Page 40 of Arranging Ayra
“And if you think you were looking forward to watching this scene between Mr. Darcy and Lizzy, imagine the day we film the lake scene. Barnaby with his shirt off... and maybe more. What a sight that’s going to be.”
I pointed an accusing finger at her. “You better make sure I’m there for that shoot.”
“I promise,” she said with a laugh. “I know it’s your favorite scene and I wouldn’t have you miss it for the world.”
Laughing, I headed back up to my room to get changed for my stroll around the lake. Once there I exchanged my jeans for some khaki shorts and paired it with a short-sleeved pale yellow cotton blouse.
As I headed down the stairs, I looked around for someone who could accompany me to these two lakes - someone who knew the property well.
“Where you heading off to?” Jai said as if summoned to assist me. Wearing a jaunty cap and a dark green quilted jacket, he looked every bit the part of the country gentleman that he actually was.
“I’m going to go scout for the best location for the ‘dive in the pond’ scene. Keely wants me to check out the lakes of Moon Manor.”
“What a coincidence. She asked me to head out there myself. Want me to take you out there? My jeep is out front and ready to go.”
“I’d appreciate it. You sure are looking spiffy for a ride out to the lake.”
“Warm clothes are a must for the ride out.” He looked down at my attire. “I suggest you throw on a jacket or something. The wind can get quite chilly.”
I looked down at my thin blouse and khakis. “Okay. Give me just a minute and I’ll be right down.”
“I’ll be waiting out front.”
I ran back to my room, exchanged my shorts for the same blue jeans I originally had on and threw a thick cotton jacket over my blouse. On my way out, I grabbed my faded red wool beanie and pulled it over my head.
As promised, Jai was right there in front of the main door. I quickly realized why he insisted on being so warmly dressed. His jeep was entirely open to the elements, no roof, no doors, no windshield.
“Hop in,” he shouted over the sound of his loud engine.
I’d barely buckled in that we were off.
“The back road out here can get a little rough,” he shouted. “You’d best hang on.”
Hang onto what? I wondered as we bumped and jumped our way down the dirt road.
“This is the worst of it,” he said as he slowed down to maneuver the jeep around some deep ruts. “When the rain hits, the puddles are knee deep in places... then it dries out and this is what I’m left with. I’ll fix it... someday... but for now, this is the best way to the lake.”
I thought of Keely and the crew driving out this way. Would they be able to make it?
But after only a few more hundred yards or so, the road smoothed out.
“It’s easy riding for the rest of the way,” Jai said. “Almost,” he added with a grin.
“This is such beautiful country,” I said with admiration. Now that I didn’t have to hang on for dear life, I could take a better look at my surroundings.
The dirt road ran along a ridge, giving us a splendid view of the farms and country homes far and deep into the valley.
“I suggested Keely follow Mr. Darcy out here as he heads to the lake. The views up here are like nothing else.”
“Did she like your suggestion?”
“I think she did. She just didn’t seem sure Barnaby would appreciate having to walk out here.”
Of course, Barnaby would go along with the idea, I wanted to argue. He’d do anything to make this the greatest movie ever.
“We’re almost there,” Jai said as we arrived at a gazebo set beneath the shade of a huge tree.
Moments later, the lake opened up in front of us. It was glorious. The rays of the early morning sun sparkled across the top of the water.
