Wild About the Wrangler

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  She sure remembered Ryan Nesbitt, the guy who’d borrowed Travis’s hat to have his portrait done. “That’s really nice of him. Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising. Have you been up to the gallery in Amarillo?”

  “Yes, but I’m not here to buy your art, although I may end up doing that, too. Can we sit down?”

  “Of course.” She gestured to the chair where her clients usually sat and she took the one catty-corner from it.

  Once she was seated, Kathryn reached in her shoulder bag and pulled out a card. “Let’s start here.”

  Anastasia studied the card and recognized the production company name as one she’d seen a few times in the credits of some movies she’d liked. Travis had guessed right that Ryan was connected to Hollywood. Apparently Kathryn Abernathy was the artistic director who worked for him.

  But that didn’t explain what she was doing in Bickford. Anastasia glanced up, puzzled. “Ryan sent you to see me?”

  “Yes. He thinks you have the kind of nimble talent we’re looking for, and after seeing your work in Amarillo and watching you create on-the-spot portraits, I agree with him. I’d like you to come out to California, take a look around, and see if a job with our company would be a good fit for you.”

  Anastasia stared at her in astonishment. Snippets of class notes from art school scrolled through her mind. One of her professors had lectured on the artistic opportunities available in the film industry—storyboarding, graphics, concept art—the list was pretty long, but the competition was supposed to be fierce. She’d never considered it as an option.

  “I realize this is sudden,” Kathryn said, “but I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I got here, so I didn’t know if I’d be offering you this opportunity or not. I’m taking the red-eye back tonight, but that doesn’t mean you have to decide immediately. Monday would be soon enough.”

  “This Monday? Two days from now?” The offer was startling enough to speed up her pulse. Add in an immediate deadline, and she was in danger of hyperventilating.

  “Or Tuesday. The thing is, we have an opening and we need to fill it ASAP. The sooner you can fly out and get a feel for whether this is what you want, the better. If you’re not excited about it after seeing the setup, then we’ll look for someone else. But I seriously doubt that will happen.”

  “Why? You don’t even know me.”

  Kathryn smiled. “Yes, I do. You prefer charcoal, pencil, and watercolors, all mediums that require a quick, deft touch. I’ve just spent a couple of hours watching how you handle the rapid-fire nature of these cute portraits. You have the kind of artistic flexibility that would be perfect for us.”

  As the shock began wearing off, Anastasia felt excitement rush in to fill its place. The thought of working for a film company in Hollywood was scary as hell, but everything Kathryn had said about her work rang true. If that was the kind of artist they were looking for, she was their girl.

  “I should probably also mention the starting salary.” Kathryn named a figure.

  Anastasia blinked and barely managed to stop herself from asking if Kathryn was joking. Even with the higher living expenses in L.A. that was a lot of money. She didn’t need money, so it wasn’t a deciding factor in her mind, but she probably shouldn’t say that out loud.

  “Of course it’s negotiable,” Kathryn said quickly, as if interpreting Anastasia’s silence as hesitation because it wasn’t enough. “I’m asking you to uproot yourself, too, so of course we’d help with that. When you fly out to see the situation, we’ll cover all your expenses.”

  They were rolling out the red carpet for her. Astounding. Plus the job could be a fun challenge, except that she’d have to live in California. A week ago she would have been a lot more eager to experience that. Now there was Mac.

  “Obviously I’m surprised,” she said at last, “and pleased that you think so highly of my work. But even if I considered flying out there, my sister’s getting married next weekend, so that’s a priority for me.”

  “That’s wonderful! I wouldn’t want to interfere with something so important. How about the following week?”

  “A film crew is coming to town to do a documentary on Wild Horse Canyon Adventures. I want to be here for that.”

  “I understand. I’m sure your art has helped sell the trail-ride concept. That was another factor in your favor. You instinctively sense what will be commercially successful. Exactly when will they start shooting?”

  “Thursday.”

  “Let’s look at the dates.” Kathryn pulled out her phone and consulted her calendar. “And your sister’s wedding is?”

  “The previous Saturday.”

  “So if you flew out Sunday and flew back here Wednesday night, is that doable? Then if you decide to take the job, we’ll bring you out to California after the documentary wraps.”

  “I guess that would be okay, but I really do need to think about it before I say yes or no.” Her head was spinning with a million thoughts, but her overriding emotion was exhilaration. This could be so cool, except for . . . Mac. “It’s a big decision.”

  “It is.” Kathryn gazed at her with compassion. “A potentially life-changing one. Normally I’d give you more time to mull it over, and then maybe a couple of weeks in California before we finalize everything. But we really do need someone now so I’m abbreviating the process, mostly because I’m sure this is the right thing for you and for us.”

  “And I appreciate that confidence.” It could so easily have been flattery designed to manipulate her, but as she looked into Kathryn’s gray eyes, she saw honesty there. The woman was giving it to her straight. They had a need and she was a good candidate to fill it. The rest was up to her.

  “I have to go.” Kathryn pushed back her chair and stood. “I promised Ryan’s friend in Amarillo I’d take him to dinner. He loaned me his car and offered to drive me to the airport tonight.”

  Leaving her chair, Anastasia held out her hand. “Regardless of how this turns out, you’ve made my day with this offer. I never expected such a thing.”

  “You should have.” Kathryn’s grip was warm. “You have incredible talent, but then again, the good ones never believe how good they actually are. I hope to see you in L.A. My cell number’s on that card.”

  “I’ll let you know this weekend.”

  “Great.” Kathryn flashed her one more smile before walking out of Sadie’s.

  As Anastasia watched her leave, she felt a tug on her elbow and looked over to see Ida standing there, her eyes huge behind her thick glasses.

  Ida gestured toward the doorway Kathryn had just walked through. “And who was that?”

  “Someone interested in my art.”

  “She didn’t leave with any of it and she didn’t ask you to draw her portrait, either. Did she commission something?”

  “Um, yes.” Anastasia thought it was close enough to the truth that her nose wouldn’t grow.

  “Good. I hope you charged her an arm and a leg. She looks as if she could afford it.”

  “She can.”

  “Ha. Your stock is going up, sweetheart, as I knew it would. But what’s the deal with you and Mac Foster? Unless I miss my guess, my prediction about you two is playing out the way I expected.”

  Anastasia smiled and shook her head. “I’ll neither confirm nor deny.”

  “You do realize that when someone says that, it’s understood they’re confirming it.” She squeezed Anastasia’s arm. “And I’m tickled pink. You’re exactly right for each other.”

  Before Kathryn had made her offer, Anastasia would have enjoyed Ida’s teasing. Now it made her uneasy. What was she going to do? “What makes you say so?”

  “He’s a big strong cowboy with a sensitive side. You’re an artistic soul who has more backbone than most people realize. Perfect combination.”

  “I’m glad you approve.”
>
  “I do. Enjoy your weekend.” She gave Anastasia’s arm another squeeze and walked over to the bar. In a voice that carried throughout the saloon she asked Ike to serve her some “Sex on the Beach.”

  That made Anastasia laugh along with the rest of the patrons, but she felt a tug at her heart, too. She wouldn’t only be giving up Mac if she moved to California. Georgie was here, and Vince and Travis. She’d miss Ike and his wife, Raina, plus all the senior citizens who’d watched her grow up and encouraged her artistic ambitions.

  Not surprisingly, she wouldn’t miss her mother all that much. Getting out of that house would be something of a relief. If she made really good money, she could save it in case Georgie needed it later to help buy her precious Victorian.

  This offer from Kathryn validated her using family resources to go to art school because she might have a chance to help Georgie. She’d thought settling down in Bickford would satisfy her, but now that something spectacular had been dangled in front of her, she wasn’t sure anymore. She hadn’t acknowledged that she craved a bigger canvas, but there it was. She had ambition, after all.

  Yet every time she thought about explaining that to Mac, her chest ached. She wanted to talk to Georgie and get her opinion, but a stream of people wanting portraits prevented her from escaping to make a phone call. Before she knew it, Mac walked into Sadie’s and straight over to her table.

  His smile was tender. “How’s it going?”

  “Busy.” She looked into his warm gaze and couldn’t imagine ever leaving. “And we have to talk.”

  Instantly his expression grew alert. “Okay. Ready to go?”

  “Sure.” She quickly packed up her things and walked out with him as curious stares followed their progress. She could feel it. But that wasn’t her biggest concern now. She had more to worry about than public opinion.

  He helped her into his truck and started the engine. “What’s up?”

  “Let’s get my suitcase and head to your house first.”

  “You still want to do that?”

  “Yes, I do.” She wanted his counsel and his strong arms. Ironically, she was thinking of giving up both, so he had a right to know that before they fell into bed again.

  When she went in to get her suitcase, she stopped in the doorway to the parlor.

  As usual, her mother was watching the big-screen TV and eating her microwaved dinner, but she glanced up at Anastasia. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m spending the weekend with Mac Foster.”

  Her mother frowned in disapproval. “From what I gather, he doesn’t have much to offer.”

  “As a matter of fact, he has a whole lot to offer, but for now we’re just enjoying each other’s company. Nothing serious.”

  “Let’s hope not.” And her mother returned her attention to the television.

  At one time Anastasia would have challenged that dismissive statement, but these days she realized how deep her mother’s prejudices ran. For whatever reason, Evelyn Bickford was extremely damaged and narcissistic, and nothing would change her at this stage. “See you later, then.”

  Her mother waved absently.

  Nothing to lose there if she moved to California, she thought as she rolled the suitcase out the doorway. Mac had climbed the porch steps and took it from her. She hoped he hadn’t heard that interchange.

  He stowed the suitcase behind her seat and helped her back in. “Your mother doesn’t approve of me.”

  So he’d heard it. “She doesn’t approve of anyone who doesn’t earn seven figures.”

  He paused before closing the door. “That doesn’t bother me in the least, but just so you know, I’ve never considered myself your ideal match. Earning seven figures has nothing to do with that, though. Buckle up.” He swung the door closed.

  After he climbed into the driver’s seat, she turned to him. “Why don’t you consider yourself my ideal match? Ida does.”

  “She does, huh?” Smiling, he started the engine and pulled away from the house. “When did she make this particular statement?”

  “This afternoon. Word leaked out, as we both knew it would, that I was staying with you this weekend, so she had to let me know what a great idea that was. Disloyal as this may seem, I put more faith in Ida’s opinion than in my mother’s.”

  He laughed. “Thanks, but Ida’s a starry-eyed idealist. Your mother is right. You can do a lot better than me.”

  “I disagree.”

  “Is that what we need to talk about? Ida’s opinion versus your mother’s? Because I can think of better ways to spend our time.”

  Heat surged through her. “So can I, and, no, that’s not the issue on the table.”

  “How long do I have to wait for this discussion?”

  “I figured we could talk about it over dinner.”

  “The meal’s in the oven but it won’t be done for a little bit. How about if we grab a couple of beers and sit on the porch swing for a while?”

  “That sounds great.” As she glanced over at his strong profile, she realized how tough this decision was going to be. Sitting on the porch swing with Mac on a fall evening sounded cozy. She couldn’t expect porch swings if she moved to L.A. Maybe it wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t have Mac to share them with, either.

  CHAPTER 23

  Mac had an uneasy feeling about this news of Anastasia’s, but he told himself he was being paranoid as they settled into the porch swing with their beers. He wrapped his free arm around her to pull her close against his hip, and she nestled against him. “I’d kiss you hello,” he said, “except I know where that would lead. We’d never get around to this thing we need to talk about.”

  “Probably not.” She sighed. “So here’s what happened. A woman came into Sadie’s today. She works for Ryan Nesbitt, the one who borrowed Travis’s hat to have his portrait done. She offered me a job as an artist with their production company. In Hollywood.”

  The bottom dropped out of his world. And damn it, he couldn’t, wouldn’t let on. “That’s fantastic!” He turned so he was facing her. “What an opportunity! You’re taking it, right?”

  She met his gaze, her expression solemn. “I don’t know.”

  “Sure you do. This is your big chance and you’ll set that town on its ear. I’ll have to start going to the movies more often so I can see your name scroll past in the credits.” He’d known this moment would come. He just hadn’t expected it to happen the very day they’d made love for the first time, the day he’d discovered he was in love.

  “I know it’s a great opportunity and I knew you’d react this way because you’ve always been so supportive of me and my career. But . . . I don’t know if I can give up my peaceful life here. I don’t know if I can give up . . .” She swallowed. “You.”

  “Anastasia.” Taking her beer and his, he set them on the porch floor. Then he took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “You have an incredible talent and this is added proof. My God, Hollywood came to your door.”

  “I know, but—”

  “That’s huge. We both know you’re not destined to hide away in Bickford while you sketch portraits in the corner of a saloon and draw posters for your sister’s trail-riding business. Over there you’ll make so many good contacts. You’ll be hanging out with people like you—well, in your league, anyway. There is no one like you.”

  She took another breath. “I do feel kind of excited when I think about working over there, but there’s Georgie, who’s going to have a baby, and you and I . . . We just got started.” She glanced down at their joined hands. “It’s so wonderful being with you.” She laced her fingers through his and looked up at him. “I don’t want to go to L.A. if it means you and I . . . that we . . .”

  Misery created by selfish emotions squeezed his chest, but he refused to give in to them. “I’m flattered more than I can say, but let’s put this
into perspective. When I showed up, datable guys weren’t thick on the ground, so I probably looked pretty good to you, but I’ve never kidded myself that I’m your be-all and end-all. Your future isn’t in Bickford.”

  “If you asked me to stay, I would.”

  She’d never know how tempting that was. “I won’t ask. It wouldn’t be fair to you.” And he wouldn’t try to hold on to her through some kind of long-distance relationship, either. She could meet her artistic soul mate in L.A. and he didn’t want her to turn away from anybody because she’d made a commitment to him.

  Her gaze searched his. “So you really think I should take the job?”

  “Of course. Have you told Georgie?”

  “Not yet. There really wasn’t time to call her.”

  “I know you want to be around when her baby’s born, but I can guarantee she’ll be eager for you to accept the offer. How soon would you start?” He braced himself for the answer.

  “First I need to visit, get a feel for the place, and meet the people I’d be working with. Obviously I can’t go this week because of all the preparations for Vince and Georgie’s wedding. Kathryn offered to fly me over next Sunday and then fly me back here Wednesday night so I’ll be here when the film crew arrives. After that’s over . . . I’d leave for L.A.”

  Theoretically he had mere days left with her. “That’s her name? Kathryn?”

  “Kathryn Abernathy. She arrived in Texas early this morning and is leaving tonight on the red-eye.”

  “All so she could make you a job offer.” He picked up her hand and kissed her fingers. “I’ll bet they don’t usually take that much trouble.”

  “I don’t know. Apparently she and Ryan were impressed with my nimble talent, whatever that means.”

  “I know exactly what it means. You’re like a sunbeam that dances around and makes everything you touch look brighter and more beautiful.”

  She smiled. “That’s very poetic.”

  “Nah. Just the truth.”