“I’m ready,” she said with confidence.

  “Break a leg,” Tamara said with a confident smile. She backed away as did the crew who weren’t already in a stationary place. The camera crew started filming and the director called for action.

  Piper took a deep breath without being told. She grabbed the first handle and swung into place. From here on, everything that happened was all on her. Here was her future, three minutes away.

  * * *

  CAL TENSED. He stepped away from Xavier and looked up at where Piper stood.

  “If I hear a single sound from you, I’ll bounce you off this property without blinking,” he told the man. “She’s been working on this for over a year and you’ll do nothing to destroy her concentration or the proper outcome of this stunt.”

  The two men’s eyes warred for several seconds. Cal was determined not to back down. It didn’t take long. Xavier brushed the air with his arm and walked away but took up a position where he could see everything.

  Cal moved to stand next to Tamara. Though he was sure the stunt would work, all the science had told him it would, his mind was still racing.

  “She’s going to be fine,” Tamara muttered.

  Cal shifted his weight without thinking. He watched as Piper began her run. She was still on the ground, dodging various objects. Not realizing he was moving parallel with her as if he was mirroring the stunt. He held his breath. His heart pounded wildly. Piper swung around the handle she was holding and started her routine. She jumped into and then out of a Jeep and appeared to be running from someone. There was no one other than her in the sequence, although in the real film, she would be escaping from someone intent on harming her. Cal had never been on a movie set and was unaware of the acting ability of the participants. Piper’s face showed the strain of her physical actions.

  She glanced over her shoulder, checking for an assailant who wasn’t there. The crew, like Cal, was silent, hardly breathing. She reached the first rung of the scaffolding and pulled herself up. Her footing was sure. “First threshold,” he whispered under his breath.

  Cal had seen her calisthenics, and he’d watched rehearsals, but he was awed at how lithe her body was, how quickly she moved and how sure she appeared. Her movements were almost ballet-like, her coordination flawless.

  Her green bodysuit stood out against the backdrop of the sun and the gray metal. Her legs swung in the wind as she caught the bar above her head and appeared to lose her balance. Instinctively, the crowd gasped. Like a jungle cat with strong arms, she nimbly righted herself, regaining her balance and swinging her legs and arms in a practiced air dance. Her hair, loose now from the fitting she’d begun with, whipped around her face. She took no time to brush it aside. At the top of the scaffolding, she stopped and looked at the distance to the elevated galvanized steel walkway that was six feet wide and ten feet below.

  Again, she checked over her shoulder. Her expression showed an actor’s fear. Cal wondered if all of that was acting or if it was real. It was real for him. His body was drenched in sweat.

  Piper took a step back, then burst forward and jumped. She wore a tether to prevent her from falling to her death. Austin had worn one, too, he reminded himself. She was mimicking his steps in every way.

  The jump was perfect. She landed on her mark.

  Cal let out a breath as did the rest of the crew and spectators when her hands grabbed the solid bar and she swung her body through the latticework and into the cage. Here, she began another run. He heard her footsteps pounding on the metal bridge. He watched as the metal swung with the cadence of her stride. He was sure it was in unison with his heartbeat. The stunt was almost over. Just one last big jump. Cal stepped forward again, his head titled skyward, his hands shading his eyes. She was running into the sunlight, blinding now as it approached the noon hour.

  Tamara took his arm, keeping him from moving any farther and in the line of one of the ground cameras. He stopped, still focused on Piper. The sun blinded him. For the split second Piper ran in front of it, he saw only her silhouette, then a flash of visibility before she popped out beyond the rays.

  Her foot caught the cable as it was supposed to and she went over the edge, falling headfirst toward the ground. He watched, her arms flailing, her scream ear-piercing. Her body twisting in the air. She hit her mark on the air mattress dead on. The rubber gave against the momentum of her weight, taking the brunt of her and pushing against it to keep her safe.

  She sat up victorious and pushed off the air cushion. Hands reached out to help her. The director shouted cut and the crew let out a collective breath. A second passed in total silence before the entire crowd applauded. Shouts of success cut through the air like a football stadium full of happy fans.

  Cal was running toward her before he knew he’d moved. He remembered Tamara’s hand on his arm, but no amount of pressure could keep him still after this.

  He was there when she came off the mat. She reached for him and Cal let go of all logic and restraint, pulling her to him and hugging her as if his life depended on their making contact.

  * * *

  “IT WORKED,” she shouted, her grin wide. Cal pushed her slightly back, then lifted her, swinging her off the ground and around in a full circle. Piper was thrilled with relief and impulsively wanted to share it with Cal. She longed to kiss him, but the crowd surged then and she was pulled away. People shouted, called her name, congratulated her. At times the sound was so loud, she couldn’t hear anyone distinctly. Searching for Cal, she saw him at the edge of the gathering. While the action around him swayed and moved, Cal remained in one spot. Austin stood next to him.

  “Austin,” she cried, trying to get his attention. Pushing against the flow of bodies, she headed for the scene’s original stuntman.

  Another wave of applause went up when she reached the former stuntman and pulled him into a tight hug. “You made it,” she said.

  Pushing her back, he looked at Piper. “I wouldn’t miss it. You did good, Piper. It was almost perfect,” he said.

  “Almost?” Cal questioned.

  Austin glanced at him, then at Piper. “You missed the bag.”

  “Bag? What bag?” she asked, a frown marring her face.

  “I remember it now,” he said. His face held an expression of surprise, as if the thought had just come to him.

  “On the day of the shoot, one of the metal girders was loose. It was time for the stunt. Xavier jumped on it and said it was solid enough.”

  “I wondered what he was doing up there,” Piper muttered as she remembered the moment. Xavier often inspected a stunt, but he rarely went up on anything high. He wasn’t afraid of heights, but he left them to the construction crew.

  “Go on,” Cal prompted. “What about this bag?”

  “He put a sandbag against the girder so there wouldn’t be a loose strut. I remember Xavier telling me to jump over it when I got to that point. But I tripped on it. I forgot it was there, and since I had to look back, my foot hit it and that threw me off.”

  “Let me get this straight,” Tamara said. “Instead of calling someone from construction to fix the girder, Xavier covered it with a sandbag?”

  “That’s right. You can ask Xavier.” He looked up and all eyes followed his gaze.

  “So, Piper did nothing wrong,” Tamara stated.

  “Not that I can recall. The stunt was perfect. It was my fault I didn’t tell you sooner. If I’d remembered that sandbag, it would have gone off without a hitch.”

  Piper stared at him for a long moment. Then she took off, walking determinedly toward Xavier, who was heading for his rental car. Tamara wasn’t far behind her with Cal and a group of others bringing up the rear.

  “What’s she going to do?” Cal asked no one in particular.

  “My guess,” Austin said. “Is she’ll read Xavier the riot act. What he did isn’t against any rules, but his handling of the situation, and definitely the aftermath, foisting the blame on Piper’s design and lying at the investigation, could cost him his license and his business. No one will hire him again.”

  “I take it Piper is going to make sure the record is set right. Let people know the truth,” Cal said.

  “She won’t have to.” Austin looked around.

  Cal followed his gaze. Cameras were everywhere and they were trained on the small group in the temporary parking area. Piper was confronting Xavier and he looked mad.

  “At least a dozen people heard my statement,” Austin said. “I’ll have to go to the authorities and tell them what I remember. It might go against me, too. I knew the bag was there and technically I consented to it. But I didn’t know the blame would go to Piper.”

  Cal thanked Austin and joined the group in the parking lot.

  “You have to understand, Piper—” Xavier was saying.

  “I do not,” she said fiercely, cutting him off. “You railed against me, dragged me through the mud. You tarnished my reputation. You even told the authorities that the accident was caused by me. My negligence. When the truth is, it was you. It was your negligence. And lies.” She took a deep breath. Tamara squeezed her hand, presumably to let her know she had allies all around her. “Well, the record will be put straight,” she said.

  “There’s nothing you can do,” Xavier told her.

  “I won’t have to.” She turned around and opened her arms.

  Xavier must have forgotten the multitude of cameras pointed toward them. There were also media people. Many had been notified by Tamara. The entire episode was recorded and would be reported on every medium from entertainment shows to traditional print newspapers. Xavier’s pallor went from beet red to snow white. Cal wasn’t sure the man would be able to stand much longer with so much blood draining from his brain.

  “I’m sure with the internet and social media, word will reach Hollywood before we can walk back to the house,” Piper said.

  “It looks like your days as a stunt coordinator are numbered,” Tamara said.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll survive,” Xavier said. Slipping behind the wheel of his rented car, he turned the engine on. The crowd parted. Spitting dirt and gravel behind him, Xavier drove away.

  Cal slipped his arm around Piper’s waist. He was proud of her. She stepped closer to him, her own arm snaking about his waist. He loved the moment so much he could have stayed that way for the rest of his life.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  PIPER’S FEET WERE back on solid ground thanks to Lauren. She’d guided Piper into the house for a short rest and much-needed hydration. Despite Piper’s happiness, the tension of the day was sapping her of energy. Dr. Masters recognized it and got Piper away from the many well-wishers who all seemed to need to talk to her.

  An hour later, dressed in a soft plaid shirt, jeans and boots, Piper prepared to go back outside.

  “Thanks, Lauren,” she said and squeezed Lauren’s hand.

  Cal’s sister-in-law smiled and handed her a bottle of water. Piper was more grateful for her than she knew. Lauren rejoined her husband and the two celebrated with the crowd. Piper envied them. Would she ever find a love like they had?

  She had no time to think about that question. Someone called her name and she was distracted. It really was true, Piper thought. She felt lighter since the weight of the past two years had been removed from her shoulders. The scene in the yard could only be described as a well-deserved party. Food, music and countless friends, neighbors and coworkers congregated like a huge family picnic. Piper lost track of the number of times someone stopped her to say congratulations.

  She was back.

  People knew she had nothing to do with the accident, that it was caused by Xavier. While Austin had known there was danger in the attempt, he had no complicity in ruining her career. He’d accepted Xavier’s assessment of the situation on the day.

  Xavier must have felt relieved when Austin woke up with no memory of the incident. If Cal hadn’t suggested she re-create the accident, and if Austin hadn’t shown up, the truth might have been hidden forever.

  “Come on, people. It’s a celebration,” Tamara shouted to the gang.

  The group cheered, renewing the festivities. They moved back toward the food. Cal had his arm around her. Eventually they were pulled apart as more people hugged her, saying they always believed in her and knew she had nothing to do with the accident. She accepted their comments as she looked at Cal happily. His eyes held something like longing. Quickly, it was gone. Piper wondered if she had imagined it. Had she put it there because she wanted to see it?

  She didn’t have time to ponder. From somewhere behind her, music started and in an instant she was whirled around for a dance. Food and drinks flowed and Piper had no idea where all the fun came from, but she was sure Ally, Naomi and Meghan had something to do with it. At the end of the dance, she saw Ally, the diner owner, beelining for the food. Piper waved at the three women. She intended to say thank you but was waylaid by a stuntman she used to work with.

  “I’ve seen some pretty determined people in my time,” he said. “But, Piper, you got chutzpah.”

  Piper smiled as someone else called her name and she looked up. She lost track of Cal.

  “If you ever want to do something like this again, count me in,” the man said.

  She left him with a wide smile on his face. It seemed every stunt company manager there wanted to talk to her. As soon as she tried to stand in one place, someone else came up to her and tried to get a few words in. She was invited back to Hollywood to discuss working on various films by more than one director. She didn’t commit but also didn’t turn anyone down.

  It was a whirlwind of conversations and Piper tried to keep a perspective on things. She also kept looking for Cal. When she spotted him, he was across the yard and not looking her way. Eventually she saw him talking to one of the stunt coordinators. Several others joined the conversation and there was laughter all around. She made a mental note to ask him about it later. Piper wanted to get his attention, smile at him, let him know that he was integral to her success. Despite all the people congratulating her, Cal deserved the same accolades. Without him, today wouldn’t have happened.

  Yet he never turned toward her.

  The party went on and eventually Piper settled into it. She moved like a hostess, speaking to everyone and making sure they had what they needed while still trying not to commit to anything. She needed time to think. Today had given her several opportunities for her career, but she knew it was too soon to make any decisions.

  After a while, the group thinned out and Piper had a moment to sit down. She couldn’t pinpoint when the group began doing stunts, but whenever a group of performers got together, they performed.

  “Piper, help me show them how we did the fight scene in Red Dress Diaries,” veteran stuntman Lou Post said.

  “This is the choir.” Piper looked around, encompassing the yard with her arm. “They already know how.”

  “We don’t,” Jake spoke up.

  Piper’s attention was drawn to Jake and Lauren.

  “Ditto for me,” one of the camera operators chimed in. “I’m a student and I’d like to see it.”

  The crowd urged her on, and after a moment, she stood up. The stunt was supposed to be Elisabeth Grey in her role as Jane Treeloft. She was being chased by the villain. Cornered, she had to turn and fight for her life. She and her adversary moved in a circle a couple of times, taunting each other. Even today without the director, it was like a choreographed dance.

  “This is going to be fun,” Lou said, the same as he’d done when they were on the set. Then he attacked. Piper blocked him, using her agile skill and lower center of gravity to get behind him. Through several kicks that neither connected nor hurt, but looked real to a viewing audience, the practiced routine played out. Applause followed and she and Lou took their bows.

  It was entertaining. Several others re-created past stunts until the sun began to set and people started saying good-night. Piper smiled at them, said good-night and agreed to keep in touch. All the while she was concerned about Cal. He didn’t seem himself, at least not after the stunt was over. He smiled and responded in all the right places, but she could tell something just wasn’t right. She wondered if Jake saw it, too. From the way he looked at his brother, she felt a vibe of concern within the doctor.

  Was Cal thinking what she was thinking? Despite her merriment, the smiles and laughter that came from her, she wasn’t at heart an actress, but her bout with reporters and cameras had taught her to keep her expression calm and neutral when she could. For a long while, she’d been using that learned method even in her private life.

  She knew her time with Cal was over. The daily contact they’d had up until today was at an end. The goal they’d worked so hard for was realized. She looked at the skeleton of the stunt. The huge structure still reached for the sky, even in the dark. It was over, successful, yet it all seemed to be saying goodbye.

  She hadn’t spoken to Cal in a while. Looking over the dwindling crowd, she still didn’t see him. She hadn’t seen him in at least an hour. Where had he gone? Didn’t he want to celebrate with her? Piper didn’t have to ask herself that question. He’d kissed her before the stunt and she knew he wanted to be with her. Had he changed his mind? Was his kiss just an act? Piper dismissed the notion. She didn’t think so.

  Making her way to the food tables, where things were being broken down, she approached Naomi. “Have you seen Cal?” she asked.

  She was in the process of transferring leftover pasta from a huge pan to a smaller container. She didn’t look at Piper but spoke over her shoulder. “I think he went back to the house with the two doctors.”