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

by Mary J. Williams

  “There is another option, but you won’t like it.”

  “At this point, I’m open to any suggestion.”

  “We pull the security. Or at least, we make it look that way. If this is about getting you to let down your guard, it naturally follows that another attempt on your life will be made.”

  “Absolutely not, Jack.” Nate shuddered at the thought of putting Paige, and everyone else, in that kind of danger.

  “That’s what I thought you would say.” Jack paused. “This confession has to be about money. Nobody gives themselves up unless they are crazy or being handsomely compensated. From all reports, Renshaw comes across as rational.”

  “Can you find a money trail?”

  Jack’s laugh held no humor. “If it’s there, we’ll find it.”

  “Good.” Nate drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I need a place, Jack. Somewhere remote where a man who has been under a lot of pressure would go to be alone.”

  Jack caught on fast. “A place where a would-be killer could track this man down and finish the job?”

  “Exactly. Could you find me such a place?”

  “In about a week?” Nate could practically hear the wheels in Jack’s brain turning. “That will give us plenty of time to set up a band of security. You will look like a sitting duck, but we’ll drop the net before the killer gets within shouting distance.”

  “What about the crew and me? Are we staying after Nate leaves?”

  “I don’t want Paige and her father left alone.” Nate didn’t know how long it would take to flush out his enemy. He didn’t want Paige and Chuck vulnerable.

  “If they agree, two of the crew will stay behind.”

  “They’ll agree.” Nate wouldn’t give them a choice.

  “You sound awfully confident. If Paige is anything like the women in my life, she doesn’t appreciate having decisions made for her.”

  “Paige has a stubborn streak, Jack.” This came from Travis. “She and Rose would get along just fine.”

  “Like Rose,” Nate interjected, “Paige is smart. She’ll listen to reason.”

  “Mmm. If you say so.” Jack didn’t sound convinced. “I’ll leave that up to you. Keep your plans under wraps, Nate. When it’s time for you to leave, we’ll leak your location. Until then, the fewer people who know, the better.”

  “Jack is right, Nate.” Travis hung up. “I know it will be difficult to lie to Paige.”

  Nate wanted Paige safe. He wished he could tell her everything. But it wouldn’t change what he would do. All it would do was give her sleepless nights worrying. He wanted to spare her that.

  “Popular guy,” Travis laughed when the phone rang. “Ah, the lovely Paige. Want me to speaker it?”

  “Yes, but keep your comments to yourself.” Nate shot him a warning glance. “Paige.”

  “Are you cast-free?”

  “Thank God. That thing itched for weeks. The second it was gone, so was the itch.”

  “Psychosomatic.”

  “Gesundheit.”

  Travis snorted. “Really? No one will accuse you of having a rapier wit.”

  Nate flashed him a middle finger.

  “Tell Travis hello for me.”

  “Hi, Paige.”

  “Hi. Nate, would you mind stopping in Basic and picking up a few things? I meant to have Lottie do some grocery shopping for me, but I forgot.”

  “No problem. What do you need?”

  “Flour. Salt. We usually get our eggs from a local farmer, but we’ve been going through so many, we need to supplement. Organic if they have them. Then—”

  “Honey.” Nate chuckled. “Send me a text. I’ll get whatever you need.”

  “Okay. And Nate?”

  Nate straightened. Recognized the tone in Paige’s voice. Husky and filled with promise.

  “Travis can hear you.”

  “I know,” Paige’s voice lowered, sending a shot of heat to his dick. “I wondered if we could go for a drive after dinner. We need to christen your truck. That big back seat should do nicely.” With a sultry laugh, she hung up.

  “Son of a bitch,” he muttered. Aware of Travis sitting next to him, Nate tried not to squirm.

  “Something wrong?” Travis asked.

  He sounded a little too happy. Nate decided to ruin his day.

  “Nope. I have a sexy woman waiting for me. What do you have?” Nate seemed to contemplate the question. “Oh, that’s right. A bunch of smelly, hairy men. I wonder which of us is going to have the better evening? The one in the truck with the gorgeous woman? Or the one watching from a discreet distance?”

  “And everyone thinks you’re such a nice guy,” Travis grumbled. “You have a mean streak, Nate Landis. A mile wide and just as deep.”

  “I went to Beverly Hills High. There is nothing more destructive than a pack of over-privileged trust fund brats.”

  “Come on,” Travis scoffed in disbelief.

  “Laugh if you want. By the time we graduated, half my class battled either an eating disorder or drug addiction. Or both. I was lucky.”

  “What saved you?”

  “Three brothers who had my back. And,” Nate smiled, “I had amazing parents. They weren’t about to let any of us head down a dark path. When we stumbled, they were always there to catch us before we could fall.”

  “That sounds like more than luck,” Travis said, smiling back.

  Luck, Nate thought, and two secret weapons named Caleb Landis and Callie Flynn.

  “THAT’S A FEW things?” Travis asked, looking at the grocery list Paige had texted. “Who is she feeding, an army?”

  “You know she likes to bake. How many cookies have you eaten? Or pieces of cake?”

  “I ate half of an apple pie yesterday,” Travis said with a happy sigh. “I see what you mean. I’ll grab a shopping cart.”

  “What is the difference between bleached and unbleached flour?”

  This was the second aisle they had been down. The choices were mind-boggling, even in the small Basic Market. Nate didn’t shop for food. He either ate at his parents’ house, ordered in or went out. He tried to picture the contents of his brand new stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator. Water? Some kind of fruit that by this time was either wizened or moldy. Probably both.

  Nate quickly realized he was way out of his depth. He hoped Travis knew something about this stuff. If not, he would have to call Paige. Nope. Too embarrassing. It was either Travis or the lady stocking the shelves.

  “Go for unbleached. That’s what my mom buys.”

  “Good man.” Nate grabbed a ten-pound bag. “Is that enough? Paige didn’t say how much she wanted.”

  “I gave you my one bit of knowledge,” Travis said. “You are on your own.”

  “Two it is.” He looked at the list. “Salt. How hard can that be?”

  Kosher. Table. Sea salt, Nate groaned. He gained a new appreciation for anyone who did this on a regular basis. Table salt sounded generic. Hoping for the best, he grabbed a box.

  “She called last night.”

  Two men stopped a few feet away. They wore similarly lined jean jackets that failed to cover stomachs that protruded over the sagging waistband of grease-stained jeans. With an automatic glance, Nate noticed their cart contained beer and frozen pizza. If those were the basic staples of their diets, it was no wonder they couldn’t pull up their pants. When one of them reached for a can of confetti frosting, Nate shuddered.

  “No kidding? It’s been over a month. Was she begging you to take her back?”

  “Bitch knows better than to try that,” the taller one sneered. “She wanted the dog. Can you believe it? She begged me to get her that puppy. Something to keep her company while I was at work. Then she runs off with a car salesman from Billings. It felt good to tell her what I did to her precious Cocoa. I said, I threw the bitch in a bag and booted her out of the truck. Just like I should have done to you.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Fuck. She crie
d so hard, I hung up so I wouldn’t have to listen. Come on. I want to get home before the game starts.”

  “Stop!” Nate barked.

  The tall one looked around. “Are you talking to me, asshole?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Fuck you, pretty boy. Why don’t you and your fag boyfriend fuck off?”

  Travis moved so he could keep an eye on the two men, his body blocking Nate from going after them. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “Do you?” Nate’s voice was even — seemingly calm. One look at the storm brewing in his eyes and Travis knew there was nothing calm about him.

  “You want to tear the idiot in half for what he did to Beauty.”

  “That sounds about right.”

  “Beauty?” The tall one snickered. “Who the hell is Beauty? Is that his pet name for you?”

  “If you hit him, what good will it do?” Travis put a hand on Nate’s arm. He knew it wouldn’t do much good if Nate were determined. However, he had to try.

  “Move your hand, Travis.”

  Nate didn’t look at Travis. Unblinkingly, Nate stared at the idiot who continued to run his mouth off. Travis doubted the man had a death wish. He was simply too stupid to understand how close he was to drinking his meals through a straw for the next few months.

  “Let’s go, Harv.”

  “Smart,” Travis said. “You take your friend and go. I won’t be able to hold Nate back much longer.”

  “Are you holding me back?” Nate raised an eyebrow but his stare didn’t waver.

  Jesus, Travis thought. The man was a scary son of a bitch when he wanted to be.

  “Shut up, Leroy.” Harv shoved the cart at his friend. Full of himself, and half a dozen beers, he raised his fists. “Bring it on, faggot.”

  “Really?” Maybe the guy was suicidal. Travis stepped aside. “It’s your funeral.”

  What happened next couldn’t be called a fight. If you blinked, you missed it.

  Harv threw a sloppy punch that Nate easily sidestepped. Nate aimed at the man’s nose. The sound was unmistakable. The bone didn’t break. It shattered.

  Without a backward glance, Nate wheeled the shopping cart down the aisle away from the screaming Harv.

  “Oranges.” Nate checked Paige’s list. “How many should we get?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  WHEN PAIGE WAS a little girl, the days were long. As with most children, she wished her time away, waiting for milestones and special occasions. Christmas couldn’t come soon enough. If only she were sixteen and could get her driver’s license. High school graduation.

  All she could see was the next thing. Why would she want to live in the present when the future held the promise of excitement — the lure of the unknown.

  She sat on the steps of her home, watching as they filmed the last scene of her mother’s movie and all she could do was wonder — where had the time gone?

  “I can’t go back and slow the clock, Beauty.” Paige smoothed her hand over the puppy’s head. Happy, Beauty snuggled deeper into Paige’s lap. “You’ve been here as long as Nate has. Five weeks. Is it wrong for me to wish for five more? I would settle for one.”

  Today would end Nate’s reason for being on the Double C Ranch. The cast and crew gathered around, watching as Wilt and Edith played out the ending. A simple shot. Few words — so many emotions. After the struggles, the decision had been easy. Love won out. They would face the future — whatever it brought — together.

  It was a lovely ending. Two people. Hand in hand. Their backs to the camera as they looked out over their land. The sun wasn’t rising or setting. It was straight overhead — bright. Hopeful.

  It was ridiculous, but Paige found herself envying that fictional couple. They had love. Years and years of it. With more to come. A lifetime together. She was going to lose the love of her life. Five weeks. That was all she’d had.

  “I want more, Beauty,” Paige whispered. “I want a lifetime.”

  “And cut,” Nate called out. “That’s a wrap.”

  Applause broke out. Hugs and handshakes exchanged. Paige watched as everyone gravitated toward Nate. He stood out — not just because of his size. He had taken control from day one, steering the production with sure, steady hands. Nate always spoke of the team, but they knew he was the reason they made it through.

  “I understand we’re having a party,” Nate said, his arm around Edith.

  “Damn straight,” Wilt called out. His wife was by his side, holding his hand, her eyes filled with love and pride. “We’ve earned a little shindig.”

  “Emphasis on little,” Edith clarified. “We want to celebrate. We started out friends and neighbors. Thanks to you, Nate, we are now a family.”

  Paige could see how touched Nate was by Edith’s words.

  “Does that make me everyone’s father?” Nate asked with a grin.

  “Well, Daddy.” Edith pushed Nate out of the barn. “You go rest your old bones while we youngsters set up the party.”

  Paige knew Nate wasn’t ready to rest. There were details that needed his attention. While he consulted with Homer, she lifted Beauty and headed into the house.

  “I know you would like to run around and play,” Paige told the puppy when she tried to get down. “There are a lot of big people with big feet out there. I don’t want anyone trampling you.”

  She set Beauty on the floor. Paige looked around, momentarily at a loss. Cookies. That was the answer. Baking always made her feel better. Chocolate chip could be a nice addition to the party. Paige started pulling out the ingredients. She had plenty of everything, thanks to Nate and Travis’ trip to the store.

  “He was your hero, wasn’t he?” Paige asked Beauty. “You might not understand, but you know he loves you. He took care of that nasty creep who dumped you on our property.”

  The incident in the store had been witnessed by half a dozen people, adding to Nate’s popularity — in Basic and beyond. The story buzzed across social media before the police arrived. Harv tried to shift the blame, claiming Nate sucker-punched him. He expected his friend to back him up. However, in the face of so many witnesses, Leroy caved like a house of cards.

  Nate walked out of the market a bigger sensation than when he went in. And Paige had enough pantry staples to last her the rest of the year.

  “Sometimes things do work out.” Paige measured the flour into a bowl. “You found a better home. You will be loved and cared for the rest of your life.”

  As for Paige, she could make these cookies with her eyes closed. Instead of distracting her, she had too much time to dwell on what life would be like without Nate. Sick of her self-pity, she added a cup of chocolate chips. Then for good measure, she shoved a handful into her mouth.

  She was taking the last batch out of the oven when Lottie burst into the house.

  “Where’s the fire?” Paige paused, spatula and cookie in mid-air. “Oh, God. Please tell me nothing is on fire.”

  “Way more exciting without the destruction.” Lottie put a hand to her chest, her breathing ragged. “Outside. You have to come.”

  “I’ve been outside, Lottie.” Paige continued transferring cookies to the cooling rack. “You’ll have to do better than that if you want me to drop everything.”

  “Nate’s parents are here.” Lottie sighed. “Nate comes by his good looks honestly. His mother is more gorgeous in person than in her movies. And his father? Hubba hubba.”

  Paige blinked once, then twice. She couldn’t have heard correctly.

  “Callie Flynn and Caleb Landis? Here? Now?”

  “Yes,” Lottie cried.

  “No.”

  “Yes. And before you say no again? Yes, a million times. Now do you believe me?”

  “Yes.”

  With deliberate care, Paige removed her apron, hung it up, and headed for the back door.

  “Hey, what are you doing? You’re headed the wrong way.”

  “Nate’s parents are out there?” Paige tipped
her head toward the barn.

  “Right.”

  “Then this isn’t the wrong way.”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Lottie jumped in front of her, blocking her path. “Running away? My best friend? Since when?”

  “I’m a mess.” Paige grasped the easiest excuse. It helped that it was true. “This morning I was working with the horses. Then I made cookies.”

  “I can tell.” Lottie wiped the corner of Paige’s mouth. “Chocolate chip?”

  Paige rushed past Lottie into the mudroom. Looking in the mirror, she groaned. God, it was worse than she thought. She looked like a bag of chips had melted down her chin.

  “I understand why you’re nervous.” After Paige had washed her face, Lottie handed her a tube of lip-gloss. “I’ve known Danny’s folks all my life. Now that he and I are officially dating, my stomach was in knots the first time he took me over there for dinner. Guess what, I survived. His mother and I are having lunch next week.”

  “That’s nice, Lottie,” Paige said. She was happy for her friend. This was different. “I’m a mess.”

  “You’re beautiful.” When Paige tried to protest, Lottie stopped her. “I know what you mean. Things are up in the air with Nate. The idiot hasn’t told you he loves you.”

  “He doesn’t.”

  “He does.” Lottie gave Paige’s hair a quick fluff. Blond perfection, Lottie thought, without a twinge of envy. “Not that it would hurt for you to say it first.”

  “I’m not saying it to you before I’ve said it to him. And I’m not saying it to him.”

  “Then—?”

  “No.” Paige looped her arm through Lottie’s. “Nate is leaving Montana. He’s never said differently.”

  “You could go with him.” Lottie’s smile was a little sad. “I would miss the hell out of you but it would give me an excuse to visit Los Angeles. Maybe I’ll be discovered.”

  When Lottie struck an exaggerated glamour pose, Paige laughed in spite of herself.

  “What they’ll discover is what a goofball you are.”

  “True. Paige—”

  “Nate is leaving. I’m staying. We had fun.” Paige shut her eyes and took a deep breath. “He isn’t going to break my heart, Lottie. If it’s a little bent, I’m to blame, not him.”