him drowned in the creek behind his house. Officially, the police called it an accident. Josie’s dad took off six months after the car wreck, left his wife and second daughter to deal with the situation alone. Her mom had a fatal heart attack five years ago, and Priscilla’s had the burden of caring for her sister ever since. All I could do was visit when I had free time. After I started making a decent wage in Hollywood, I paid the bills that had piled up over the years.”
Eden wiped tears off her cheeks. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“Me, too.” He stared straight ahead at the highway bisecting the prairie. “I realize this is a blessing, all things considered. Josie’s death wasn’t unexpected since she had a few complications over the last couple of years, but knowing she’s gone still hurts. Maybe not as much as it did when the doctors finally convinced us she’d never wake up, but I feel…numb.”
“You’re a good man, Blake, to have stood by her all these years. Your entire adult life. Most people would have taken the easier path and walked away.”
He glanced over before returning his attention to the road and tightened his grip on the wheel. “I haven’t been a martyr. Obviously my life wasn’t ruined, despite the guilt that ate at me. I’ve had relationships with a number of women, but I couldn’t make a commitment.” A harsh breath rushed out. “I don’t know. Maybe now I’ll be able to.”
“Why would you feel guilty? If the other driver was at fault—”
“Hank swerved to miss a deer. It was late, and Josie was driving because I’d been drinking at a party.” He pulled his hand out from beneath hers. “If I hadn’t had so many beers…”
“Survivor’s guilt? You think you should have been the one in a coma instead of her?”
“It’s what I wished for a long time. I damn well don’t drink anymore, that’s for sure. Haven’t since that night.”
“Sounds like a horrible, tragic accident. Nothing more. You were acting responsibly and gave up your keys. You made the right decision.” Eden turned in her seat to face him. “If you’d been driving drunk, who knows what might have happened. All three of you might have wound up dead on that road.”
“Maybe.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m going to lay Josie to rest today, along with all the baggage I’ve been carrying around for years. She wouldn’t want anything but happiness for me.”
“From what you’ve said about her, I’m sure she wouldn’t.” Eden brought one knee up and wrapped her arms around it. “Goes to show perception is nothing like reality.”
“What do you mean?”
“I figured you were just another actor living the good life without a care in the world. Your personal struggle doesn’t show in the face you put on for the public, although maybe it makes acting out the emotional scenes in your films easier.”
“Maybe so. I never really thought about it. I’m just thankful to have kept Josie’s existence out of the media all these years, which is one of the reasons I didn’t spend more time in Blue Valley. The paparazzi would have gotten suspicious, which was the last thing I wanted.”
They were silent as the sports car ate up the miles through the desolate prairie and crossed out of Idaho into Oregon. When the sun broke through the clouds and blue sky spread before them, Blake retracted the roof.
Eden turned her face up to the warm rays and smiled. “I love this, but my hair will be a disaster.”
“Want me to put the top back up?”
“No, I’ll braid my hair instead.” With swift movements, she wove the shiny mass into a single thick plait then fastened the end with a band she dug from her purse. “Perfect. Let the wind blow.”
Warmth seeped into him, and it wasn’t all due to the sun burning bright overhead. Eden had an easy genuineness about her that allowed him to relax and enjoy the moment.
“The air smells wonderful.” Her voice carried over the rush of tires on pavement. “I love the scent of sagebrush.”
“I do, too. Nothing like the high desert on a beautiful morning.”
She nodded. “Do you still have family in Blue Valley?”
“No, my sister and her kids live in Portland, and my parents retired to Northern Arizona. They like it there since they have the same high desert environment but without Oregon’s frigid winters. They aren’t coming for the service. Pris wanted to keep it small. Just a few local friends. She said she couldn’t deal with a big production.”
“Pris is Josie’s sister?”
“Yeah. Priscilla Lewis. She’s a couple years younger than Josie is…was. I know she took her death hard. Pris has spent her whole life caring for her sister.”
“Hopefully she’ll come to terms with her loss and be able to move on soon.” Eden leaned an elbow on the open window. “Priscilla sounds like a woman who deserves some happiness.”
“Without a doubt. She never had a chance to go to college or learn any skills other than the practical care involved in nursing Josie. I’ll do what I can for her once she decides what she wants to do with her life.”
Eden’s gaze was sober as she regarded him. “You really are a nice man. I’m sorry I misjudged you.”
He glanced back at the road. “I didn’t know you had.”
“Oh, yeah. I was positive you’d be a selfish idiot, expecting all us mere mortals to jump at your every whim.”
A grin slipped out. “Don’t I wish? Every time I want something that has to do with the film, I’m forced to battle it out with John. As the director, he has the final say unless one of the producers overrides his decision.”
“So, you aren’t at the top of the pecking order?”
He snorted. “Not even close.” Flipping on the blinker, he sailed around a slow-moving van. “So, have you given your dad’s suggestion any more thought?”
“Huh?” She straightened and glanced over.
“You know, pretending you’re crazy about me.”
Her cheeks took on a pink hue. “I feel like a fool just for mentioning it.”
“Why? I like the idea. We’ll come back from the concert as a newly established couple. If your ranch foreman—what did you say his name is?”
“Zane.”
“If Zane gives you any trouble, I’ll make it clear you’re my woman.”
“Oh, God.” She covered her eyes and let out a sigh. “I don’t know which would be worse, Zane’s unrelenting belief that we’ll eventually get back together, or having everyone I know think I’m your latest fling.”
“I don’t have flings. Ask anyone who knows me.”
“That’s my point. No one here does know you. The locals will assume I’ve lost my mind and become just another groupie.”
He shook his head. “Doubtful.”
“Why’s that?”
“You’re forgetting my exceptional acting skills. If I can’t make everyone we meet believe I’ve fallen madly in love with you, then I might as well pack my bags and leave Hollywood.”
A giggle escaped before she pressed a hand over her lips. “You have an odd sense of humor, but I guess there’s some truth to that claim. What do you get out of the whole charade?”
“I get to hang out with you. I like you, Eden. You’re the real deal.” He regarded her for a long moment. “Coming from a world of fake everything from boobs to smiles, I appreciate your candor more than you realize. I don’t need any other reason to help you out of an awkward