. On the contrary, her passionate conviction that she was her brother’s keeper had almost gotten her killed. And now she was prepared to shoulder the additional burden of that ferocious albatross in the backseat. She might be faulted for a bit too much generosity of spirit and too impulsive a nature, but not for irresponsibility. “Don’t worry: we’ll work out some way to keep your Yusef safe and still out of your hair.”

What was she letting herself in for? Kendra wondered ruefully. As if she weren’t going to have enough trouble trying to persuade Skip to give her that special, while attempting to keep her relationship with Joel strictly professional! Now she found herself involved with this appealing pixie and her possibly criminal guardian angel.

“Did I hurt your back when I made that turn?” Billie asked, frowning in concern.

Kendra quickly jerked her hand away from her back. Drat, she’d have to watch that. “No, of course not.” She smiled reassuringly. “I had a little accident a few months ago and I still have a twinge or two on occasion.”

“That’s good,” Billie said, relieved. “I could just see me lugging in your limp and broken body, as well as Yusef, here.” She grimaced. “Joel would probably strangle me. You know how protective he is of his friends.”

“No, I don’t know that,” Kendra said, her tone reserved. “We’re not really friends, merely acquaintances.”

“Really? Then why was he so angry when he couldn’t pick you up himself? He’s too busy a man to provide taxi service for all and sundry. He didn’t even pick up Brenna Donovan when she arrived three weeks ago, and she’s the star of the picture.”

“Skip told me she had the lead,” Kendra said quickly, hoping to distract her. “How is she to work with?”

“Super.” Billie’s face lit up. “A certified doll. You’ll find everyone on the picture a joy to work with.” She wrinkled her nose distastefully. “With the exception of the male lead, Dirk Danford. He thinks he’s God’s gift to womankind.”

“Problems?”

“Not for me. I’m not sexy enough to rate a pass from the great lover, but he’s giving Brenna a rough time.”

Kendra whistled. “He likes to live dangerously, doesn’t he? I’ve heard Michael Donovan is absolutely crazy about his wife and possessive as all get out. Having a producer like Donovan put you on the blacklist is professional suicide.”

“Dirk thinks he’s safe,” Billie said, her lips tightening grimly. “Donovan’s tied up in London with postproduction on
Siren Song
and Brenna’s too much of a pro to complain to Joel. She thinks she should be able to handle it herself.”

“And you don’t think she can?”

“Perhaps.” Billie’s violet eyes were narrowed and thoughtful. “But gentle people like Brenna sometimes have trouble fighting off pests like Danford. She just may need a little help.”

Oh Lord, another rescue? Kendra groaned inwardly. She had an idea that being the roommate of Billie Callahan might be more dangerous than jumping that jeep across the canyon.

FOUR

T
HE STUCCO HOUSE
in front of which Billie pulled up looked identical to all the others on the hard-packed dirt street. It was small, white-washed, and had the flat roof and arched windows she had noticed in most of the other houses around Marasef. The door was painted bright scarlet, and leaning against it was a dusty and perspiring Dave Balding. He straightened slowly, his warm smile of welcome swiftly fading as he caught sight of the bruised and bleeding giant in the backseat.

He hugged Kendra absentmindedly when she got out of the jeep and turned to Billie with a scowl. “I was wondering what took you so long. Joel was about to send a search party to try to locate you. We might have known you’d find some trouble to keep you interested.”

“That’s not fair,” Billie said indignantly. “I couldn’t help—”

“I know, I know,” Dave interrupted with a resigned sigh. “You never can, Billie. But I haven’t got time to listen to the story right now. Joel stationed me here to wait for Kendra and bring her over to his trailer the minute she showed up.”

Kendra tensed and then forced herself to relax. She had known she’d have to face him sometime. Why should she feel this sudden sense of panic?

“But I have to see Joel right away,” Billie protested. “I have to explain about Yusef and get Joel to find him a place to stay.”

“You’re keeping him?” Dave asked, gazing at the Arab warily. “He looks a little dangerous for a house pet.” He shrugged. “But so was the baby lion you bought in the bazaar last week. Joel probably won’t let you keep this one either.”

“This is different. I can’t let Yusef go back to Marasef,” Billie said, worriedly gnawing at her lip.

“She’s right, Dave,” Kendra said. “Billie’s discussion with Joel is much more important than anything he’d want to say to me. He’s probably just being polite and wants to welcome a new member of the team to Marasef.” She was relieved she had an excuse to postpone that first interview with Joel. “I’ll just wash off the travel grime, change clothes, and report to him later. Where is his trailer located?”

“Two streets over,” Dave answered, “on the edge of the village. Everyone except Billie is quartered in house trailers. She opted for inconvenience and atmosphere instead.” He was frowning uncertainly. “And I don’t think you’re right in believing Joel will give Billie’s wild man a higher priority than you. He’s just likely to tear a strip off me for not obeying his instructions.”

“Nonsense,” Kendra said briskly. “Help me take my bags inside and then you can go with Billie and Yusef to get their problem solved. It’s a much more sensible plan.” She reached for the large suitcase beside Yusef and suddenly found the Arab beside her, a bag under each massive arm and one in each hand. He nodded commandingly toward the door and Kendra found herself obediently opening it and stepping aside for him to enter.

He strode briskly through the central living area and through the beaded curtains that served as a door to the room at the rear of the house. He plopped the suitcases down beside one of two beds that was more a narrow couch with a multitude of colorful cushions scattered upon it. He turned to look at her impassively, his bulk appearing even more intimidating in the small room.

“Thank you,” she said faintly, her eyes wide in surprise. He seemed to understand though. His dark face remained expressionless as he nodded curtly, brushed by her, and strode back through the house out the front door where Dave and Billie hovered.

Kendra followed in his wake. “I can see what you mean by him being overprotective,” she told Billie dryly. “I don’t think I’ve ever had such a forceful bellhop.”

Billie was beaming at her charge like a proud mother. “I told you everything would work out. Yusef will adjust to the situation in no time at all. Come on, Dave, let’s take him to see Joel.”

But would the rest of the film company adjust to Yusef, Kendra wondered in amusement as she watched the jeep disappear around the corner at the end of the street. She was still smiling as she walked back into the house and closed the door.

Her smile slowly faded as she once more crossed the large room and pushed aside the curtain of amber beads to enter the sleeping area. She could feel the familiar cold lassitude flooding every muscle now that she had let down her guard. More than anything she wanted to lie down on one of those scrumptious-looking couches and sleep for a week. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to rest for just fifteen minutes? She gazed wistfully at the couch’s inviting spread. Then, reluctantly shook her head, picked up one of the suitcases, and placed it on the bed. She knew better by now than to pamper herself with a nap. Her bone-weariness had been growing steadily of late; that fifteen minutes probably would stretch to the entire evening if she fell asleep as she had done a lot recently.

Panic raced through her, but she quickly suppressed it. There was nothing wrong with her that a week’s rest couldn’t put right. She assured herself staunchly that the only reason she was feeling so exhausted was because of the grueling experience of finishing that picture Bodine directed. Skip was right. Bodine was an incompetent ass of a stunt corrdinator. As soon as she finished
Venture
and had the most monstrous bills paid, she’d be able to take a month or so off and relax. But not now. She mustn’t give in now.

She opened the suitcases and pulled out fresh underthings, a pair of khaki slacks, and a loose tunic top in a dull army green. When she entered the bathroom, she discovered what Dave had meant by Billie opting for atmosphere rather than convenience. The little alcove adjoining the bedroom contained only a toilet, basin, and a chipped, clawfooted bathtub that must have been fifty years old. Would it be too much to hope for hot water, she wondered morosely. She made a face as the cold brownish water poured from the curved nozzle. On second thought she would take a sponge bath and explore the possibility of a hot shower later. There had to be someone who had decent bath facilities on this location.

She had completed her bath, slipped on the khakis and tunic and was putting her hair up in a high ponytail when she heard the front door open and then close with a decisive slam.

“Kendra!”

The voice was rough and angry and undeniably that of Joel Damon. She sighed resignedly. So much for her plan of confronting him in the businesslike atmosphere of his office. She called, “I’ll be out in a minute.” Perhaps she could keep him out of the bedroom.

She should have realized how futile that hope was. When she came out of the bathroom, it was to see him pushing impatiently through the beaded curtains, a dark scowl on his face.

She tried to ignore the sudden jump of her pulse at the sight of him. It wasn’t joy; it was a mere chemical reaction to an attractive male, she assured herself quickly. Dressed in dark jeans that hugged the strong line of his thighs and a cream sweatshirt that complemented his darkness, he looked virile enough to excite any woman.

“Hello, Joel,” she said coolly. “You needn’t have taken the trouble to come and see me. I told Dave I’d report to you as soon as I changed. I realize how busy you are.”

“Report?” Joel asked caustically. “You sound like a private talking to his CO. Dave gave me your message and you’ll be happy to know that it annoyed me just as much as you intended it to. Why the devil didn’t you come as soon as you arrived, blast it?”

“You
are
my CO in a manner of speaking,” Kendra said quietly. “And Billie’s business was more important than my strictly perfunctory courtesy call.” She lifted an inquiring brow. “Where is she, by the way?”

“At the first aid tent repairing the damage to her newest acquisition.”

“You’re going to let Yusef stay?”

“I don’t have much choice unless I want Billie moving into town to protect him,” he said with exasperation. “At least I can keep an eye on both of them here.” He drew a deep breath. “And now that we’ve disposed of the subject of Billie and her wild man, will you kindly tell me where you’ve been for the last month? I’ve been calling your apartment every evening since the day I arrived in Sedikhan and there’s been no answer. I even checked the listing personnel gave me with the phone company to make sure it was a working number.”

“You tried to call me?” Kendra asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

“I just said so, didn’t I? You knew damn well I wouldn’t let you get the last word after you took off in my car and left me to walk five miles to the nearest town to phone for a taxi.”

“That far?” A tiny smile was tugging at Kendra’s lips. “What a pity.”

“I can see your heart’s bleeding for me,” Joel said dryly. “I could cheerfully have murdered you by the time I got back to the house in Laurel Canyon and found the Mercedes, but no Kendra Michaels.”

“You deserved it,” she said serenely. “You’re a very arrogant man and like to get your own way entirely too much, Joel Damon.”

“You liked my way very much too that night a month ago,” he said softly. His expression suddenly became grave. “Where have you been for the past month, Kendra?”

“I had a job to finish before I started
Venture.
I was on location in Colorado.” She had trouble now in meeting the intensity of his green eyes. “We had said all we had to say, and there wasn’t any need for you to phone me anyway. I’m sorry if your ego was stung a little.”

“Hell yes, I was stung…and annoyed,” Joel said crisply. “But that wasn’t why I was trying to get in touch with you. After I got over the first anger, I started to worry, dammit.”

Her forehead knitted in puzzlement. “Worry? What about?”

“What do you think?” he asked, scowling. “I didn’t protect you. I thought you’d be on the pill. How was I to know that you were the last virgin left in Hollywood?” He ran his hand through his hair. “I was afraid I might have made you pregnant.”

“I see.” She felt as stunned as if she had been struck by lightning. She had never even considered the possibility that Joel had broached. She had been so busy trying to block the man out of her thoughts that the possible repercussions of that night had also been repressed. And those repercussions were a very real possibility, she realized numbly. No, she was panicking for no reason. Just because she was a little late was no need to worry. She was often irregular, particularly when she was under the sort of stress she’d been under the past few months. She smiled with an effort. “I can see how you might have been a little concerned. Poor Joel, did you think I was going to try to involve you in a paternity suit? Or were you going to give me a nice fat check and the name of an exclusive little abortion clinic in Beverly Hills?”

“Shut up!” Joel’s voice was oddly husky. “Is it too much to believe that I was genuinely worried about you? That I didn’t want you to suffer for the pleasure you gave me, that we gave each other? I wanted to let you know you could count on me if it proved necessary.” His green eyes were searching. “Is it necessary, Kendra?”

“How very gallant of you,” she said, not looking at him. Why was she feeling this aching pain because of the notion that it was only obligation prompting Joel’s concern? “I’d never heard you had such a keen sense of responsibility, Joel. It’s very old-fashioned to—”

She broke off as he crossed the room in three swift strides. His hands grasped her shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Give me a straight answer, dammit. Are you pregnant?”

She glared up at him defiantly, her eyes suspiciously bright. “Of course I’m not pregnant,” she said, her throat tight and painful. “So you needn’t worry that I’ll come to you with any demands on either your conscience or your bank account.”

She could see the relief wash over his face and it brought a fresh jab of agony that was totally unreasonable.

“You’re sure?”

“Very sure,” she lied with a shaky little laugh. “I’m sorry to insult your virility, but it
was
only one night.”

“Thank God,” he breathed fervently. “Lord, I was worried, sweetheart.” His arms slipped around her with the utmost naturalness and cradled her to him with a simple affection he had never had the chance to show her before. “I kept thinking of you all alone and having to contend with a problem like that.” His lips gently brushed her temple. “It nearly drove me crazy. It won’t happen again, I promise. I’ll make sure of that. I’ll take care of you from now on.” His hands were running up and down her back in a caress that was both soothing and exploratory. “You’re thinner than the last time I held you. You feel almost breakable in my arms. Didn’t you eat at all when you were in Colorado?”

She leaned against him like a weary child. There was no threat, no demand in the arms that held her. There was only tenderness and caring and a lovely protectiveness that made her feel marvelously treasured. “Sometimes,” she said, nestling her head under his chin. “Most of the time I was too tired to bother. It was a rough job.”

One hand moved up to knead gently the muscles at the nape of her neck. “All your jobs are rough,” he said thickly. “I had Ron Willet get a few clips from your last pictures. Some of the stuff you did scared the hell out of me.” His hand was loosening her ponytail and suddenly her hair tumbled down around her shoulders in a shiny cloud. His hands threaded through the tresses with tactile pleasure. “So pretty. Like fragrant satin. I kept remembering the feel of it in my hands when I was lying in bed at night and my palms would tingle.” He chuckled huskily. “Of course that wasn’t the only portion of my anatomy that tingled.”

He was stroking her hair with a gentleness that caused her to cuddle closer to his warmth like a kitten newly in from the cold.

“I memorized and can recall every curve and valley of your strong silky body, but it was your hair that I remembered the most. Your hair and your husky, scratchy little voice that rubbed my senses like a hand caressing me. Lord, I love your voice.”

She felt as if she were wrapped in a cloudlike blanket of loving security. “You really had Ron go to the trouble to get those clips?” she asked dreamily. “Why on earth did you do that?”

“That’s what I asked myself. I was busy as hell and working sixteen hours a day on
Venture.
I should have been so tired when I finally got to bed that I’d be knocked out with exhaustion.” He was winding the short wispy curls at her nape around his fingers. “Instead, I found I couldn’t get to sleep until I had my nightly fix of one Kendra Michaels.” His voice became a disgusted growl. “Hell, I didn’t even enjoy them. I couldn’t see your face, your hair was always covered with a wig, and the things you were doing caused my guts to knot and my skin to break out in a cold sweat. The worst thing about it was that I knew you were probably taking the same kind of crazy chances at the exact moment I was looking at those damn clips.” He drew a deep, shuddering breath. “No more, sweetheart. I can’t take any more of it. It got so that I was even having nightmares about it and I couldn’t wait until I got you here and could keep you safe.”