Michael knew what that meant. He would force Paige to go away with him. Force her to marry him. Force her to stay away. If Paige Chamberlin ever saw Montana again, Michael would be very surprised.
“Tell me about the interview.”
“You don’t want to watch it?”
“Didn’t I already say that?”
Michael put away the iPad.
“Landis’ broken arm happened during a stunt on his last movie.”
“Stuntman.” Lyle spit out the words.
“There has been speculation that it wasn’t an accident. Landis reiterates this in the interview. It was suggested the accident and the explosion could be related.”
“Which means?”
“If the person responsible for the accident came forward and admitted to blowing up the truck…” Michael let the sentence hang. He would let Lyle finish. And take credit for the idea.
“Problem solved. There wouldn’t be any need for security. They would clear out and you could resume keeping tabs on Paige.”
“Brilliant, Mr. Wilson.”
“Yes. I like it. Where do we find someone willing to confess? Someone who won’t screw it up.”
“Leave that up to me,” Michael said. “The right amount of money can buy you anyone.” He should know.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“YOU LOOK HAPPY.”
“My world is good,” Paige told Lottie.
“If you can forget the security crew prowling around your property. And why they’re here.”
“I keep that out of my thoughts.” Most of the time. It wasn’t always easy. Someone wanted to hurt Nate. Wanted him dead. She could never forget that. “You met a few of the guys. Tell me. Aren’t they sweethearts?”
“That wasn’t the word I would use.”
“Don’t say it.”
“Prime beef.”
Paige sighed. “You never do what I ask.”
“Excuse me.” Lottie set out some plates. Since Paige was restricted to the ranch, she decided to come to lunch. “Beef. All lined up. And you have turned me into a vegetarian.”
Paige took the casserole out of the oven. She waved it under Lottie’s nose. “Beef enchiladas. Eat up.”
“I thought I wanted you to take a ride on the Nate-mobile. It is an upside down universe when you are having sex and I’m not.”
“What about Danny? He’s always happy to be of service. So to speak.”
“Do not mention that name.” Lottie put a dollop of sour cream on her enchilada. Then added another for good measure. “He’s on strike.”
“What does that mean?”
“Mmm.” Nate came in through the mudroom, Beauty trotting at his heels. “What smells so good? Mexican?”
“I thought you were eating with the crew.”
“It’s crowded. Travis and half of his gang are scarfing up lasagna like they haven’t eaten in days. Wilt is grilling Colin on the latest cyber whatever. Every woman in there is flirting like mad. I thought I would take a break and eat with you.”
“They can flirt, but I can’t?”
Paige laughed. “You want to flirt? Go flirt.” When Lottie started to stand, Paige said, “Where is the fun when you’re doing it out of spite?”
“Spite?” Nate took three enchiladas and half of the bowl of guacamole.
“She’s mad at Danny for his one-man version of Lysistrata.”
“That isn’t funny,” Lottie flopped down in her chair. “Or accurate. Danny isn’t trying to stop me from going to war.”
“He wants to be your one and only.”
“So he’s withholding sex?” Nate asked. “Interesting strategy.”
“One that won’t work. I’ve gone without his brand before.”
“That was when you knew you could get it with the crook of your little finger.” Paige hid her smile behind her napkin. “Giving something up voluntarily is a lot different than being forced because the brand was discontinued.”
“He’s not… Shit. Enough of the roundabout references. Danny is giving me the cold shoulder. I. Don’t. Care.”
“Fine. Would you like some refried beans, Nate?”
“Are those homemade?”
“Fresh this morning.”
“Load me up.”
“Are you listening to me?” Lottie attacked her food with a vengeance. “Danny is out of my life. He may have started this brief war, but I’m ending it. Bloodless. No casualties. We are done. End of discussion.”
“I like Danny,” Nate said.
“Everybody likes Danny.” Taking pity on her best friend, Paige leaned over and gave her a hug. “Lottie likes Danny. Don’t you?”
“Sure. He is sweet. And great in bed. He’s one of the good…” Lottie swallowed, her eyes round with shock. She looked at Paige. “Danny is one of the good guys, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is, honey.”
“They don’t come around very often.”
“No. So what are you going to do about it?”
“Crap. I need to go.”
Lottie grabbed her purse and sprinted out the door.
“What did I miss?”
“Lottie has seen the proverbial light.”
Paige slid from her chair into Nate’s lap. Laughing, she peppered his face with kisses.
“Whatever happened, I’m all for it. More kisses please.”
Paige gave Nate a long, hard kiss.
“A spring wedding.”
“What?” Nate’s hands stilled on Paige’s waist.
“For Lottie and Danny. His mother will be over the moon. So will Lottie’s.”
“My brother is getting married in May.”
“That’s nice.” Paige gave Nate a final kiss on the cheek before moving to get him a glass from the cupboard. “Tea or water?”
“Milk. Paige.”
“Such a good boy. Your mother would be proud.”
Paige set the glass in front of him. Before she could clear away Lottie’s plate, he took her hand.
“Paige.”
Tipping her head to the side, she gave him a puzzled look. “What?”
“Have you ever thought about when you would like to get married?”
Paige pulled her hand from Nate’s. Palms suddenly felt damp. Why would he ask her about marriage? Nervously, she rubbed her hands on the legs of her jeans.
“No.” Paige frowned. “I mean, naturally I’ve thought about getting married. Who doesn’t? I always thought we would have it here, on the ranch. The time of year didn’t matter. That was before my mother died. It hasn’t crossed my mind since.”
Which was a lie. She thought of marriage. With Nate. However, she couldn’t tell him that.
“Your dad would like grandchildren.”
“Sure.” Paige took the dishes to the sink. It was easier to have the conversation with her back to him. “Someday.” She took a deep breath. “How about your parents? Are they after you,” she quickly added, “and your brothers to give them grandkids?”
“They don’t push, but I know they want some. Wyatt was married. But his wife was a mess. It was probably for the best that she didn’t have a baby.”
“Now there’s Garrett.”
“And Jade.” Nate smiled.
Hearing the affection in his voice, Paige glanced over her shoulder. “You like her.”
“I do. She went through a lot. Abuse. She’s strong. Resilient. And she loves my brother with all her heart. How could I not like that?”
“You would have to be an idiot. And you are not that.”
Please. Paige closed her eyes, making a silent plea. Do not tell me I’ll find someone. The last thing she wanted to hear was Nate placating her with predictions of her future. She wanted to yell at him to shut up. Instead, filled with dread, she clutched the counter and waited.
“The reason I asked—”
“I do like those young men.” Chuck entered the kitchen laughing. “They are hardworking and dedicated. Admirable, especially in this day and age.”
“I should get back to work.”
“Did I interrupt something?” Chuck asked, frowning at the door Nate so hastily exited.
“No,” Paige shook her head. “Your timing couldn’t have been better.”
“HOW MANY DAYS shooting do you think we have left?”
“Another week. Are you looking forward to getting back to your regular routine?”
Nate already knew the answer to his question. Homer had taken to movie making like a duck to water. It was going to be hard to keep him here in Montana now that he’d had a small taste of the business. If he decided to give Hollywood a go, Nate planned on making sure the young man had a job and a place to stay waiting for him. Homer had a good head on his shoulders, but it was easy to be seduced by the glitz and glamor — especially when he was new to it. He felt a sense of obligation. If Homer had caught the fever, Nate was the carrier.
“I like this routine a lot better.” Homer carefully lowered the camera into its case. “Nate—”
“Hmm?” Nate scrolled through the messages on his phone. Most were from Wyatt. Big brother’s team had been fielding offers ever since Nate’s interview aired. It was an interesting and strange mixed bag. If he chose, he could host a reality show to find the next great stuntman or pose nude in Playgirl. It was a big hell no on every offer. When Homer didn’t answer, Nate put the phone away and looked at the young man.
“Is there a problem?”
“No.” Homer ran his hand over the camera case. “I have a lot to learn about filmmaking.” He turned to Nate, an intense longing in his eyes. “I want to learn it all, Nate.”
“Think long and hard, Homer. Hollywood can chew you up and spit you out in the blink of an eye.”
“I won’t change my mind.”
“I didn’t think you would. Give me your phone.” Taking it, Nate entered his number. “Give me a few weeks. Then call me. If you’re willing to start at the bottom and work hard, I know you have a bright future.”
“Wow!” Homer stared at Nate. “Wow! I’ll work my ass off, Nate. I promise.”
“I know you will. One more thing,” Nate called out when Homer was halfway to his car.
Skidding to a halt, Homer turned around. “What?”
“That number is for your eyes only. If I start getting phone calls from giggling teenagers, it will be your ass in a sling. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll secure the number right away.” Homer grinned. “I can’t trust my mom. The other day I caught her watching some clips on YouTube. Did you know there’s a channel devoted to you?”
Nate groaned. “I knew,” he informed Homer. “Drive safe.”
Shaking his head, Nate picked up the camera case and headed toward the house.
Homer’s mother. Jesus.
NATE JUMPED IN the cab of the spiffy new Ford F-150. The Supercrew was similar to the one he had recently purchased back in Los Angeles. It had all the bells and whistles, including the aluminum body and twin-turbocharged Eco Boost V-6 engine. It was a dream to drive and if Paige knew it was in her name, she would blow a gasket.
He would cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, he had the memory of Paige’s eyes lighting up when the truck was delivered. When he dangled the keys in front of her, he could tell she wanted to snatch them out of his hand. Paige, being Paige, reiterated that the truck was his. She would use it because it was there and he was kind enough to offer, but when he left, so did the truck.
Nate simply nodded, failing to correct her on two important points. The truck was Paige’s. Fully paid for. Fully insured. And he wasn’t leaving unless she came with him. That was something they would work out. However, Nate’s mind was made up.
Paige was his future. In Montana. In Los Angeles. In Timbuktu. He loved her. He ran a hand over his chest — over his heart. It felt good to admit it, even if it was only to himself. He was almost certain she loved him. The rest was window dressing, as his father liked to say. Easily torn down and rearranged. If you had love, nothing else mattered.
“Ready to go?” Nate asked his passengers.
“I am,” Travis said, buckling his seatbelt. “Beauty is already out like a light.”
Nate looked behind his seat. Curled up on her blanket, Beauty let out a noise that was somewhere between a snort and a sigh.
“She slept all the way here and she’ll sleep all the way back.”
“I don’t doubt it. I walked her around while you were with the doctor. Or should I say, she walked me.”
“She isn’t used to a lead,” Nate defended. “We’ll take a few classes when we get to Los Angeles.”
“She’s smart. It won’t take her long to learn.”
Nate pulled out of the parking lot, merging into traffic. He flexed his left hand. It was a relief to have the cast gone. He liked Dr. Sanders. In her early sixties, she was professional while keeping a twinkle in her eyes. Her desk was littered with pictures of her family. A husband of forty years, three children, and seven grandchildren. Her first great-grandchild was due in January.
After examining his hand and ordering x-rays, she declared the break healed. She gave him a rubber ball to squeeze and a set of daily exercises to help regain strength and flexibility.
“My nurse has been in a tizzy ever since you made your appointment, Mr. Landis. Would you mind taking a picture with her? I know you must get tired of being asked.”
“Putting my arm around a beautiful woman? Why would that get old?”
Before he was finished, Nate posed for six pictures and signed as many autographs. Even Dr. Sanders got in on the action.
“As long as everyone else is doing it,” she said with a blush. “My granddaughter Sadie will be jealous. You are her screensaver on all her devices.”
Either he was getting used to the attention, or Dr. Sanders and her associates were somehow the exceptions. Nate found it easy to be gracious — even enjoying their excitement. When he volunteered to leave a voicemail message for Sadie, Dr. Sanders swore that the girl would be floating off the ground for weeks.
They had been traveling south about twenty minutes when Nate’s phone rang. Not taking his eyes off the road, he handed it to Travis.
“Who is it?”
“Jack.”
“Put it on speaker.”
“Jack,” Nate said. “Tell me you have good news.”
“Hello to you too.”
“Hello, and kiss my ass.”
“Now was that so difficult?” Jack chuckled. “Good manners cost nothing, you know.”
“I’ll send you a thank you note as soon as I get home, jerk. What’s up?”
“Who is with you?”
“Hey, Jack.”
“Travis.” Jack instantly turned serious. “Good. I can fill you in at the same time. Nate? Do you know Bernie Renshaw?”
“The name sounds familiar.” Nate searched his brain. “I can’t place it.”
“That director you sent to the hospital with a broken jaw? Bernie Renshaw was his personal assistant. He turned himself into the LAPD this morning. He confessed to everything. The failed stunt and the explosion.”
Nate didn’t know what to say. Yes, he did.
“Why? That incident happened over a year ago. Todd Winesap didn’t press charges because he didn’t want the publicity. He’s a lousy director and a worse human being, but I can’t imagine him being behind this.”
“Renshaw claims he acted on his own.” Nate could hear the doubt in Jack’s voice. “Winesap’s stock fell pretty fast after that crap he pulled with your crew. Add in bad box office returns on his last two films and you have a man scraping the bottom of the directing barrel. Infomercials don’t pay a lot. Winesap fired Renshaw a few months ago. He got a job as the assistant to the second unit director on your last movie.”
“Why does this smell of bullshit?”
Nate wanted to believe it was over. He would love to tell Paige and Chuck that the threat was over — that they could get back to their normal r
outines. Ones that didn’t include twenty-four-hour surveillance and bodyguards.
“We smell it too, Nate. We listened to a recording of Renshaw’s confession and we have a transcript. Everything he says meshes with the facts. He claims he wanted you to pay and when he saw his opportunity, he took it. The first attempt on your life was simply taking advantage of the situation. It wasn’t premeditated. When it didn’t work, he became obsessed with the idea of killing you.”
“He followed me to Montana and decided to blow up a truck I wasn’t in?” Nate asked. The facts might mesh, but it didn’t make sense. “Does he have a background in explosives?”
“He claims he got the information off the internet. And before you ask, we can’t check his computer. Renshaw says he destroyed it. It’s in the ocean somewhere between Los Angeles and Catalina.”
“Right.” Frustrated, Nate ran a hand through his hair. “What do the police think?”
“Are you kidding? They’re over the moon. This is a high profile case and as far as they are concerned, it is now closed. The D.A. is already using the story for his re-election run. He’s been on every news program, local and national, touting the amazing job his people did to bring this dangerous criminal to justice.” Jack’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “The asshole has conveniently forgotten that until Renshaw confessed, they treated the failed stunt as an accident.”
“Whoever is behind this wants me to let down my guard.”
“I knew you weren’t just a pretty face.”
“What’s our next move, Jack?”
“You keep doing what you’re doing. I could increase security, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Stay as close to the ranch as possible and don’t go anywhere alone.”
Nate looked out the window at nothing but open space. He couldn’t be more alone. However, he wasn’t going to tell Jack that.
“I should be wrapping the movie in about a week. Once I’m gone, Chuck and Paige can get their lives back.”
Nate realized his plan to ask Paige to go with him would have to wait. He couldn’t risk her life. She would be safe here in Montana while he found out who was behind the attempts on his life.
Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) Page 27