Page 243 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

Ellie spun around to see a pretty blonde standing there. She glanced at the lanyard around the girl’s neck, hoping it would help identify her. Would she be Ellie’s assistant today?

“I’m Karla McKinney, your understudy?” the girl said, her cheeks going red.

“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you,” Ellie said, pulling the girl in for a warm hug. Oh, how she remembered being the hopeful understudy once for an actress who—like Ellie—had gone through a season of unpredictability where the studio was concerned.

“I got the role for Trigger’s sister,” she said, “so since you’re here, I’ll be playing that.”

“Well, I look forward to working with you then, Karla. And next time, I bet you’ll be playing the lead instead.”

“Oh my gosh,” Karla said, “I sure hope so. I’d give anything for that.”

Ellie grinned. “I remember the feeling.” She didn’t bother saying that one day, Karla might do a one-eighty. That one day, she may be willing to do anything to getoutof the business instead.

“And this is my boyfriend, Nash,” Ellie said, turning to Nash with a grin.

Karla waved as Nash pinched the brim of his hat.

“Hi there,” he said.

“Hi. I saw all the articles about you two this morning. That’s cool that he got to come on set with you.”

Ellie grinned. “I think so too. Well, good luck on the set today. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Perfect. Oh, and did they tell you we’re starting with the pasture scene?” Karla asked. “They brought in an exterminator. He kicked everyone out of the farmhouse. I guess they’ve been seeing a lot of mice and whatnot.” She shivered.

“Ick,” Ellie said. “Well, I’m glad they’re taking care of it.”

“Me too, although, I’m sure Melody has seen her fair share of them, having grown up like she did.” The comment made Ellie wish she could give the role to Karla. It was obvious she’d taken time to get into the character on the off-chance Ellie didn’t show.

“That’s a good point,” Ellie said.

Karla grinned and waved again, this time rather awkwardly. “Well, bye.”

“Bye, hon.” Ellie watched the young woman nearly skip off toward the pasture.

“What a sweetheart,” she said.

“Too bad you can’t hand the role over toherand come home with me.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Meeting Karla had been a welcome distraction, and so had the image of Nash suited up for baseball. Yet the mere sight of her trailer had Ellie recalling the flowers she hoped she wouldn’t see.

Just as they were about to enter her trailer, Geneva rushed up to them with wide eyes. "Have you seen your dad anywhere?"

Something cold and prickly poked at her mind. "No, not yet."

"Have you heard from him at all?" she prodded.

Ellie shook her head, trying to recall the last time she’d spoken to him. "I actually haven't talked to him since the Zoom call." Ellie stifled the irrational level of fear that threatened to rise within her. Dad was just giving her distance. Sure, that was typically a difficult thing for him to do, unless…oh no,she didn't even want to finish that thought. Dread crawled through her as she replayed Dad’s unhealthy patterns. The fact was, Johnny Blaire only went silent when he was getting himself into trouble.

A look passed between Ellie and Geneva, and suddenly, Ellie wished she could have a moment alone with her. Perhaps it was time to tell her about the conversation she’d had with him the day she arrived at the ranch. "Hey," she said. "Why don't you meet me in wardrobe in a few minutes. I have a couple of questions about the set."

Geneva gave Ellie a knowing look. Questions about the set did not fall under her management, but hopefully, Nash didn't know that.

"Sure, sounds good." Geneva nodded to Ellie before reaching out and tugging the brim of Nash’s cowboy hat. "See you later, handsome."

Dad has gotten himself into trouble.

That phrase cycled through Ellie's mind again and again. She recalled the way he’d rocked restlessly in the backseat of the car while telling her about the dark path he’d been treading.