Page 31
Story: Capture the Rainbow
“I’ll be ready,” she said, trying to smile lightly. “I wouldn’t think of disappointing you by messing up the most dramatic shot in the picture. Besides, I’ll enjoy the switch of driving into a sunrise instead of riding off into the sunset.” She was babbling and she couldn’t seem to stop. If he would only go away so that she wouldn’t have to see that flinty look in his eyes, the muscle working in his jaw. “The last two pictures I did were westerns and I always seemed—”
“Be quiet.” Joel’s hands were heavy on her shoulders. “For heaven’s sake, be quiet. After watching half the people on the set bidding you a fond farewell as if you were the star of an Irish wake, I can do without your flippant remarks.”
She found his face oddly blurred and it was hard to speak over the tightness in her throat. “There was nothing funereal about it. They were just trying to give me comfort and strength in the only way they know how. I’m sorry if you don’t approve.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t approve.” His voice was husky and his olive eyes oddly bright in the misty morning light. “I’m just jealous as hell you need anyone else but me. I want to be the only one you turn to for help.”
He drew her into his arms carefully, as if she were very fragile and might break at the slightest touch. His cheek was hard and cold against her own, but his lashes pressed against her temple were warm and moist. Moist?
“Take from me, rainbow lady. Use me. I want to give you all the strength and skill you need to get across that canyon.” He was rocking her with the most exquisite tenderness she had ever known. “Oh God, I feel as if I could lift you over it myself by sheer force of will. Know that, Kendra. Know that I’ll be willing you across that damned abyss with everything that’s in me.” He kissed her with desperation and ferocity. “You’ve got to make it, dammit!” Then he released her and strode quickly toward the camera truck. He didn’t look at her again as he jumped in the back and shouted. “Let’s go” to the driver.
Kendra drew a deep breath, feeling a little dazed as she watched the truck turn and race down the road to the canyon floor. Dazed and yet she was experiencing an inner fire that seemed to warm every atom of her being, banishing the cold, banishing the fear she wouldn’t admit even to herself. Perhaps Joel really was the sorcerer she had thought him that first night. She could almost believe he could lift her over the canyon by will alone. By will…or was it something else? The question brought such a wild soaring hope she found herself trembling. No, she mustn’t start to think of that possibility now when all her concentration must be on the job.
She turned and climbed into the driver’s seat of the jeep, fastening the special seat belt before leaning back in the seat and closing her eyes. She cleared her mind of everything but what lay ahead of her, mentally going over the route and focusing on the point where she must gun the accelerator to gain enough momentum to make the jump. She forced herself to relax the tense muscles of her neck and shoulders. Hang loose. In a few minutes it would all be over and she’d be zooming over the chasm. She wouldn’t be alone for long. She’d be able to see Joel and the camera crew even as she made the jump. She would see him on the truck and know that he was making his own special magic and willing her to come to him. Then she’d be landing on the other side of the canyon where Joel was waiting. Where love was waiting.
She heard the crackle from the mobile phone—Ron from the helicopter with the signal for her to start. She opened her eyes and turned on the ignition of the jeep before reaching with a steady hand for the receiver to tell him she was ready.
The film sequence of the jeep soaring over the canyon won the camera crew on the helicopter an Oscar nomination. It was unforgettable: a small, black car silhouetted against the glory of the scarlet sunrise. The valiant sturdiness of the small jeep and the fragile figure of the woman at the wheel pitting their strength against the emptiness that yawned below caused the heart of a viewer to leap. It wasn’t only the sheer marvel of the feat that created such excitement, but also the incredible beauty of the concept itself.
To Joel, watching Kendra hurl herself into nothingness from the other side of the canyon, it seemed as if the jeep were suspended in midair for centuries instead of seconds before it began its descent. Then it moved in ultra slow motion until it hovered over the safety of the cliff. Suddenly the air was rent with violent sound and spewing of earth as the wheels of the jeep landed in a bone-jarring crash and skidded for an eternity before coming to a halt less than a hundred yards from where the cameras were set up near the truck.
He dimly heard the roar that went up from the crew and felt Billie grab his arm and squeeze it in a rapture of relief and delight. But he saw only the slim delicate woman in the driver’s seat, the copper curls of her wig bright in the sunlight as she bent forward. What was she staring at so intently? Then he realized her body slumped oddly.
“Oh God, no,” he breathed, and it was a prayer. Then he was running toward the jeep, forgetting the cameras that were still rolling.“No!”
Her lashes were dark shadows on her cheeks and her lips were parted like those of a sleeping child. She was so still that at first he thought she wasn’t even breathing, and it caused an icy panic to grip him as he fumbled frantically at the seat belt holding her prisoner. Suddenly he found his shoulders gripped by a steely hand, yanking him backward.
“Don’t touch her.” Skip Lowden’s voice was an urgent growl. “Haven’t you got any sense at all, Damon? I’ve radioed down to the first aid tent for them to send up a van and a medical team. They’ll be here within ten minutes.”
“She’s hurt!” Joel’s eyes were blazing as he turned to face him. “You were so sure nothing could happen toyourpeople. That all your cross-checks would keep her safe. She trusted you. And you may have killed her, damn you!”
“She’s not dead,” Skip said, his finger on the pulse point on Kendra’s throat. “But she’s unconscious and that means some type of injury. We can’t move her until we find out just exactly what we’re up against. I’ve got to look at the springs to make sure something didn’t go wrong.” He was already examining the seat with razor-sharp eyes. “Nothing. It should have given her a perfect cushion.” His forehead knotted in puzzlement. “What the hell could have happened to her?”
“I’m not going to stand here while you worry about your blasted technical problems,” Joel said through clenched teeth. “Is her back broken or not?”
“No, there’s no reason to believe there should be any broken bones from the impact,” Skip said absently. “And she didn’t hit her head when she landed. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with her.”
“Oh for pity’s sake, are you two just going to leave her in that seat while you try to diagnose what’s the matter with her?” Billie’s voice was seething with exasperation as she pushed between them and bent over Kendra. “Let’s get her out of here. If there aren’t any bones broken, there shouldn’t be any danger. She looks wretchedly uncomfortable.”
Skip frowned. “I don’t know if—”
“There’s nothing seriously wrong,” Billie said crossly. “Can’t you see, she’s just fainted.”
“If she’s fainted, then there must be a reason,” Skip said stubbornly. “We’ll have to wait for the medical team to take her down for X rays. There’s a portable unit at the first aid tent.”
“X rays!” Billie’s eyes widened. “They can’t do that. I told you there’s nothing wrong with her.”
“They’ll have to make sure,” Skip said with a shrug. “We can’t take the chance.”
“They can’t do it!” Billie interrupted violently. “X rays might hurt the baby!” Billie took one look at the stunned faces of the two men facing her and closed her eyes. “Oh Lord, now I’ve done it. I promised I wouldn’t say anything about her being pregnant.”
“Pregnant.”Joel repeated the word dazedly. He shook his head to clear it. Kendra pregnant. Kendra carrying his child. It was too much to comprehend after the panic that had gone before. “You’re sure, Billie?”
“I’m sure,” she said gloomily. “Kendra didn’t want anyone to know. She’s probably going to kill me.” Her chin lifted belligerently. “Now that you know what’s wrong with her, can we please get her to the first aid tent? I’m not sure all that jarring wasn’t harmful for her and the baby.”
That chill of panic returned and Joel shook his head. “We’ll still wait for the paramedics. I’m not going to risk hurting her.” She was too deeply unconscious for his peace of mind and Billie was right about that bone-jarring impact. God, he didn’t know anything about pregnancy. For all he knew it could be as dangerous for Kendra as that damn jump she had just made across the canyon. What if she was bleeding internally or something?
“Radio to Marasef,” he ordered Skip. “I want the best doctor in the city waiting at the first aid tent when they get her back down there.” With a surge of relief he saw the van racing up the road and started forward to meet it, with Billie following in his wake.
“Be quiet.” Joel’s hands were heavy on her shoulders. “For heaven’s sake, be quiet. After watching half the people on the set bidding you a fond farewell as if you were the star of an Irish wake, I can do without your flippant remarks.”
She found his face oddly blurred and it was hard to speak over the tightness in her throat. “There was nothing funereal about it. They were just trying to give me comfort and strength in the only way they know how. I’m sorry if you don’t approve.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t approve.” His voice was husky and his olive eyes oddly bright in the misty morning light. “I’m just jealous as hell you need anyone else but me. I want to be the only one you turn to for help.”
He drew her into his arms carefully, as if she were very fragile and might break at the slightest touch. His cheek was hard and cold against her own, but his lashes pressed against her temple were warm and moist. Moist?
“Take from me, rainbow lady. Use me. I want to give you all the strength and skill you need to get across that canyon.” He was rocking her with the most exquisite tenderness she had ever known. “Oh God, I feel as if I could lift you over it myself by sheer force of will. Know that, Kendra. Know that I’ll be willing you across that damned abyss with everything that’s in me.” He kissed her with desperation and ferocity. “You’ve got to make it, dammit!” Then he released her and strode quickly toward the camera truck. He didn’t look at her again as he jumped in the back and shouted. “Let’s go” to the driver.
Kendra drew a deep breath, feeling a little dazed as she watched the truck turn and race down the road to the canyon floor. Dazed and yet she was experiencing an inner fire that seemed to warm every atom of her being, banishing the cold, banishing the fear she wouldn’t admit even to herself. Perhaps Joel really was the sorcerer she had thought him that first night. She could almost believe he could lift her over the canyon by will alone. By will…or was it something else? The question brought such a wild soaring hope she found herself trembling. No, she mustn’t start to think of that possibility now when all her concentration must be on the job.
She turned and climbed into the driver’s seat of the jeep, fastening the special seat belt before leaning back in the seat and closing her eyes. She cleared her mind of everything but what lay ahead of her, mentally going over the route and focusing on the point where she must gun the accelerator to gain enough momentum to make the jump. She forced herself to relax the tense muscles of her neck and shoulders. Hang loose. In a few minutes it would all be over and she’d be zooming over the chasm. She wouldn’t be alone for long. She’d be able to see Joel and the camera crew even as she made the jump. She would see him on the truck and know that he was making his own special magic and willing her to come to him. Then she’d be landing on the other side of the canyon where Joel was waiting. Where love was waiting.
She heard the crackle from the mobile phone—Ron from the helicopter with the signal for her to start. She opened her eyes and turned on the ignition of the jeep before reaching with a steady hand for the receiver to tell him she was ready.
The film sequence of the jeep soaring over the canyon won the camera crew on the helicopter an Oscar nomination. It was unforgettable: a small, black car silhouetted against the glory of the scarlet sunrise. The valiant sturdiness of the small jeep and the fragile figure of the woman at the wheel pitting their strength against the emptiness that yawned below caused the heart of a viewer to leap. It wasn’t only the sheer marvel of the feat that created such excitement, but also the incredible beauty of the concept itself.
To Joel, watching Kendra hurl herself into nothingness from the other side of the canyon, it seemed as if the jeep were suspended in midair for centuries instead of seconds before it began its descent. Then it moved in ultra slow motion until it hovered over the safety of the cliff. Suddenly the air was rent with violent sound and spewing of earth as the wheels of the jeep landed in a bone-jarring crash and skidded for an eternity before coming to a halt less than a hundred yards from where the cameras were set up near the truck.
He dimly heard the roar that went up from the crew and felt Billie grab his arm and squeeze it in a rapture of relief and delight. But he saw only the slim delicate woman in the driver’s seat, the copper curls of her wig bright in the sunlight as she bent forward. What was she staring at so intently? Then he realized her body slumped oddly.
“Oh God, no,” he breathed, and it was a prayer. Then he was running toward the jeep, forgetting the cameras that were still rolling.“No!”
Her lashes were dark shadows on her cheeks and her lips were parted like those of a sleeping child. She was so still that at first he thought she wasn’t even breathing, and it caused an icy panic to grip him as he fumbled frantically at the seat belt holding her prisoner. Suddenly he found his shoulders gripped by a steely hand, yanking him backward.
“Don’t touch her.” Skip Lowden’s voice was an urgent growl. “Haven’t you got any sense at all, Damon? I’ve radioed down to the first aid tent for them to send up a van and a medical team. They’ll be here within ten minutes.”
“She’s hurt!” Joel’s eyes were blazing as he turned to face him. “You were so sure nothing could happen toyourpeople. That all your cross-checks would keep her safe. She trusted you. And you may have killed her, damn you!”
“She’s not dead,” Skip said, his finger on the pulse point on Kendra’s throat. “But she’s unconscious and that means some type of injury. We can’t move her until we find out just exactly what we’re up against. I’ve got to look at the springs to make sure something didn’t go wrong.” He was already examining the seat with razor-sharp eyes. “Nothing. It should have given her a perfect cushion.” His forehead knotted in puzzlement. “What the hell could have happened to her?”
“I’m not going to stand here while you worry about your blasted technical problems,” Joel said through clenched teeth. “Is her back broken or not?”
“No, there’s no reason to believe there should be any broken bones from the impact,” Skip said absently. “And she didn’t hit her head when she landed. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with her.”
“Oh for pity’s sake, are you two just going to leave her in that seat while you try to diagnose what’s the matter with her?” Billie’s voice was seething with exasperation as she pushed between them and bent over Kendra. “Let’s get her out of here. If there aren’t any bones broken, there shouldn’t be any danger. She looks wretchedly uncomfortable.”
Skip frowned. “I don’t know if—”
“There’s nothing seriously wrong,” Billie said crossly. “Can’t you see, she’s just fainted.”
“If she’s fainted, then there must be a reason,” Skip said stubbornly. “We’ll have to wait for the medical team to take her down for X rays. There’s a portable unit at the first aid tent.”
“X rays!” Billie’s eyes widened. “They can’t do that. I told you there’s nothing wrong with her.”
“They’ll have to make sure,” Skip said with a shrug. “We can’t take the chance.”
“They can’t do it!” Billie interrupted violently. “X rays might hurt the baby!” Billie took one look at the stunned faces of the two men facing her and closed her eyes. “Oh Lord, now I’ve done it. I promised I wouldn’t say anything about her being pregnant.”
“Pregnant.”Joel repeated the word dazedly. He shook his head to clear it. Kendra pregnant. Kendra carrying his child. It was too much to comprehend after the panic that had gone before. “You’re sure, Billie?”
“I’m sure,” she said gloomily. “Kendra didn’t want anyone to know. She’s probably going to kill me.” Her chin lifted belligerently. “Now that you know what’s wrong with her, can we please get her to the first aid tent? I’m not sure all that jarring wasn’t harmful for her and the baby.”
That chill of panic returned and Joel shook his head. “We’ll still wait for the paramedics. I’m not going to risk hurting her.” She was too deeply unconscious for his peace of mind and Billie was right about that bone-jarring impact. God, he didn’t know anything about pregnancy. For all he knew it could be as dangerous for Kendra as that damn jump she had just made across the canyon. What if she was bleeding internally or something?
“Radio to Marasef,” he ordered Skip. “I want the best doctor in the city waiting at the first aid tent when they get her back down there.” With a surge of relief he saw the van racing up the road and started forward to meet it, with Billie following in his wake.