WIPS
SERIES: THE STARS AT NIGHT:
BOOK: 1: HER LEADING MAN
TARGET: HARLEQUIN-LOVE INSPIRED
GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE
DATE: June 2013 – Present
STATUS: Second Draft Editing
SYNOPSIS: HER LEADING MAN is a story about both Gracie Blackshear and Calvin Dent growing up as the boy and girl next door to each other since childhood. The setting is in the real life Texas town of Aspermont in Stonewall Country about 70 miles NNW of Abilene and 120 miles SSE of Lubbock. This is where ‘the northern hill country meets the southern plains’ and an area of rich Texas History. Set in late May of 1925, Graice is about to graduate valedictorian from her senior class of thirty-eight and in a school comprised of First through Twelfth grades. She has excelled in English, Journalism and as the editor of the Yearbook with predictions she will either write an award winning novel or screenplay in the silent film industry. Between School by day and working in per parents silent movie theater THE QUEEN across the street from the courthouse on the town square she manages to socialize with many and take breaks to catch the chapter ‘Perils of Pauline’ serials with Calvin as they have done throughout their childhood and young adult life.
Calvin is a year older than Gracie and has been graduated a year working full-time as an apprentice for his father’s construction company. In addition to being Gracie’s best friend since childhood the two have been courting for two years and Calvin has plans to support the pair after marriage by his work in construction, remodeling, painting and wallpaper hanging. He knows Gracie will continue to work for her parents and one day owning the movie theater. He knows they will continue life in their hometown where he looks forward to marriage, raising a family and being a part of the community where both families came to settle in the late 1800s.
Three days away from Graduation, the release of the yearbook at the Junior-Senior Dinner Dance the day before and turning eighteen on Saturday the year that seemed to stand still was suddenly speeding ahead. Assuming she would be engaged any day now waiting for Calvin to pop the question their wedding was all but set. But the arrival of a letter of acceptance to join the typist pool of MGM Studios in Culver City California in the Screenwriters division comes all too soon for Gracie and may derail all of her plans with Calvin to make a life in Aspermont. Gracie has dreamed of being a screenwriter and the wife of Calvin the beau next door though she hoped the opportunity would not come from Calfiornia until after they had married. Now she is afraid of telling Calvin’s and with instructions to interview less than a week away she feels as helpless as Pauline tied to the railroad tracks by the villain waiting to be rescued by her leading man.
Speaking of the Villain, we learn the bankers son Lester Marlow has been pining after Gracie most of her life. Known as ‘Lester the Pester,’ since the second grade he has been known more for pulling her hair from the desk behind her to being a nuisance in the years that followed. He may be the richest kid in town but with an ever wandering eye for the ladies much like his banker father Preston and a gaunt lanky stature Lester is the last man in town she’d ever consider for marriage material. Lester’s motivation is to seize his father’s controlling interest stock of the failing Lone Star Picture Company in San Antonio who has made low quality ‘B’ Westerns and on the verge of financial collapse. If he could just convince Gracie to marry he could take over the company and put Gracie in charge of screenplays and directing. When she continues to spurn his advances and plans he devises another way to win her hand.
Calvin finally learns of the offer to Gracie of MGM and taps the brakes on their relationship. Committed to be a supportive best friend he fears she deserves better than just a construction plow-boy from the country and more the suave or creative film studio type for the career path she wishes to follow. Not wanting to hold Gracie’s career back he postpones proposing which winds up bewildering Gracie both that night, at the Junior-Senior Dinner Dance the next night and after graduation on Friday. Even after changing her hairstyle and supporting his plans for a life in Aspermont nothing seemed to budge him from friendship to matrimony.
Saturday left both Gracie and Calvin in a surreal position. She watched him hold court with the Davis boys on the western steps of the County Courthouse Sheriff’s office doorway occasionally glancing her way. She bristled when Robin Fox walked up the steps to flirt with the three men while she watched from her perch in the ticket booth of the Queen Theater across the street. Lester Marlow kept circling the square eyeballing her from the sidewalk and on one than more pass attempt to weave in line to make conversation at the window but veering off into the crowds. Calvin, Robin along with Edward and Robert Earl did mosey towards the theater as was Calvin’s traditional ritual every Saturday afternoon since they were kids. She would sell him a children’s matinee special ticket where he’d stop for Cracker Jacks and a soda from her mother at the concessions stand and she would join him in the family seats at the rear of the auditorium for her afternoon break to catch the chapter serials like when they were children. She couldn’t help notice this was the last in the series on Pauline being tied to the train tracks by the villain and waiting for her hero to rescue her. She felt much the same as Pauline wondering if Calvin would ever propose? Only problem was time was running out. She wondered if she’d leave town a Mrs. or Miss when she went off to Culver City to interview for the MGM job.
Gracie reminisced the family seats where they had sat as children is where she had her first kiss from Calvin two years earlier on her sixteenth birthday. At the end of the Harold Lloyd comedy ‘Safety Last,’ as he scaled the office building in downtown Los Angeles, around the clock to the top, he surprised his girlfriend with a kiss. That is when Calvin surprised Gracie with one as well as the picture ended and before the lights of the auditorium turned up. Would Calvin kiss her at the end of the chapter serial? Was her engagement ring inside the Cracker Jack’s box? Much to her disappointment none of those scenarios played out as the children and adults at the matinee cheered for Paulne’s rescue, as the lights came up and her mother came up unexpectedly to the small lit stage in front of the screen.
Reaching for the microphone Lanie introduced herself and thanked everyone for coming out to the afternoon show. She was joined on stage by her husband Peter who had made the quick trip from the projection booth down from the balcony to the main auditorium floor. Gracie sat puzzled at the events and Calvin only grinned. She asked if he knew about it but he only grinned all the more before turning a few shades of red. Lanie and Pete talked about opening day of 1907 when they not only took a photo of the grand opening of the new Queen Theater but that their daughter Grace Ann Blackshear arrived earlier that morning and stole the spotlight of the town, church, and patrons as eager to see the Blackshear’s baby addition to the family on top of the excitement of opening Aspermont’s and the areas first big silent movie theater. “We named the Queen after the Queen of England at the time, where our families were originally from,” Lanie told the audience. “But what we really introduced was the world to our Princess, Grace,” her father welled in emotion. Gracie felt the emotion deep in her heart as well.
Miss Fannie Tataum, the church organist and pianist at the theater stuck up the chords of the traditional birthday song of which everyone in the 500 seat theater along with many more townsfolk, friends, neighbors, and church members, with the mayor, Sheriff and all present sang in honor of Gracie. She didn’t know whether to laugh, smile or cry so she did all at relatively the same time. Calvin escorted her to the stage where a giant sheet of cake the length of a table was brought forward with icing decorations of a film camera, projector, reels of film, stars, and candles wishing her a happy eighteenth birthday and good luck in her career with MGM. Everything was on the cake and there would be no secrets after today. Relieved to have it off of her shoulders she spied one last time to see if there was an engagement ring but shy of it she had eighteen candles to blow out with her final wish.
Hundreds of her closest friends, neighbors, townsfolk and church members lingered in the theater auditorium and lobby as Gracie was grateful for well wish after well wisher for what she gave to the community and might give too the film industry. She knew it had been a conspiracy of her parents and Calvin. While grateful one dream and prayer had not yet come true. She wondered if she were asking too much of God but sensed His timing was not always what were her own. She offered the Lord a prayer of Thanks and put all of her requests once more into His hands.
Peter’s voice broke through all the conversations and clamoring of those at the celebration. “Gracie?” Grace turned back to her parents in the auditorium as Calvin led her by the hand back down front near the piano at the center of the auditorium. “Your mother and I have arranged for a special feature in honor of your birthday.” Those in attendance offered gasps of surprise and anticipation. Gracie wondered if it were her favorite film or perhaps a new released feature. She loved the film Peter Pan, the new 1925 silent fantasy adventure film and an adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 novel The Lost World, Charlie Chaplin films and of course Safety Last with Harold Lloyd. She wondered if Calvin might propose to any one of them.
Gracie was surprised with what her father actually revealed. “I have a thirty-minute three-reel feature, something called a ‘documentary’ which is a tour of the MGM studios in Culver City. This is where Gracie is headed on Sunday,” he stated pulling out an envelope of train tickets. The crowd applauded as her family displayed the gifts they were giving their daughter. She was given a traveling trunk, a set of new luggage and wardrobe of clothing from some of the area merchants. Many had brought gifts and piled on the front stage they left many of the wrapped presents for her. “Come up here Gracie.”
Gracie, filled with warm emotions, still producing tears through smiles made her way up the side steps to the stage while the house of those in attendance cheered, applauded and offered whistles of appreciation. “I don’t know how to thank all of you,” she gasped reaching for the handkerchief Calvin had loaned to her. Awes came from many the ladies in attendance along with light polite applause. She thanked everyone there, with tribute to her mother and father with hugs and then to Calvin. “He nearly had the wool pulled over my eyes this afternoon. She risked wearing her heart on her sleeve. ‘I thought he was going to propose and my present was a ring in a cracker Jacks box.” The crowd laughed. “Did he,” someone shouted from the balcony. She looked down at Calvin who shrugged his shoulders to the laughs of those who could see him. “Only a toy one was the surprise.” The same voice from the balcony shouted ‘Cheap-scape.’ Gracie realized it was the voice of Lester Marlow. “No,” she beamed both at Calvin and the audience. “He’s always been my leading man. I’d accept a toy ring from him over a real one costing millions.” The crowd awed again and began light to rounding applause and cheers. This time she noted it was Calvin who was blushing and tearing up. At least she had finally spoken her peace on the matter while paying tribute to him. “He’s the only man I’ve ever loved.”
Peter had left the stage while she spoke leaving her with her mother standing close by. Somehow he had made it to the balcony and stood from the edge of the projection booth holding another microphone. “And now for your viewing enjoyment, the 1925 Studio tour of MGM in California. Folks, take your seats. We hope you enjoy the show.” While the crowds offered polite applause Gracie and her mother slowly left the stage right as Calvin reached for both of their hands one after the other to take the five steps to the auditorium floor. Lanie hugged Gracie before walking back up the aisle as both Calvin and Gracie took their traditional seats to watch the show.
Calvin was as awestruck as Gracie with the enormity of the studio. It seemed to stretch for several miles in all directions from its front gated column administration offices to huge glassed in studio stages where the films were made. Even the roofs were made of glass allowing natural sunlight to enter. Calvin marveled at their construction and size. Applause rose slightly with each title card of what area the tour progressed through. Women wore the fashions of the day in business attire, coats, hats and stylish shoes. Men were dapper in often suits, coats, ties and ascots. Some wore hats, others caps, and more than a few went without with hair in the breeze no doubt off cool blue ocean waters nearby. Calvin marveled at the sheer number of people it took to run the studio. The whole studio could have fit over Aspermont at four times or more its size. From Producers to Actors, Actresses, Camera operators, and technical crew members Calvin wondered who of them would be blessed to have Gracie’s heart and marry her at some point in time. Would she marry a famous actor, producer, director or administrator? His heart sank realizing he did not fit at all in the world of the film studios.
Then Gracie grabbed his forearm. “Look at the construction.” He noted all of the men raising steel beams over cemented foundations and rising structures on the property. He was dumbfounded “All of those men are employed by the studio?” He watched craftsmen, carpenters, painters, sculptors, those building buildings, offices, sets and each of the warehouses with tools, machinery, wallpaper hangers, moving furniture from warehouse after warehouse of all types of furniture, chairs, tables, beds, couches and bookcases. Stone masons, plumbers, even the studios own police force. He noted barbers, beauticians, cooks, waiters, cafes, commissaries, and young men as well as old like he and his father. He jumped slightly with a hand on his shoulder from behind. “Son?” His father whispered. “Can you believe the size of that construction department?” Calvin nodded. “If I were a younger man and your Mama didn’t have the Variety Store here in town I’d be on the first train out of town with you to work in such a business.” Calvin, for the first time had begun to notice a future as man and wife with Gracie might not be out of the realm of possibility with both of them working for the massive studio in California.
“Gracie?” He asked. She turned to look at him. “Do you still have that toy gold ring in your cracker jacks?” She nodded. “Maybe we can start our wedded life in California.” He turned to her and took the paper toy piece from the cracker Jacks box. “I love you Gracie. Always have. Since the first day I found you in the cradle roll at church in the nursery next to mine. From the days when we shot marbles in front of the house on Jackson Street. Catching Horned Toads. Your curve ball on the street baseball team. I cannot imagine life without you and the past four days have been the emptiest of my life.”
“I knew it was you my first day of school when my father walked with me and you took my hand to cross the highway.”
“Would you consider marrying this fool who thought he had to let you fly with your own wings for someone who would not hold your career back and discounted he could ever be all you deserved in life?”
She nodded. “What you didn’t realize was you have always been the best man for me. You have been my knight in shining armor. The Robin to my Marianne in Sherwood Forest. The Mountie, the Sheriff, the good guy in the white hat. My Chaplin, Valentino, Fairbanks and best friend.”
“I love you Gracie. Will you marry me and be my wife for eternity?”
“I thought you’de never ask,” she reached across him and punched him gently in the shoulder. He was surprised by her humor. “Yes, Calvin. I do.” This time she leaned in to him and those around them began to applaud and cheer with someone shouting “they’re engaged!” then the rest of the theater erupted in growing cheering, applause and whistles.
“Thank God,” Lanie said out loud in the projection booth with her husband Peter. “I knew all along all Calvin needed was the right motivation.”
Lanie gasped. “I thought this film was meant for Gracie.” Peter turned and grinned. “It was.” then Peter leaned in to his wife. “Am I still your leading man?” She nodded. “For nearly thirty years. Since we were children.”
“Isn’t that great,” Robin cheered with the rest of the theater from the balcony.
“Yeah,” Lester Marlow sarcastically whispered. “It ain’t official until its before a preacher.” His grasp of Robin’s arm grew tighter. “Lester!”
“You find a way to distract Calvin this evening.”
“Or?”
“Or you know what I’m capable of extracting.” He twisted her under arm to prove his point. “You do your part and I’ll do mine.”
We learn Lester is a chip off the block of his father who uses people to achieve his objectives in business. He uses the town vamp of Robin Fox to distract Calvin with her beauty and charms and away from the theater where Lester plans to press marriage with Gracie. But the presence of her parents prevents time alone with Gracie. Having been privy to a business transaction earlier that afternoon with his father Preston and the near foreclosure of a Pharmacy on the town square he mentions to Peter Blackshear about some shenanigans transpiring in the alley behind the theater knowing full well it was his father pressing his advantage with Lana the Pharmacists wife. He banked on the distraction taking Peter and Lanie away from the theater long enough to have time alone with Gracie to persuade her to marry him and by pointing out Calvin’s indiscretion on the arm of Robin in Calvin’s truck on the square.
The Davis boys, classmates of Calvin have followed their father’s footsteps as deputies to their father James as the town’s sheriff being part of the ‘musketeers’ as children with Gracie and several others. They have been investigating Robin’s father Ned Fox of his bootlegging business both on the Fox family farmhouse and through the back streets and alleys of Aspermont. Spying the Wood family Pharmacy and Drug Store back alley business they are about to arrest Bob Wood for violations of the Volstead Act when they see Peter Blackshear taking the trash out from the theater and within eye and earshot of Preston pressing his advantage with Mrs. Wood in the bed of the pickup truck. As the Davis deputies make their move they ask Peter to accompany the baker to the Sheriff’s office who with his wife Lanie attending to Vicky Wood leave the theater to Gracie for closing while they went to the courthouse. And Lester begins to make his move.
Catching Gracie alone in the queen theater in the managers office under the balcony stairwell completing the bookkeeping on the days receipts and set to make the bank deposit Lester surprises her to press his proposal once more. Finding her with the acceptance letter of MGM he ups his ante from screen writer to director-writer and editor to sweeten the offer. Honest with Lester she admits she could never love him and believed he did not love her other than what they could do together in the film industry. Lester admits though he wanted it otherwise he turns to reveal a gun and kidnaps Gracie conveniently with enough money to make a late night escape.
As Gracie and Lester drive from the town square she notices Calvin in his pick up with Robin Fox which Lester has pointed out to her. She recognizes her parents and others gathered around the courthouse and a glow of light on the edge of town. They pass the Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff’s Touring Car on the edge of town fighting a fire at the Fox farmhouse as they slip off into the night towards the town of Old Glory twelve miles east where Lester plans to board the train to Abilene and find a Justice of the Peace there to wed he and his bride. All Gracie knows to do is remain calm and pray God to send her hero to save the day.
Robin has tried all she could on the gentlemanly Calvin Dent to no avail. Peter and Lanie Blackshear hurry across the courthouse sidewalk noting the lights still on at the theater and the front door open and unlocked. Lanie stays near Calvin’s truck while her husband investigates and when he returns he notes the absence of Gracie, the disrupted office and power left on in the property. They also note to the glow of light on the southeastern edge of town followed by the Davis Deputies filling in what was transpiring at the Fox farm. Peter quickly locks the Theater and join both Calvin and Robin with the Davis deputies both to head to the Fox property and discuss the disappearance of Gracie. Robin comes clean sharing of Lester’s plan on the drive over to the Fox land and devise their plans to follow Lester.
At the Fox farmhouse the loss is almost total. Arriving they learn Ned has locked himself inside the old beaten farmhouse as the two Davis deputies inform their father Ned’s bootlegging distillery is inside. Robin also confirms the details. As the three lawmen propose a plan to enter the house it explodes sending wood into the air knocking all of them to the ground. All except Robin. She stands covered in soot with a smiling. “Good riddance, Ned.” She turns to Lanie Blackshear and Sheriff Davis confessing of the robbing of her childhood by her widowed father after her mother had died giving birth to her nearly eighteen years earlier. She just hoped her brothers did not die with their father and were out making deliveries when this incident started. Sheriff Davis filled in how he had been chasing Ned through the county ending with him running into the house and exchanging gunfire with the Sheriff. Then then fire began and negotiations for Ned to come out came to stalemate. Trusting Lanie Blackshear she went away with her to the Sheriff’s car where Barbara Davis was standing. Then the Davis Deupties with Calvin told the Sheriff about the shenanigans of Preston Marlow, of Lester and the disappearance of Gracie. He instructs both sons to pursue Gracie Blackshear of which Calvin was raring to go. As the three of them left Peter joined in to help with the Sheriff while noting Robin was in good hands with their wives and Pastor of the church.
The green Packard Touring car of the Marlow family was a comfort to Gracie even if held captive by gunpoint. She did not believe Lester would shoot her but trusted God not to make any sudden moves just the same. They were miles from any safe farmhouse and late in to the night she knew she could only make matters worse if she chose to run. She prayed for God’s help and remained cooperative and conversational to reduce the tension as Lester fled into the night. Gracie quizzed Lester’s plan and why it was so imperative to take this action rather than assume his father’s position with the bank in due time. Lester admits of his father’s weaknesses and his mother’s false pretense world that was the opposite of their reality. He was ready to do what his father couldn’t almost delusional he could fix all the love lost of his life and finally be somebody as the studio owner in San Antonio. Gracie noted headlights in the rear view mirror behind them on the horizon of one bluff and only prayed it was Calvin coming to rescue her.
In the Deputies Car Calvin, Edward and Robert Davis were theorizing what Lester had in mind. From Robin’s information they concurred Lester would dump the touring car in town and take the Stamford and Northwestern Train Spur from Old Glory to Abilene. Their best plan was to chase the train to Sagerton and take advantage of the slow grade to board the train and go from there to corner Lester and rescue Gracie. The plan seemed feasible until Robert suggested Lester might have a gun. Then the reality of the unthinkable crossed into Calvin’s mind and something he was willing to persevere into even if it mean wounding or loosing his life to save the only woman he ever loved.
Graice is aware Lester has noted they have been followed. He grabs Gracie’s underarm tightly from the passenger car up from the bench seats to the aisle and towards the baggage and postal car ahead of them. “I still have the gun my pocket pointed at your back Gracie Blackshear. So watch your step.” She does as he instructs. They pass through the crowded passenger car to the connecting rail car awnings out and over the slit between one car and the other. Lester knocks on the baggage postal car with the handle end of the gun. “Dexter! Open up.”
The railroad baggage car attendant and postal worker cracked the door open enough to look out as Lester pushed Gracie through against the door and into Wally Poindexter. He turned as quickly to lock the door behind him and place the wooden slat across the iron brackets to reinforce its security. Gracie noted each move and wondered how, if ever, Calvin and the Davis boys would gain access. Then she noted the right side sliding door that took on baggage and when moving took from the extended arm out the mail bags from the hook lines of each station. She sensed in her spirit her rescue would come from that door. She trusted God when to let her know when that would come.
Edward Earl who was diving the deputies car with his brother Robert and Calvin Dent in the rear passenger seats knew the best chance to catch the train was when it slowed in either Sagerton or down the line to a stop in Stamford. The safest still would be Sagerton where if he played his cards correctly he could hug the rails with the dirt access road before the train wound the grade around the double mountain foothills and to the steel bridge over the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. Timed just right both Robert and Calvin could board the back of the train and make their move. Surprise was the key element and one wrong move could hurl all three over them either into the train, into the bridge or down the sixty foot drop to the river. It was dangerous but possible.
Calvin and Robert do make the transfer from the car to the train successfully and Earl avoids the pitfalls to safety. He is able to get back on US 380 and parallel to the train as it heads for Stamford. They encounter the conductor who noted how Lester moved from one car to the other with Gracie having recognized she went under his power yielding their own. They talked about how the two might gain access to the postal and baggage car without going through the door from the passenger train compartment. Robert and Calvin took off their boots and slowly made their way up to the roof of the rail car. Robert tread softly towards the coal car putting his boots back on and crossing the coal to the engineers of the engine while Calvin held back on the right side near the sliding side door waiting for his chance to enter. With both engineers aware of the situation they gradually slowed the train for its whistle stop in Sagerton to pick up the mail and give enough time for Calvin to use the mail arm of the passenger station as a swing to enter through the sliding door of the postal baggage compartment. From there he was on his own and Robert might gain access from the passenger car doorway though it may have to be broken into. He did not relish that idea.
The plan goes off without a hitch with Calvin swinging into the baggage car and knocking the gun out of Lester’s hand in a fist fight with Calvin as Dexter watches on and the gun loose in the car. Lester never fought fair and using baggage to knock Calvin senseless a shot is fired and Lester winces back towards Gracie with the smoking gun. “A woman,” he Gasped. He reached down with his hands to his buttocks finding it wet and retrieved the hand with blood. “Gracie?” He fell to his knees in pain.
“You’ll live.” She raced over to Calvin helping him to his feet. “You shot him,” Calvin grinned. “He always was a pain in the butt. This proves it,”she laughed handing the gun to him. Lester leaned forward but met the gun to his face from Calvin’s hand. “Not so fast Lester.” Poindexter had gone to the passage door frame to lift the wooden block and open the door. Robert Davis and the conductor hurriedly pushed their way through. “We’re fine Robert,” Calvin stated with a bloody forehead where Lester had knocked him the luggage. “Whose Lester,” the conductor asked. “The one with the red stained butt,” Robert quipped back. “You’ll have to answer to the Stamford and Northwestern Railway for this trespass.” Robert and Calvin laughed. “Right after we get finished with him in Stonewall County, sir.” Robert put a handcuff on his own arm and a free hand of Lester Marlow.
The scene and chapter switches to Sunday morning services at First Church Aspermont. The Pastor summarizes the events of the past afternoon and evening and ties in a relevant passage of a man trying to serve two masters either God or money. That is the point tied back to Esau trading his brithright inheritance for a bowl of stew. But there is talk of redemption and restoration. How the church must reach out to the Marlow and Fox Families which the congregation agrees to do. “On a happier note and before all of these witnesses here gathered the families of Calvin Dent and Gracie Blackshear invite all present to stay immediately after the benediction as they plan a simple but touching wedding before a brief reception at the Queen Theater and their departure at the afternoon Train bound for Culver City California. “Why don’t you hold that benediction till after you ordain them man and wife,” Robert Davis stood to speak from the back row. Seated next to him is his brother Edward next to Robin Fox.
“Sorry to interrupt Pastor but we’ve got to get this show on the road to meet all the constraints of the afternoon. As best man and a Deputy I’m here to make sure that commences. With your permission?” The pastor nods and smiled. “Miss Fannie Tatum would you please move from the pipe organ to the piano for our brief interlude while we spruce up the Sanctuary. The congregation grinned as Miss Tatum started to play a medley of silent movie themes from the piano while teams of young men and older women transformed the Sanctuary from the service to a wedding with white silk bows on the wooden edges of each third pew, long white candles on polished brass stands near the altar and pink rose peddles on the center aisle red carpeting to the altar steps filled with more pink roses, buds and babys breath white flowers and greenery. Fannie Tatum played ‘Follow That Car,’ as the action of the room commenced into ‘Pie in the Face,’ ‘Head ’em off at the pass,’ and for Gracie’s entrance ‘Forget Me Nots,’ as she walked slowly up the aisle with her father Peter arm in arm.
The Bride wore her mother’s Wedding Dress as something old with her letter from MGM of the offer of a job as something new. Something borrowed were a string of white Pearls from her mother-in-law to be and for something blue a light powder blue Ribbon in her golden wavy blonde hair. Calvin stood in a Black Western cut suit with a western white shirt, black snap buttons, a horseman’s bolo tie, black boots, and for humor and love with a white-grey felt hat like William S. Hart as a good guy would wear except Calvin’s was in his hands waiting for his bride to complete her entrance. Respectfully before taking her hand he set the felt hat down next to the golden cross on the altar table.
The book goes on to paint a touching picture of vows with family and long time friends followed by a reception in the Queen theater and on Washington Street overflowing to the grounds of the courthouse that drew well wishers from all over the county and nearby towns. Gracie and Calvin managed to slip off with plates and cake for Sheriff Davis and jail cell mates of Father Preston and son Lester Marlow for whom was forgiven by both Calvin and Gracie with no personal grudges. While the Sheriff noted the gesture he cited it was up to the county Judge to take into consideration. The Sheriff confided to Gracie, “I don’t’ know how you managed to just graze his backsides in the gunshot. I would have left him a reminder with some hot lead.” Gracie smiled. “It was Calvin who taught me how to shoot Sheriff when I was a teenager. It was my daddy who taught me how to ward off trouble while leaving them an ounce of their pride.”
The entire town seemed to send off the wedded couple singing ‘Let me call you sweetheart,’ as they ambled to the train station depot for the Spur line train that was right on time. Final photos were taken as they stood at the back railing of the rail car before the conductor called all ‘all aboard,’ and the train whistle let its steam scream through the throttle. Gracie took her bouquet of pink roses with blue ribbon trip fly high into the air before landing in the hands of Robin Fox standing beside a rose cheeked Deputy Edward Davis with his arms around her. Waving their last goodbyes as the train pulled from the station Calvin put his white hat on his head leaning into the face of his new bride. “To us,” he smiled. “And the adventure of a life time with my beautiful Gracie Dent.” As she leaned in with her arms around his neck she agreed. “I finally am married to my leading man.”
The story is about changes and challenges of following ones dreams while trusting God’s plans. Set amidst the backdrop of a small town, the Silent Movie Theater of the Blackshear’s, with the headline news of the era from music to movies. But its the story of the girl next door with the boy next door culminating in their marriage and move West to the small new Culver City where both Calvin and Gracie will go to work for MGM. That occurs in Book 2 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION, Followed by Book 3 THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME.
SUB THEMES: Romance, Roles of Characters, Verbal, Emotional and Physical Abuse of one support character, the silent film exhibition industry, the silent film production industry, and the paths people choose to walk in public and private. Honest Christian Faith and Family Values prove the better path for most and second chances in life for all but one character, Robin Fox’s abusive and bootlegger father.
INSPIRATION: Set in my father’s hometown and birthplace this story takes place in 1925 at the height of the silent movie popularity a good 4 years before the introduction of talking pictures. Based on a wide range of characters it is my first attempt at a Historical Romance series and has been a pleasure and adventure to research the period while develop solid characters for a fun and fast moving story.
TARGET SUBMISSION: WINTER 2013 into 2014
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TITLE: OUR PLACE SERIES
BOOK: A REAL FAMILY HOME
TARGET: HARLEQUIN-LOVE INSPIRED
GENRE: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
DATE: DECEMBER 2012
STATUS: First Draft Editing
SYNOPSIS: OUR PLACE is the story of Brianna Watson and Wesley Pine, set in the town of Heartsfield Texas, a bedroom town/commuter city just outside of Dallas-Fort Worth in the southern Metroplex. A few days before Christmas Brianna is working at her new job as the Hostess of the restaurant when Wesley Pine is in line to get his father and step-mother’s name on the waiting list. Wesley is not the type of man Brianna has traditionally been attracted to with is teacher-like appearance and less than confident personality but she is drawn to him differing from men who are fast talkers and often shameless rounders. She has two children as a result of those types of men. Raised in a Christian home she is the victim of assault from her past while in Abilene at Nursing School leaving to have and raise her child on her own. She works as a waitress in too many greasy spoons and truck stops before heading to Our Place where she finds the family to replace the one she’s been estranged from and a church community that helps in her restoration, thanks to the friendship with Wesley Pine and his doctor father and nurse step-mother.
After a Christmas night second assault the hunt is on for a rodeo clown who is the son of a wealthy and connected State Senator. Wesley saves Brianna and her children alerting first responders who save her life. In the hospital both she and Wesley wake to find the national, state and local news media camped out in the hospital parking lot. From a trailer park to offers of excessive wealth in the outpouring of donations by a national audience Brianna and Wes turn down some offers to pursue a quieter life with the church, community and coworkers who are friends and restore her confidence to have the man and home of her dreams with hope and a future for her children as well.
Set in the Restaurant of the same name and in the Community of Heartsfield Texas, This is a story about second chances at life and with love by persevering through challenges and risking to be truthful and honest in a new relationship only God could create and arrange. Sub characters include the men and women of Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS in addition to Restaurant Staff, Customers, Townspeople and Pastoral staff with Grace Community Church. Book 2 involves the romance of another couple from the restaurant with the development of a women and children’s shelter ministry and clinic with the church in A SHELTER FROM THE STORM, and Book 3 THE OFFER OF SOMETHING BETTER with an offer for the Pastor to join a mega church in Dallas or remain in the successful community church he has been the Shepherd. A third romance between two older adults and the community that supports the ‘at risk children and women’ of the community. Our Place Restaurant plays a significant role as a backdrop for many scenes.
SUB THEMES: Divorce, Children, Domestic Abuse, Fifteen minutes of fame with an intrusive Media, Justice, Adoptive Fatherhood, and giving back to the community through an active and positive church with exceptional friends, neighbors and community.
INSPIRATION: While waiting in line for a take out order a few days before Christmas I had the inspiration for that novel that became 65,000+ words in less than one week. Set in the small town bedroom community of Heartsfield in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex it is based on the real location of Our Place in Mansfield Texas. Draft 1 is completed. Draft 2 is under way at present with the contract hire of critique-editor Joy Avery Melville.
TARGET SUBMISSION: WINTER-SPRING 2014
PHOTOS: THE REAL ‘OUR PLACE’ RESTAURANT IN MANSFIELD TEXAS