Page 39 of Sensing Selma
TEN
Wet and shivering,I leaned into Damen, relying on his strength as my mind cleared. I’d finally found the ability to breathe normally again and while I was still fuzzy on the details of what had happened, I knew I owed Damen my life.
“I would have died had you not shown up,” I muttered after a long moment.
“Shh,” he whispered. “Don’t think about that. You’re all right now and that’s all that matters.”
Clinging to him, I sniffed back the last of my tears and my heart finally resumed its natural beat.
“What luck that you were out here,” I said, pulling back to look at him. “This is so far from everything; from everyone.”
“Indeed.” He gripped my arms and stood up, stooping over me. “Think you can stand up?”
I nodded despite my uncertainty. With his help, I got to my feet and stumbled a bit. Still a little lightheaded, I leaned heavily into him.
“Steady now.” His hands were gentle yet firm as he held me.
I found my footing and he carefully let go.
“I think I’m okay now,” I said, smiling at him as a violent shiver shook me. “Thanks to you.”
“I wish I had a coat to offer you, but...alas,” he said. “Let’s hurry and get you back to the house. Perhaps you should see a doctor.”
I was unable to hurry, so we slowly made our way back. The sun was high and hot which helped to calm the shivers. Walking also helped to send much needed blood throughout my body, warming me more.
Every once in a while, the uneven ground left me leaning on him and I’d apologize, but for the most part I held my own.
“I went out to the pond to consider a scene I might be doing there,” he said. He looked at me with a playful grin. “I didn’t anticipate such a turn of events. You turned my quiet and contemplative afternoon into one of adventure and action.”
“Sorry about that. I assure you, it wasn’t my intention.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. It’ll be an amusing story I’ll tell my grandkids someday.”
I laughed, pleased to see I hadn’t ruined his day.
“I believe I’ve seen a few of your movies,” I said, eager to talk about something else. “You’re really very good.”
He smiled. “I try my best. Of course, I do have my share of critics. There’s always someone out there who just thinks that I’m a pretty boy with no talent.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” I said, upset that anyone would say such a thing.
“Well, I must admit that most of my roles have been the romantic lead. After this Jane Austen movie, I’m hoping to get a more serious role...something a little more dramatic.”
“I have no doubt you will.”
“What movie did you see me in?”
“Get Caught Up,” I said. “You know...where you’re tricked into thinking the girl is an art buyer for a big shot gallery...”
“And she’s really an art student who’s having trouble getting a passing grade.”
“That’s the one.”
We laughed and I absentmindedly leaned into him.
“I can’t wait to see you in this movie,” I said after a few silent steps. “Have you ever done a period movie before?”
