Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2)

by Mary J. Williams

  Chuck laughed. Nate had the feeling the other man enjoyed this way too much.

  “No need to bother him. Three words. You. Are. Wrong.”

  “I’m wrong? I’m wrong?” Nate scrubbed a hand over his face. “What if I’m not?”

  “Trust me. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, you are.”

  “But—”

  “Never mind about that one time. You’re wrong ninety-nine times, son.”

  “I—”

  “Ninety-nine.”

  Nate didn’t like those odds. Nor was he convinced it was true. He scoured his brain, remembering the times his parents argued. It was often. Oh, they had some spectacular blow-ups. Loud voices. Outrageous verbal exchanges.

  Down to earth on most days, when Callie Flynn chose, she was the ultimate drama queen. Hand gestures that could knock an eye out if one didn’t watch where he stood. She liked to recite Shakespeare. Lesser-known passages filled with fury and blood.

  His father might be a producer by profession, but deep down a thespian longed to be heard. He gave as good as he got. She wanted to do Shakespeare? Caleb Landis countered with Marlowe. It was a sight to see.

  It ended the same every time. In the bedroom. Confusing when you were seven. Embarrassing when you were thirteen. Now? Nate cheered his parents’ unflagging libidos. He hoped he was still hot for his wife when he was in his sixties.

  However, real, deep down fights were rare. Nate could count on one hand, with fingers to spare, the times his parents walked away from each other. Silence signaled true anger.

  “Mom and Dad rarely fight.”

  “When they do?” Chuck prompted.

  Nate pictured flowers. Big, over the top arrangements. Jewelry. His mother was a fan of emeralds. Some were given on her birthday. Or Christmas. The spectacularly large ones came after fights.

  “Don’t get me wrong, Nate. Women make mistakes. They blunder around. They say and do stupid things. The difference is, we do it more often. And when we do, we do it spectacularly.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Nate’s head was swimming. He felt more confused than when he started. “How do I fix something when I don’t know what I did? When I don’t think I did anything?”

  “Think about it,” Chuck advised with a little too much good humor for the mood Nate was in. “If you don’t figure it out, Paige will let you know. In her own good time. Oh, I almost forgot. Paige asked me to tell you. She took Beauty with her so the vet could check her out.”

  “She could have told me personally that she was taking my dog.”

  Laughing, Chuck grabbed a box and headed out of the barn.

  The sound of a familiar ringtone had Nate snatching up his phone. A picture of his mother filled the screen. Not only was she a woman, but she was also the smartest person he knew. Hoping for a voice of reason, he answered.

  “Mom. How do you always know when I need you?”

  “EXCEPT FOR A bruise on her left rump, Beauty is in perfect condition.”

  “Do you think she fell?” Paige ran her hand over the puppy’s head. It was meant to comfort, though whether it helped the dog or herself, she wasn’t sure.

  “My best guess is someone kicked her.”

  “Poor baby,” Paige crooned.

  Beauty cocked her head, as though sensing something was wrong. What, she had no idea. She couldn’t be happier with all the attention. Even better, Paige smelled like Nate. To her, that meant he wasn’t far away.

  “She knows that she fell into a pot of jam when Nate Landis found her,” Dr. Mount said, observing Beauty’s vigorously wagging tail.

  “It was love at first sight.”

  “Puppy love?”

  Paige groaned.

  “Really, Irene? How often do you pull out that old chestnut?”

  “I work with large animals. I don’t get many chances to make puppy puns. I figured I better jump at the opportunity.”

  Irene Mount was a strong, independent woman. Her mother swore she came out of the womb ready to take on the world. Born in Boston to an old-money family, she was expected to follow one of two paths. Marry into a family of equal wealth and status. Or go to college, work in an acceptable profession for a few years — then marry the man her parents handpicked.

  Irene had known before she hit puberty that she wanted door number three.

  Boys were great. Though she always went for the ones she couldn’t introduce to her family. Not thugs or delinquents, but boys whose fathers’ names didn’t end with Roman numerals.

  The one and only blow-up had occurred before Irene was supposed to come out. She thought it a ridiculous, arcane term. Come out? What was she? A lesbian debutante? It was meant as a joke. Unfortunately, her family had no sense of humor

  The moment the words came out of her mouth, Irene’s father raised his voice for the first time in her memory, the noise echoing through the normally silent mansion. Servants stopped in their tracks. Her mother had the vapors. Genuine, nineteenth century vapors. The family doctor was summoned. Smelling salts were applied. If Irene hadn’t been in the middle of it, she would have found it anthropologically fascinating.

  However, these were staunch, conservative Republicans. Homophobia ran rampant. Parents passed the affliction down from generation to generation along with stiff upper lips and snobbery.

  There was only one known cure. Amputation. With a slight trace of regret, Irene cut off her family like a gangrenous limb. To this day, the pain lingered. However, she realized the second she walked out of those stifling walls that she hadn’t breathed, really breathed, for the first eighteen years of her life.

  The road she decided to go down hadn’t been easy. She stumbled. A few times she fell. Hard. But not once had she been tempted to return to Boston or the life she left behind.

  The cards she sent on birthdays and holidays were returned unopened. She made her choice — and so did her family.

  Veterinary school came as a surprise. She needed a job. Working at the Chicago Zoo, cleaning cages wasn’t glamorous, but it paid the bills while she took basic night school courses. She fell in love with the animals — and the man who looked after them.

  He encouraged her to take a few classes in animal husbandry. Then a few more. She was on her way before she realized the destination. The love affair didn’t work out. It seldom did when the man was married and never intended to leave his wife.

  However, Irene found her passion. She worked hard to become one of the most respected large animal veterinarians in the country. She moved to Montana because she fell in love with it while vacationing with friends. They thought she was crazy when she announced she would leave Chicago for Basic.

  Irene considered it one of the smartest things she had ever done. She and her practice thrived. Her reputation meant she consulted with other vets all over the world. When necessary, she flew where she was needed.

  She knew the moment she saw the sleepy little town at the base of the Bitterroot Mountains. For the first time in her life, she was home.

  Irene and Paige’s friendship began soon after Paige returned from college. Her mother’s illness made it difficult for her to work with her beloved horses. Despite the circumstances, taking over wasn’t a hardship. Paige’s love for the animals was inbred. Irene would drop by the ranch to visit Erin. That was when the subject of taking in rescue horses first arose.

  It was a gradual process. Irene didn’t want the horses placed with a novice who would lose interest, or worse, do more damage to the traumatized, neglected animals. It didn’t take long for Irene to discover that Paige was a natural. She had a gentle touch and a firm belief in what they were doing.

  Almost two years later, the women had a smooth working relationship and a strong friendship. It made segueing from the subject of Nate as Beauty’s new owner, to him as her potential new lover, easier. Almost. Discussing her love life wasn’t something Paige was comfortable doing. Not with Lottie. Not with Irene.

  “I hear Nate Landis has ma
de quite a stir with the young women of Basic.” Irene calmly gave Beauty a shot in the rump. The puppy took it with good grace, licking Irene’s hand in forgiveness. “All my patients should be so sweet. The last one I treated tried kicking me in the face.”

  “Lucky for us all you’re quick on your feet.”

  Paige made light of it, but she knew there were dangers involved when working with any animal. The large ones that Irene specialized in didn’t always understand that she was there to help them. Their instincts, especially when sick or injured, were to lash out. Irene was fortunate. She had sustained plenty of bruises and a few lacerations. Nothing worse.

  Soft hands and soothing words helped. However, vigilance was the key. The moment she became distracted, that was when she opened herself to broken bones. A friend from college had died last year when he was kicked in the head. It wasn’t something Irene liked to dwell on. She needed her mind clear and focused at all times.

  Irene was good at her job because she cared. She loved what she did. It got her out of bed in the morning and sent her back happily exhausted every night. She knew what it was to let fear rule her life. That ended when she left Boston. Never again.

  “Pilates and clean living keep these increasingly old bones spry.”

  “Oh, please,” Paige scoffed. “Old? You?”

  “Fifty next month.”

  “Since when is that old?” Paige wasn’t being kind. She meant every word. Her father was pushing sixty and he hadn’t lost a step. “You look fifteen years younger.”

  It was true. Irene was a slender woman. A few inches shorter than Paige, she stood tall and straight, her body strong. She wore her hair short, the dark strands cut in a flattering bob that skimmed just below her chin. Good bones and bright hazel eyes gave her face a classic quality. She drew a person’s notice with a combination of vitality and intelligence. Pretty faded. What Irene had lasted a lifetime.

  “I wasn’t searching for compliments.” Though she was pleased by Paige’s words. “Now spill the info. Is Nate Landis as yummy in person as he is in all those pictures on his fan page?”

  “Irene!” Paige was genuinely surprised. “Did you like his page?”

  “Maybe. I’m only human, Paige.” Irene smiled. “When I stopped by the diner for dinner last night, it was all anyone could talk about. My curiosity was aroused. And speaking of aroused. Wow! I quickly discovered why the women were buzzing like rabid bees.”

  “Do bees become rabid?”

  “Smartass,” Irene laughed. “You know what I meant.”

  “I do. And I can tell you he isn’t thrilled by all the attention.”

  “He is a Landis, right?” Irene set Beauty on the scale, recording her weight. “Isn’t he used to being in the spotlight?”

  “According to Nate, that isn’t his thing. He prefers being the anonymous Landis.”

  “With that big, tall, gorgeous body? How has he pulled that off?”

  “You’re looking at it from Basic, Montana. In Hollywood, every other guy looks like Nate.”

  The second the words came out of her mouth, Paige knew how crazy they were. No one looked like Nate. He stood out, even in a family of beautiful people.

  “Okay,” Paige conceded, returning Irene’s grin. “He’s unique. However, he’s found a way to stay behind the scenes. Apparently, stuntmen are invisible.”

  “Interesting. There you go, Beauty.” Irene set the puppy on the floor so she could explore and sniff out any interesting smell. The office was small and cleaned once a week, so there wasn’t any mischief for her to get into.

  “You still haven’t answered my question. Does the man live up to his pictures?”

  “Yes. And then some. Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight and see for yourself? Dad put a pot of his world famous chili on to cook this morning. I know you’re a fan. It’s been too long since you stopped by.”

  “True.” Irene had her reasons for avoiding the Double C. Or rather, the man who owned the ranch. It was a complicated story and not one she wanted to share with Paige. Luckily, she had a legitimate excuse. “Not tonight. I have a business meeting.”

  “Sometime this week?”

  Friends. They were a blessing and a curse. She couldn’t keep pushing Paige away. She was too important. “I’m free at the end of the week. Friday?”

  “Perfect.”

  “Now that we’ve settled that. What’s the problem, Paige? Why does Nate Landis have you so skittish?”

  “He’s… I don’t know, Irene. I thought I understood what I felt. There’s nothing wrong with good old-fashioned lust, is there?”

  “I’m a big fan,” Irene said. “As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. You’re single. He’s single?”

  Paige nodded.

  “The feeling is mutual?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then lust away.” Irene picked up Beauty, handing her to Paige. “Go and grab yourself a handful of sexy man.”

  “What was simple early this morning became complicated. Nate’s flirted with me since he stepped off the plane. Though at first, I thought he was interested in Lottie.”

  “All men are interested in Lottie. She’s a doll. Uncomplicated. Men like women who are easy to understand. Now, don’t give me that look.”

  “What look?”

  “The one you get when you think a loved one has been insulted.” Irene patted Paige’s hand. “You know I think the world of Lottie. She has a heart as big as Montana. What I meant was she lives for the moment. If she likes a man, she acts on it. You are a tougher nut to crack.”

  “So Lottie is a peanut and I’m what?”

  “Macadamias have the hardest shell.”

  Paige loved Irene’s mind. Brilliant in her profession, her brain was filled with endless trivial facts that she could pull out at a moment’s notice.

  “What is the second—”

  “No,” Irene vigorously shook her head. “You can’t distract me. I can tell when you need to talk things through, Paige.”

  “You’re right.” Paige absently scratched Beauty behind her ear. “I planned on resisting his charm.”

  “How long did that last?”

  “The big jerk kissed me, Irene. Without warning, he grabbed me and…”

  “And?” Irene asked breathlessly.

  “I’ve read about women melting. They feel like their bones have turned to goo.”

  “Mmm, I remember that feeling.”

  “I don’t,” Paige sighed. “I thought it was a bunch of crap. The overwrought romantic drivel that sold books and set women up for disappointment.”

  “Nate didn’t disappoint?”

  “Nate could write a book. The book. Throw out all the rest, that man should teach a Master Class.”

  “Oh, my.” Irene fanned herself with her hand.

  “Then he’s all the next move is yours.”

  “What does that mean?” Irene frowned.

  Paige filled Irene in on what happened with Lyle, including Nate’s insistence that he wouldn’t exert his will on her — no matter how willing he thought she was.

  “I’ve never cared for Lyle. He tried too hard to be smooth. For the first time, he let some rough edges show. Nate, on the other hand, sounds like one of the good ones, Paige.”

  “He is, Irene. Too good.” Paige smiled when she saw that Beauty was sound asleep. It must be nice to drop off so easily without a care in the world to plague your thoughts.

  “No one is too good, Paige. Take my advice. Pull him off that pedestal before it gets too high.”

  “That isn’t the problem,” Paige said ruefully. “One second, I want to rip his clothes off, the next I’m so pissed off I can barely speak. That is not a man you put on a pedestal.”

  “He sounds like a man I can’t wait to meet.”

  “Watch out. He’ll flirt with you before you’re in the door.”

  “Is that it? Nate goes after every woman he meets?”

  The question made Paige pause. It was so eas
y to forget how little she knew about Nate. Two days since they met. How was that possible? He didn’t feel like a guest, it felt like he belonged. It was dangerous to think that way. When he left — and he would leave — Paige was afraid it would be much harder to get used to not having him around.

  “You don’t know him.”

  Paige smiled. Leave it to Irene. She knew how to cut to the heart of the matter.

  “I can’t answer questions about him, Irene. I can only go by my instincts.”

  “You have good ones. What do they tell you?”

  “He doesn’t lie,” Paige said emphatically. “Nate told me that he likes women. Obviously, women like him. Why bother to hide the obvious? He’s made it clear. He isn’t looking for a long-term relationship. Whatever happens, it’s temporary.”

  “Is that the problem?” Taking the long way around wasn’t Paige’s usual style. Nate Landis had her twisted into an increasingly intricate knot. Irene wanted to help — if she could find out what was wrong.

  “I made it clear that I felt the same way.” And she did. The important thing was to keep reminding herself. “We set the ground rules. No strings. I had my mouth set for a big bite of Nate. Then wham!”

  “Wham?”

  “The tabloids,” Paige said with disgust.

  “I’m aware of them. I need you to elaborate.”

  “Right. Sorry.”

  “Take a deep breath,” Irene instructed. “Let it out. Now, start again. Tabloids?”

  “Nate is convinced that between the movie, and his new status as the newest teen-dream, if we begin an affair, I will be fodder for the gossip rags.”

  “Isn’t he right?”

  “Probably,” Paige conceded. “I’m a big girl. Isn’t it up to me to decide if I’m willing to deal with the attention? Nate wants to backtrack. Friends and only friends. Not because he doesn’t want me. It’s for my own good.”

  “That’s what he said? Final? No debate?”

  “Yes.”

  “Paige…?”

  “Okay.” Paige sighed. “I don’t remember. There is the slightest chance that I overreacted. All I heard was him taking my choices away from me. After that, I was out of there.”

  “That doesn’t sound like you.”