The Fan Letter (19 page)

The middle door now opened and Eddie Chase came out. He smiled at the two women with his trademark dazzling smile. He looked as if he was in a very good mood.

Walking up to Leslie first, he shook hands. “It's nice to meet one of our authors,” he told her. “I hope Tom isn't boring you too much.”

“No, not at all,” Janice grinned. “He was just telling us how he came to know about Leslie.”

Eddie picked up Tom's glass and took a healthy sip. “Ah, yes. The snoop! I actually first heard mention of you over a year ago. When Phillip received your first letter. He was quite impressed by the story.”

That pleased Leslie. “How come you said the word bunny when you saw Leslie?” Janice asked.

The men exchanged a grin. “That's what Phillip calls you,” Eddie told Leslie. “He can't seem to remember your name. Was there some picture or something you sent?”

Leslie looked as if she was trying to decide if she should be hurt or not. Janice immediately knew what they meant and began laughing. “It was that picture! Remember, Les? The one I took when we were at that amusement park together. You were being hugged by a six-foot tall rabbit.”

“He calls me Bunny,” Leslie muttered. “I guess it could be worse.”

There was a knock on the door and Tom arose from one end of the sofa to answer it. “I hope you don't mind. I've already ordered dinner. That's probably room service.”

He was correct. Eddie, ever the gentleman when he wanted to be, led them to the dining table and held out the chairs for Leslie and Janice. He took his own seat as Tom brought over the wine to refill their glasses.

Leslie removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. When she set them on the side of the table, Tom peered at her face. She noticed his close scrutiny and turned red again.

“You look better without your glasses,” he remarked with a kind smile.

Leslie glanced at his face and made a show of squinting. “You look better without my glasses, too,” she kidded dryly.

Eddie started laughing and Janice giggled. Tom lifted his glass to Leslie. “Well said,” he saluted with a satisfied grin.

As they continued eating their filet mignon, the talk loosened up as the women relaxed more. Tom and Eddie seemed very interested in Leslie's novels.

“How did you happen to develop Jane into a wife for Jack?” Tom asked. “Our writers won't do that.”

Leslie looked down at her plate, carefully cutting a stalk of asparagus as she answered. “I really like The Loner character. And…I don't like to see anyone alone like that. I like happy endings. So I wrote one,” she ended simply as if the whole process had been that easy.

“I do, too,” Tom replied good-naturedly. “I've tried to get the writers to give Jack someone, but they haven't.”

Janice gave them a wide grin. “Well, there's always next season. We happen to know of an excellent storyline.”

“How many have you written? This isn't the Western, is it?” Eddie asked.

“I've done three so far. The second, the Western, is at the publishers now to see if they will accept it.”

“They will,” Janice, ever the optimist, stated.

Eddie nodded. “That's good. What's the third about?”

Leslie looked pleased with herself. Her eyes shone as she talked about her work. “It's called CHATEAU REX and Jane is hurt in an explosion she inadvertently caused and gets amnesia. The Professor has been watching her since the time and setting of the second story and abducts Jane. He takes her to his hidden laboratory in the hills around the Silicon Valley….” She broke off at the looks on the men's faces. “Oh, that's right. You know where that is. Ha, sorry! Anyway, the two of them go back in time to Scotland to discover Jane's past—which she knew nothing about. All this time the squad has been searching for her. Even antagonistic Andrew is worried. Jack is distraught. During the three months she is there, Rex and Jane fall in love….”

“Interesting triangle,” Tom commented, intrigued.

“Her memory returns when Jack and Andrew arrive to rescue her, guns in hand,” Leslie finished, out of breath and a little embarrassed that she talked so long.

“So, you gave the Professor a love scene? That's a first!” Eddie laughed.

“Actually, he gets three or four and a touching farewell,” Leslie explained, turning red again for some reason.

“Does Jack get his wife back?” Tom wanted to know.

“Oh, yes. Jane, of course, is very confused as her memory returns, but she would never leave Jack.”

“Of course she wouldn't,” Tom declared, lifting his chin. “That Jack is one terrific guy.”

Leslie steeled herself to meet his direct look and gave a small smile. “Yes, he is,” she responded quietly.

When they were done eating the foursome returned to the sofa and chairs. Tom sat next to Leslie on one end of the sofa as Eddie sat across from them in one of the chairs. Janice sat at the opposite side of the sofa so she could watch everyone easier. She didn't want to miss a thing.

“So,” Tom started when they were finally settled. “Tell us about your adventures traveling. I enjoy going to exotic places myself when I'm not filming.”

Leslie shook her head slightly and looked at Janice. “I wouldn't call it adventuresome, but it was enjoyable. I've been to seven islands in the Caribbean, and I spent five days shopping in Manhattan, but I prefer shopping in the Caribbean.”

“My wife's appearing on Broadway,” Eddie told them. You wouldn't go back to New York? She seems to like the pace of the city when she's there.”

“Oh, I really liked New York,” Leslie was quick to insist. “My agent wants me to come in the spring to meet the publishers. But, I do prefer St. Thomas and Martinique.”

Tom looked interested. “When are you going?”

“To New York? I don't know for sure,” Leslie frowned slightly and looked back at Janice. “Maybe in April. I'm kind of leery about just Janice and myself going. I was in a group before.”

“Take someone else with you,” Tom suggested.

Janice piped up here to make a point in Leslie's behalf. “There isn't anyone else, really. All our friends are either married or broke. Or both,” she added with a laugh. “We'll just have to stick together.”

Eddie glanced at Tom's face and changed the subject. “What are you planning on doing next with your stories, Leslie?”

Leslie looked away from Tom's face. “Next? I'd like to turn them into scripts and submit them, but I'm not sure how.”

Tom looked surprised. “Haven't you ever seen a script?”

“Not a real one,” Leslie replied and then grinned. “I'm planning on having all my friends send copies of my novel to Majestic with letters extolling the wonderful storyline! I'm hoping there'll be interest in it before I start another rewrite to try and turn it into a script.”

Eddie nodded at this strategy, not knowing for certain if she was completely serious. “Public opinion carries some weight. You'll want to contact Richard Avery. He's the head of the studio. If your work is good and enough fans show interest, something could happen.”

“It's good,” Tom said quietly, studying Leslie's face as she listened intently to Eddie's words. Janice continued to observe Tom and smiled contentedly to herself at his scrutiny of Leslie.

“Thanks,” Leslie said brightly. “That's good to hear from a professional.” She glanced at her watch. It was almost ten o'clock. “Oh, my, it's getting late, Jan. We shouldn't have taken up so much of your time,” she apologized as she stood from the sofa and looked around for her purse.

“No, don't go yet,” Tom hurriedly said, standing as if to block her. “We don't often get a chance to talk to people like this.”

“We have a two hour drive home,” was the reluctant argument from Leslie. She glanced at Janice for back-up. Janice was still seated, her arms across the back of the sofa, settling in for the duration. “Jan?”

“I'm fine. So we get home a little late,” she shrugged, knowing this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her friend. “No one is waiting for either of us. We both live alone,” she added with a smile.

Leslie threw her a “What-are-you-doing?” look and turned back suddenly when Tom picked up one of her hands. “Please stay for a while. If nothing else, we can arrange for you to have a room here. If it gets too late, that is,” he told them as he pulled Leslie back onto the seat on the sofa.

It was Eddie who stood next. “Well, after that meal and sitting for so long, I need some exercise. If that crowd is gone, I'm going down to the main lobby.”

Janice perked up at this. “I'll go with you,” she suddenly interjected, seeing a perfect opportunity to leave Tom and Leslie alone for a few minutes.

Hesitating for a fraction of a second, not seeing any other polite option, Eddie offered his arm. “That would be charming. We'll be back in a few minutes.”

Leslie's eyes grew alarmed as Janice strolled out the door with Eddie Chase. “You two are full of surprises. I wish I had a camera. No one will ever believe this,” she muttered as she turned back to Tom. He had kicked off his shoes and had his feet up on the coffee table.

He shrugged. “Eddie's the energetic one. He likes to work out and jog and keep active. Plus, he has a son to run after.”

“And what about you?”

“Me? No, I don't run around after his son,” he teased and was rewarded with a wide smile. “I don't know. I try to keep in shape, but I'm not a fanatic about it. Tell me about yourself, Leslie Nelson. Where are you from? What do you do in your boutique?”

So they talked on and on about their lives and found similarities in likes and dislikes. They told of pranks and jokes at both of their workplaces. Talking about their private lives, there were past loves mentioned and what they were both looking for in a partner. The television show came up and the possibility for Leslie's character in the next season. They went back to traveling and the destinations they would most like to reach. Never once was Phillip mentioned.

Eddie and Janice had returned after an hour only to be quickly, surreptitiously waved away by Tom. Leslie hadn't even noticed the door opening, being so caught up in their discussion and the moment. Somewhat concerned but not wanting to argue with his friend in front of the ladies, Eddie had no choice but to take Janice to his suite as the hour was so late. Always the trooper, she turned on the television and promptly fell asleep on the sofa. Eddie brought in a bedspread to cover her. Returning to his bedroom, he went to sleep himself, wondering what in the world Tom was doing.

L
eslie awoke suddenly. There was a man's arm around her shoulder, and she was leaning against someone's chest. Her own arm was encircling a waist. Her shoes were off with her feet tucked up under her wrinkled dress.

She looked up at Tom Young who was still asleep, his head back against the cushion of the sofa. Alarmed, she tried to get out of his arms as quietly as she could without awakening him. However his eyes opened and were momentarily shocked to see someone in his arms. He was quick to recover and quietly murmured, “Morning,” with a grin as she sat away from him looking extremely embarrassed.

“I…I can't believe we fell asleep like that,” she muttered as she smoothed down her messy dress and pushed absently at her hair.

Tom stretched his cramped arms. “Where's your friend? It's five a.m.”

Leslie stood awkwardly and looked around. Her nerves were making her shaky. “I don't know. Maybe in the bedroom?” She checked all three shut doors before she found the right room. “No. Is she with Eddie still?” she gasped at the thought.

“Maybe,” Tom shrugged as if he didn't care one way or the other. “She'll be all right. Eddie's a happily married man. Everything's fine. What's wrong?” he asked as her face was far from calm.

“I can't believe this happened! What about your reputation if someone found out? This is terrible,” she exclaimed getting herself even more upset.

Tom reached out to her and put his hands on her arms to calm her. “No, it's not terrible…unless you had a really terrible time,” he added with a small grin. “We fell asleep on the sofa after a most enjoyable evening. That's all.” He put a finger under her chin and raised her face so he could see her eyes. He gave her a sincere smile. “I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an evening so much. You're different from most women I meet. And you're certainly not like most of the fans. You're funny and serious and shy and bold all mixed together.”

Leslie didn't know what to say. She was staring into his amber eyes. Her embarrassment had fled at his kind words. He bent down and lightly kissed her cheek. Her hand went up and touched the spot where his lips had been.

“I guess I enjoyed it, too,” she almost whispered. “I must look a fright,” she claimed wiping at her eyes and looking down.

Tom grinned showing his even white teeth. “Well, you do look like a raccoon.”

“Oh!” That was the last thing she wanted to hear and tried to cover her eyes with her hands.

He laughed and pulled her hands down. “I like raccoons,” he told her and lifted her face again. This time he gently kissed her lips.

“No, don't,” she whispered, turning her head and trying to push away as all the years of brow-beating took over her actions. “I'm nobody. You deserve….”

“Shh,” he cut her off, not relinquishing his hold. “You're not a nobody. I think you're special and I'd like to see you again sometime.”

“I live in Amherst. You live down in Los Angeles. That's over three hundred miles away. You're just being nice,” she argued weakly, her heart pounding at his words.

“Just leave your address and phone number. You'll see. I don't spend the night with just anyone,” he added lightly. He was surprised to see her eyes widen.

“We…we didn't spend the night together! Don't say it that way!”

Tom was touched by her protestations. That was all the other women usually wanted from him. He now knew for sure that this one was different. “Okay, I won't. Sorry. Are you going to stay for the convention today? You're already here. We could have lunch together,” he offered, hoping.

“No, I have to get home. If my parents knew I wasn't home they would worry.” She saw the dubious look on his face. “I know I'm not fifteen,” she smiled, knowing how it sounded. “But they still worry. Plus, I've taken up too much of your time.”