Gun Brooke - Course of Action

"Thanks, love." Carolyn lit up, grabbing a mug before answering. "Maddox movie hoopla. We were just talking about all the hype about Dying for Fame . It's going to be brutal." She winked at Helen.

"We're going to be interviewed to death. Leno was just a small taste of what's to come." Helen moaned. "Can you imagine? Letterman, Conan…"

"Actually, the producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show have approached us." Annelie sat down next to Carolyn. "We'll do two whole shows based on the books first, and then the movies. This isn't until the premiere, of course."

"Oprah's another matter." Carolyn smiled. "I've never been on her show, but I look forward to it."

Jem slumped back into one of the armchairs. "Who knew, when Annelie signed Delia Carlton—completely unknown at the time—she'd write such an international hit?"

"Oh, that's right. I checked my mail earlier," Annelie added before sitting down next to Carolyn. "I didn't have a chance to tell you all the news."

"What news?"

"You've got to promise me this stays among the four of us." Annelie looked serious.

"Now we're all dying of curiosity." Carolyn turned her head, trying to determine what was up from Annelie's expression.

"Delia Carlton just submitted another manuscript. There's going to be a fourth Diana Maddox book."

"What?" Jem exclaimed, her jaw dropping. "When did you learn about this?"

"Just before Helen arrived. I meant to share it over dinner, but we started talking about other things."

"Does this mean another audiobook and another movie?" Carolyn raised her eyebrows.

"Possibly. I'll read it and then pass it on to my editor." Annelie winked at Jem. "If it's up to her usual standards, which it probably is, I foresee at least an audiobook."

"The fans will go crazy," Helen said. "The secret's safe with me."

"I'm so glad Delia Carlton wrote these books." Carolyn smiled. "So much has come from it."

"Clever lady, in all she does." Annelie raised her mug. "Here's to Delia, without whom none of us would be exactly where we are."

They all raised their coffee mugs.

"To Delia!"

***

Annelie pulled Carolyn onto her shoulder, nuzzling her hair. The familiar scent of her lover's shampoo made her relax into the embrace.

"You all right, love?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Annelie murmured.

"You have. Several times."

Not sure if Carolyn was being facetious, Annelie moved, looking down at her. "I was worried."

"I know, Annie, but I'm fine now. No headache, no dizziness. The new medication works like a charm."

Frowning, Annelie sank down on the pillows. "Please don't downplay it. You scared me today."

Apparently realizing how serious she was, Carolyn rolled over on her side, landing almost nose to nose with Annelie. "I know I did. I think you were paler than I was, at the hospital. I'm sorry."

"No, no, it wasn't your fault. You couldn't help being sick, but I need you to acknowledge my feelings. I sat in the cab forever, in the traffic gridlock from hell, and had no way of knowing how serious your condition was. I was rushing toward a hospital for the second time in a week, and—" Annelie stopped the gush of words when memories of another hospital, another time, overwhelmed her.

"And?" Carolyn prodded gently, wrapping her arms around Annelie, rubbing her back.

"And I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time."

"I'm guessing you didn't make it to the hospital in time when your mother died?" Carolyn's voice was soft.

"I tried to get to her." Annelie gave a muted sob. "I had a test in school, an important one, and I'd studied so hard for it. I took the test, and when I came out, the principal was waiting for me. She drove me to the hospital. Margo met me at the door and told me. Mom was gone."

Carolyn tucked Annelie's ice-cold hands into her armpits, and her freezing feet tangled between her own. "I'm so sorry to hear this, Annie. It must have been so hard for you."

"You went through something similar and you were only twelve, with siblings to raise."

"True."

"And at twenty-one, when you were left completely in charge. We've both been there in different, but still similar, ways." Annelie clung to her lover. "You feel so warm."

"You'll be warm soon too. What time is it?"

Annelie turned her head toward the alarm clock. "Two thirty. Wonder why I can't settle down. I'm keeping you awake too."

"Don't worry about it. It's Saturday. We can sleep in."

Annelie frowned. "Yes, but you still need your sleep. I'll go have some warm milk. Want some?" The disgusted look on Carolyn's face made her smile. "Guess not. I'll be right back."

Annelie grabbed her robe, tiptoeing through the hall toward the kitchen. When she passed the two guest rooms she spotted Jem coming from the bathroom. "You okay?" Annelie whispered.

"Yeah, just too much coffee. What's up? Can't sleep?"

"No, and I'm keeping Carolyn awake."

As Jem began to walk back to her room, something caught her attention. "What's she up to?"

Helen stood motionless farther down the hall, almost ghostlike in her long, white nightgown. Her hair was tousled around her shoulders, and she didn't appear to notice them.

"Helen?" Annelie said in a low voice as they walked up to her. "What're you doing out here?"

There was no reply. The actress's eyes were open, but unfocused.

"She must've taken the pills the doc gave her," Jem said. "She's asleep."

"You mean she's sleepwalking? Should we wake her?"

"No, I don't think so. I'll help her." Jem carefully circled Helen's shoulders with her arm, nudging her toward the guest room. "Come on, honey. Let's get you back to bed." Walking behind them into Helen's room, Annelie watched Jem help the sleeping woman sit down on the bed. Then Jem lifted Helen's legs and coaxed her to move up onto the pillows. "That's right. Up we go." Jem grabbed the sheet and blankets lying on the floor, spreading them over Helen's motionless body and tucking her in. She stood watching the sleeping form for a moment before walking back to the hallway with Annelie.

"Is she all right?" Annelie resumed walking toward the kitchen.

"She's pretty out of it, but she responded when I was talking to her. Still, she took quite a fall today. Speaking of that, is Carolyn okay?"

"Yes, she claims she's fine." Annelie took a carton of milk from the refrigerator, poured some into a mug, and placed it in the microwave. "Want some milk?" Unaware of it, Jem mimicked the face Carolyn had made only minutes before.

"No, I'll head back to bed. I hope that'll do the trick for you, though."

"Me too."

Carrying the mug back to the bedroom, Annelie found Carolyn still awake and waiting for her. She carefully climbed back into bed, sipping from her mug.

"You look like a kid, all tousled and drinking milk," Carolyn whispered. "You're always beautiful, but this is the first time I've ever seen you look cute."

"Cute?" Annelie wrinkled her nose. "Thanks. I think."

Carolyn placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "You're welcome."

Finishing the milk and finally feeling warm again, Annelie curled up close to Carolyn, holding her in her arms. "I want to ask you something." She held her breath for a moment while pushing back stray strands of hair from her lover's face. "You tried to hide the fact your headaches were getting worse, and I guess you meant to keep me from worrying. Like you protect Beth, for instance. I don't want to be protected, nor do I need to be. If I'd known you were feeling worse than usual, I might not have gotten the shock I did today."

"Annie…" Carolyn's voice was a mere whisper.

"I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I'm trying to tell you how I feel and what I need from you. You don't have to tell me every little detail, but don't try to shield me from what's important. If it concerns you, it concerns me. Let me take care of you when you need it, and I'll come to you when I need you to care for me—to put your arms around me and love me." She rose on one elbow, looking down at Carolyn. "This is important, darling."