young womanâs eyes. McCoy introduced them.
âThis is Cherise Daly,â he said. But before he could announce Savannahâs name, Cherise spoke.
âAre you in the business, too?â
âThe business?â Savannah frowned. âOh, you mean the film industry. No, Iâm not.â
âI didnât think so. Iâve been auditioning like crazy lately. Iâm about to sign a contract to do a pilot for a TV show. McCoyâs been so great about helping me,â she cooed, leaning into his arm.
Savannah forced herself to smile. âCongratulations. I hope you get the part.â
Cherise turned her attention to McCoy. âIâm ready to go. What else are you looking for?â
âA few more things and then weâre done. Why donât you wait for me at the checkout?â
âOkay. Bye,â Cherise threw over her shoulder at Savannah as she swished away.
âSheâs very beautiful,â Savannah said honestly.
âSheâs very young,â was McCoyâs response.
âActress, right?â
âIs there any other kind in this town?â he asked. Then he looked speculatively at Savannah. âBut youâre not, as you said, in the business.â
âBy choice, thank you. Youâd better go. I think sheâs getting impatient.â
âBefore you go Iâd like to ask you something, if you donât mind.â
Savannah, curious, nodded. âGo ahead.â
âAny chance youâre related to Will Shelton, the actor?â
It was the last thing Savannah had expected to be asked. But oddly enough the very question gave her a certain satisfaction. And it cemented the resolve sheâd recently made not to sell her fatherâs house. The question also confirmed what she was starting to find out about her father. She may have grown up resenting his choices and his career, but clearly there were people who knew and remembered Will Shelton with admiration and respect.
âIâm his daughter,â Savannah said.
A slow smile curved McCoyâs mouth. âI thought so. It occurred to me a few minutes ago that you looked familiar to me for a reason other than the accident last week. You have your fatherâs eyes and smile. Did you know that?â
She didnât. No one had ever pointed that out before. She felt a sudden wave of emotion that went deep into her genes and family history.
âHow could you see something like that? Did you know my father?â
âOnly from his movies and TV roles,â McCoy said, shaking his head.
âI always thought I looked like my mother,â she said.
âThen you come from good-looking parents and got the best of both. You certainly hold your own.â
Savannah wondered if McCoy was coyly making fun of her, but saw only light and interest in his gaze.
âI heard that Shelton was ill. Howâs he doing?â
âHe passed away some months ago,â Savannah said. Again, she felt on the edge of emotion. She delicately cleared her throat to keep the sudden feelings at bay.
âI didnât know. I donât remember reading anything about his death in the trades.â
âThere was a small item in his union paper. Other than that he didnât want any announcements. There was only family and a handful of personal friends at the funeral. His agent was the only industry person in attendance.â
McCoy frowned. âWhy? Sooner or later word will get around. He deserves more attention and recognition.â
âI donât know,â Savannah said. âHe just didnât seem to want to make a big deal about the fact that he was dying.â
âIâm sorry for your loss. Iâm sure you know your father was a very fine actor. One of the unsung good guys in Hollywood.â
âThanks for saying so.â
McCoy merely nodded, not pursuing the questions that Savannah could see he really wanted to ask. She was not about to
Susan Howatch
Jamie Lake
Paige Cuccaro
Eliza DeGaulle
Charlaine Harris
Burt Neuborne
Highland Spirits
Melinda Leigh
Charles Todd
Brenda Hiatt