Chapter 9 #2
She stopped and shook her head. “I know how that sounds. Probably like I’m some spoiled director throwing a tantrum.
But I know where I want the story to go.
It’s not the same as what happened in the books, but it’s going to work better for the series overall.
I don’t want to compromise. I don’t want to do CGI just because of a few idiots who think they know how to direct the show better than I do.
I’m a Colorado native, and when I read the chapters about the avalanche I pictured it here. ”
Charlie tilted her head. “No, I actually understand about letting your artistic vision come through.” She felt a little surprised at herself. “I’m not a director or anything. I’m not even really an artist, but—”
Viv had perked up and was smiling. “What do you do, my dear? You’re full of surprises. Come on, tell me.” She held up a hand when Charlie started to deflect. “No. Tell me. You’ve sparked my interest. What do you do on your days off? I know you don’t have a suit of armor to polish.”
Charlie grinned at that. “I like drawing things.”
Viv tilted her head. “Like what?”
“Landscapes, mostly. Sometimes people.”
Viv’s eyes brightened. “You have to show me sometime, okay?”
Charlie looked at the floor. “Like I said, it’s just a little hobby.”
“I imagine it’s more than that,” Vivienne said quietly. “There’s some serious depth to you.” She grinned and pointed at Charlie. “Does Ben have any idea you—”
Mayday! Mayday!
“Let's get Rowan from his room,” Charlie interrupted, already moving toward the door.
“Oh.” Viv laughed self-consciously. “No need for that. He's, um—”
“Here!” Rowan called from behind the closed bedroom door. “Give me a sec.”
So they're sharing rooms now. Not her business unless it became a security concern, but it was good to know.
“Take your time,” Viv called back, then met Charlie's eyes with a sheepish smile.
“Your secret's safe with me,” Charlie said. And meant it. She understood wanting to keep something precious hidden from the world.
Hide what you love.
The bedroom door opened and Rowan strode out, wearing a beat-up ball cap with a nondescript t-shirt, jeans, and work boots.
“Morning, Sir Mariel.” His eyes went straight to Viv and stayed there. “And how are you, Madam Director?” he asked.
Viv rolled her eyes. “Oh, cut it out,” she said.
“Are we ready for today’s adventure?” Rowan asked, already crouching to pet Flo. The dog wagged her tail at the attention. Charlie was pretty sure Flo had developed a crush on the handsome actor.
“If all goes well, we won’t have an adventure,” Charlie said.
Rowan chuckled. “Right. Just a boring old day up in the mountains. Got it.”
“Have you heard from Ben?” Viv asked. She grabbed a broad-brimmed straw sunhat and a pair of cheap sunglasses off the credenza.
She was dressed in yoga pants and a t-shirt that read Colorado she’d picked up at a souvenir shop.
She didn’t look like a high-powered director, just another tourist on vacation.
“I haven’t,” Charlie admitted.
“He texted me earlier. He’s meeting us down in the lobby,” Rowan said, straightening. “I’m sure he’s there by now.”
They gathered Maddie from her room next. She answered the door almost immediately, hair still damp, tablet already in hand like a shield.
“Sorry,” she said quickly. “I just needed five minutes to finish syncing the schedule.”
“You're fine,” Viv said warmly. “We've got plenty of time.”
Maddie smiled, looking relieved, and fell into step beside Viv as they walked to the elevators.
Charlie brought up the rear with Flo, scanning the hallway, professional mode engaged. Which was good, because in a few minutes she'd be seeing Ben, and she needed all the professionalism she could muster.
The elevator ride down felt like it took forever and no time at all.
Charlie watched the numbers descend, hyper-aware of her reflection in the polished doors.
She'd dressed practically—tactical pants, boots, a light jacket that concealed her sidearm.
Her dark-blond hair was pulled back in its usual no-nonsense ponytail.
Nothing special. Just Charlie King, bodyguard. One of the guys.
The doors opened.
Charlie spotted Ben immediately. He was standing near the entrance, holding a to-go carrier with five coffees from Riversong and a bag of what Charlie hoped were their breakfast burritos.
He was dressed in practical hiking gear—cargo pants, boots, a flannel shirt over a black t-shirt that somehow made him look even broader.
She felt sudden, sharp disappointment that he wasn’t wearing his Ren Faire kilt.
Just the thought of his muscular legs…and the question of whether or not he wore anything underneath made her knees weak.
Stop it.
When Ben saw her, something flickered across his face—warmth, maybe nervousness? His eyes held hers for a beat too long, a faint flush creeping up his neck. right before his gaze moved to Rowan.
Her stomach did an inconvenient flip.
Professional. Stay professional.
“Hey, bud!” Rowan said, clapping his friend on the arm. “Thanks for picking up coffee.” He turned to Charlie. “Hey, sorry, when I texted Ben earlier, I didn’t know how you take your coffee—”
“I got you a dark roast with a splash of cream,” Ben rushed out.
“That’s my exact order,” Charlie said, keeping her voice steady.
Oh, stop. That mean voice spoke in her head. You think you’re special enough, he knows your coffee order off the top of his head? Pathetic.
Ben looked relieved. “Th-that’s what I’d hoped when I ordered it.”
Her heart did a little flip.
April probably told him how you take it now.
That mean little voice just wouldn’t shut up.
And it was probably right. April had teased her after the hundredth time she’d ordered just plain black coffee.
‘You know you're allowed to live a little, right?’ she’d said as she splashed cream—not half and half—into her coffee.
Charlie had to admit it was fantastic. Pretty soon she’d have Charlie putting in sugar or cold foam or something girly like that.
“Thank you. Here let me…” She took the to-go holder and her fingers brushed his, sending the room sideways for a moment. Viv, Rowan, and Maddie eagerly grabbed their coffees.
“I brought some breakfast, too.” Ben held up the white paper bag. “I hope breakfast burritos are acceptable. I got several kinds.”
“Oh, more than acceptable,” Maddie said, looking relaxed for the first time since Charlie had seen her on Saturday night. “Any chorizo ones?”
Ben flicked a glance at Charlie. Chorizo burritos were her favorite.
And oh my God, he knows it.
“I mean,” Maddie went on, catching his look, “if no one else wants that kind. Actually, I’ll just take whatever.” She laughed self-consciously.
Before Charlie could tell her it was fine, Ben spoke.
“I made sure to get several of those, actually.” He reached into the bag and pulled out two. “Here you go.” He handed one to Maddie, and the other to Charlie without a word.
This will be the best burrito I’ve ever eaten.
“Dibs on bacon,” Rowan said. He winked at Viv. “Because I know you’re going to want any of them that are blow-your-head-off spicy.”
“Damn straight.” Viv took the burrito Ben offered her and thanked him.
Flo looked up at Ben with all the hope she could muster in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, girl,” Ben told her as he knelt. He reached into the bag and pulled out a clear plastic bag tied with a pink bow. “It’s not a burrito, but it’s a bag of Riversong’s Doggie Snax.”
And…I think my ovaries just exploded.
He looked up at Charlie. “But only if it’s okay with you?”
Ka-boom. Ka-boom.
“I think Flo would never speak to me again if I said no.” She couldn’t hold back her smile.
Especially when Ben beamed back at her.
And…there goes every last lady bit I had left. Ka-blooey.
“Are we ready?” Charlie was amazed her voice didn’t shake.
“Do we need to wait for Shane? Is he coming, too?” Viv asked Charlie.
“He’ll be by tonight. Right now, he's coordinating with Elissa at HQ in LA. They're tracking down our leak.” She switched Flo's leash to her hand holding the burrito. “So it's just us today.”
Ben cleared his throat. “Rowan told me where you all are headed. If you don’t mind, I could show you around up there. I know these mountains like the back of my hand. I grew up in them. Hiking, camping, war games with my friends, the whole nine yards.”
“War games? And fought dragons too, I imagine?” She was grinning, clearly teasing him.
Ben's ears went slightly red. “Nope. Just soldiers. I was the only one into fantasy back then.”
“Hard to believe,” Rowan said. “You make the best medieval weapons and armor I’ve ever seen.”
“And jewelry,” Viv added. “Don’t think for a minute I missed your display case the other day.”
Ben, who played war games in these mountains, knows them like the back of his hand. Charlie filed that information away alongside Ben the skilled metalworker, Ben the fantasy nerd.
Ben the Ranger.
She'd picked up bits and pieces about Ben’s service from parties and their mutual friends. Honorable discharge. Exemplary service record. Tactical training that rivaled her own. And of course they’d fought side by side at the old ski resort, each having the other’s back.
Warrior recognizes warrior, she thought, then immediately shoved the thought down where it belonged.
Charlie pulled her keys out of her pocket. “The SUV’s this way.” They crossed the lobby to a door leading to the parking garage. She hadn’t used the valet service—she didn’t want anyone in the vehicle. She couldn’t be too careful.
The parking garage was dim and cool, their footsteps echoing off concrete. Charlie led them to her SUV parked in the corner. She’d chosen the spot for its clear sightlines to the entrance and exit.
“All right,” Charlie said, unlocking the vehicle. “Viv, Rowan, Maddie—you're in the back seat. Ben, you're up front. I might need you to navigate.”