Volume One
Country Dreams
Ann B Harrison
Contents
Untitled
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Untitled
Outback in Stilettos
Ann B. Harrison
Text Copyright © 2015 Ann B Harrison
All Rights reserved
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
“Believe me, Delilah, this is going to be the saving of you—long overdue in my opinion. Sitting in your office with only your computer and characters for company has made you jaded and stale.” Kim Blanks blew out a big sigh before continuing. “As your manager, I have taken control of things, and I've booked you a tour before you suffer a major burnout. You will go—the studio insists. It was the only way I could get them to extend the contract for another season.”
A small frown appeared on her perfectly sculptured face, and she met Delilah Connors' gaze before looking back down at the paperwork on her black glass desk. “You leave the day after tomorrow and have six weeks off before you even need to think about writing the next series for the show. Six whole weeks to relax and recharge, letting those characters renew their love-hate relationships.” Kim leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.
And here I thought you were on my side. It doesn’t feel like it to me. Why can’t you stand up to the powers that be for once, and do what is best for me and not the studio?
“I can't leave now. Seriously. There is so much to do and—” She looked up and winced at the pity in Kim's eyes. Pity wasn’t what she wanted. What she needed was inspiration to continue writing this series when all of her inner feelings were telling her it was so wrong. Pity was for people who were suffering, not her. Give me some ideas, for goodness sake…not a freaking holiday guaranteed to make me worse.
“You have no choice, Del. Do it or the studio will give you all sorts of grief. The last thing you need is the extra pressure to perform with the head of the studio breathing down your neck, over-thinking every word you write. You know that makes your brain freeze over in the worst possible way. I'm sorry. I tried to talk them into a shorter break but they insisted. Six weeks, and if they see you in town, I’m worried your contract will be cancelled.” She leaned forward again and smiled encouragingly. “Look, we both know you have one of the most successful soaps on television and they won't let you go in a hurry, but we have to be realistic here. You haven't had a decent holiday for over three years, and it’s showing in your work. The one you took with Peter before the break-up doesn't count for much, and you know it.” She sighed, leaned back rocking in the chair, and tapped her fingernails on the glass.
“I couldn’t afford more time than that. I was too far behind as it was.” And seriously, what the heck has changed? Absolutely nothing! You still push me for the next show and the next one, while making small digs about the new series you won’t let me show anybody. Are you looking after me or yourself?
“Exactly why I’m insisting you take a decent break this time. You might even come up with some new material for the show. Think about it—cruising the desert, finding new characters, and dropping your hero into something different might be just what he needs. I for one would love to see Brad Hollows with his shirt off, sweating it in the Outback.” Kim lifted her hand and touched her lips, the smile growing.
Delilah looked down at her clenched fingers and let a breath shudder through her body. The butterflies in her stomach threatened to overpower her with their cartwheels and high dives. A wave of nausea rolled through her, rising with ever-increasing increments to fill her throat. With eyes closed, she took a couple of stabilizing breaths. She’d struggled for weeks with writer’s block and, no matter what she did, the words wouldn’t come.
“Are you sure there isn't another way? I don't know how I’ll go…away from the city. You know me, all glam and central plumbing, frozen dinners and such. I don't think I even want to contemplate spending time away from home unless it’s in a five star resort with everything at my fingertips.” Visions of windowless rooms and outside plumbing raced through her mind. It’s been so long since I had dirt under my fingernails, I doubt this is going to be much fun at all.
She tried to laugh, but the sound turned into a small sob and tears threatened to flow when she thought about leaving behind the only constant in her life. Since her break up with Peter, she had used her career as a crutch to keep from falling in a heap, and now that seemed to be fragile too. The thought of not being good enough at anything in her life reared its ugly head once again.
Peter’s words raced unheeded through her mind. “It’s not working, Del. You think more about your damned career than you do about us. I want more. I want a wife who puts me first, not her characters. I wanted children with you, but I see that isn’t even in the top five on your list of things you want to achieve.” He gave a bitter laugh. “I should have seen it coming but I didn’t. As far as relationships go, you just don’t have it. You can’t get the balance between work and play right—not enough for me anyway.”
Delilah had been wounded beyond belief when he’d left her and, if it wasn’t for her work, she was sure she would have fallen into a state of depression. Feelings she didn’t want to revisit still loomed in the back of her mind and that was when insecurities surfaced. So
