Lights, Cowboy, Action

by Lesley Ann McDaniel

  Courtney’s gaze shifted. Jeffrey loved Angela? That changed everything. What was she supposed to do now?

  He ran a hand through his nearly perfect hair. “I have to let her know how I feel. Now. Before anything happens with that cowboy—”

  “Adam.”

  “Right. So, see, I need you to tell me where they are.”

  She drew in a breath of protest.

  “I swear, Courtney.” He held up a hand in oath. “I’ll never let on that you told me. Please.”

  What now? If she told Jeffrey where Angela had gone to meet Adam, she might lose her job. Even if Jeffrey didn’t reveal his source—and how did she know she could trust him?—wouldn’t Angela figure it out?

  The thought of Adam sharing a meal with Angela pounded in her brain. Then the image of the two of them leaving together, going who-knows-where to do who-knows-what, made her heart nearly explode. And now that she knew about Jeffrey’s feelings for Angela, it would be irresponsible of her not to stop this before something happened.

  Throwing back her head, she blurted out, “Esther’s Kitchen!”

  His eyes enlarged and he bolted for the door like he’d been fired from a cannon.

  Alarmed by his velocity, she followed. “Uh...Mr. Caulfield?”

  His only answer was a low guttural grunt. Unless Courtney was mistaken, his shoulders had actually broadened as he dove for the door. What was he planning to do?

  As he burst out onto the porch, a man jumped from the nearby bushes, wildly clicking a camera in Jeffrey’s face. With no hesitation, Jeffrey flung out a fist, sending the paparazzo’s camera soaring into the bushes. The man let loose with a string of expletives as Jeffrey rushed to the driveway and leaped into his convertible with the same acrobatic dexterity he’d used to get out of it.

  Running after him, Courtney waved an arm in the vain hope of convincing him to continue a rational conversation.

  The paparazzo frantically dug around in the shrubbery. “Aw, man. He’s getting away. I have to be there when the sparks start to fly.”

  “Sparks?” Courtney went numb.

  The photog was clearly frenetic. “He got wind of Angela’s date with that ranch dude, and he looked like he was about to blow. When he gets like that, it’s a sure sign that the money shot’s coming. I gotta be there this time when he catches his woman with the other guy.”

  Cloudiness overtook her thinking. What had she done? “He gets jealous?”

  “Jealous?” He snickered. “Man, I saw him nearly take the head off a guy he caught with that actress he was dating last year. I think he put the guy in the hospital. Aha!” the man stood, camera in hand, and started to trudge out of the bushes. “Any idea where he’s going? If I get the shot, I’ll owe you dinner.”

  Ignoring his slight leer, Courtney started for a rusty Volkswagen she saw parked down the drive. “I know exactly where he’s going, and if you can get us there before him, I’ll owe you dinner.”

  “Deal.” Scurrying beside her, his pleased expression dropped. “Hold on, you’re not going to warn off Angela, are you?”

  “No.” She yanked open the passenger’s door. “In fact, I’ll make sure you get an exclusive shot of her when she comes out of the restaurant.”

  Beaming, he hopped into the driver’s seat.

  “Esther’s Kitchen in Halston.” She buckled up, in anticipation of law-bending speed. “Do you have a GPS?”

  “Are you kidding?” He fired up the engine. “In my line of work, it’s only slightly less indispensable than the camera.”

  Chapter 16

  Angela swept into the restaurant and looked around as if she owned the place.

  Janessa scurried around the table. “I have to go tell the crew that Angela Bijou is here. Andra loves her. She’ll flip!”

  She darted back to the kitchen as Angela strutted in Adam’s direction.

  “Well, hello, cowboy.”

  She held out a hand as if expecting him to kiss it or something. Not quite knowing what to do, he gave it a firm shake and released it like an underweight trout.

  Trying not to stare at that red wig, he weighed his words carefully. “Is Courtney on her way?”

  Angela lowered her chin, a mini-volcanic eruption glinting in her pupils. She reached out and drew a long finger across Adam’s hand, prompting a shiver of dread down his spine. “I gave her the night off.”

  He looked down at their hands, his apprehension intensifying. Subtly, he eased free of her touch and hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. “I know tonight’s her night off. That was why we—”

  As if on cue, Courtney bounded into the restaurant. She scanned the room, then darted toward their table. “Ms. Bijou...” She gave Adam a quavering half smile. “We have a bit of a situation. Could we talk outside?”

  “Fine.” Angela’s jaw hardened. “But this had better not take long.”

  Courtney shot Adam a look of apology as Angela spun around like one of those high-fashion models, and the two women charged outside. Leaning toward the window, Adam could see them talking out front. What was going on, anyway?

  Just then, a red sports car screeched into the parking lot and stopped next to the women. Jeffrey Mark Caulfield popped out like he’d been sprung from an ejector seat. Sensing that Courtney might need some backup, Adam headed for the door.

  As he stepped out into the fading light, Jeffrey’s voice carried.

  “I can’t believe you, Angela!”

  “Are you insane?” Angela waved her arms. “Stop yelling my name for all the world to hear!”

  Spotting Adam, Courtney grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the door. They both stopped as one of those crazy photographers jumped out of an old Volkswagen and started snapping away at Jeffrey and Angela. The pair hopped into the convertible and were gone in a flash with the photographer’s car on their tail.

  Adam rubbed his neck.

  “I’m so sorry.” Letting go of his arm, Courtney held up her hands in surrender.

  “It’s okay.” Swallowing hard, he gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”

  Her eyebrows shot up. Was she having second thoughts about their dinner? “I have to go. I mean—”

  “Don’t worry about Angela and Jeffrey. They’ll be fine. Besides, isn’t this your night off?”

  She appeared to consider that. Suddenly, her expression brightened. “Sure. Let’s go.”

  He held open the door, and she granted him a shy smile as she entered the restaurant. He heaved in a jagged breath. All this drama had sure rustled up his appetite.

  * * *

  Adam sat against the back of his truck cab, inhaling the mouthwatering smell of grilled onions that filled the night air. Nervousness volleyed with contentment as he glanced from Courtney to the crowded outdoor burger stand that had been his favorite hangout since his dad first took him and Janessa there as kids. After their fancy dinner at Esther’s, bringing Courtney here for a casual dessert had felt just perfect.

  She took a big slurp of her fresh huckleberry milkshake. “I can’t get over how delicious this tastes.”

  “Best shakes in the county.” Taking a sip from his straw, he stole another glimpse of her. Every time he did, her beauty struck him all over again. He loved that she’d dressed up for their date, but still looked like herself, not too made-up or anything. Nothing about this girl screamed Hollywood. She seemed like someone who was comfortable in her own skin, and to him that seemed way more attractive than all that phony glamour.

  He nudged her elbow with his. “Maybe next time I can talk you into trying the buffalo burger.”

  “Oh, no way.” She scrunched up her face. “Buffalo are way too cute.”

  Chuckling, he slanted her a look. “So I guess cows aren’t.”

  “That’s different
.” She drew the straw to her lips. “Somehow.”

  He leaned back, appreciating their easy banter. “Well, you seemed to enjoy that cute little steak you had for dinner.”

  “It was beyond delectable.” Looking off at the moonlit mountains, she stretched her legs out and crossed them at the ankles. “I have to admit something.”

  His pulse skipped at her serious tone. He tried to sound relaxed. “What?”

  “Well, remember those million or so restaurants I mentioned we have back home?”

  “Yeah?” His mind eased a little.

  She gave him a sheepish glance. “Esther’s beats them all. Or all the ones I’ve been to, anyway.”

  “Oh, really?” A smile tugged at his lips. It pleased him that she’d liked the dinner, and he breathed relief that she hadn’t pressed the conversation to a more intimate level. “Janessa sure likes working there.”

  “So she wants to be a chef?”

  Swirling his straw, he finished the last remnants of his shake. “She’s going to apply to some big culinary school in Seattle.”

  “Oh.” She set her cup down next to her and drew the suede jacket he’d loaned her tighter around her shoulders. “So that explains it.”

  “Explains what?”

  “Her burning desire to leave this paradise and move to the city.”

  Paradise? Did she really see Thornton Springs that way? Careful to keep a lid on his yearning, he stuck to the matter at hand. “That’s part of the reason. She seems to have it in her head that city life is superior to small town life.” He drilled her with a sarcastic look. “But I guess you could vouch for that.”

  Her eyes turned apologetic. “I’m sorry about the things I said. Now that I’ve been around for a little while...”

  He leaned forward, trying to catch her gaze. “Yes...?”

  She tossed him a sideways glance. “I can see the appeal. There might not be things going on all the time here, but maybe that’s a plus.”

  His heart thumped like a herd of cattle. This was a very good step.

  Her focus shifted to the night sky. “It seems like maybe Janessa doesn’t appreciate how great she has it.”

  As encouraging as that was, it would be unfair of him not to be totally honest. “Well, I can’t say as I blame her for wanting to try something different. Ranch life isn’t like in the movies. It’s a lot of hard work, most of it pretty dirty.”

  “Yeah?” Twisting her body slightly toward him, she tucked her feet under her. “So, what’s your typical day like?”

  He shrugged. “It depends on the time of year. During calving season, I’m pretty much gone 24/7. Catching what sleep I can in the barn or the truck in between helping out the birthing cows that run into trouble.”

  “Sounds intense.”

  “Plus we can’t always save the ailing calves. That can be tough. Losing one means losing money.”

  “Oh...”

  “Course, it’s more than just the money.” Where was he going with this? “Janessa gets pretty emotional when we lose a calf.”

  “I’d be the same way.” Her voice had quieted. “I really love animals.”

  Was he nuts? It was like he was trying to sabotage whatever chance he had with this woman. He needed to lighten the subject before he blew it completely. “By the way, it looks like you were right.”

  “About what?”

  “Well, I told Travis Bloom we had changed our minds about selling, but he’s been to the house for dinner twice this week, anyway. Seems like he has some other reason for hanging around.”

  “I knew it.” She pumped her fist in a victory gesture. “Mr. Bloom wants to date your mom.”

  “Guess so. And speaking of dating—” he cleared his throat “—I had a great time tonight.”

  “I did, too.” Her nose crinkled. “Sorry again about the confusion earlier.”

  “It’s okay. It was a little strange, but it doesn’t matter now.” He drew up his courage. “Would you like to, maybe, do this again some time?”

  “You mean—” she made a sweeping motion across the back of the truck “—this?”

  “Or something else. There are plenty of things to do around here on a date. We could—”

  “A date?” Her head jerked toward him.

  “Or whatever you want to call it.” Nervousness spluttered out on a chuckle. “Only this time, I’m doing the asking.”

  Her mouth dropped open but no words came out. Had he just overstepped?

  He held up a hand. “If you’d rather not—”

  “I’d love to.” With eyes as round as the brand on the cows at the Circle-O ranch, she chewed on her lower lip in a way he found undeniably endearing.

  He leaned back. It was kind of a relief to think that maybe she was as confused about this as he was.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, Courtney could have sworn her feet weren’t even touching the ground as she stood on the bank of the creek that carved through the Bar-G.

  She held a cup of tea for Angela as the hair lady fussed with her wig and they all waited for the crew to prepare for the day’s shoot. A few yards away, Adam ran a calming hand down the long nose of the stunt horse he’d just attached to a wagon. Catching Courtney’s eye, he lifted his mouth in a dimpled grin. Heat glazed her face. How was she supposed to concentrate on her work with him so near?

  Ever since their talk the previous night, she’d been reviewing every conversation they’d had. There was only one possible conclusion. He had mistaken both her attempts at asking him out for Angela as requests for herself.

  Embarrassment at her lack of clarity combined with utter elation. Now she knew that he had been pleased not at the prospect of dating Angela, but at the idea of spending time with her. That changed everything.

  Did that mean he thought they had a chance of working something out between them?

  Giddy and restless, she regarded her hectic surroundings. Jeffrey stood next to the fence he would pretend to fix in the scene, leaning on a shovel handle. From his far-off focus, Courtney couldn’t tell if he had succeeded in his plan to profess his love to Angela, or how it had gone over.

  “Ouch!” Angela screeched, batting at the hair lady’s hands. “That’s my head under there.”

  The woman’s blank look gave the impression that she’d dealt with Angela’s kind before and had long ago decided to internalize her response, letting her hairpins do the talking.

  Angela grabbed at her hair and stomped away. “I could sue you for assault, you know.”

  Maintaining a safe distance between herself and Angela, Courtney allowed the soothing murmur of the creek to lull her away from the cinematic chaos all around. As she gazed across the expanse of grassland to the blue mountains beyond, she filled her lungs with clean morning air. Dropping her head back, she allowed the sun to caress her face in a way it never did when filtered through the L.A. haze. This must have been what they meant when they coined the phrase “heaven on earth.”

  “We’re going again, people.” The A.D.’s voice grated, as if to intentionally thwart the calming influence of nature.

  Suddenly attentive, Courtney handed the tea to Angela, who took a quick sip before sloshing it over Courtney’s hand and dashing to her place in the seat of the wagon. Courtney bit her lip rather than cry out in pain. Maybe she should take a lesson in detachment from the wig lady.

  “Roll sound. Speed. Slate. Action.”

  Jeffrey sprang into character. “You hired me to fix your fencepost, Jessie, not your life.” Following Keith’s direction, he leaned on his shovel and tilted back his cowboy hat, his glycerin-sprayed face gleaming in the afternoon sun.

  While the crew looked on, Angela called down from the wagon. “I can do anything that’s needed around this ranch all on my o
wn, Cord Hobson.”

  “Anything but fix a fence, it appears.”

  Angela made a playfully sour face at him, then clucked the reins as Adam had instructed. The horse hauled the wagon to the water’s edge and halted.

  “And cut!” Mr. Kingsley actually seemed pleased with the take. “I want to get this one more time before we shoot you crossing the creek.”

  “Reset!” The A.D. called.

  Courtney held up a bottle of water along with the cup of tepid tea to Angela as Adam prepared to lead the horse back to his first position. As he took hold of the rein, he gave Courtney a wink.

  An abrupt gasp drew Courtney’s attention to Angela, whose eyes flitted from Courtney to Adam. Her jaw hardened.

  Oh, no. The last thing Courtney needed was for Angela to suspect that there was anything going on between her and Adam.

  “This time, Angela—” Mr. Kingsley appeared oblivious to the shift in his star’s demeanor “—I want you to continue into the creek. The horse will stop in the middle, as we discussed.”

  “What?” Angela’s tone sharpened. “Why wasn’t I told about this?”

  Mr. Kingsley looked alarmed. “Told about what?

  Angela shot him a scowl. “That I would be required to cross that treacherous river.”

  “It’s not a river...and it’s in the script. Jessie’s horse can’t make it across the creek, and Cord has to rescue her. This location is exactly as it’s described. I don’t know how we could have—”

  “I couldn’t care less how it was described. No one told me this would be a wet set.” She fired a steely stare down at Courtney. “Why wasn’t I told?”

  Courtney drew in a sharp breath. A wet set? True, the creek was deep enough to meet the technical definition, but it wasn’t like they were shooting Waterworld. She honestly didn’t see the problem.

  Mr. Kingsley flared a look in Courtney’s direction as his face took on the color of a cranberry. “Yes, why wasn’t this taken care of, Ms. Jacobs?”