Colt told a different story. He complained that Garrett was dictatorial. Overbearing. He couldn’t stand to be on the set a second longer than necessary.
This war of wills continued longer than the family expected, spilling over into their private lives. Callie would have stepped in if Caleb hadn’t reminded her that they only had to work together for two weeks. This would blow over.
“Did it?” Chuck took a sip from his wine glass, surprised to find it empty. He had been so caught up in Nate’s narrative he hadn’t realized he’d drunk the contents. Reaching for the bottle, he asked around if anyone wanted a refill. Everyone declined. He poured himself half a glass, and then sat back, ready for the conclusion of the story.
“Colt cooled down as soon as he signed on for his next movie. A juicy script and a nice paycheck can smooth over your temper fast. On the other hand, Garrett wasn’t ready to forgive. And trust me. Garrett never forgets.”
His brother could go for months, sometimes years, before he had his revenge. Some people might say that was maniacal, but they were wrong. Garrett didn’t obsess. He didn’t stew over every wrong done to him. However, if he saw his opportunity to even the score, he took it.
Colt paid the price faster than most. Looking around the table at the expectant faces, Nate gave them what they had been waiting for.
“Garrett cut him out of the movie.”
“No,” Irene gasped.
“Wow! That is cold.” Paige’s eyes were round with disbelief.
“Sounds fair to me.”
“Dad!” Paige gaped at her father. “You don’t mean that. Colt is Garrett’s brother. How can you think it’s right for him to do that?”
“Paige, honey, you don’t understand the movie business. Colt was screwing with Garrett’s livelihood. His reputation. Brother or no brother. That can’t be tolerated.”
“But—”
“It was brilliant,” Nate declared. “Garrett accomplished two things. He taught Colt a much-needed lesson in humility. And, he showed the industry that you don’t mess with Garrett Landis. If he was willing to do that to his own brother, imagine what he would do to a non-family member.”
“Like I said,” Chuck nodded, voice filled with admiration. “Brilliant.”
“I want to know how Colt handled it. He couldn’t have been happy.”
“He ranted and raved — long distance. He was on location in the wilds of Canada.”
“That was it?” After everything Nate had told them, Paige couldn’t believe Colt would leave it at that.
“Pretty much,” Nate said, a twinkle in his blue eyes. “Oh, did I mention that Colt hired two guys to fill Garrett’s Maserati with spaghetti and meatballs? Plus sauce. Gallons and gallons of sauce?”
Everyone burst out laughing. Nate painted a vivid picture of revenge. The red spaghetti sauce symbolic of an effective, yet bloodless revenge. Once they calmed down, they all wiped the moisture from their eyes.
“Garrett couldn’t have let that go.”
“What would you have done?” Smiling at Paige, Nate raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Strangled him. I mean a Maserati. Those can go for…”
“A lot.” Chuck provided when he saw Nate wasn’t going to name a specific amount.
“Deciding to end the war, Garrett let Colt off.”
“Scott free?”
“Not exactly. He had to get the car detailed so it could be donated to charity. Then he purchased Garrett the car of his choice. Since the spaghetti incident put him off Maserati, he chose a Lamborghini. Loaded.”
“That’s getting off easy?” Paige exchanged amazed looks with Irene. “Yikes. Talk about an expensive lesson.”
“Colt knew he deserved it. He’s never taken any part for granted since then. No matter how big or small, he treats them all the same.”
“The world you live in, Nate, is beyond my comprehension,” Irene said with a sigh. The she grinned. “Entertaining as hell, though. Now, didn’t I see a chocolate cake on the counter? To hell with my no sugar pledge. I want a slice. A big one.”
“With ice cream?” Paige asked as she cleared away the dinner dishes.
“Chocolate or vanilla?”
“Both?”
“In for a penny. Bring it on.”
The conversation during dessert was easy and relaxed. Picking up the last crumb with her fork, Irene sat back, full and satisfied. For a meal she dreaded all week, it had turned out to be the nicest evening she’d had in a long time. She would have loved to linger over another cup of coffee, but she had a flight to catch in the morning.
The prize mare of an Arabian Sheik was due to foal any day. Acting like a nervous father, he insisted she be attended by a doctor he trusted. Irene wasn’t one to argue with someone who paid so well. He lived in California so she wouldn’t be gone long. And she felt the need for a few days away.
Irene’s gaze shifted to Chuck. However, before she went, she needed to clear up some unfinished business.
“That was a wonderful meal, Paige. As always. And wonderful company.” Pushing her chair back, she smiled at Nate. “If you ever decide to give up stunt work, you could hire yourself out to parties. You had us enthralled.”
Nate quickly got up, helping Irene to her feet. “When you have a colorful family, the stories write themselves.”
“But it takes a certain knack to relay those stories so entertainingly.”
“Do you have to go so soon?” Paige looked at the clock. Ten o’clock? How was that possible? Nate and his stories. She would have to thank him. Smiling, she pondered the possibilities. Once she had him naked, she would thank him – repeatedly.
“I have an early flight. I’ll be gone for most of the week, but Dr. Langston is on call in case of an emergency.”
Hooking her arm through Irene’s, Paige walked her to the door.
“Maybe the Sheik will ask you to marry him. Again.”
“What?” Chuck’s head jerked around from where he stacked the dessert plates. “When did this happen?” Paige didn’t notice the harsh tone of Chuck’s voice. Irene did. Intrigued by the reaction, so did Nate.
“Ahmed has been proposing for years.” Irene donned the coat that Nate held for her. “He would have a heart attack if I said yes. His three wives wouldn’t be very happy, either. It’s a little harmless flirting.”
“Marriage isn’t something to joke about,” Chuck muttered as he carried the plate to the sink.
“Oh, Dad,” Paige playfully admonished. “It’s harmless. He is awfully handsome. And with all that money? You could retire and become his California wife.”
“I’ll give it some thought in January when I’m shoveling five feet of snow out of my driveway.”
“Travel safe.” Paige gave Irene a warm hug.
“I will.” Irene turned to Nate. “Well? Aren’t you going to kiss me good night? How often do I get the opportunity to be this close to an honest to goodness internet sensation?”
Nate groaned but happily complied, kissing Irene’s cheek.
“I could have gone all night without that subject coming up.”
“Sorry. I held in the impulse as long as I could.”
“Your restraint was admirable.” Nate opened the door. “Let me walk you to your car.”
“I swear. You are from another era. Thank you, but I have something that I forgot to bring in.”
“I’ll be happy to get it for you.”
“That’s sweet of you.” Irene laid a hand on Nate’s arm when he would have accompanied her out of the house. “It’s for Chuck. Would you mind?”
“Me?” Chuck looked slightly panicked. “Um. Sure.” He wiped his hands on a dishtowel. “I’d be glad to.”
He didn’t look glad. Nate thought he looked like a man walking his last mile. No, that wasn’t right. Chuck looked. Nervous. But this was something else. Anticipation? Excitement?
Well, well, well. Chuck’s Erin had been gone for over two years. It looked like the grief was lessen
ing and his libido kicking into gear. He might be reluctant. However, once that ice cracked, Chuck would have a hard time stopping the thaw.
Unaware of the undercurrents swirling around her, Paige watched the door close behind her father. She opened the dishwasher. She paused when she became aware of Nate’s gaze, a slow smile forming on her lips.
Speaking of libidos. Nate’s had been working fine for years. However, something about Paige took it to another level. That smile alone made him want to fall to his knees and beg for a taste. One sip.
Hell, who was he trying to fool? A sip wouldn’t be enough. Tonight would be the beginning of a long feast. The first course.
“How soon can we leave?”
Paige didn’t have to ask what Nate meant. Her thoughts were right there with his.
“Forty-five minutes. An hour at the most.” Paige looked at the puppy who watched from her pillow by the fireplace. “What about Beauty? She’s gotten used to having you near at night.”
Nate patted his leg. Happily, Beauty jumped up. Her still growing body lost control for a second, paws splaying in four different directions. Undeterred, she righted herself before trotting over to Nate.
“You are the sweetest thing, aren’t you?” Nate picked Beauty up. He scratched the spot behind her ears that had her eyes closing in happiness. “Come on. You need to take care of business for the night.”
“And then?” Paige asked. She couldn’t decide who was more adorable. The puppy or the man. When he touched his nose to Beauty’s, she decided to call it a draw.
“I’ll put her on my bed for the night. She’ll be fine until we get back.”
She enjoyed the view of Nate’s ass as he left the room. With a silent whistle of appreciation, Paige sped up her task. The sooner the dishes were done the sooner they could head out to Lottie’s place. The sooner they were at Lottie’s the sooner she could rip Nate’s clothes off. Naked Nate. Soon to become her favorite thing ever.
“WHAT DO YOU have for me?”
Irene watched with amazement as Chuck circled her car, peering into the window.
“Is it in the trunk?”
“Don’t be an idiot. No, strike that. You’re already an idiot. Don’t compound it.”
Chuck swallowed nervously, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. A gesture Irene recognized. He was upset and confused. She felt her indignation begin to melt until she remembered. She was upset and confused. No one gave her any slack. Especially Chuck.
“Irene—”
“No. I’m going to talk. You listen.” With each word, she poked a finger into his chest for emphasis. “It was a kiss. One kiss. A very nice kiss.”
“But—”
“I loved Erin, too.”
“I know.”
“Not once while she was alive did I harbor any thoughts about you except as a friend.”
“No.” For the first time all evening, Chuck looked directly into Irene’s eyes. The sadness he saw made his heart clench. “I never dreamed otherwise.”
“Good,” Irene nodded. “Because there is something you need to understand.”
This was hard, but it needed to be said. Whatever happened, she couldn’t lose Chuck. He was one of the first friends she made when she moved to Montana. She didn’t know if something romantic was possible with him. As she had said, thinking of him that way was new. And scary. There was Erin’s memory. It was over two years since her death, but Irene knew that Chuck still grieved for his wife every day.
She wasn’t going to tell him that Erin would want him to move on. It was a cliché, even if it were true. Chuck knew that, above all else, Erin would want him to be happy. It was up to Chuck to decide what that meant. Irene couldn’t tell him.
The kiss had come as a surprise to both of them. If Irene had seen it in a movie, she would have rolled her eyes. Chuck stopped by her office to pick up some ointment for one of the horses. They bent at the same time to pick up a file she had dropped. As they stood, it happened. No warning. Chuck pulled her into his arms and kissed her. To her amazement, Irene kissed him back.
It left her breathless and a little lightheaded. By the glazed look in his eyes, she was certain Chuck felt the same. It took about ten seconds for the implications to sink in and less than that for him to rush out the door. Two weeks later, this was the first time she had gotten him alone.
“I like you, Chuck. I can’t tell you when I started to want more than just your friendship, but there it is. I would like us to be lovers.”
Chuck’s eyes widened. Irene waited for him to say something, but when he opened his mouth, all that came out was air. Like a slowly deflating balloon.
It appeared Chuck wouldn’t make this easier. With a sigh, Irene plowed forward.
“The Genie is out of the bottle, Chuck.” She shook her head, frowning. “You know what? Forget the stupid metaphors. We’re adults. Let’s act like it. I’ve told you what I want. If you decide you’d like it too, that’s fine. If not, I still want to be your friend.”
“I want that too.” Chuck found his voice. It sounded raspy and rough, but it was there. “The friend part.” Chuck sighed. “I always want us to be friends, Irene.”
“And the rest?”
“I don’t know.”
At least it was honest. A little part of her had hoped for more, but at heart, she was a pragmatic woman. Chuck needed time to process what was happening between them. In his mind, he was still married to Erin. Thinking of Irene as anything but a friend would be cheating. Until he moved past that, there was nothing more she could say.
“Can we talk when you get back?”
“Of course.” Irene gave him a sympathetic smile. “I wish I could tell you not to beat yourself up over this, but that’s your decision.” Before getting into her car, she hesitated, and then gently squeezed his hand. “Friends first and always.”
Chuck watched Irene’s car drive into the night. Friends first and always. Did he want more? Was he capable of more? He closed his eyes, waiting for Erin to give him the advice he so desperately needed.
Nothing. A wave of panic washed over him. Where was she? Where was the voice that had kept him sane? His link. His lifeline. Then he heard it. Faint but clear.
It’s time, my love.
His head fell back. Looking into the clear, star-filled night, Chuck felt a deep sadness crash over him. He wasn’t ready.
Then, the panic lifted. Calmness settled into his bones. The sadness — his loss was still there. However, for the first time in forever, there wasn’t a weight on his heart.
Chuck brushed at something on his cheek. Tears. Taking a breath, he let them fall.
I will never stop loving you, Erin.
Walking back to the house, Chuck wasn’t thinking about loss. His mind was on the future. The possibilities. The smile of a lovely woman and the kiss that no longer seemed like a betrayal.
Taking a deep breath, Chuck let the clean Montana air fill his lungs. Then with one last look at the stars, he entered the house.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE ROOM WAS quiet. The only sound coming from the old grandfather clock that stood in the corner.
Chuck was in bed. He went to his room as soon as he returned from walking Irene to her car. Nate found it interesting that he wasn’t carrying anything. Whatever Irene wanted to give him, it was either small enough to fit in his pocket, or it had been an excuse to get him alone.
By the introspective look on Chuck’s face, Nate guessed it was the latter.
He helped Paige finish the dishes before putting Beauty in the mudroom. After discussing it with Paige, he decided she, and his bedding, would be better off in a room where she couldn’t get into any mischief.
Nate checked the mudroom thoroughly, making certain all the cleaning supplies were out of reach. He filled her bowls with food and water. Then he settled her onto her pillow. Crouching down, he placed her new chew toy nearby.
“Chuck is going to install a doggy door in the morning. For now, if
you can’t hold it, don’t be embarrassed. Puppies have less control. I’ll clean it up if you make a mess and promise to keep it between the two of us.”
Beauty cocked her head, blinking twice. It didn’t matter that his words were meaningless to her. His tone was what mattered. She knew she was safe and loved. Wasn’t that what everyone, person or dog, wanted?
“Is she going to be okay?”
“She’ll be fine.” Nate gently closed the mudroom door. “I turned on the dryer. The sound should soothe her until she falls asleep.”
“How do you know so much about puppies?” Paige asked.
Her smile widened when Nate moved closer. He took her hand, linking their fingers. Paige’s fingers were long, tapering to nails that she kept short and unvarnished. Turning her hand, he gave the back a lingering kiss. His reward, besides the feel of her soft skin against his lips, was the flair of awareness in her deep, brown eyes.
A man would fight any battle to have a woman like Paige look at him that way. And here she was — offering herself freely. No battles. No strings. No expectations. Nate was a lucky bastard.
“I read a lot when I travel. Delays are part of the game. I pick up magazines people have discarded. You learn some interesting things that way.”
Paige was learning more and more about Nate. In this day of handheld technology, he chose to read magazines rather than spend all his time bent over his smartphone. He read articles about puppy care when he didn’t own a dog. And the touch of his lips on her hand sent her pulse racing.
Nate Landis was infinitely sweet and surprisingly complex.
“I like it when you smile. Want to share what’s on your mind?”
“I hope it’s the same thing that’s on yours.”
“Mmm.” Nate eased her arm around his waist. He anchored Paige’s hips with his cast. “It’s a sure bet. Are you ready to go? Anything you need to get?”
“I put a bag in the truck before dinner. How about you?”
Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) Page 18