Read Online Take Three by Karen Kingsbury - Free Book Online

pre-liminary offer from American Pictures. The offer was beyond anything any of them had ever imagined: ten million dollars for The Last Letter. The figure was eight million more than any of them had hoped to get up front. In addition, the studio was still willing to front half the publicity and advertising money. Luke was giddy over the proposal. “They want a full theatrical release, a thousand screens across America.”
    Keith looked at him, and his eyes said everything he clearly couldn’t put into words. He came to Chase and hugged him hard, the way two friends embrace after surviving a war together. As Keith released him, Chase looked across the room. Kendall and Ben were having what looked like a serious conversation in the opposite corner of the lobby.
    Keith and Luke were going on about God’s mercy and grace, His perfect timing, and how they would have the freedom to make more movies with the commitment from American Pictures. They were still celebrating, when Luke’s cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and his eyes lit up. “NTM.” The last guests were gone by then, but Luke distanced himself from the group as he answered.
    Kendall and her father must’ve finished their conversation, because they crossed the lobby and joined Chase and Keith. Kendall looked weary, her eyes darker than Chase had ever seen them. “What’s all the excitement for?”
    “We’ve got an offer!” Keith stepped up and hugged Ben Adams. “American Pictures wants to give us ten million for a theatrical release!”
    Chase kept his attention on Keith and Ben. He could’ve been wrong, but Ben’s enthusiasm seemed tempered, somehow. Hewould have to ask him about it later. Luke returned to them a few minutes later. As he reached them, a grin spread across his face. “It’s happened!”
    “What?” Chase couldn’t imagine anything else tonight. Already he was dizzy from everything he was feeling.
    Keith moved in close to Chase so they could hear, and Luke gave each of them a strong pat on their backs. “NTM is printing a retraction tomorrow. I guess they got pressure from Brandon’s agent that he’d pull out of his existing contract Monday if they didn’t run something taking back the story.”
    Chase wished he had something to hold onto, but since there was nothing, he put his hand on Keith’s shoulder and grabbed tight. Wasn’t this what they’d prayed for? Wasn’t it what Keith had believed could happen, and what Kendall was absolutely convinced would take place? That NTM would back down and Hollywood’s top young actor, Brandon Paul, could actually star in their next film?
    Luke was going on about how NTM never does this, and how the news release would state that failed communication was to blame for their retraction. Chase wanted to be sure he understood. “What exactly does this mean for Unlocked ?”
    This time Luke leaned his head back and laughed out loud. “It means you and Brandon Paul can take this deal to whatever studio you’d like. Sounds like American Pictures might be your first stop. Either way, NTM is so worried about losing Brandon, they’re even willing to let him film this movie before he fulfills his agreement with them. As long as he doesn’t pull out of his contract.”
    When Ben and Kendall got up to speed about the latest developments, Ben directed everyone to hold hands one more time. “We’ve taken time to ask God for His blessing,” Ben’s voice was scratchy, thick with emotion. “Now it’s time to thank Him.”
    Chase studied the older man. He seemed deeply emotional, maybe because of his earlier talk with Kendall. The conversationhad been very private and seemed more intense than was fitting for a night like this. Chase wondered if Kendall’s dad was warning her to keep her distance from Chase, reminding her that Chase was married. He hoped not. He’d be mortified if his errant thoughts were that obvious.
    This time Keith was between him and Kendall as they linked hands