Chapter 2
As he loaded his groceries into the back of his pickup, Adam couldn’t help but take a look down the street at the movie hullabaloo. What was all that fuss about, anyway? Of course, the financial shot in the arm had been an answer to prayer, no denying that. He shrugged. It would all be over soon enough.
Tossing the last box into the back of the truck, his eye hooked on the attractive young woman with the water quandary standing in the middle of the next block talking animatedly into her phone. Hopefully, the person on the other end was more helpful than he’d been. He mentally kicked himself. Why had he offered her well water? He must have sounded like a real hayseed.
And why couldn’t he take his eyes off her? Sure, she had turned his head like no one in this town had managed to do in a very long time, but so what? A woman like her wouldn’t look twice at a guy like him, and what could come of it anyway? She wasn’t from here, and he had to be careful when it came to matters of the heart.
He forced his attention away from her. One thing he was sure of, it would take a herd of wild horses to drag him away from Thornton Springs. Of course, that did narrow down his choice of women just a bit. While he had never considered himself to be a romantic, he still held out a hope that there was someone special out there for him.
He looked up as she clicked her phone off and started walking. Funny, he didn’t even know her name, but she had a magnetic draw on him. He glanced skyward. Lord, I know You have a plan for my life. If You want me to stay single, please remove this desire for a companion.
In spite of his best efforts, his focus landed on her one more time. Since her pace had slowed, he figured she must have solved her problem.
On the other hand, Lord—he folded his arms and leaned against the truck—if You intend for me to find the right woman to marry, please make sure I know her when I see her.
Allowing that thought to quietly pass, he tried to recall what else he had intended to do in town today. Feed store...right. He made his way around the back of the truck. After that, I could sure use a cup of coffee.
* * *
Courtney lifted her hand to Angela’s trailer door, but stopped cold at the sound of an angry male voice.
“Do you really think I’m that dense, Angela?”
Courtney skittered down off the platform. The last thing she wanted was to walk into the middle of a fight between Angela Bijou and Jeffrey Mark Caulfield.
What could she do? Angela was needed on the set soon, and it was Courtney’s responsibility to make sure she made it on time. If she breezed into the trailer with an air of authoritative efficiency, it might send the message that their lovers’ quarrel would have to wait. On the other hand, the interruption might signify that Courtney thought of herself as more than just an underling, and could easily get her fired. She sighed. Talk about a no-win.
Just as she was about to phone Sheila again and ask what she’d do, the door to the trailer burst open and Jeffrey Mark Caulfield, clad in cowboy regalia, stormed down the steps. He spun around and waved a hand in what appeared to be a well-choreographed gesture of intimidation.
“You’re unbelievable, Angela!”
Ignoring Courtney, he stomped off toward the set as Angela appeared in the doorway. Courtney breathed out relief at the sight of her in full makeup, wig, and costume. At least she’d had the forethought to fully prepare for the day’s shoot before alienating her costar.
“I’m unbelievable?” she shrieked. “You’re the one who needs to be knocked off your high horse, Mr. Hotshot. Oh, I forgot—you use a stunt double for your riding scenes. My mistake.”
She whirled around and disappeared into the trailer, allowing the door to bang shut behind her.
Taking a fortifying breath, Courtney climbed the steps and pushed open the door to find Angela throwing things around the small living room area, muttering to herself.
“Uh...Ms. Bijou?”
“Who does he think he is, anyway?” Angela clearly addressed Courtney now, judging from her increase in volume. “He seems to have forgotten that awful TV series he started out on. And his first movie? Straight to DVD. He thinks he’s the name on this film? It’s like he has no clue what my Q rating is. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. Doesn’t he know that?”
Since she appeared to be awaiting an answer, Courtney responded. “Uh...I’m sure he’s aware.”
Angela twisted her mouth. “Mmm.” Seeming to calm down some, she turned to the lighted mirror on one end of the room and primped her auburn wig. “Where’s my water?”
Courtney’s throat tightened. This wasn’t the best time to break anything less than stellar news. There had to be a way to put a positive spin on her answer. “Well, starting tomorrow you’ll have as much D’eau Douce as you can drink.”
Angela’s eyes fired arrows at Courtney’s image in the mirror. “Did you say ‘tomorrow’? What do you expect me to do today?”
Since she hadn’t actually worked out the answer to that yet, Courtney could only gulp.
Angela shot across the room and reached into a blue bin with a recycling logo on the side. “Do you see this?” She held up a small, ornately shaped glass bottle with a gold-and-pink fleur-de-lis painted on it. “I brought some with me this morning. Naturally assuming there would be more coming, I used what I had to fill my humidifier.” She pitched the bottle at Courtney’s feet. “Unless you want to be on the next plane to L.A. begging for your job back at Betty’s Big Burger, I’d suggest you get my water here today!”
She charged past Courtney, slamming the door again on her way out. Courtney fought back tears. Did the woman think she had actually worked at Betty’s Big Burger or was that just a euphemism?
Bending down, she picked up the empty bottle and tapped it against the edge of her clipboard. She sighed. If only the stupid thing could automatically refill. If only she could track down enough bottles just to get her through the day. Her eyes rested on the blue bin. If only....
Inspiration pinged. She hurried across the room, grateful for Angela being hip to the movie-stars-going-green trend. Kneeling down, she took heart. Three other empties, complete with caps, reclined in the corner of the bin. She lifted them out and hugged all four between her abdomen and the clipboard.
She knew exactly what she needed to do. Next step, track down that handsome and oh-so-helpful cowboy.
Chapter 3
After telling the production assistant she had to run a quick errand for Ms. Bijou, Courtney took off down the street, clutching her precious water bottles and her clipboard. In a town so tiny, that cowboy couldn’t have gone far. Her only hope was that he hadn’t hopped onto his horse and ridden off into the proverbial sunset. Or sunrise, as the case may be.
As she darted past what looked like a diner, her optimism rose. Inside, a row of Stetson-wearing men edged the counter. With a lineup like that, chances were good that one of them would be her fella.
The smell of bacon and strong coffee welcomed her as she charged through the door and halted at the end of the counter. She let out a huff. As cowboys went, this crowd was more Hoss Cartwright than Texas Ranger.
She made a frenetic visual inspection of the packed café, but none of the faces glancing up at her seemed familiar.
“Help ya, miss?”
She turned as a man approached her behind the counter. A grease-stained apron covered an equally grimy white T-shirt, but he had a cheerful countenance.
“I hope so,” she said. “I’m looking for a cowboy.”
In unison, every man seated at the counter glanced up from his breakfast, their forks hovering in midair.
“—I mean,” she continued rapidly, “I met a particular cowboy this morning and now I need to ask him a favor.”
“I see.” The man set down his coffeepot. “Any idea of his name?”
She bit her lip. Precious moments ticked past. “I didn’t catch it, but he was tall and dark... Think Hugh Jackman only better.”
A murmur went down the row of men, and Courtney scolded herself. Why had she described him in such a giddy, college-girl sort of way?
The man in the apron creased his brow. “Hugh who?”
“Uh...Jackman. You know, handsome movie actor...?”
He shook his head, bell apparently unrung.
“Really buff and...um...” Why on earth was she still talking?
The man looked contemplative. “My guess is you mean Adam Greene. That sound right?”
Uh...maybe.” Her shoulders tensed. “Have you seen this Adam Greene recently?”
One of the men seated down the row spoke up. “I saw him down at the general store not long ago.”
Her heart lifted. “You mean the grocery store?” That would make sense since she’d seen him there herself.
The men all nodded.
“Thanks a lot.” Courtney hurried off, hopeful that Adam Greene, if that was her man, was a really slow shopper.
Hurrying back into the same store she’d visited not a half hour before, she scanned the place. It had grown a little busier, but the customers all appeared to be moms with small kids in tow. The storekeeper seemed surprised to see her again.
“Excuse me, sir,” she said. “That man who was in here earlier...the one who tried to help me....”
“Oh, you mean Adam.”
“Adam. Right.” She smiled at the confirmation. “Do you know where he went?”
He stopped to consider. “Let’s see. He did say something about heading over to the feed store.” His head bobbed toward the front window.
“The feed store? Thanks a lot.” Scurrying outside again, she looked straight ahead, relieved to see a large sign that read Duke’s Feed, Saddles and More. Giving a cursory glance both ways for traffic, she hurried across the street, hoping her plan would work.
Either that—she reached for the door handle—or pray that Betty’s Big Burger back home is hiring.
* * *
The rich smell of coffee warmed and heartened Adam as he entered Joe’s Diner. It had been a busy morning, and he could do with a little kick of caffeine.
“Mornin’, Adam.” Joe approached with a pot of the warm brew. “What’ll it be, son?”
Adam dipped a greeting to Joe’s usual morning gang as he took the end counter seat. “Make it a coffee to go, Joe. I’ve been lollygaggin’ too much this morning and I need to get back to the ranch.”
“No wonder, what with all the excitement goin’ on out there.” Reaching behind him, Joe grabbed a tall paper cup and started to pour. “That movie has everyone all worked up.”
Adam raised a brow. “Yep, it’s pretty much all anybody wants to talk about.”
Joe lidded the cup and set it down in front of Adam. “Speakin’ o’ that, a young lady was just in here askin’ after you. I assumed she was from the movie.”
“Oh?” He angled a warning at the sideways glances his counter mates offered. “What did she look like?”
“Young. Real pretty. Held on to a clipboard like her life counted on it.”
“Oh, really?” A smile curved Adam’s lips. “What’d she have to say?”
“Not much. Just lookin’ for you. Somethin’ to do with usin’ the ranch, maybe?”
“I expect so.” Standing, Adam picked up his cup and tossed a couple of bills down on the counter. “See ya, Joe.”
As he stepped out into the cool morning, Adam took a long swig of coffee and a long look up the street. She’d been asking after him. Why on earth?
He shrugged and headed toward his truck. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, and besides, if she really wanted to talk to him, he was pretty sure she’d be resourceful enough to track him down.
He wasn’t all that hard to find.
* * *
If Courtney had ever stopped to picture what the inside of a feed store looked like, this would have been dead on. Dark wood planks creaked as she treaded through the door and inhaled a pungent odor that reminded her of Goldie, the hamster she’d owned as a kid. It wasn’t a bad smell, just...prominent. The extra-high shelves were crammed with bags of various sizes and colors. Several customers in overalls and ragged jeans milled about with an enthusiasm that people in L.A. only conjured up when shopping for jewelry or shoes. She definitely didn’t get small-town priorities.
A man in grubby overalls and a blue work shirt approached her with a warm expression.
“What can I do for ya, Miss?”
“I’m looking for someone named Adam Greene. Do you know him?”
Hooking his fingers in the bib of his overalls, the man grinned. “Since he was barely old enough to help his dad feed the horses. Why, I remember—”
“Have you seen him today?”
His face fell slightly at her lack of interest in his story. “He was in here not ten minutes ago. You just missed him.”
Just missed him? She needed water and it had to be tasty enough to fool Angela’s discerning palate. Her job and probably her entire career depended on it. “Where did he go?” She stepped closer, tasting the dust from the feed bags he’d probably been hoisting. “Does he have a cell phone or a pager or something?”
“Well...no. Not that I know of.” His eyes lit on something behind her. “But he does have an old green pickup and he’s getting into it right now.”
Courtney whirled around and strained to see out the smudgy window. Sure enough, there was her cowboy holding a cup of coffee and getting into the cab of a dirty old truck. She yelped. She had to rope him in before he got away.
Chapter 4
Settling into the driver’s seat, Adam took a sip of the just-strong-enough coffee and set the cup in the holder on the dash. Joe’s words still gnawed at him. If it hadn’t been for the peanut gallery pretending not to be listening in, Adam would have asked more questions. Was this really just about the movie?
He shook off the thought. Even though a small part of him wanted it to be an inquiry of a personal nature, that could only lead to problems. Best not to get anything started. He turned the key in the ignition. Why was he even thinking she might be interested in him? It was probably nothing at all like that. As he checked his side mirror, he suddenly felt a little foolish for even letting the thought cross his mind.
“Adam!”
His head wrenched up and he caught his breath. There she was, the woman who had occupied his thoughts all morning, darting across the street waving an arm and shouting his name.
Nerves racing, he shifted back into Park and rolled down his window.
Breathless, she called out as she neared the truck. “I need water!”
He couldn’t help but smile. “Well, you have been running.” He cringed. Why did he always have to make a dumb joke when he wanted to impress a girl?
She put a hand out to stop herself from slamming right into the truck door. “You said something about mountain spring water in a well. Can you take me to it?”
So that was all she wanted. An irrational disappointment pushed aside his smile. “Sure. Climb in.”
As she crossed around to the passenger’s side, he reached over to open the door, his heart pounding out a stampede.
She jumped in and arranged the bottles on her lap before fastening the seat belt. “Can we hurry? I have to get back to the set.”
“No problem.” He pulled away from the curb, trying not to glance at her. She was cute, that was for sure, with an intensity he found captivating. He loosened his grip on the wheel. Best to get over this feeling he had about her as quickly as possible.
Or was it?
* * *
Courtney let out a long breath as she settled into
the tattered seat of the old truck. A glance at her watch told her that fifteen minutes had already passed since she’d left the set. If Angela needed her and she wasn’t at her beck and call, all this effort might be wasted. She swallowed so hard it almost hurt.
As Adam veered the truck off the main street, Courtney clutched the bottles to keep them from rolling off her lap. Looking down, she gasped. She’d all but forgotten about the coffee stain on her shirt, which had been the least of her worries when it had happened. Now, it only added to the less-than-ideal first impression she had no doubt made on this total heartthrob she’d practically kidnapped. He probably thought she was insane. Butterflies filled her stomach and she felt unsure of her next breath.
“So...this is just a wild guess.” He slid her an amused look. “You’re working on the movie?”
“Oh...yes...” Her heart drummed out an unusual rhythm. “I’m sorry. I don’t normally hijack people like this.”
A smile dimpled his cheek. “Well, we generally don’t mind helping out strangers around here, miss...”
“Oh...and I’m normally not so rude.” Drawing the clipboard up to conceal the stain, she twisted slightly toward him. “I’m Courtney Jacobs.”
He tipped the brim of his cowboy hat with one hand. “It’s a pleasure, Miss Jacobs. My name’s Adam, but I guess you knew that.”
“Yes.” A blush crawled up her cheeks. “I hope that wasn’t too weird—me hunting you down and all.”
“Weird? No. Unusual, maybe.”
That it was. Why hadn’t she explained herself? A sputter erupted where words should have been. “S-see, I’m the personal assistant to Angela Bijou. You know who she is?”
He nodded. “I’ve seen one or two of her movies.”
Of course. This was Montana, not another planet. “So, she sprang this demand for French mineral water on me. I can’t get the real stuff till tomorrow, and I’m counting on your well water to fool her.”
“Fool her?” A corner of his mouth lifted.
“She doesn’t seem to understand that I can’t make it to France and back on my coffee break.” She blushed, lowering her shield. “I can’t even drink my coffee on my coffee break.” She glanced down at her stained T-shirt. “I tried applying it topically, but it’s not the same.”
Lights, Cowboy, Action Page 2