“There is nothing wrong with planning and organization,” Gabi said defensively. “Some people even think it’s very wise to make sure all the bases are covered.”
“Which people would those be?” Samantha inquired suspiciously. “It doesn’t sound like Wade. He’s pretty laid-back.”
“But his sister isn’t,” Gabi said.
“You’re taking advice from Louise now?” Samantha asked, her expression incredulous. “Just the other day weren’t you two on opposite sides?”
“Long story,” Gabi said. “We’ve found some common ground.”
“Other than Wade?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, other than Wade,” Gabi replied testily. “Maybe we ought to focus on something else.” She looked pointedly at her older sister. “Why didn’t you set up that conference call with your agent the way we discussed? I left you a couple of messages to remind you.”
Emily looked puzzled. “What conference call is that?”
“Gabi offered to do some work as a publicist for me,” Samantha explained. “I’m just not sure the timing’s right, after all.”
“But you said yourself that your career is slowing down. It seems like exactly the right time,” Gabi protested, puzzled by Samantha’s sudden lack of enthusiasm for the idea. “It needs the shot in the arm that a good publicity campaign can give it.”
But even as she pressed, she saw Samantha’s expression shutting down. “Samantha? What don’t I know?”
“My agent dropped me,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “He said I don’t seem as motivated as I once did and, combined with the whole age thing, he thought maybe he wasn’t the best person to represent me anymore, especially if I intended to treat my career more like a hobby.”
“A hobby!” Emily exclaimed incredulously. “Isn’t it his job to find you regular work?”
“He claims parts have come up while I’ve been away and he couldn’t send me on the auditions because there wasn’t time for me to get back to New York. That’s a crock, and we both know it,” she said, heat returning to her voice. “He just wants to focus on younger, up-and-coming talent who will bring in more money.”
“So much for loyalty,” Gabi said, angry on her sister’s behalf.
Samantha’s smile was faint. “I’m not in a business known for its loyalty,” she reminded them. “It’s cutthroat from day one.”
“Okay, so you’ll get another agent, one who’ll appreciate you and is tuned in to a different list of contacts,” Gabi said.
“And how am I supposed to do that? My résumé for the past year is pretty skimpy. Why would another agent want to bother? Success feeds on success and, let’s face it, I haven’t had much that can be described as successful lately.”
“But I am going to make you sound like the best actress to hit New York in the past decade,” Gabi said with determination. “That spin we talked about is going to turn the tide.”
“I don’t think there’s enough spin in the world to sell an aging actress when everybody’s looking for a youthful face,” Samantha said, her discouragement plain.
“Then come out to Los Angeles,” Emily suggested, her eagerness catching them all by surprise.
Gabi thought maybe Emily had taken her concerns to heart and was reaching out to her big sister for the first time ever.
“Get a fresh start there,” Emily continued, her enthusiasm growing. “You know my friend Sophia has contacts all over the film industry, and Marilyn Jennings, who’s chairman of the board of the foundation building these safe houses, is married to a studio president. I can almost guarantee you’d find a top agent and more roles than you can handle.”
For an instant Samantha looked intrigued.
“It’s not a bad idea,” Gabi said, hoping to encourage the olive branch Emily was extending, if nothing else. “A fresh start could be just the thing to relaunch your career.”
Once again Samantha’s eyes filled with tears. “You two are amazing, but I need to think about this. I’ve never thought of myself doing movies.”
“Hello,” Emily said. “Where do you think most of those TV series are made? And there’s a healthy theater scene out there, too. You can stay with Boone and me, so your housing will be taken care of until you land a few jobs.”
Gabi could see that Samantha wasn’t quite ready to make such a dramatic leap, and the pressure was starting to get to her. She could totally relate.
“Sweetie, all we’re saying is that you do have options,” she told her older sister. “Emily and I are behind you and ready to do whatever we can, no matter what you decide, okay?”
Samantha nodded, swiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I need to go wash my face,” she said.
After she’d gone, Gabi looked at Emily. “She’s obviously feeling overwhelmed and off-kilter. I can relate.”
“Me, too,” Emily admitted. “That’s how I felt when I had this fantastic job offer in Los Angeles and my relationship with Boone was just falling into place back here.”
“Then we’re agreed? We won’t pressure her?”
“Agreed,” Emily said at once. “Do you suppose Cora Jane knows about this?”
“I doubt it,” Gabi said just as her grandmother walked into the kitchen.
“What is it you’re wondering if I know?” Cora Jane asked, proving her hearing was as sharp as ever.
“That some high-falutin’ developer wants to get his hands on some land around here for a big resort,” Emily improvised.
Cora Jane looked as if she weren’t buying that for a single second—not the response nor the supposed rumor.
“So, don’t fill me in,” she said. “I suppose you girls are allowed to keep a few secrets.”
Emily bounced up and hugged her. “But we are very glad you’re here. I wouldn’t allow Gabi or Samantha so much as a peek at their dresses till you got home.”
Cora Jane held up the bag in her hand. “And I brought nonalcoholic bubbly so we can celebrate while you do your little fashion show in the living room.”
“Nonalcoholic?” Emily protested.
“Hey, I have a baby to think of,” Gabi said.
“And we don’t want your sister to feel left out,” Cora Jane scolded. “This will do just fine.
