Chapter 17
“You think this is normal, acting like your world has ended? Go and do something about it, man, before I walk out. Even I can only take so much of your dark moods.” Bluey slapped his hat on his thigh as Blake growled in his direction.
“Mind your own business, old man.”
“Don’t you go trying to push me out of this, Blake. We both know you want her and I know you too well. You won’t take her calls, yet you sulk around worse than the kids. At least they’re living with the hope she will come back. You…you’re acting as if your world has ended.” The old man cuffed him on the shoulder.
“May as well have. I don’t know why she even bothered to come out here if she didn’t want to stay.”
“Listen to yourself. You know damned well why. She needed somewhere and you needed the help. You both got what you wanted. Just because it turned into more doesn’t make it wrong.”
“But she left us. Even you were pissed at her.”
“Yeah I was, but unlike you, I think with my brain and not what’s in my pants. She was right. Breaking her contract wasn’t something she could do over the phone. It had to be done in person. These things take time, ya know.”
Blake glanced over at him and squinted. “You’ve been speaking to her, haven’t you?”
Bluey chuffed out a ragged breath. “Maybe.”
“Is she alright? Did she say anything?”
“Maybe it’s time you went and saw for yourself how she is. Get rid of that stupid pride and show her how much she means to you. Women like to be reminded, ya know. Hell, never thought you were that dumb.”
Blake looked up at the house. “The kids need me.”
“The poor kids need a mother and far as I know, she is the best thing that happened to them as well. I can look after them by myself while you sort it all out and you know it. Hell, just about brought you up and you turned out alright. Most of the time when you’re not being a stubborn fool.”
“I don’t know how to find her.”
“How blind are you? Didn’t you see the business card on the dash of the ute? Got her work address on it, it’s a start at any rate.”
* * *
Blake stood at the security gate waiting for the guard to let him enter. He dropped his bag on the pavement at his feet and took off his hat to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Putting it back on his head to keep away the hot Sydney sun, he felt the trickle of sweat down the back of his neck, soaking his shirt collar. One day in the big smoke and he was champing at the bit to get home. He’d gotten lost in the freeway system and ended up on the wrong side of town. It took him three hours to get back to where he should be. He was hot, thirsty and pretty damn annoyed.
“You can go up to the main office. Mr. Steenburg wants to see you. Not sure where Ms. Connors is but the boss can probably help you out.”
“Thanks.” Blake leaned down and picked up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he began the long walk up the driveway to the offices the guard pointed out. He kept to the side of the road as stretch limousines and flash sports cars streamed in and out of the studio lot with what he assumed were actors. Tour buses filled with anxious tourists made the drive up the hill, the passengers glued to the window so they didn’t miss a thing.
By the time he made it up to the office, his shirt stuck to the damp skin on his back. He opened the door and the chill of air conditioning hit him in the face. Blake let the door close behind him and stood surveying the room, his breathing returning to normal. A large glass reception desk was home to three very attractive women dressed in black. They all had discreet headsets on and laptops in front of them, looking like something he’d seen on a Star Wars movie. This was Del’s life and she seemed to enjoy it, from what he could understand. Strange how different they were when he thought about it, but it made no difference. He needed her and was going to put his case forward, hoping to take her back with him where she belonged.
The blonde in the middle looked up and smiled. “Can I help you?”
“Sure. I have to see…Mr. Steenburg, is it?”
“If you’re trying out for a part, you’d want to be a bit more certain of his name.”
Blake shook his head. “Nope, not this cowboy. Name is Blake Richards. I was looking for…”
“Delilah. Sorry, I know who you are now. Please take a seat. Mr. Steenburg will be with you shortly. Can I get you a cold drink?”
“Thanks. That would be great.” Blake watched her fingers flying over the keys before she removed her headset. Smiling toward him, she stood on impossibly high heels and tottered behind a raised counter. She returned with a bottle of cold water, handing it to him.
“Cheers.” He unscrewed the cap and lifted it to his mouth, draining half of the bottle in one hit. When he looked up, she was still standing in front of him, a smile tilting her lips.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No. Just wondering what a cowboy has that some of our biggest stars don’t.” She grinned, showing pearly white teeth before turning back to her desk.
Blake shook his head and looked around the room. Photos of movie stars he recognized hung on the walls. He wandered over to look closer, killing time until he could find out where Delilah
