out, he laughed inwardly at himself.
She probably wouldn't appreciate the fact that he would have loved to bark out an order, empty the room and jump her like a madman.
But to him, it was nice to have the feeling. There had been women sinceVictoria, but none that had made him feel this way at first sight.Victoria's death had changed him, and not for the better.
And, he reminded himself, if he had ever thought ofVictoriathat way and she had found out, she would definitely have considered him a madman.No, a savage. That had been her favorite term__
He gave himself a little shake. Whatever mistakes he had made, whatever mistakes she had made, they were in the past.Over. Agonizing over all that had happened had never done him any good. It was too late to go back.
"Lee, you're here! I didn't see you come in."
Lee turned as Tony Asp approached him, grinning broadly, his hand stretched out in greeting.
"Hi, Tony," Lee said, shaking the offered hand and returning the grin. "I just walked in." He waved an arm to indicate the entryway, the staircase and the grand ballroom.' 'The place looks great. What do you think?"
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"Day and night," Tony replied with a grimace. "I have to admit, I thought you were crazy to buy the place and renovate it, but you were right. From what I hear, it cost less than renting, and you've got yourself a dynamite house. You gonna move in here after the shoot?''
Lee shook his head. "I like my old house. Or new house, depending on how you look at it."
"Well, for the video, it looks great. I don't think you could find anything that looked more antebellum in the heart ofGeorgia."
"I hope you're right--" Lee began, but just then a hand clamped down hard on his shoulder and he turned to see Gary Wright, a too-thin bundle of nervous energy, but a brilliant conceptual director, standing behind him.
"Lee! How was the concert tour? Good to be back with you."
"The tour was fine, Gary, but I think it was our last. And it's good to be back with you, too."
The three men shared a good business relationship, although it had been an awkward one when they had first come together a year ago inScotlandto work on the first video. Tony had made his name in classical ballet, andGaryhad earned his reputation as a director for PBS. They had been skeptical about working with Lee, but Lee had learned early that there were two things about him that could draw prejudice: he was a Blackfoot, and he was a rock musician.
Growing up, he had learned to be tough. Growing older, he had learned to shrug his shoulders and quietly prove his points.
And he had proved himself to both Tony and Gary.
But never toVictoria...
That's over, he reminded himself.Over...
There had been some compromises made throughout the entire month's work on the first video, but the result had been so gratifying that before the final wrap they had found themselves fast friends. And the video had hit the tube with astounding success, both commercial and critical.
"I only have one disagreement with you, Lee,"Garywas saying now. "I like the concept; I have to admit I even like the arrangement of the song. But I think--with your career in mind--that we should have shots of you guys with your instruments. I know you're going to tell me that it's a Civil War ballad, which it is, but think of it this way-->''
"Excuse me, Gary," Tony cut in quickly. "I'm going to go and get started with the dancers."
"Sure, Tony,"Garysaid. "Go ahead. Now, Lee, I'm not talking about a shot of more than a second or two--''
"Sorry, Gary," Lee interrupted this time, his eyes following Tony as he started across the ballroom toward the group of colorfully clad dancers. "I'll be right back."
"But, Lee..."
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"Go with it,Gary. Go with whatever you want!" A smile spread acrossGary's features, but Lee didn't notice, nor would he