Chapter 12
Nash woke before dawn,crawled out of the nest they’d made of the sleeping bags and pulled on the jeans and shirt Mitchell had provided. Though he’d also given him dry socks, they were damp within moments of pulling on his waterlogged boots.
It didn’t matter. They had a long drive to get to LJ Ranch. The sooner they got started, the better. He could worry about what to do about wet boots when they got there.
Once dressed, he eased open the stall door and peered over the one beside it at Butterscotch standing calmly in the woodchips. As soon as she spotted him, she walked over to the door and hung her head over the top, nuzzling his hand for grain.
“Sorry, sweet girl,” he said. “I’ll ask for more when the ranch hands come in.”
A movement behind him made him turn.
Londyn stood at the door of their stall, pulling on the sweatshirt with University of Montana written across the front.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey, yourself.” She gave him a tenuous smile.
He held open his arms, and she walked into them wearing boots just as waterlogged as his. She grimaced while looking down at her feet. “Wish we had time to let them dry, but it’ll have to wait. I want to get Butterscotch home today.”
He turned her in his arms and lowered his face until their lips were almost touching. “Any regrets?”
She rose and brushed her lips across his. “Only that my boots are still wet.” She stared up into his eyes, a frown denting her forehead. “And you?”
His lips twisted into a teasing smile. “None. I happen to like soggy boots.” He winked and kissed her for real. Not a brush across the lips. More of a lets-go-back-to-bed kind of kiss that rocked his soul and kind of scared him.
What was he doing? He was there to protect her, not to get into her pants.
It was a little late to be remembering his place in this relationship.
Hell, he’d have to tell Londyn’s mother he couldn’t work for her anymore because he was sleeping with her daughter. In turn, he’d have to tell Hank he fired himself from the job. Not a great start as a Brotherhood Protector.
He stared down at Londyn as she stroked her mare’s nose and realized he didn’t care. If losing his job was all that was keeping him from Londyn, it was a small price to pay.
Then, another thought occurred to him. What did he have to bring to the relationship? Londyn had only signed onto the film to save her ranch from foreclosure. If Nash didn’t have a job, he had no way of helping her come up with the money to pay her way out of a financial hole.
“Just curious,” he said. “You don’t have to tell me, but how much money do you need to pay the back taxes and the mortgage on the ranch?”
“A lot,” she said with a frown. “More than I’ve earned in my lifetime.” She stared up at him. “Why?”
“Just curious.” He didn’t want to pry and make her uncomfortable, but if he could help, he would. While he’d been part of Delta Force, he’d deployed more than he was ever home. He hadn’t had time to spend the money he’d made. When his bank account had gotten too full, he’d had a financial advisor invest it. He didn’t really have an idea of how much he had squirreled away. Maybe enough to get Londyn’s ranch out of debt…?
Her frown deepened. “Why do you want to know how much?”
He smiled. “I told you. I was just curious.”
She continued to stare at him, her frown deepening. “If you have some lame idea of cashing in your savings to pay off my debt, forget it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I wouldn’t let my mother help me, and she probably has a lot more money than you. If I can’t find a way to save my ranch, I don’t deserve to keep it. I have to find a way to do this.” She poked a thumb at her chest. “Me. Not my mother. Not my lover. Me.”
Nash held up his hands. “Sorry. I just was trying to think of a way to help.”
“You are helping by protecting me from whoever is fucking with me. Keep me alive long enough to get through this gig, and all my problems will be solved. Do you understand?”
He popped a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am. Message received.” She might not tell him what he wanted to know, but he was positive Swede could get that information.
A twinge of guilt tugged at Nash’s gut. If she wanted him to know the amount, she would have told him. She didn’t want anyone’s help.
Still, he wanted to know to have an option in his back pocket should her plans fall through. The ranch meant a lot to her. It was her home.
Nash understood what it was to have a home. He’d grown up in a good one. He knew that if he had nowhere else to go, he could go home to his parents, no matter where they were, and they would happily take him in.
The exterior barn door opened, and a shaft of daylight spilled into the interior.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.” Dan Mitchell entered the barn and crossed to stand with Nash and Londyn. “Your mare appears to be recovering well.”
Londyn nodded. “She does. We’ll be leaving soon to take her back to my ranch in Montana. Thank you so much for all you did to help us find her and to put us up for the night.”
Mitchell’s mouth twisted into a wry grin. “You don’t have to thank me. I felt bad that you slept in the barn all night. How was it? Did you get too cold?”
Londyn’s cheeks turned a ruddy red.
“Not at all,” Nash answered for her. “And we were able to keep tabs on Butterscotch. She even ate all the grain and hay your men left for her.”
“Then she’s definitely on the mend.” Mitchell grinned. “You should have breakfast before you hit the road. Cookie made enough to feed the entire film crew, even though most of them left last night.”
“Oh, we don’t want to impose,” Londyn said.
“If breakfast is half as good as the sandwiches Cookie left for us last night, we’d love to join you,” Nash said. “And if he has more of the grapes he packed in with the sandwiches, we’d love to take some with us for a snack on our drive north.”
Londyn snorted, her cheeks turning an even brighter shade of red.
Nash fought to keep from laughing. The grapes had been one of the best ideas he’d ever had to get them all hot and bothered after eating the delicious sandwiches. Not that they’d needed the grapes to reignite their passion. But it had been fun eating them off each other’s bodies like Jell-O shots at a frat party.
“As a matter of fact, Cookie has a lot of those grapes left—and they need to be eaten before they go bad. I’ll have him pack some for you to take with you. But for now, come on up to the house. Your castmates just came down for breakfast. I’m sure they’ll want to hear all about your adventure in the rain last night.”
“We’ll be there in a minute,” Nash assured him. “Could we get a little more grain for the mare? She’s got an appetite this morning.”
“Sure.” Mitchell tipped his head toward a line of garbage cans. “The feed is kept in those cans. Help yourself to whatever she might like.”
“We won’t take much,” Londyn said. “Just enough to satisfy, but not enough to have her getting sick on the trip.”
“Sounds good,” Mitchell said. “See you in a few minutes, and don’t worry about cleaning the stalls. We’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you,” Londyn said. “Will you at least let me pay you for boarding us for the night?”
Mitchell shook his head. “Not a chance. I might decide to come visit you on your ranch someday. You can put me up in your barn.”
Londyn smiled. “I’ll do better than that. I have extra rooms in the house. I’ll be sure to put fresh sheets on the bed.”
“Gonna one-up me?” Mitchel shook his head with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He turned, chuckling. “Don’t be too long, or the food will get cold.”
Mitchell left the barn, and Londyn’s gaze followed the other ranch owner. “There are good people in this world.”
“Yes, there are.” He glanced down at her. “Let’s gather our things and get up to the ranch house for breakfast. I seemed to have worked up an appetite.”
“For grapes?” Londyn shook her head, frowning, though her lips twitched on the corners. “I can’t believe you asked for grapes. It’s not like we can have a repeat of last night while driving to the ranch.”
“I don’t know,” he said, giving her an assessing glance. “I love a challenge.”
She backhanded him in the gut hard enough to get his attention but not hard enough to hurt. “Let’s get going, grape nuts. I’d like to be on the road in less than an hour.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nash said, chuckling. He leaned close. “The grapes have you salivating?”
“No, but Cookie’s breakfast does.” She shook her head and walked back into the stall with the sleeping bags. She lifted the one on the top, folded it over and zipped it together. Then she folded it in half and rolled it tightly, using the attached straps to secure it.
While she worked on one sleeping bag, he worked on the other. They gathered their wet clothing, the sleeping bags and the bag of clothing items Mitchell had offered that they wouldn’t be using.
With their arms full, they checked Butterscotch once more, then headed to the house.
Cookie met them at the back door leading into the kitchen and held the door while they carried everything inside. “I just put the food out on the buffet in the dining room.” He waved them toward the dining room. “Please. Help yourself. Do you want coffee, tea or juice?”
Nash entered the dining room, where a long table was set with plates, flatware and drink glasses.
Mitchell sat at the head of the table. Six men sat on either side. Julia Banes and Craig Ryland sat at the table, looking refreshed. Julia’s hair was expertly coifed, and her make-up was subtle but beautiful. She smiled as Nash and Londyn entered the room. “Oh, there you two are. We’re so glad you made it here, what with the storm and all.”
“That’s right,” Craig said. “We were shocked to hear your horse ran away. Does that happen often?”
“It was a first,” Londyn said. “Butterscotch has never displayed a reaction like that before.”
“She’s all right?” Julia asked.
Londyn nodded. “I’m taking her back to my ranch today.”
“Anything I can do to help you?” Julia asked with a smile spread across her face.
“No, thank you,” Londyn responded. “We can handle everything.”
Nash loaded a plate full of food and set the plate on the table in the position beside Craig. He gave the man a nod and returned to stand with Londyn while she scooped fluffy, yellow scrambled eggs onto a plate and dropped two pieces of bacon on the side. She added a slice of bread before turning to the table. A slight frown pulled at her forehead as she claimed the seat beside Julia.
Nash snagged a slice of toast as an excuse for hanging out at the buffet for so long. He carried it to his plate across the table from where Londyn sat.
Craig’s plate held the remains of scrambled eggs and half a slice of toast. He lifted his coffee mug to his lips and sipped gingerly. “We were so glad to hear you made it back last night and with your horse. What a nightmare being caught out in that storm.”
“Thank you,” Londyn said, not elaborating on the fact she nearly drowned.
“We heard from Haynes,” Julia said. “They made it back to the trailers a few minutes before the storm hit their location.”
“That’s good,” Nash said. “Driving in the deluge was...challenging.” His gaze met Londyn’s.
“Dan tells us you’re heading back to your ranch with your horse.” Her pretty eyebrows rose up her forehead. “Have you had enough fun playacting?”
Londyn stabbed at the eggs on her plate. “Not at all,” she said. “But after what happened with my mare, she’ll be better off recovering in familiar surroundings.”
“Right,” Julia said. “As I’m sure you’ll be glad to be home as well.”
“I will,” Londyn said. “However short the stay.”
“Is this the first time you’ve been away for this long?” Julia asked. “I mean, you appear to be more comfortable doing ranch things than acting.”
“We were surprised when Haynes chose an unknown for the lead,” Dan commented.
Londyn swallowed the piece of toast she’d been chewing. “No more surprised than when I got the part.”
“I’m sure it didn’t hurt that you’re Dana Tyler’s daughter,” Julia said. “Not that anyone would know. You couldn’t be more different in appearance from your mother.”
“So, I’m told.” Londyn smoothed jelly across her toast.
“Must be nice to eat carbs,” Julia said. “I steer completely clear of them. Otherwise, I’d blow up like a blimp.”
Londyn took a bite of her toast and closed her eyes, moaning softly. After she swallowed, she said, “You’re missing out.”
Nash almost choked on his coffee. He liked that Londyn didn’t rise to Julia’s comments, and he liked that Londyn wasn’t concerned about the carbs she consumed. Most likely, she burned it off, working her ranch. He understood the hard work required to raise cattle and horses and manage a large spread. That she was doing it by herself with just a couple of ranch hands amazed him and worried him about her health and safety.
“The weatherman predicts rain for the next couple of days,” Craig said. “Perhaps Haynes will have us stand down until it clears.”
“Which could give you more time at home,” Julia said.
“That would be nice,” Londyn murmured.
“If you like your ranch so much, why don’t you stay?” Julia said.
Londyn sighed and turned to Mitchell. “How soon will we be able to stage the cattle drive?”
“It’ll take a couple of days for the ground to dry enough to film the cattle drive,” Mitchell said. “Unless your director wants muddy cows in the picture.”
Londyn shook her head. “It’s supposed to be a dusty summer scene. Besides, I’m sure you don’t want to risk the safety of your herd, moving them on muddy turf.”
Dan Mitchell nodded. “I am concerned. I’ll speak with Haynes about the conditions.”
“I suppose we’ll be leaving today, as well,” Julia said. “Though it was nice staying on a ranch. I can see why you love it so much,” she said to Londyn. “I can’t understand why you’d want to leave.”
Londyn set her fork on her plate. “I have my reasons. Number one is that I have a job to do. I’ll only be gone long enough to get my horse settled in. I’d appreciate it if you’d let Haynes know I’m only going long enough to get her settled in.”
“I’m sure there’s no hurry,” Julia said. “I think the storm will have made a mess of our primary location as well as the cattle drive scene. We’ll be up to our knees in mud for a few days until it dries.”
Londyn met Nash’s gaze across the table. “I’m ready when you are.”
Nash nodded, aware of the tension between Londyn and Julia. The other actress had a way of getting under even his skin—and her comments weren’t directed at him. The tightness around Londyn’s mouth was a clear indication Julia’s comments were hitting nerves. He glanced at Mitchell. “We’ll be leaving within the hour. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Mitchell snorted. “Next time, let me treat you to a real bed.”
Nash wanted to tell the ranch owner the night in the barn had been perfect. But then it might give the people at the table a hint as to why it had been so perfect. He wasn’t the kind of guy to kiss and tell. If he knew anything about Londyn, her privacy was important to her, too.
He stood and rounded the table to hold Londyn’s chair as she rose to her feet. They gathered their plates and cups.
“Don’t worry about the dishes; we’ll take care of them,” Mitchell said. “You need to get your mare ready for the trip.”
“Thanks, but we can at least carry our things into the kitchen.” Nash followed Londyn into the kitchen.
Cookie stood before a huge sink with his arms up to his elbows in soapy water. When they set their plates and cups beside him, he gave them a grateful grin. “Thanks. Did you get enough to eat?”
Londyn touched his shoulder. “More than enough. Thank you for making such a tasty breakfast.”
“Yes,” Nash said. “Better than any chow hall food I’ve had.”
Cookie laughed. “Funny you should say that. I learned to cook in a Navy chow hall.”
“Then the Navy had far superior food than the Army.” Nash clapped a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Thank you for your service.”
Cookie rinsed the soap off his hands and dried them on a towel. He stuck out his clean hand. “And thank you for your service.”
Nash gripped it with a firm handshake. When he let go, he turned, placed a hand on the small of Londyn’s back and escorted her out the kitchen door.
“Wait just a minute,” Cookie called out.
Nash and Londyn turned back into the kitchen.
Cookie ducked into a pantry and emerged with two bright red apples and a bag of grapes. He gave them a crooked grin. “Mitch said you wanted some grapes to snack on while you’re traveling. The apples are for your horse.”
When Londyn’s face flushed red, Nash fought the urge to laugh out loud. He took the offerings from the cook, holding onto the bag of grapes and handing the apples to Londyn. “Thank you for your kindness. We’ll definitely enjoy the grapes.”
“Yes, thanks. Butterscotch loves apples,” Londyn said and spun toward the exit.
Nash followed Londyn through the door and out onto the wraparound porch.
Londyn refused to look at him as she crossed the porch to the stairs. “We used to have a cook at the ranch,” she said, clearly changing the subjects. “When he retired and moved to Florida to be closer to his children, Gramps and I shared the responsibility to keep our ranch hands fed.”
“It’s like I said,” Nash grinned. “Food is fuel.”
“For the body as well as the soul.” She laughed softly, her eyes getting glassy with moisture. “Gramps always said that. His repertoire in the kitchen wasn’t vast, but it was hearty and always felt like home. He worked as hard in the kitchen as he did outside. After our cook left, he never expected me to take over the cooking as a woman’s duty. I did my share, though. We both washed dishes, taking turns over who would wash and who would dry.”
“I think I would’ve liked your grandfather,” Nash said as they descended the steps and crossed to the barn. “You never talk about your grandmother. If it’s a sore subject, you don’t have to answer.”
“Oh, it’s not a sore subject at all. She died when my mother was a young teen. I never met her. My grandfather didn’t talk about her. I think he loved her so much that, when she died, he had a hard time getting over it. I’ve seen pictures of her when she was younger. My mother looked just like her.”
“That had to be hard for your grandfather. He had to see his wife in your mother’s face.”
Londyn nodded. “An everyday reminder of the woman he’d lost. It probably led to the rift between them. Once she left the ranch, she didn’t come back until Gramps’ funeral.”
Nash opened the barn door and held it for Londyn to enter.
“Do you and your mother get along?” Nash asked.
“Of course. Once she let me go live at the ranch, we got along better than ever. I visited her in LA during the holidays and spoke with her on the phone at least once a week. I love her.” Londyn grimaced. “I just can’t live her lifestyle. Which I’m sure is a great disappointment to her.”
Londyn stopped in front of Butterscotch’s stall. The mare whinnied and stuck her head over the door.
“Hey, sweet girl.” Londyn held out an apple.
The mare took the fruit and crunched it between her teeth while Londyn rubbed her nose. “Are you ready to go home?”
Having finished the apple, the mare tossed her head as if saying yes. Then she nuzzled Londyn’s empty hand, looking for the other apple she had hidden behind her back.
Londyn laughed and gave the mare the other apple. “You’re too smart for your own good.”
While the mare ate the second apple, Nash opened the stall door. He and Londyn entered and walked around the animal, looking for any signs of trauma they might have missed the night before.
Londyn ran her hand over the mare’s legs one at a time and lifted each foot to inspect her hooves. “She has some scratches on her legs, but nothing major for having taken off like a bat out of hell. She’s lucky. As am I.” Londyn smiled up at Nash. “Thanks again for saving both of us.”
“Just doing my job as a protector,” he said, knowing it was more than that.
“Well then, thanks for doing your job.” She gripped the lead. “Let’s get her loaded up. I’d like to get to the ranch with as much daylight left in the day as possible so that I can check things out.”
He nodded and held the stall door open.
Londyn led the buckskin out of the stall and out of the barn.
Nash moved ahead of Londyn to open the doors to the barn and then to the horse trailer.
At first, Butterscotch balked at the trailer. After Londyn worked with her for the next few minutes, the mare walked up into the trailer with no problem.
Once the horse was loaded and the back door to the trailer closed and latched, Nash opened the passenger seat door for Londyn.
She frowned up at him. “I can drive.”
“I know you can,” he said. “But I’d like to do the honors if you would be all right with it.”
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “I suppose.” She climbed up into the truck.
Nash stepped up on the running board and secured her seatbelt around her hips.
“I can—” she started.
“—do it yourself.” He grinned down at her, brushed his lips across her forehead and smiled. “I know. Humor me. I need to feel useful.”
Her lips twitched. “Okay.” She captured his face between her palms and brushed her lips across his. “But only because I’m tired and want to sleep on the way. I’m sure there will be work to do once we arrive at LJ Ranch.”
He cupped the back of her neck and kissed her properly. “I’m sure you’ll be fully occupied once we get you home. I’m just glad to be of assistance.”
Her lips twisted into a wry smile. “You know that you’re more than useful.”
“I hope so.” He dropped to the ground, closed her door and rounded the truck to the driver’s side, slipping into the seat, damp boots and all. “How far is it to your place?”
“About four hours, as long as it doesn’t rain,” she said.
He nodded, buckled his seatbelt and started the engine.
Before he could shift into gear, Julia Banes ran out of the house and hurried over to Nash’s side of the truck.
Nash lowered his window. “Everything all right?”
Julia laughed. “Yes, of course. I just wanted to let Londyn know I heard from Director Haynes. He put us on hiatus for at least the next three days while the sets dry. No need to hurry back.”
Londyn leaned forward to stare at the other actor. “I can be back within four hours, should they need me sooner. All he has to do is text or call.”
“I’ll let him know,” Julia said. “Enjoy your time at home.” She backed away from the truck and trailer and waved as Nash drove out of the barnyard and onto the gravel road leading off the ranch.
Nash glanced in the side mirror, looking back at the barn and the ranch house.
Craig Ryland came out of the house and joined Julia as she stood watching the truck and trailer drive away from Mitchell’s place.
They’d be heading back to the original location soon, which meant Londyn had very little time to reposition.
“What do you know about Julia Banes and Craig Ryland?” Nash asked.
Londyn leaned her head back against the headrest. “Not much. Why?”
“Does one or more of the cast or crew have any reason to want to see you fail in your role as Lana?” he asked.
Londyn’s brow dipped low. “I don’t know. I haven’t engaged in the Hollywood politics or drama.” She turned her head toward Nash. “Why do you ask?”
“Were you targeted before you came to work on the set or after?”
Her lips pressed together. “After.”
“Was anyone upset that you got the part of Lana?” Nash asked. “Upset enough to want to kill you?”
Londyn’s brow twisted. “I never thought about it. I was focused on earning the money I needed to save the ranch. Besides, who would want to kill me for a part in a movie?”
Nash’s eyebrows rose up his forehead. “Probably a hundred starving artists in LA.”
Londyn’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you think murder is taking it a bit far?”
Nash laughed. “Yes. Absolutely. But how many actors audition for years without actually landing a part in a potential blockbuster movie?”
Londyn shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Nash snorted. “You landed a role on your first audition.”
Londyn blinked up at him. “Is that unusual?”
“Yeah.” Nash shot a glance her way before returning his attention to the gravel road leading off the ranch. “Many would say you didn’t pay your dues.”
“I don’t even like acting,” Londyn said.
“It doesn’t matter if you like acting or not. You got the part.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I would never have attempted acting if I didn’t need the money so badly.”
Nash nodded. “When we get to a location with better cell phone reception, I need to touch base with Swede and see what he’s learned from his background check of all the cast and crew members.”
Londyn leaned her head back again and closed her eyes. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting my part badly enough to want to kill me to have it. It’s ridiculous—and far too obvious.”
“Jealousy and greed don’t always come along with clear thinking,” Nash noted.
“If someone wants to kill me for a chance at the lead female character’s part in this movie, don’t you think the authorities would start their investigation with all the ladies who auditioned and didn’t get the part?”
“That’s what I would do,” Nash said.
“Not only would she have to want to kill me, but she’d also have to have the skills necessary to work with plastic explosives. She’d also need the ability to handle a horse. And she’d have to have dark hair, dark skin and look like a Native American. That had was the number one requirement Haynes insisted on.”
“Don’t you think that with enough makeup and the right wig, anyone could pass as Native American?” Nash asked.
“Not necessarily,” Londyn said. “It’s not just about the makeup and hair. Facial structure has a lot to do with Haynes’s choice of actor to play the part. He needed my character to have a certain look, determination and the ability to kick ass, should the need arise.”
Nash grinned. “He chose wisely with you.”
She nodded. “Fortunately, others won’t have the opportunity to be Lana. Haynes is stuck with me until it’s a wrap. I need the money,”
Nash nodded. “If, as you said, she really has her finger on the pulse of Hollywood, we need to talk to your mother sooner rather than later.”
Londyn sighed and closed her eyes. “When we get to the ranch, I’ll call her. For now, I really want to take a nap. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Nash’s lips curled up in a grin. “Me, either.”
Though Londyn’s eyes remained closed, her mouth curved in a smile. “What did you do with those grapes Cookie gave you?”
He chuckled. “I’m saving those for when we get to LJ Ranch. I have plans for those grapes.”
Her eyelids opened for a brief moment as she cast a glance his way. “Are you going to share them?”
His gaze met hers briefly. “Absolutely.”
Londyn closed her eyes again and leaned her head against the headrest of her seat. “Then I really do need a nap.” She covered her mouth as she yawned. “Wake me if you need me to drive.”
“Sleep,” Nash said. “I’ve got this.”
“You didn’t get any more sleep than I did last night.”
“I can get by on a lot less sleep than the average man,” he said.
“Because you’re not an average man,” Londyn said softly.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Do that,” she said. “And wake me when we get there.”
True to her word, Londyn leaned her head against the door. She was out in under two minutes.
Nash spent the next few hours studying her face, committing thick eyelashes, exotic skin tone and proud angles to memory. She was a beautiful woman with a drive and determination he hadn’t witnessed in many other women.
After memorizing every line and contour of her face and remembering the sexy curves of her body now encased in sweats, Nash came to a startling conclusion.
He liked her.
Really liked her.
If he wasn’t careful, he could fall in love with this woman.
The air left his lungs.
He turned his full attention back to the road, where it should be—not on the woman sleeping peacefully beside him. To keep her safe, he needed complete focus.
His gaze slipped to Londyn as if it had a mind of its own.