and spoke for less than a minute. His voice was quiet enough that no one could hear what was being said but everyone present knew precisely what he’d said from the look on Monty’s reddened face.
“Final checks,” Sydney called out once the brief conference ended.
Last minute adjustments were made to hair, wardrobe, and props as Dash and Marlyn took their places.
“Quiet, please.” That was the cue Sydney gave that let everyone know the take was imminent. She paused and then said, “Action.”
Dash was happy to escape into Paul’s character. The dialogue was quick between him and Marlyn and she flubbed a line partway through. They made it through the scene but Dash wasn’t surprised when Sydney told them to go again. The next take was flawless. Sydney had them check the gate. When she got a thumbs up, she told everyone to move to the next set-up.
The makeup artist began fussing with Marlyn’s lipstick so that freed Dash up from having to speak with the temperamental actress. He glanced at Monty and saw the director mopping his forehead with a handkerchief. His color didn’t look good. The redness should have subsided by now.
Sydney was giving directions to the lighting director about the shot so Dash meandered closer to Monty to see if he was all right. As he reached the director, Monty grimaced and brought a hand to his chest.
“Sydney!” Dash shouted to get her attention.
She looked at her father, who now bent over at the waist. “Get him some water!” she fired off to Bernie as she rushed over. Monty clawed at his chest and went limp. Dash caught him before he crashed to the floor and eased him to the ground.
“Call 911,” he yelled as he cradled the older man’s head.
Sydney barked orders to clear the set and go home, telling everyone to check their email for tomorrow’s call sheets. Cast and crew scattered quickly, with only Cassie and Jayla remaining behind. The assistant had aspirin in her purse and dug one out. Dash placed it under Monty’s tongue.
Sydney remained calm, in control of her emotions. Dash eased back and let her take his place, Monty’s head now resting in his daughter’s lap. Dash loosened the top buttons on the director’s shirt and took his hand. Monty was conscious but his breathing was labored.
“You’re going to be fine, Dad. I know you are,” Sydney reassured him, brushing the hair away from his forehead. “We’re in this together. Just breathe. Hang on.”
Paramedics appeared within minutes and assessed his condition. They placed Monty on a gurney and told Sydney where they were transporting him.
“I want to ride with you,” she said, her voice still steady as a rock.
“No, ma’am. No one in the ambulance but us and the patient. You can meet us in the ER at St. Helen’s.”
They rolled Monty from the set.
Dash took Sydney’s hand. “I’ll take you.”
Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as he enfolded her in his arms. The calm façade crumbled with her father out of sight and she trembled violently in his arms.
“It’s going to be all right, babe. I’m here.”
◆◆◆
Sydney sat in the waiting room, her stomach in knots. Cassie had come with them to the emergency room. She’d called Rhett, who wanted to come, but Cassie told her husband to stay away because he generated too much attention in public.
Warmth poured through her. Sydney glanced at her hand wrapped in Dash’s. He’d only let go of it after he’d put her in the car and rushed to the driver’s seat. He’d stayed next to her as they waited for some doctor—any doctor—to let them know what was going on.
It felt right to have Dash by her side. She had missed him every day since they’d parted. Lying in bed at night, Sydney would give in to the tears that she kept away during the day. On set, she projected cool professionalism. She was courteous to cast and crew alike, no matter what their positions were in the production.
Marlyn November had studied her during rehearsals, which Sydney came in and out of. She was relieved that they’d gotten a few weeks of film in the can before the sultry actress showed up yesterday. Immediately after her arrival, Sydney knew Marlyn watched her every move. Sydney made sure she didn’t speak to Dash at any time. Even though Marlyn must have figured out that she and Dash were no longer seeing each other, it was a risk Sydney was willing to take. She wanted