Hot Winter Nights (Made in Montana)

by Debbi Rawlins

  “That would’ve made things worse. Believe me, there’s no crisis. She thinks some Christmas ornaments are missing.”

  “Are you insane?”

  “Maybe,” he said. “Could you be more specific?”

  “Definitely a crisis. How long has she been collecting the ornaments? I bet they were passed down from your grandparents. Probably even from your great-grandparents.” Lila sighed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You’re serious.”

  “Well, of course I am! Those kinds of things are irreplaceable.”

  “Okay. I see your point. But I know damn good and well it’s all there. The minute I get home—” He couldn’t have looked more disgusted if he tried. “How are you getting to the set tomorrow? Can I give you a ride?”

  “I think Erin is going to pick me up. Did I say something to upset you?”

  “No, it’s not you. It’s...nothing.”

  “Okay.” It sounded as if he might live with his parents and maybe he didn’t want her to know. “What time do they want you on the set?”

  “By eleven.”

  “Lucky you. I start at seven.”

  Clint snorted. “Hell, I’ll have fed and watered the horses by then.”

  “Wow. That’s right. You have a bunch of ranch things to do.”

  He found her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Don’t feel too sorry for me. We have some hired men to help with the ranch things.”

  “Okay, I should’ve said chores. Would that be more accurate?” How crazy was it that just the feel of his callused palm could make her skin tingle?

  “I like ranch things. I’m going to start using it.”

  Lila laughed. “You’ve never told me exactly what you do.”

  “I’m the foreman, so I handle the daily operation, ordering supplies, payroll, buying and selling cattle at auctions. When it’s roundup time, I work right alongside the guys.”

  “Does your father do anything?” She groaned. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Honestly, that was so rude.”

  Clint chuckled. “Let’s just say he’s semiretired...” He looked as though he was about to say something else but changed his mind. Whatever it was, his mood seemed to take a dip.

  Lila shifted restlessly. “Thank you for dinner,” she said. “And for getting me an amazing room.”

  “Amazing, huh?” He smiled. “Hey, I didn’t look. Does it have a tub?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “Has to be pretty generic.”

  “I’m not complaining.” She drew in a breath. “Maybe you’d like to try it out with me some time...”

  The moon lit most of his face. Desire flared hot in his eyes. “No maybe about it.”

  Lila’s mouth went dry. She knew she should say something. Clearly it would be up to her if and when they were to take the next step. But she couldn’t seem to think straight or even make her mouth work, which at the moment was probably a blessing.

  She hated the timing. She knew she was overly touchy about sex being used as a favor; hard to live and work in Hollywood and not be aware of it. Clint was different. Knowing with absolute certainty his generosity came without strings attached helped, but not enough. Not in this particular instance.

  What had tripped her up was thanking him for dinner and the room. It was appropriate, even though she’d already thanked him, but saying it again and then jumping into bed with him? Too weird. She liked him too much to give him the wrong impression.

  He’d been watching her, and when she met his eyes again, he gave her a patient smile.

  “I love the name Whispering Pines,” she said, feeling like the biggest wuss in the whole world.

  He didn’t release her hand, so he hadn’t written her off as a lost cause. “It’s okay. Not very manly, though,” he said with a shrug and a self-deprecating laugh. “The ranch has been in the family for generations. I think it might’ve been my great-great grandmother who came up with the name.”

  “Is it very far?”

  “Thirty minutes.”

  She waited, hoping he’d suggest taking her there some time. The invitation didn’t come.

  “Am I going to see you tomorrow?” he asked.

  “I’ll make a point of it.” She curled her fingers around his hand and leaned slightly toward him.

  Clint took it from there. Sliding a hand around the back of her neck, he drew her closer as he leaned over the console until their lips met. The pressure of his palm against her nape had an odd and intoxicating effect on her. She parted her lips, anxious to feel the warm stroke of his tongue, and he didn’t disappoint.

  She tasted his hunger as he explored her mouth, her need for him growing with breathless speed. Shifting her body so that she faced him, her hand landed high on his thigh. His muscles tensed underneath her touch, and his low, husky moan filled her mouth.

  Her heart seemed to stop.

  Oh, how she regretted not inviting him to her room. It was silly to be sitting out here. She’d fretted for nothing. She would make the suggestion...

  He’d deepened the kiss and she could barely stay still, much less think. He sucked on her tongue, nibbled her bottom lip and teased the corners of her mouth. He tilted her chin up and changed the angle of his head, then traced his fingers along her jawline before plunging them into her hair.

  The loud bang of a car door changed the tempo.

  Clint didn’t pull away, but he tamed the kiss and relaxed his hand. He took his time ending things, but it didn’t blunt the sense of loss she felt the moment he broke away.

  His mouth curved in a smile as he brushed the hair away from her eyes. And then his gaze drifted past her to something outside. Something that caused his expression to tighten, and she couldn’t resist a backward glance.

  Over two dozen cars crowded the small lot. But of course it had to be Baxter. Standing beside his Beemer and looking in their general direction. Between the moon and the motel’s floodlights, the visibility was good if he knew where to look.

  Exasperated, Lila groaned. “You think he can see us through these tinted windows?”

  “I wouldn’t have thought so. But he slammed the door for a reason.”

  She hadn’t considered that, but of course. He hadn’t just arrived, and he obviously wasn’t in a hurry to leave. “Should we give him a show?”

  Clint looked at her. “You really want to do that?”

  Her inner child was all pumped to say you betcha. “I guess not,” she muttered, sitting back against the seat. “Stupid jerk. He’s probably pleased with himself for killing the mood.”

  Clint looked as though he was about to say something, but changed his mind. “I’ll stay here in the truck until you get to your room and he leaves. I’ll make sure he sees me. Hopefully he’ll take off and not bother you tonight.”

  Lila tried to think fast. It was a good excuse to invite Clint upstairs. “Or you could come up with me.”

  “I could,” he said with a slow nod as he searched her face. “If that’s what you want.”

  Oh, God, she hated being put on the spot like this. Despite the fact that she’d started it. Usually she had no trouble dealing with men. No was an answer she knew well. But it was different with Clint. Darn him.

  Tempted to run a hand down his fly and ask him what he wanted, she huffed a breath instead. “What’s today? Wednesday?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay.” She put her hand on the door handle. “I’ll see you on the set, but I’m going to be busy all day tomorrow and then we’re shooting a twilight scene.” She lifted the handle. “Don’t even think about weaseling out of Saturday night.”

  Clint let out a laugh. “Nope.”

  “Now, go find your mom’s ornaments.” She opened the door and slid out. “T
hanks again for...everything.”

  By the time she closed the door, he’d climbed out and was coming around the hood.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until there was no air left. Not in her lungs, and maybe not even in the whole state of Montana. She dragged her mouth from his with a gasp.

  “Good night, Lila,” he whispered and let her go.

  “Uh-huh,” she murmured, making sure her legs weren’t too wobbly before she turned and walked straight to the motel entrance, and right past Baxter without a single word.

  * * *

  AFTER BEING RECRUITED to do makeup on the principals some time around eleven the next morning, Lila had been bombarded with work the rest of the day. She’d skipped lunch, which wasn’t unusual, but she hated that she’d gotten only a glimpse of Clint. She’d completely forgotten his scene was being shot in town.

  Erin had been just as swamped. They’d met up once, briefly, but too many people had been around so they couldn’t really talk. In the old days, Lila would’ve called her the minute she’d left Clint last night and talked for an hour, with Lila spilling everything down to the last detail.

  Things were different now that Spencer was in the picture. Erin wouldn’t have minded if Lila had called. If anything, Erin would be royally pissed if she knew the reason for Lila’s hesitation.

  Instead of their traditional postdate chat, Lila had looked at pictures of the family Christmas tree that Britney had sent to her phone. God, she hated not being there to shop and make Christmas cookies, do all the things she loved about the season.

  Why did life have to throw so many curveballs at once? Being a grown-up and working in glamorous Hollywood had sounded like a lot more fun at thirteen.

  At 4:30 p.m., Lila finally had a chance to breathe. She’d splurged on a scrawny wreath she’d found at the small grocery store in town and had just hung it on the trailer door when Erin jogged toward her, an apple in each hand.

  “You got a few?” she asked.

  “Not really.”

  “Come anyway.” Erin stopped and frowned at the wreath. “That’s pretty sad.”

  “I know. Better than nothing.”

  Erin turned to study Lila. “You probably didn’t have lunch,” she said, handing her an apple and pulling a flattened protein bar out of her jeans pocket.

  Lila wasn’t interested in the bar, but she knew better than to refuse it. “Where are we going?”

  “Nowhere. I just wanted a chance to talk. Walk fast—”

  “And look busy. Got it.”

  Munching their apples, they headed in the opposite direction of the craft services table where most of the extras had gathered. Lila knew there was a good chance Clint had left. Or else he was still shooting in town, but she swept a glance around anyway.

  “Do you like Clint?” Lila asked. “I do. I like him.”

  Erin gave her a long look and laughed. “Yeah, I know.”

  “What? He’s really a nice guy.”

  “Why are you being defensive? I agree. I wanted to hear about what happened at the motel. Why do you think we’re power walking in the friggin’ cold?” Erin shivered and put her hood up. “Did you have sex with him?”

  Lila laughed. This was the old Erin. Thank God. “He took me to that steak house in town for dinner. Then we drove around, rehearsed his lines and looked at Christmas lights.”

  Erin chewed and swallowed a bite of apple. “But did you have sex?”

  “No. We didn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I met the man two days ago. Have you ever known me to hook up with anyone that fast?” Lila slowed down and studied her friend. “What is going on with you?”

  “No, you’re right.” Erin slowed as well. They’d passed the last trailer, and no one was within earshot. Lately, a chance for a quick chat didn’t get better than this. “Clint’s different—” She shrugged. “You know how you get a gut feeing about someone. I think he’s a good guy,” Erin said, “and it’s been a while since you’ve hooked up with anyone, so I was hoping the two of you had clicked...”

  “Are you feeling guilty because you’re staying with Spencer? Because if you are, knock it off. I’m happy for you. Spencer seems great, and if you weren’t making time for him, I’d have to kick your butt.”

  Erin grinned. “You could try.”

  “Wipe that smirk off your face. I’ve been pretty darn good about sticking up for myself and being assertive.”

  “Huh,” Erin muttered with a thoughtful frown. “You really have. Well, at least Baxter’s good for something.”

  “Practice?”

  “Yep.”

  They both laughed.

  “Okay, one more thing,” Lila said as they started walking again. “In the interest of full disclosure, I’m very envious of you and Spencer. Not to be mistaken for jealousy. Just please don’t think you have to push Clint and I together. I like him. I really do.” Staring at the Rockies, she sighed. “Things were going well last night, and I know it’s stupid, but part of me kept waiting for something to go wrong. Once sex entered the picture... Well, I didn’t want what we had to end in disappointment because I misinterpreted the situation.”

  Erin nodded with understanding. She’d been there with Lila, through the tears and regret, when she’d discovered a guy she really liked had been more invested in sex with her than in her as a person.

  “Of course there’s always that risk,” Erin said. “But I think Clint’s the real deal. Hell, I don’t know, maybe there’s something about cowboys. They’re a different breed. Spencer certainly is.”

  Lila smiled, wondering if Erin knew how her face lit up every time she mentioned his name. “Clint and I have a date Saturday night. I’m pretty sure it’ll have a happy ending.”

  “Bring it home, sister,” Erin said, holding up a hand.

  Lila slapped a high five.

  They lost their grins at the sound of Erin’s name riding on the brisk wind, and turned toward the voice.

  Baxter was standing near the clothes trailer.

  “Jesus, he’s got a cell phone and a walkie-talkie,” Erin said, acknowledging him with a wave. “The dumb ass probably doesn’t know how to use them.”

  Lila groaned inwardly when Erin started toward him. “Hey, have you got anything for me?” she asked casually as she fell into step with her. “You know, in the interest of full disclosure?”

  Dread flickered in Erin’s face before she looked away. She shrugged. “I don’t think so,” she said. “If he turns up missing, everyone would know it’s me. Catch you later.”

  Lila’s chest tightened with the grim certainty she hadn’t been wrong. Something was going on with Erin. Yet, after a twenty-year friendship and countless secrets that bonded them, she’d chosen not to share it with Lila.

  Her spirits lifted when she spotted Clint. He was talking to a wrangler near the corrals. Lila didn’t hesitate. She changed course and headed toward him, and the comfort she knew he’d give her.

  10

  CLINT LEFT THE house through the kitchen door and cursed under his breath when he saw Joe and Paxton. It was Saturday evening, for Christ’s sake. By now they should’ve been halfway to Kalispell looking to raise hell. Yet there they were, hanging out with Murray, all three of them standing too close to Clint’s truck for it to be a coincidence.

  As far as he knew, Paxton and Murray were still feuding over last week’s poker game. Evidently it hadn’t stopped them from planning an ambush.

  The old-timer was the first to spot him. Murray turned and spit on the ground beside him before giving Clint a toothless grin. “Well, now, don’t you look purdy.”

  Joe swung his gaze around. “Hey, boss, are those new boots?”

  Clint ignor
ed them.

  Paxton let out a whistle. “New shirt and new jeans, too,” he said, sizing him up. “Hell, son, looks like you’re getting all Hollywood on us.”

  “Might be he’s courting someone special.” Murray’s pale eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “Anything we should know about, Clinton?”

  “You sound like a bunch of bored old ladies.” He pushed past them and opened the driver’s door, their laughter grating on his nerves.

  Hell, he’d known all along word would spread that he was an extra. No one knew the circumstance that had prompted him to sign on. Though he supposed that didn’t matter. He wondered if they’d heard about the speaking part he’d managed to bungle. What a damn disaster.

  Squinting through the smoke from his cigarette, Joe said, “You gonna tell us where you’re going, boss?”

  If it weren’t for Murray, who’d been working at the Whispering Pines since before Clint was born, he would’ve let his middle finger do his talking. “Look, I’ve told you before not to smoke near my truck. It stinks up the cab.”

  “See, I knew it.” Murray nodded smugly. “He’s aiming to impress a lady.”

  Clint gave the old guy a slick smile. “Next time I see Mrs. Chesterfield, I’ll be sure to let her know how much you love her corn pudding.”

  Mention of the doting widow wiped the amusement off Murray’s face. “That ain’t funny, Clint. That crazy old woman won’t never stop pestering me.”

  “That’s right,” Clint said and slid into the truck. Paxton started to say something, but Clint cut him off. “The two of you are fired.”

  Paxton and Joe laughed.

  Jesus. First his mom had grilled him with the persistence of the county prosecutor. And then while he’d calculated next month’s feed order and closed payroll, his dad kept giving him curious looks. What did a guy have to do to get some peace and privacy around here?

  The only thing Clint had told his folks was that Lila was part of the movie crew working as the hair and makeup person. Nobody had to know she was an actress. He couldn’t imagine what kind of uproar that would cause.

  After all the bitter feelings and heartache following Anne’s death, he wasn’t so sure old wounds couldn’t be reopened. His late sister-in-law had kept her obsession to be in the spotlight a secret from Nathan. And whatever the rest of the family had known or suspected, including Clint, no one spoke of Anne’s audition trips out of town every time Nathan was away.