Page 36 of California Dreaming

Could it be that he’d been waiting all his life for this woman?

Sitting with the questions for several long moments, he realized that instead of frightening him, the idea made him happy.

He picked up his script. The plot was great—full of action and surprising twists and turns. But right now, he was reading a romantic scene between his character and his character’s quiet assistant and love interest. Arch couldn’t help imagining her with Tessa’s dark hair and vivid blue eyes—

“Daydreaming, little bro? Bet I can guess about whom.”

He jumped, jolting his leg so it smarted. When he looked up, Mila was standing there, looking at him with a knowing expression.

“I was working,” he said, knowing better than to sound defensive, but not quite managing it. “Daydreaming is part of being an actor.” She looked as though she doubted his word, so he added, “At least it is when you can’t do more than sit in a recliner all day.” Finally giving her a smile, he said, “It’s good to see you.” Maybe his sister could take his mind off Tessa. He set the script on the glass coffee table.

She slumped onto the sofa across from him, looking a little worn out, which was strange for her. “I’ve been working some serious overtime trying to find your agent a place he’ll fall in love with.”

He knew Jay was looking for a beach house in Carmel. It would be great to have him in town, but it also made him feel more determined than ever to be strong enough to shoot Shock Tactics. What if Jay was depending on his commission in order to afford one of the ridiculously expensive houses in Carmel? What if his leg didn’t heal in time and they decided at the last minute to replace him?

“Is he a tough customer?” Arch asked, guessing at why his sister had a slightly frustrated look about her.

“Let’s just say that Jay is… discerning.” She sat up straighter on the couch and drew her shoulders back. “But you know me—never one to back down from a challenge. In fact, I thrive on them. Just like you.”

Clearly, his sister’s natural competitive streak had been activated. She’d always been that way and then found the perfect outlet in professional surfing. When that had ended in tragedy, Mila’s thrill in chasing the perfect wave had transformed into closing the sale on the perfect house. It was what made her one of the hottest Realtors out there.

“So how are you feeling?” Mila asked, her tone serious now. “Is the pain still bad?”

Arch shrugged. He could feel himself getting stronger by the day, but the ache in his left leg throbbed often enough to remind him he was still healing. “It’s okay,” he said.

“Which means it hurts like heck,” Mila replied knowingly, given that she’d been in even worse physical shape after her career-ending injury. “And I know what you’re like. Too proud and stubborn to admit when you need help.” A sly look came into her eyes. “Except when it comes to Tessa.”

At just the mention of her name, his heart beat faster. But he didn’t want to risk any more teasing from his sister. “You know I had no choice about a live-in caregiver. That was all the studio’s doing.”

“Yet you managed to snag the prettiest caregiver around.”

Arch grinned. “All part of the healing process,” he joked. “But seriously, she’s amazing at her job.” Suddenly, he had an idea. “Did you drive here?”

Mila nodded. “Why?”

“Tessa’s been so great with me that I’d like to buy her some flowers to say thank you. It’ll be a surprise for when she gets back.”

Mila raised an eyebrow, but he could also see she approved. “I knew I pulled in here for a reason rather than just driving by. Sure, let’s go.”

“By the way,” he said, “Tessa said you guys made her feel truly welcome at your Tuesday coffee. I think it meant a lot to her.”

“I enjoyed her company. Tessa’s one of the most grounded people I’ve met in a long time,” Mila replied. “And she can resist your charms. What’s not to like?” She helped him to his feet and handed him his crutches. “Let’s go.”

A cool breeze blew in through the windows of Mila’s Range Rover, and Arch closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh sea air. Apart from sitting in the garden a few times, he’d barely been outside the door. For someone used to being on the go all the time, it had been frustrating at first. But now he was getting used to the slower pace. Still, it was nice to be out, knowing he’d have a lovely surprise waiting for Tessa when she got back from whatever it was she did in the afternoons.

Mila was normally a fast driver, but as if she could read his mind, she slowed down her racer style and drove along the coast road slowly enough that he could take in Carmel-by-the-Sea’s beauty as if through fresh eyes. Since his career had taken off, life had been go, go, go. But getting out of his house reminded him of Carmel’s gentle pace and the pleasure of seeing families and couples enjoying their afternoons on the golden sand and in town.

Mila pulled up at a red light. She was humming along to an old country song on the radio, tapping the beat on the steering wheel.

And then that’s when he saw her.

Tessa.

She was standing a ways back from the beach on a flat rock. In front of her was an easel, and she was frowning in total concentration as she painted the landscape in her view.

So this was where she disappeared to when she had some time off. She was a painter! And from what he could see from the car, her work was excellent. She had an extraordinary eye for color and composition.

As the light turned green and Mila accelerated, he twisted his neck to catch the last glimpse of Tessa and her easel just to make sure he hadn’t been hallucinating.

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