Rogue Beast (The Rourkes #12) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,81
the movie takes off, if casting directors like what they saw from me, on so many factors out of my control.
I don’t kid myself that I’m a great talent like Harper, though my acting coach is pleased with my progress and says if I keep working at it, I can get to a professional level. Right now, let’s face it, I’m mostly eye candy with a bonus of having royal blood. Audiences like that. I’m like a curious exhibit at the zoo, and that’s not something you can build a career on. I guess my own ego got in the way this time.
Pride held me back from getting in touch with her. Stupid, I know. Now that I’m back home, it feels urgent to see her. It’s Christmas Eve. She’s not home, and she’s not answering my texts. My calls went to voicemail. I can only hope she’s at her grandmother’s house. I want to spend Christmas with her. My family is in Villroy again to celebrate the holidays, and I had to miss it because of my work schedule. I miss everybody, but mostly I miss Harper.
Only one way to find out. I call her grandmother. She actually called me the day after Thanksgiving to ask when I’d be back because she needed some boxes moved out of the attic. And then she gave me her number so I’d let her know. She must really like me. Harper said she has a handyman on retainer to do any odd jobs her grandmother needs, so it’s not like I’m the only one who could help her move boxes.
The phone rings five times before she picks up. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mrs. Ellis. It’s Garrett. I’m back in town. Is Harper with you?”
“Yes.” The phone sounds muffled. “Harper! Go check the mailbox for me. I’m waiting on some Christmas cards to make sure my cousins haven’t kicked the bucket.”
I hear Harper muttering something in the background. My love.
“Ma’am—” I start.
“Tsk,” she says, then a moment later, “She’s gone to get the mail. How soon can you get here?”
Hope fires through me. “Hour and a half, two tops.”
“Okay, I know she’s anxious to visit her friends, but I’ll keep her here for you. She has something to tell you.”
My mind races. Did she meet someone else? Is she moving to LA for a job? London? “What?”
“Not for me to say. Now don’t go speeding to get here. I know how to keep the girl busy.”
“I’m sure you do. Thank you, ma’am.”
“See you soon but not too soon. Bye.”
Thankfully, the roads are clear as I ride my Harley to her grandmother’s house. It was too hard to rent a car at the last minute around the holidays, and I don’t like to ride my bike on icy roads. I take this as a good sign. I was meant to get to her today. I really hope it’s not bad news. If she met someone, I’ll win her back. If she’s working thousands of miles away, I’ll visit. As long as we don’t have to completely end.
By the time I turn down her street, I realize I should’ve brought a present for her and her grandmother. It’s Christmas. I was so focused on seeing Harper, I completely forgot. I turn and go around the lake to a small grocery store I passed on the way. It’s afternoon on Christmas Eve, so I’m hoping it’s still open.
I park and go to the door just as a guy puts the closed sign up. They close at four p.m. on Christmas Eve. “Wait!” I say through the glass door. “Can I just get two things?” I stare for a moment, struck by the store employee’s resemblance to Santa Claus. He’s got white wavy hair, a long white beard, and black suspenders over a red shirt covering a round belly.
“It’s Christmas Eve,” he says. “We’re closed.”
“Sir, I need a present for my girl and her grandmother. I need to win her back. Do you have flowers, candy, or Christmas cookies? Anything that would help a foolish man get back in the good graces of the only woman he’s ever truly loved?” Heart on my sleeve with nothing to lose. That’s me.
He unlocks the door. “Who’s the girl and grandmother?”
“Harper and Joan Ellis.”
“Joan Ellis, hmm? I might have something she likes.” He winks and turns, gesturing for me to follow. “She’s a tough one, but if anything’s going to win her over, it’s this.”