Hot Winter Nights

With a laugh, she dragged a palm down her jeans before letting his large hand engulf hers. His grip was firm, yet gentle. He was the real deal. A genuine cowboy who did physical labor, and with rough, callused palms to prove it. And those muscled arms and shoulders? Not bulk, just lean muscle. Oh yeah, he looked darn fine.

And the other thing about him—he had no problem looking a person directly in the eyes.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, pulling back her hand and lowering her gaze to his chest. “You’re wearing a T-shirt.”

He glanced down. “I am.”

Lila sighed. “It’s December.” Why did the really hot guys always have to be crazy? “And it’s freezing.”

“Also true.” He glanced at the horse. “I was changing in my truck when this guy here decided to make a break for it.” He held out his hand and the horse nuzzled it. “You know if he belongs to Ben Wolf?”

“No, I don’t.” She turned to ask Erin, but one of Jason’s flunkies had pulled her and Baxter aside and was whispering something to the two of them.

Whatever it was, Baxter stopped glaring at her and Clint and gave the young man a sharp look. Then he turned toward the set, where Jason was setting up the next shot. His uncle expected a big return on his investment, and Jason’s word was gospel. The project’s success trumped Baxter’s self-importance. It had to.

“Who’s in charge of looking after the stock?” Clint’s gaze flicked to Baxter. “Not that guy, I hope,” he added in a lowered voice, looking back at her.

“Oh, God, no. That would be Charlie. He’s the head wrangler, and he’s very responsible. I haven’t seen him today, but he should be around... Older guy. White hair. Wears it in a ponytail.” She thought Charlie might be in town, but she glanced around anyway, because staring into Clint’s eyes made it hard to concentrate on anything but him. “I don’t see him. We haven’t had any other incidents with animals getting loose, though.”

“I’d like to speak with him before unloading my trailer.”

“Erin should know where he is.” Lila gestured vaguely, noticing that someone else now had her friend’s ear. Fine with Lila. It gave her more time to check out Clint. “She shouldn’t be long.”

“I’m in no hurry.” He lifted his hat and swept back a long dark lock of hair before settling the brim low on his forehead.

“Are you also an extra?”

“An extra what?”

“I guess not.” She smiled. “You said you were changing your shirt so I thought... We hire local people to be in the movie.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Most people like it. They don’t say any lines and it pays practically nothing, but they get bragging rights. Hey, if you’re interested—”

“No,” he said quickly. “No. No way. Not me.”

“You can’t be camera shy.”

He laughed. “Thanks anyway.”

Lila jumped when someone touched her shoulder. She instinctively recoiled when she saw it was Baxter, but then put on a neutral smile. Some actress she was.

“I need to talk to Mr. Landers,” he said with an obvious lack of enthusiasm.

She looked at Erin who now stood alone, motioning with her head for Lila to join her.

Glancing back at Clint, it was all Lila could do not to sigh. “Well, nice meeting you,” she said and realized she’d already mentioned something to that effect.

They exchanged smiles, and he politely touched the brim of his hat. But it was the dark penetrating look in his eyes that had her heart pounding as she turned and hurried the short distance to Erin.

“Come on,” Erin said with a little smile and started walking toward the trailers that were lined up out of camera range.

“What does Baxter want with him, and where are we going?”

“You’re wearing a T-shirt? Seriously?”

Lila looked at her, and Erin burst out laughing.

“Shut up.” Lila shook her head and then laughed, too.

“On a shitty note, Penelope is on the warpath.”

“Oh. Right. I forgot about her.” God, Lila was tempted to look back at him.

“No. Hell, no.” Clint’s voice had raised some.

Lila and Erin looked at each other, and then they both turned to see him walking away from Baxter, who stared daggers after him. Whatever it was the creep wanted, Lila doubted it was a face full of dust kicked up by Clint’s boots as he strode toward his horse trailer.

“What was that about?” Lila asked.

“Jason wants to use Clint in his next scene and said he wouldn’t take no for an answer,” she said absently.

As Erin continued to stare at Baxter, Lila could almost see the wheels turning in her friend’s head. She and Jason’s new flunky hadn’t gotten along from day one. Baxter was green and unfamiliar with the film industry, while Erin knew just about everything there was to know.

Since college she’d worked nearly every job there was behind the camera. She was supposed to be showing Baxter the ropes, which was probably why she’d been so grumpy lately.

This project was important for their future in the industry. Just like Lila, Erin’s big chance was coming up with the sequel. She’d been promised the first assistant director’s job.

“I know you,” Lila said. “You’re planning something evil.”

Erin smiled. “Who was it that said ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’?”

Lila’s gaze went to Clint, his back to them as he pulled on a long-sleeve shirt. “Friend? Oh, I want him for so much more than that.”

2 (#ud306062c-a9fb-5f06-81a4-b0847fd3a22f)

CLINT PARKED HIS truck close to the circular drive in front of his brother’s house. He got out and lifted a hand to Woody, the foreman, and a pair of Lucky 7 hired men walking toward the bunkhouse. The air was chilly, but he didn’t bother grabbing his jacket since it was a short walk to the fancy wrought-iron gate. He couldn’t stay long, but he had time to kill and something he wanted to get off his chest. Nathan was always a good sounding board.

After letting himself into the small courtyard, he went straight to the front door and wiped the bottoms of his boots on the mat. He rang the bell, glancing around while he waited.

The place looked nice. Even with winter threatening to roll in with a bang, his sister-in-law had spruced up the courtyard with Christmas wreaths and garland. Strings of lights were draped along the stone archway and wrapped around the porch columns.

He liked Beth a lot and not just because she’d been so good for Nathan, bringing him back to life after his first wife’s death. Clint admired Beth for leaving small remembrances of Anne, like her prized roses and topiary garden. Anne had liked everything manicured and perfect, and Beth was the total opposite.

The door opened. “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming over,” Beth said, stepping back to let him inside.

“Yeah, I should’ve called first.”