He seemed sincere. Looked sincere. But it was all a game. He couldn’t care less about her, and she knew it. More than likely, this would be front and center footage for the next episode.
“I’m forced to be here to keep my sister out of jail or sued or both. That doesn’t mean I have to like you or the show. I’m going back to my original plan. I’m keeping my distance from you.” Penelope whirled around and ran for her room. She was done with Angus. If Barb wanted to go after Paige because she was avoiding the man, then that’s what she’d have to do. Penelope was over this show.
Chapter 14
At least Penelope was honest. She’d stayed as far away from Angus as possible. The last few days, he was supposed to be cozying up to each of the women and talking about the dude ranch they would be visiting, but anytime she saw him coming, she’d bolted.
Zora and Amber were all too willing to be as close as possible. Jeanie, of course, was gracious and respected his personal space. Of the three, Jeanie was his favorite. Her beauty wasn’t just outward, which made her all the more attractive in his eyes. Part of him wished there was a spark there.
Barb wouldn’t tell him much about how the last episode was received, but she promised she would warn him if the ratings were down and they needed to change something. By the lift in her step and the smile she gave him as she left, he guessed she was pleased with the results. He couldn’t decide if he was excited or terrified to see the series when it was all over. It was probably a good decision to keep the group from watching the episodes while they were still filming. He was curious to see what they’d filmed of Penelope while he wasn’t around.
That morning, Barb had gathered all of them in the great room, and then they’d taken a limo to a six-hundred-acre dude ranch for a two-week stay. For the next group date, they were spending the day horseback riding and then camping out overnight. It was the part of the show he was looking forward to the most. Over the course of their stay, he’d have individual dates with each of the women.
When he was a kid, he helped one of the neighbors with their horses. It fostered his love of animals and the desire to be a veterinarian. Sometimes, he still wondered if he’d chosen the correct career.
“Well, ladies, this is where I leave you,” Barb said. “I don’t ride horses, and my idea of camping is a five-star hotel room.”
Everyone, including Penelope, chuckled. Ever since their date and subsequent midnight talk, she’d plagued him. The hurt in her eyes, the disappointment in her voice. He hated that he’d been so stupid and said he’d taken her there for the show. It was the furthest thing from the truth.
“Are you staying at the ranch?” asked Zora.
Barb nodded. “Yes, I’ll be here in case the crew needs me. Even out here, you’re being filmed all the time. Don’t forget that.” She smiled at the cameramen gathered around. Barb motioned to Jeff. “If you should need anything, he’s your man.”
Jeff smiled at the group and saluted with two fingers.
“And this,” Barb said as an older gentleman strolled to the outskirts of the group, “is Callum McPherson. He’s going to be leading the group on the trail to the campsite. Listen to him, and keep yourselves out of trouble.” She winked at Angus.
Angus grinned. “Aye.”
Zora inched closer to him. “I’ve never ridden a horse. You promise to keep me from falling off?”
“You bet. There will be no falling off horses while I’m around,” Angus replied and tipped his hat as he caught Penelope rolling her eyes. He couldn’t help it that Barb wanted him to be charming.
Callum clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Okay, this is how it works. I’m lead. Stay on the path. Don’t be afraid of these horses; they’re trained pros. Let them do the work. They know these trails, and if you let them do their job, we’ll have no problems. At the campsite, stay with the group. This is a ranch. There are wild animals, and if you wander off, there’s a good chance you’ll get lost. Everyone clear?”
The group chorused agreement and then followed Callum to the stables where horses had been saddled for the entire group.
Angus helped Jeanie mount her horse first. Although, growing up on a farm, she probably didn’t need it. It was more for the show than her.
She caught Angus’s gaze. “Do you like to ride?”
“I did. I haven’t ridden in a long time. How about you?”
“I grew up on a farm,” she said as she threw her leg over the horse.
“That doesn’t mean you like riding a horse.”
She chuckled. “True, and yes, I do.”
“Did you like growing up on a farm?”
Jeanie nodded. “I did. It made me value hard work and reaping the benefits of those efforts.”
“Aye, that’s true.” When Angus glanced around, he noticed Zora, Amber, and Penelope still on the ground. “We’ll talk more on the ride.”
“Okay.”
He stopped by Amber. “Would you like some help?”
She smiled that red-carpet smile. “I’d love it.”
“Have you ridden before?”
“A little. When I was younger, I took a few lessons.” She set one hand on his shoulder and the other on the saddle horn, swinging her leg over. “I enjoy it.”
Angus nodded. “That’s good. I need to go help Zora and Penelope. We’ll talk more on the ride to the campsite.”
“Sure. I’m looking forward to it.”
If only he was. He tipped his head and flashed a smile as he strolled to Zora. She looked a little terrified until she saw him approaching. He was chum in the water, and she was a circling shark. She gave him a dazzling smile and said, “What a gentleman.”
“I try.”
He may have helped her onto her horse a little quicker than the others. Either that or knowing who was next put a little pep in his step. He paused on his way to Penelope and watched how she handled the animal.
She was stroking her horse’s nose and cheek. She said something to it, but he couldn’t hear what. When it nuzzled her, she giggled and ran a hand down the length of its neck.
Angus wished he was a little closer so he could hear what she was saying. Whatever it was, she thought it was funny, and that pricked his interest even more. He wondered how she learned to handle horses so well.
He shook his head. The woman didn’t want anything to do with him, and here he was about to walk into a junkyard covered in meat sauce while it was being guarded by a Doberman.
“Need any help?” he asked.
Penelope startled and looked at him wide-eyed. “No. I’m okay.”
“Have you been around horses before?”
Her eyes cut left and then right, no doubt counting the number of cameras pointed at her. She sighed, and her shoulders slumped. “I have. I have a friend whose mom runs a horse sanctuary, and Paige and I would help out sometimes on the weekends.”
“A horse sanctuary?” Why did that surprise him so much? And intrigue him too.
She nodded and quickly mounted her horse. “Yeah, it’s a great place. Not only does she help horses, but she uses those horses to help special needs kids. Really, the entire area benefits from it. Fewer horses are slaughtered, and kids learn the value of a life,” she said and pulled on the reins, leading her horse away from him without a glance back.
He yanked his hat off and slapped it against his leg. She was completely unfazed by him, something new to him. Man, she was stubborn and exasperating. What really chapped him was that he liked it. She wasn’t the kind of woman to put up with a man’s nonsense.
As he strode to his horse, his thoughts wandered down a path not meant to be walked. When was the last time he’d looked twice at a woman? A few before Clara maybe, but since then? None. He’d been burned hard by her. She’d been sweet and kind, but it had been skin deep. His family saw her true colors, but every time he thought of ending it, Finn would encourage him to keep it going. It almost seemed as though he and Clara were working together, because the se
cond Angus even mentioned breaking up with her, she’d act like a newborn lamb. He wasn’t ready for another mess like that. Guarding his heart needed to be his top priority.
Once Angus was on his horse, Callum led the group into the hills of the ranch. Barb had picked a beautiful place. Rolling hills, multiple streams, and trees as far as the eye could see. The air was crisp and clean. It almost made Angus wish he’d known about the place after his breakup with Clara. Maybe if he’d hidden out at this ranch, his career wouldn’t have been ruined.
Before he knew it, Amber and Zora had him sandwiched between them. At least they were outside, so it didn’t feel as claustrophobic as their group date at the restaurant.
“Are you okay now, Zora?” asked Angus.
“I’m fine. Mostly, I was worried that the horse wouldn’t like me or something.”
“I love horses. I’ve ridden a few times,” Amber said.
Zora laughed. “Oh, I love horses, but I only love them when I’m not riding them. I’m a city girl. Give me congested streets, sidewalks full of people, and a huge selection of restaurants, and I’m happy. How about you, Angus, city or farm?”
“Both, really. I grew up on a sheep farm. Pop still runs it with my two younger brothers, Rory and Taran. When my pop passes, they’ll be taking over the farm.”
Zora studied him. “I never would have pictured you as the farm boy.”
Angus shrugged. “I guess I can see why you’d think that.”
“I think it’s sweet,” Amber said.
“I’m going to see how Jeanie and Penelope are doing. I’ll be back in a while.” He pulled back on the reigns until he was riding next to Jeanie. “Everything okay?”
She nodded. “So far, so good. This girl is sweet. She’s so well-trained that it’s effortless to ride her. I suspect it’s a good thing for the ones who aren’t as experienced.”
“I doubt Barb would have appreciated this ride turning into an unexpected rodeo.” He gave the cameraman a glance and winked at the camera as he rode next to Jeanie.
Jeanie laughed. “No, I suspect not.”
“So, what kind of farm did you grow up on?” Angus asked.
“Pig. I swear that when I moved away, I thought I’d never get the smell out of my hair.” She curled her fingers around the tail of her braided hair.
Angus snorted. “I’ve been to one. I thought the same thing, and I was only there a few hours. Do you go back often?”
“Every chance I get. Mom and Dad are getting older, and the older they get, the harder it is to run. My younger brother, Harry, is going to take it over this coming year so they can retire. The seven of us have worked and saved. We’re going to buy them a small house in the city where we can keep an eye on them. Dad’s health has really been declining since his heart attack last year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Again, Angus wished he felt some chemistry with Jeanie. She was incredibly sweet, and conversations with her were easy.
Jeanie’s lips curved up. “My dad is the kindest man I’ve ever known. I always measure other men against him.”
Angus didn’t know how to respond.
“I have a feeling the two of you would get along. I wasn’t kidding when I said I think there’s a good person hiding under all that temper.”
He swallowed hard. “I’d like to hope so.”
Jeanie tilted her head. “I’m usually right about people.”
The horse might be walking, but his heart was galloping at the uncomfortable turn the conversation had taken. He was glad Jeff was taking up the rear of the group and a different cameraman was riding next to them. “Uh, I need to ask Jeff something. I’ll be back.”
“Okay.”
Angus pulled on the reins, turning the horse around, and urged her into a trot until he was next to Jeff.
“Everything okay, Angus?” Jeff asked.
“Just needed a moment.”
“Already?”
“Aye.”
Up ahead, Penelope seemed to be in her own world, glancing left and right. And smiling. It was much like the night he’d taken her to the opera. In her own world and seemingly at ease. It looked good on her.
Angus watched her with intensity. As much as she tried to drive him away, something about her pulled him to her. It was almost as if he wanted the punishment of rejection.
“She’s a sweet girl,” Jeff said.
“Who?”
Jeff leveled his gaze at Angus and cocked a brow. “Really?”
Angus took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay, so what makes you say that?”
“She offered to cook me breakfast. I haven’t taken her up on the offer yet, but if it tastes as good as it smells, she can cook. Or at least she can cook omelets. Man, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it.”
“She won’t have anything to do with me.”
Jeff chuckled. “I know. Makes it hard to figure someone out when they’re actively avoiding you.”
Angus groaned. “Aye.”
“Go talk to her. Different setting. Maybe it’ll help.”
Angus nodded and nudged the horse forward.
The moment she saw him, her entire demeanor changed. She wilted when she saw him coming.
Chapter 15
Penelope closed her eyes as Angus sidled his horse next to hers. She’d hoped, going on the group date, that she’d be saved from spending time with him. After their talk a few nights ago, she’d made good on her promise to keep her distance from him. She had no idea why he was trying so hard when he knew she wasn’t interested.
So far, Zora and Amber were the only two fighting over who would get his attention. Jeanie seemed to be taking the laid-back approach.
“Are you okay?” asked Angus.
“I’m fine.”
With his gaze cast down, he said, “I really wish you didn’t hate me.”
That wasn’t how she felt about him at all. More like she had a glimpse of how easy it would be to get swept up and away by him. What was wrong with her that she couldn’t be civil to him? “I’m sorry if I’ve given you that impression. I don’t hate you. I’m just…well, I don’t want to be here. Being filmed all the time. It’s nerve-wracking.” He was nerve-wracking.
Angus nodded.
“This is nice, though. It’s so peaceful. Like all your aches could be soothed away by being out here.” She took a deep breath. “It smells so alive. The pines, the grass, the crispness in the air. You can taste how clean the air is.”
“It is nice out here. Do you think you’ll like camping?”
Penelope smiled. It didn’t take much to get lost in thought when it came to camping. She smiled, and her vision blurred. “My dad would take us camping every summer in North Carolina. We’d go fishing, sit around the campfire, and tell scary stories, and I loved it. Paige didn’t. She liked the city and the excitement. By the time the week was over, she was nearly stir-crazy, but I found such joy sitting outside.”
She could feel Angus’s gaze as she debated the wisdom of telling him more.
“Paige doesn’t know it, but right after Mom died, my dad and I went camping. Only a few months after that, he had a heart attack. This place makes me miss him. He would have loved it here.” She took a deep breath and glanced at Angus…then the cameraman and all the other mounted cameramen. “This is why I don’t want to be here. It’s too easy to forget I’m being filmed, because I’m used to being left alone. I don’t want my life to be used for ratings.”
Angus shrugged. “What’s so bad about telling people you love camping and the outdoors? Or that you miss your dad?”
She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself calm. “Because it’s too easy to forget none of this is real.”
“I’m a real person,” he said just above a whisper.
She grimaced when she saw the hurt on his face and in his eyes. “I’m sorry. That’s not…I wasn’t…I know you’re a real person. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It came out wrong.” Every time she opened
her mouth, she made it worse. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone?
He held her gaze, and she nearly withered. “What did you mean, then?”
“I mean…I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m not myself here, and I keep…I’m being insulting to you, and I don’t want to. That’s why I want to avoid you.” As hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep the frustration out of her voice. She needed to stop talking. “Can we just enjoy the quiet and get to the campsite?”
“Look, Penny―”
Tom. The hot anger traveled from her face to the tips of her ears. Smoke had to be billowing out of them like a chimney. “Don’t ever call me Penny again. I wasn’t lucky then, and I’m not lucky now. I’ve never been―”
“What? Lucky? What are you talking about?”
“Don’t call me Penny. My name is Penelope.”
Angus stared at her in shock. “Okay. I’m sorry. You’re seeing this all wrong.”
Tom would say the same thing. You’re seeing this all wrong, Penny. What would you do without me? I take care of you. You’re a smart girl, but this is a big city. Besides, if you really loved me, you’d trust me.
Tom’s words curled around her like a snake, squeezing out the air in her lungs while silencing the logical part of her brain that told her Angus wasn’t Tom. Fury fueled by old memories bubbled up like thick tar and covered her.
“Not everything is about you, Mr. Celebrity. Did it ever occur to you that I’ve had my heart broken? I’ve seen how charming you can be. I’ve been charmed before. Stupid trusting Penelope falling for the lies and―” Tears pooled in her eyes when she caught sight of Jeff. She could feel the color draining from her face, and she was afraid she’d be sick. “Leave me alone, Angus MacLachlan. I may not know you, but I know your kind.”
She urged the horse into a trot until she rode next to Callum. “Where’s the campsite?”
His eyebrows knitted together. “Uh, straight ahead two miles, there’s a sign. From there, take a left and go another two miles. It opens to a clearing. You can’t miss it.”
Mending The Billionaire Movie Star (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 1) Page 7