Take One (25 page)

But the area was dark and quiet, no sign of Jake or Rita. Chase lowered his brow, puzzled.
Strange
, he thought. Usually the two joined the rest of the cast for dinner. And since they hadn’t gone back to the hotel they had
to be here somewhere. He crossed the street again and walked between the rows of trailers to the one that belonged to Rita.
It was twice the size of the others—another of her demands. She hadn’t made an attempt to seduce him lately, but nothing would
surprise him when it came to Rita Reynolds. Chase had a feeling there was a deeply insecure woman beneath the pretty façade
that stepped in front of the camera each day.

“Rita?” he called out. “Jake?” The area between the trailers was very dark, and he walked in the shadows. He was nearly to
the end of the row, almost to Rita’s trailer, when her door opened and Jake took one step out onto the landing. He had Rita
in his arms, and the two of them were caught in a makeout session that would’ve been well beyond PG-rated.

“Hey,” he shouted at them as he walked closer. “Jake … Rita … what’s going on?”

Jake jerked away, his surprise evident. A smile took over and he kissed Rita again, this time with blatant passion. When he
pulled away from her, he shaded his eyes and peered out at Chase. “What’s the problem? I’m just telling my co-star goodnight.”
His tone was both humorous and mocking, as if he wanted to convey the fact that Chase had no right to care if his two stars
were kissing.

Rita looked embarrassed. She put up her hand to stop Jake from kissing her again. “Is something wrong, Chase?”

“Yes.” He was seething mad as he walked up to them.

Jake released Rita and the two of them stood together, a not-quite-unified front. “You got a problem with us kissing?” He
chuckled and turned to Rita. “We were just working on our chemistry, right?”

“Well,” Rita couldn’t say much. She was playing Jake’s mother, after all. “I mean, it’s no big deal, Chase. We’re just letting
off tension after a day on the set.”

Chase raised one eyebrow. “This is my film, and it’s my reputation on the line.” He took a step closer, and he could feel
the fire in his eyes. “The last thing we need is some on-the-set scandal to bring the paparazzi sniffing around.”

“On-set romances happen all the time.” Jake put his arm easily around Rita’s shoulders. “We could kind of be like Ashton and
Demi.” He pulled Rita a little closer to his side. “Right, baby?”

Rita didn’t seem to like the comparison. “I’m not that much older.” She eased free of Jake’s embrace. Her next words were
layered in understanding. “I’m sorry, Chase. We didn’t mean anything by it.”

Her apology took Chase by surprise and eased some of his anger. “The thing is, you people are the stars of my picture. You’re
giving me performances that are way above the line, and I appreciate that.” His voice was calmer, more even. “But I absolutely
demand that what happens off-screen is above the line, as well. That we maintain a level of propriety while we’re working
that is impeccable—able to withstand whatever scrutiny comes our way.”

“Okay … okay.” Jake laughed and took a step back. He slid his hands in the pockets of his jeans and cocked his head back.
“We were just having a little fun.”

“Not on my dime.” Chase hoped his look conveyed to Jake how serious he was. “Is that understood?”

“Fine.” He straightened up and seemed to get suddenly repentant. “Our mistake, Chase. We’ll be good little actors from now
on.”

“Thank you.” Chase knew his star actor was mocking him, but he decided not to let on. “I appreciate that more than you know.
By the way, the DP’s looking for you. He wants to set up tomorrow’s scenes.”

Jake left, chuckling to himself, but Rita stayed. She put her hand on Chase’s shoulder. “That shouldn’t have happened. You’re
right.”

Chase wanted to ask her how she could’ve let it happen, but he didn’t want to have too deep a conversation with Rita Reynolds
here in the dark spaces between the trailers. He nodded, keeping the walls in his eyes firmly in place. “Thanks for saying
that. We need to keep it clean on the set.”

“You’re right.” She still had her hand on his shoulder. “I guess … I don’t know, I still think every day about what we could
be sharing. Not on the set, of course. But back at the hotel. A friendship,” she massaged her fingers into his shoulder muscles.
“Or something more.”

A sigh rattled around in Chase’s chest. “Rita, for the last time, I’m not interested.” He was baffled at her determination.

“Maybe that’s why I let Jake kiss me. At least he’s not married.”

“No. But he is your co-star, and for that reason, the two of you need to cool it until we wrap.”

He took a step toward the eating area. “Come on, the DP wants to talk to you, too.” He kept a few paces ahead of her, and
once they were back with the others the gravity of what had just happened hit him fully. He walked back to Keith and Lisa
and told them he couldn’t take another minute on the set. “I need to get back. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Seven o’clock call again.”

“I know.” He stopped himself from reciting the number of dollars that would fall from their bank balance once the clock started
ticking in the morning. He needed some sleep or he would regret his poor attitude. “Thanks for your hard work, guys.”

“You too.” Keith stood and moved closer to him. “What was the deal with Jake and Rita? Where’d you find them?”

Chase barely had the energy to tell the story, so he stuck to the facts. He explained how he’d been walking toward Rita’s
trailer when Jake stepped out, the two of them caught in a passionate kiss. “I told them to quit it, and I asked them to keep
their behavior above the line—the way they were supposed to be.” Chase rubbed his hand into the back of his neck. He and Keith
and Lisa could talk later about the problems an affair between the two costars could bring about. “Bottom line, they promised
to lay low from now on, keep things clean on the set.”

“Wow … I mean, you ever wonder if there’s anything else the enemy can throw at us to stop us from making this movie?”

“I try not to think about it.” Chase felt the exhaustion in his smile. “See you later.”

He left and as he drove back to the hotel he turned on the radio and heard Jeremy Camp’s “I Will Walk by Faith.” He turned
up the volume and let the words fill his heart and soul.
I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see …
Chase let that phrase stay with him, let it work its way deep inside him. When the song ended he turned off the radio and
stared blankly at the cars stopped at the light ahead of him. The citizens of Bloomington were good, hard-working family people,
most of them going home at this hour to family dinners and homework sessions with their kids. The thought of it made him miss
Kelly and the girls more than he had since he’d arrived in town.

God … everything is closing in around me. I can’t see You in anything that’s happening, and I’m not doing very well at walking
by faith either.
He remembered a scene from the great classic film,
It’s a Wonderful Life
. When George Bailey was in trouble, his entire town came to his support and saved the day dropping fives and tens and twenties
into a huge basket and sparing him a trip to jail in lieu of having Christmas with his family. That’s what he needed, that
kind of a miracle.
But, God, who’s going to save our movie from failing?
He could hardly expect the townspeople to show up with tens and twenties. It was one thing for them to come together to pray,
but this?
Father, I’m falling … I’m at the end of myself. We’re almost out of money and then all of this will be for nothing—the investors’
money wasted … the actors’ time wasted … all of it a waste of time and energy.
He felt tears in his eyes, and he fought back his emotions.
I can’t do this, Lord … I feel like I’m walking into a lion’s den and taking the entire cast and crew with me.

My son, I am with you … rejoice in your suffering. I will never leave you nor forsake you …

The answer wasn’t clear or loud or definitive, but the verse filled his soul at just the right moment. God was with him, of
that Chase could not doubt. God’s Spirit lived in him and like Keith and Lisa said, if this wasn’t the place where God wanted
them, He would lead them to the next place. And since the verse that came to mind was about suffering, Chase had every reason
to believe that’s exactly what would happen. Oh, the cast and crew would be paid for every hour of their work—one way or another.
The moment they ran out of money, he and Keith would have to face the group and tell them what had happened. Everyone would
pack up and go their own ways and that would be that.

Failure beyond anything Chase ever imagined.

Even he and Kelly were struggling. She was worried frantic over what a failed movie would mean for their personal finances.
She’d even said something about being homeless this time next year. He parked his car and walked heavy-hearted into the lobby
past the fireplace. The old man at the check-in desk was friendly with all those from the movie staying at the hotel. He was
a Christian, and Chase and Keith had talked to him a few times about the purpose of the film. In turn the man had promised
to pray. Now he waved and gave Chase a big grin. “Long day on the set, my friend?”

“Very long.” Chase smiled at the guy. “But God is good, right?”

“All the time!” The man handed Chase a fresh water bottle. “Tomorrow’s a new day.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.” More than the man could possibly have known. Chase took the elevator up to his floor and trudged
down the hallway to his room. As soon as he opened the door he saw someone move inside and he stepped back. When was Rita
going to—

“Hi.” The voice wasn’t Rita’s, it was Kelly’s.

Chase walked inside and set his bag down, too shocked to move or speak or do anything but let the tears fill his eyes. “You
… how did you … ?”

“My parents bought me a ticket. I couldn’t stay away.” She was sitting at the table near his bed, the same one where Rita
had been sitting that time. Chase had told Kelly about the incident, and now she smiled. “I was afraid you’d think I was Rita.”

“I did.” He was catching his breath, rebounding from the shock of seeing her. “Notice my first reaction was to back up into
the hallway.”

“I did notice.” She stood and there were tears in her eyes too. She held out her arms. “I missed you.”

He came to her, wrapped her into his arms, and held her close against his chest, clung to her as if she were the only friend
he had in all the world. “You don’t know how much I needed to see you tonight.”

“I do know.” She sniffed and leaned back enough to see him. “God told me to come, and so I couldn’t stay away. You had to
know that I believe in your dreams, Chase. I do.” The tears ran unabashed down her cheeks and she lifted her face to his,
kissing him in a way that took both their breath. The moment was laced with a desperate sort of passion and fear, a determination
that they would walk together with God, wherever the path took them. In that embrace, in that moment of untamed love and longing
for each other, one thing was desperately clear—whatever they faced, they wouldn’t lose each other in the process.

When they eased back from each other, Kelly made a sound that was mostly laugh and partly cry. “I can’t believe I’m here.
It feels so good to see you.”

“You too.” He led her to the edge of the bed and they sat side-by-side. “I’ve never been more discouraged, Kelly. So much
that I was afraid to call you.” He looked down at his hands and absently twisted his wedding ring. “I hate making you worry.”

“I’m done worrying.”

The resolve and certainty in her voice caught him by surprise. “Nothing’s better.” He had to be honest with her. “No one’s
come forward, and if we don’t find some money fast, we’re finished.”

“I know.” Her smile was bathed in peace. She reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers between his. “But if that happens,
then God will get us from here to there.”

“There?” He almost didn’t recognize this new, completely confident Kelly. “Where’s there?”

“Wherever He takes us.” She turned toward him and hugged him once more, burying her head against his neck and staying that
way a long time. “I forgot how important it was to dream, Chase. But God reminded me.” She stood and went to her suitcase.
From the outside pocket she pulled a padded envelope and brought it to him. “I found this the other day.”

Chase had no idea what she might’ve found that could bring about this type of change in her, but he was grateful. After crying
out to God the way he had earlier, he was certain her visit was God’s way of encouraging him—even if encouragement couldn’t
pay the bills.

Kelly sat on the bed again and lifted a small plastic frame from inside the envelope. She turned it over and held it up for
him to see. As soon as Chase realized what he was looking at, the tears he’d been fighting spilled onto his cheeks. Now he
understood why she had come, why God had told her she needed to be here to remind Chase of his dreams. He studied the picture
and he was there again, the hot, humid night air thick around him, realizing a wonderful miracle that until that day he hadn’t
believed was possible.

Chase looked up at his wife, and with his chin trembling he said the only thing he could think to say. “If fireflies are real
…” His voice cracked, and he couldn’t finish the sentence. He framed her face with his hands, loving her more than ever before,
and he tried again. “If fireflies are real …”

She smiled at him through her own tears. “Then God can get us through this.”

They hugged again and Chase had no words to thank her, no way of voicing what her visit and her reminder meant to him.

The light from the firefly in the photograph had said it all.

Twenty-Three

A
NDI WAS BACK ON THE SET
Friday afternoon for additional extra work, this time by herself. Bailey was no longer considered an extra because of her
role as Jake’s girlfriend, so they couldn’t use her in scenes where she might be recognized walking along a campus path or
sitting in a classroom. Andi missed having her camaraderie on the set, but she didn’t mind the lack of scrutiny. Because she’d
done something she told herself she wouldn’t do.

She’d connected again with Jake Olson.

When she arrived at the set just before lunch, he came up to her and asked if she’d follow him to a grassy spot a ways from
the tent. “Hey,” he sounded disappointed in himself. “I’m sorry about last week.”

At first Andi kept her guard up. “Don’t worry about it.” She started walking back toward the tent, but he touched her arm.
The feeling shot electricity throughout her body, and she turned, flustered. “There’s not much more to say.” She gave him
a look like this was wasting her time. “I have to go eat.”

“Wait.” He took a few steps and caught up to her. “I felt like a jerk that night. I mean it was so awkward—getting caught
by Dayne and his wife that way.”

“It was. I never should’ve let things go that far.” She released an exasperated breath. “Look, Jake, I was okay with a kiss.
One kiss and a nice walk around the lake. But that’s not what you had in mind.” Her smile was aloof, intended to dismiss him.

But again he stayed at her side. “Can I have another chance? I mean, I think I underestimated you.”

His eyes pierced hers, and the feeling made her knees weak. “Underestimated me?”

“How good you are. In my business, there are almost no really good girls.” He slipped his hands in his jeans and took on a
look that seemed meant to garner her empathy. “A guy like me can get out of practice, forget how to handle a girl who’s …
you know, really a treasure.”

Andi felt herself falling again. After the hour she spent talking with Cody at last week’s football game, she had no trouble
forgetting Jake. All she wanted was a guy like Cody Coleman, a guy who would cherish her the way Tim Reed cherished Bailey.
But here … with Jake standing inches from her, she felt her resolve giving way like a sandcastle at high tide. “Really?” She
crossed her arms, still trying to save face. “You’re not just saying that?”

“Not at all.” He motioned for her to follow him back to the tent. “It’s Friday night. I just thought maybe we could hang out
again, that’s all.”

“Not at Lake Monroe.” Her answer was quick and laced with a teasing if reluctant laugh.

“No, not there.” His grin was full of more apology. “How ’bout somewhere out in the open, with lots of people around. So you
won’t have to wonder about my motives.”

The idea sounded better all the time. Andi tried to picture what it would feel like being seen with Jake Olson, the girl on
his arm at some restaurant or party. Just then she remembered. “A guy in my math class told me about a frat party tonight.
Right across from campus.”

“That’d be great.” His eyes danced and he looked less dangerous than before.

Andi wondered if she’d been too quick to write him off. Maybe he really was sorry for being such a jerk. Besides, after her
talk with Bailey last Saturday she sensed her roommate wasn’t really excited about Andi spending time with Cody. Not only
that, but Cody hadn’t called or texted, so he couldn’t have been too anxious to get to know her better.

But Jake … Jake was very interested. The fact was more flattering than Andi wanted to admit. “I’m going to dinner with my
parents, but I can head over to the party around eight.”

“Perfect. Text me when you get there, and you can tell me where you are.”

She flashed flirty eyes at him. “This is your last chance.”

He produced a dramatic bow, like a renaissance man of old. “Your kindness and generosity overwhelm me, my princess.”

“Jake!” she giggled. “You’re crazy.”

“About you.” He made a few quick raises of his eyebrow and then he turned and headed toward the assistant director.

Andi went into the tent and served herself a scoop of tuna salad and a side of steamed vegetables. But she barely tasted any
of it, because she couldn’t believe the change in Jake, or the fact that tonight, for the first time in her life, she was
going to a real party. At a frat house, no less. She’d seen those types of parties in the movies, and she figured this one
would be the same—loud music, lots of laughter, and people drinking and hitting on each other.

She wasn’t sure how much of the party she wanted to experience, but she was thrilled to be going. How could she understand
what she was missing if she didn’t at least try living the way other people lived? And with Jake there, she wouldn’t have
to worry about strange guys picking her up.

Throughout her day of extra work, whenever Jake was near her, their eyes would meet and she could feel his admiration to the
core of her being. She was surprised that her parents hadn’t noticed his attention, and she was grateful at the same time.
The last thing she wanted was another lecture from her dad about the type of guy Jake Olson really was. Her dad meant well,
but he didn’t know. Jake was a good guy, she could tell that after their talk today. His explanation about not having much
practice with “good” girls made perfect sense.

Throughout her day of filming, and on into dinner, her plans with Jake were all she could think about. She and her parents
went to a steakhouse, and Chase and his wife joined them. Andi was glad about that too. The two couples kept getting into
deep conversations about the filming and practically forgetting she was with them. Andi was glad because the talk kept the
attention off of her.

Toward the end of the meal, her mom reached across the table and took hold of Andi’s hand. “You doing okay, sweetie? You’re
quiet.”

“I’m fine.” Neither of them had found out about her date last Friday with Jake, and if things went well, they wouldn’t find
out about tonight either. “School’s going great. My grades are almost all A’s.”

“Good for you, honey.” Her dad’s smile was kind and laced with approval. “You’ve been doing a great job on the set too.” He
didn’t say that she’d handled well the disappointment of not getting the part she wanted. But that’s what he meant, his tone
told her that. “How are things with Bailey?”

“Fantastic.” Andi smiled at the mention of her roommate. “She’s doing great at rehearsals for
Scrooge
. She’s the best Ghost of Christmas Past ever.” Andi pictured the two of them at rehearsal the other day with Tim. He was
amazing as Scrooge, and since Andi had to dance with him in the first act, the two of them were becoming better friends.

“I like Tim for you,” Andi had told Bailey the other day after rehearsal. “You two are so much the same it’s incredible. Like
God made him just for you.”

Bailey hadn’t looked overjoyed at the comment, but she agreed all the same. “Tim is good for me. I see that a little more
every day.”

There were a few bumps here and there—like the hurt she felt from Bailey after Andi’s talk with Cody that night. But that
passed after a few days, and she and Bailey were becoming better friends all the time. Neither of them would’ve done anything
to hurt the other, and they were opening up more about the deeper ways they thought about their faith and family, the guys
in their lives. Bailey still worried about the way Andi was tempted to live a little on the edge.

“Rachel would have told you to stay away from Jake,” Bailey told her this morning when they talked about their Friday night
plans. Bailey was going home again, and she and Tim were seeing a movie. Andi mentioned the frat party, and Bailey had given
her a doubtful look. “And she never would’ve gone to a party like that. You know it, Andi.”

“Yeah,” she gave a sad look at the picture that hung on her wall. “Look where it got her.”

The conversation around the dinner table turned again to the movie, and Andi felt her phone vibrate in her purse beside her.
She pulled it out and discretely—so she wouldn’t be thought rude—she read the message. A thrill ran through her, the same
thrill that always came when she saw his name. The message was from Jake.
Don’t forget to text me when you get to the party. I’m sitting at the hotel … can’t wait to hear from you.

She checked the time on her phone. Seven thirty. She needed to get going. As they finished dinner, the women suggested dessert.
“We haven’t all been together like this in too long,” Andi’s mom said. “I could sit here catching up all night.”

Andi took the statement as her cue. She spread her hand out on the table and leaned in, smiling at each of them. “I should
probably get going. Still lots to do tonight.”

“On a Friday?” Her mom looked disappointed again. “We love having you here.”

“I know.” She managed to sound practically heartbroken that she wasn’t staying longer. “It’s been a great dinner.” She focused
her attention on her mom. “We’re still meeting for breakfast, right? That little place just off campus?”

“Definitely.” Her mom gave a questioning look to the others. “You guys are in a meeting, right?”

“We’ll be in meetings all day, phone conferences with our team back home.” Her dad tried not to look worried, but his eyes
showed his concern. “You girls should all go, all three of you.”

“Great idea.” Kelly looked prettier than she had in a long time. She’d done her hair and makeup and she and Chase seemed very
in love. “What time should we meet?”

“Let’s say ten. In case I’m up late studying.” Normally Andi would’ve wanted the breakfast alone with just her mother and
her, but in light of all she wasn’t telling her parents, she welcomed the addition of Kelly to their breakfast date.

They all agreed that ten would work, and then Andi gave out hugs and goodbyes and headed for the parking lot. She texted Jake
the minute she arrived at the party, even before she climbed out of her car.
I’m here … it’s the big yellow house on the east side of the street.

Ten seconds passed and her phone rang. It was Jake. “Hey.”

“Hi.” Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she reached for a water bottle she had in the console between the two front seats. He’d
said just one word, but his voice made her dizzy, overcome with anticipation for whatever fun the night held. “Did you get
my text?”

“I did. I know the place.” He had a way of making every conversation seem deeply personal, intimate. “I’ve passed it on the
way back from the set a few times and seen kids hanging out there.”

She laughed. “That’s the place.”

“Okay, well, hey … so Rita stopped by for a minute. She wants to talk about our scenes for next week, run lines for a little
while.”

“Oh.” She felt like a child whose birthday balloons had suddenly all gone flat. “So you’re not coming?”

“No, no. Nothing like that.” He sounded anxious to keep her happy. “I’ll have the driver drop me off in an hour or so at the
most. Then later on you can drive me home or I can walk. The hotel’s only a few blocks away.” His tone told her he felt terrible
about the delay. “I’m sorry, Andi. It’s business, you know?”

“Sure.” She stared out the windshield at the crowd already gathering in front of the yellow frat house. “I don’t really know
anyone. Maybe I’ll go back to my dorm and wait to hear from you.”

“No, seriously, Andi. Go have fun.” His concern for her was refreshing. “You’ll see people you know. And I’ll be there as
soon as I can.”

The idea sounded better than sitting in her dorm by herself. Adrenaline coursed through her at the thought of walking up to
the kids and heading into the frat house not knowing a single person. Like something daring the old Andi never would’ve done.
“Okay. I might do that.”

“I have one question.” Jake sounded like he was nervous to ask it. “Will there be drinking?”

“Drinking? You mean alcohol?” She was surprised. “Jake, come on. I mean, it’s a frat party. Of course there’ll be drinks.”

“So … will it … offend you if I have a few beers?”

Again she was touched that he would think to ask. “Not at all. You can drink. I mean, you’re old enough, and as long as you
don’t drive, I’m fine. You could just get a ride back from someone.”

“True … but I wanted you to be okay with it.”

“Sure … of course.” Danger and intrigue mixed together in her gut and made her a little breathless. Would that be okay, really?
Jake drinking when he was with her? What if after he started drinking he forgot about his promise to be more of a gentleman?
She sucked in a nervous breath through her teeth. “I’ll even pull you aside a few beers, so you’ll have some in case they
run out.”

He chuckled and there was a fondness in his tone that didn’t seem to want more than a nice night out with her this time. “What
about you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, are you going to drink? You could just walk back to your dorm.”

She hadn’t considered the idea. Drinking wasn’t something she thought a lot about, but maybe this was the night to try it.
Like he said, she didn’t have to drive or get a ride with anyone. She could hang out, have a few beers, and then walk back
to her dorm to sleep it off. Her heart raced the way it had the first time she had flying lessons from her dad in the small
single-engine plane that took them in and out of the jungles of Indonesia.

“I’m not twenty-one.”

“That’s only if you’re buying. Otherwise you can’t get in trouble.”

That didn’t sound like the rule she’d heard before. Back in San Jose a group of kids got arrested and charged for being at
a party where alcohol was being served to minors. “Only if you get caught.”

“Right,” he conceded. “Which you won’t, because cops don’t go to frat parties. I mean, I’m not telling you what to do, but
I’d say live a little, Andi. Isn’t that what you told me that first time we talked? That you were tired of being so sheltered?”

“All the time.” What he was saying made sense. She felt goose bumps along her arms and again she stared at the growing crowd
on the steps and front yard of the frat house. “Okay, maybe I’ll go in and have a drink.”