Wilde Horses

by Jannine Gallant

  He held out a hand. “I’m Blake Benedict.”

  After a moment, she gripped his palm for a brief shake. “Eden Wilde. My family owns this ranch.”

  “Nice to meet you. The spread is beautiful, exactly the way Sawyer described it. I’m glad the producers chose it for our location shots.”

  She pointed toward the pasture. “Is there any way your people could make a little less noise with that equipment? Those horses are nervous enough without all the clamor.”

  Gorgeous and spunky. Her wide blue eyes held not one hint of starstruck reverence. A refreshing change.

  “I suppose I can ask them to keep it down.” Blake couldn’t hold back a grin as he tried to remember the last time someone had ordered him off on a menial errand. “Once the staging area is set up, I’m sure it’ll get a little quieter.”

  Behind them, a generator fired up with a roar. Out in the pasture, the assortment of scraggly horses kicked up their heels and ran.

  Those amazing eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding me?”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Sounds like that’s coming from the food truck. They have to keep their refrigeration system going…” His voice trailed off as she silently mouthed a single obscenity.

  Maybe spunky wasn’t the right word. More like unabashedly brazen.

  “I knew this was a horrible idea.” The muttered words were audible, even over the din.

  “I’m afraid the buses all have generators, too. Uh, the noise shouldn’t be too bad from the house. I’m pretty sure that’s why the crew chose this spot for our base camp.”

  Eden closed her eyes and pressed fingers to her temples. He’d almost swear she was counting beneath her breath.

  “I guess I’ll have to move my horses to a different pasture.” Spinning on the heel of one leather boot, she stomped away.

  “Wow.” His slow smile grew with each determined step she took. When she disappeared around the corner of the barn, Blake headed back to his bus, which would be his home away from home for the next month. After opening the storage bin beneath it, he pulled out a lawn chair he carried toward the pasture, then set it up facing the mountains some distance to the west. Taking a seat, he let out a sigh. Maybe the wide-open spaces would help him clear his head. Lately, responsibilities and obligations tugged at him from every direction. He needed time to simply chill.

  And if a dark-haired spitfire added entertainment value, so be it.

  Eden Wilde reappeared moments later on the back of one of the sleek brown Quarter Horses. Two border collies ran ahead of the horse in the direction of the nearby pasture. When she arrived at the gate and leaned down to lift the latch, her gaze froze on him.

  Blake couldn’t hold back a grin at the extreme annoyance reflected in her eyes. Somehow, he got the feeling she blamed him personally for the disruption of her day. He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. He’d certainly been blamed for worse.

  Within minutes, the dogs and the woman had herded the group of wild horses through the opening and moved them in an easterly direction. When the largest Appaloosa snorted and reared then made a break for it, Eden leaned into her horse and galloped over to turn the rebel back.

  A long breath escaped him, and the phrase poetry in motion took on new meaning. Blake could only hope he looked half as natural on horseback once they started filming. The group of horses disappeared around the side of the bunkhouse then reappeared as they trotted toward a distant pasture. As they grew smaller in the distance, lassitude set in. He closed his eyes and turned his face up to the sun to soak in the warmth and enjoy the solitude while it lasted. Before his phone rang with another update...or the news he both dreaded and prayed for.

  Loud voices broke into a dream image of Josie, eyes bright with joy, riding double with Eden Wilde into the sunset on the back of one of the mangy Appaloosas. Blake slowly opened his eyes and squinted into the sun that hovered over the ridge of the western mountains. God, he must have slept for at least a couple of hours. Straightening in the lawn chair, he stretched cramped muscles and glanced toward the heated exchange that had awakened him.

  Kara Fox was relatively new to Hollywood. She’d come out of obscurity in a few supporting roles to land the female lead in Ashes on the Wind, and the pressure to prove herself worthy was making the woman a nervous wreck. Blake was pretty certain only her stunning beauty and Native American heritage had tipped the scales in her favor, so he’d made a point to watch her previous films to see if she could actually act. Thankfully, Kara had raw talent. But, whatever had ignited her shouting match with the director, she looked ready to dissolve into tears.

  His gut tightened as he rose to his feet and headed toward the barnyard. The two combatants broke off their argument to glance his way just as Eden rode into the corral and dismounted. Her gaze held a hint of curiosity, but she kept quiet as she loosened the saddle on the horse.

  Blake returned his attention to Kara’s tense face. “If there’s a problem, I’d be happy to help if I can.”

  John Stafford rolled his eyes. “Don’t I wish? Wouldn’t you know, Kara flat out lied about her equestrian skills. Not only is she not an experienced rider, she’s afraid of horses.” He blew out a breath and ran a hand through his thinning silver hair. “How the hell am I supposed to make her look stunning on horseback if she’s hanging on for dear life and wild-eyed with fear? Some of the scenes, including the one we’re shooting tomorrow, require a high level of technique.” He gritted his teeth as he scowled at Kara. “Skill you promised you had.”

  “I’ll do my best, I swear.” The actress’s voice rose. “Maybe someone can hypnotize me or something so I’m less…uh, skittish around horses.”

  “That’s your solution? Hypnotism?” A vein throbbed at John’s temple. “I knew we were taking a risk signing an untested talent. Shit!”

  Blake’s attention strayed to Eden as she carried a saddle that must weigh twenty-five to thirty pounds into the barn with the ease of a woman hefting a bag of groceries. Waist-length, shiny dark hair shimmered in the late afternoon sun. Slowly, he turned to study Kara. Her hair was a little darker and straighter, but the two women were similar in height and had the same slim build…

  “I think your answer just walked into the barn.”

  “Huh?” The director’s brows pinched together above wire-framed glasses. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Eden Wilde. She could pass for Kara at a distance if her hair is braided and you avoid face shots. I’ve watched her, and she rides like a professional. Couldn’t you cut in footage of her on horseback doing the actual riding the way you would any stunt double?”

  John turned to stare toward the barn as the side door opened and Eden emerged without the saddle. She carried a curry comb and a hoof pick and didn’t even glance their way.

  “I’d thought of getting a stunt double, of course, but we don’t have time to waste finding one now since filming starts in the morning. I would have hired one sooner if I’d known in advance Kara couldn’t handle the job.” His frown deepened. “Little Miss ‘I’m a tad nervous around horses’ has to leap onto one of those wild Appaloosas bareback and gallop away in the first scene we shoot tomorrow.”

  A hint of guilt flashed through her dark eyes. “How hard can it be to ride a horse? I was positive I’d be able to do it until I got up close to that one over there.” She pointed toward a second Quarter Horse, this one with a white blaze on its nose, dozing in the sun. “The thing breathed on my neck.”

  John gazed heavenward and lifted his hands. “This is what I have to deal with.”

  Blake cleared his throat. “Eden is here now and hopefully available. She definitely has the skill. Seems like the perfect solution.”

  Kara eyed the other woman up and down. “I guess she could pass for me. Do you think she’d agree to do it?”

  Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Blake leaned back and smiled. “All we can do is ask.”

  The directo
r let out a long sigh. “And pray she says yes.”

  Chapter 2

  Tepees constructed by workers who’d arrived at dawn dotted the open prairie. Cook fires smoked, and a group of nearly naked kids ran among the female extras who all wore rawhide dresses. Clothed in similar attire with her hair braided in long plaits and makeup darkening her skin, Eden hung out near her wild horses on the far edge of the action where she wouldn’t accidently wind up in the footage too soon.

  A massacre was scheduled for noon. Once edited, the scene would depict a renegade band of soldiers riding in to slaughter women and children. The female lead would sprint away from the carnage to fling herself up onto the back of one of the Appaloosas. Kara Fox was perfect for the part of Kimani, a Shoshone maiden. With her high cheekbones and long black hair, the actress was stunningly beautiful. Too bad she was afraid of horses.

  Eden rolled her eyes. How could anyone be frightened of such sensitive, beautiful creatures?

  A sigh escaped as she kicked at a clump of grass. She still wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to act as a double for the scenes Kara was supposed to appear in on horseback. A combination of the actress’s tearful pleading and the dollar amount on the contract she’d signed definitely had something to do with it. Also, Blake Benedict’s hypnotic gaze as he’d pitched the idea had been hard to resist. But the deciding factor was her horses. If she was the one riding them, she’d be able to better control the situation. Their welfare mattered more than her aversion to being the center of attention.

  “Quiet!” The director’s voice carried over the conversations that immediately broke off at his shouted command. “We’ll shoot Kara running toward the horses a couple of times just to be sure we have something we can use. Once that’s done, I want Eden to sprint in, swing up onto the big Appaloosa and ride away. I know those horses will be agitated by then, so try to get it right the first time. Afterward, we’ll go back and shoot the massacre. Comprendes, people? Places.”

  Eden controlled an urge to flip off the jerk. Get it right the first time. She’d show him. Her gaze collided with Blake Benedict’s amused blue eyes as a smile tilted his firm lips. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear the man had read her mind. Since he wasn’t in this morning’s scene, he stood out of the way near the far end of the pasture to watch. Her grandpa had joined him, and when Benedict bent to listen to something the older man said, his smile broadened.

  “Action!”

  Eden dragged her attention back to Kara as the woman ran toward the horses. Terror flashed in her brown eyes as she glanced over her shoulder and put on more speed. The rawhide dress slapped against her legs as she drew closer, and the horses pranced nervously away.

  “Cut! Someone calm down those animals. Kara, don’t get quite so close next time. We’ll cut Eden in before that point.”

  Assuming she was the “someone” the director referred to, Eden eased into the small herd and spoke in a low voice. “Easy does it.” She laid a hand on the warm flank of the nearest mare. “Shhh, no need to be afraid. This will all be over soon.”

  “Places.”

  With a sigh and final stroke for the Pinto, she hurried out of camera view as Kara took her place on the edge of the tepee village.

  “Action.”

  Eden noted the exact path the woman ran along with the rhythm of her gait. She’d damn well get it right the first time since she wanted nothing more than to get her horses away from the filming. Sooner rather than later.

  “Cut! Perfect. All right, Eden, get into position. Do you know what you’re doing?”

  As she approached her mark, she glanced over at Stafford and nodded. “I’ll manage my part. You make sure no one screws up on your end since I don’t want to do it twice.”

  The director’s brows shot up. “Who’s running this show, anyway?”

  She kept her mouth shut and took her place as the cameras focused on her from behind.

  “Action!”

  Legs pumping, Eden flew across the yellow prairie grass toward the horses, the soft moccasins on her feet barely touching the ground. She stayed on course, even when the agitated animals skittered and shied away. As she passed the mark where Kara had stopped, she cut to the left and ran up to the stallion she’d named Apollo, grabbed a handful of his mane and swung up onto his back. Clamping her thighs tight, she held on when he reared and came down in a full gallop. The rest of the herd ran with them.

  With nothing to use to control the horse but her legs, she applied pressure and spoke in a calming voice as she threaded her fingers through his mane. “That’s it, boy. I’m not going to hurt you. Whoa. Whoa. Slow down, now.” Leaning forward, she stayed low as they thundered across the prairie, then guided Apollo in through the open pasture gate. “Whoa, baby. Whoa.”

  The horse kicked and reared. Eden launched off his back and landed hard. Pain jolted upward through her back as she tucked and rolled. Nearby, boots pounded the ground. With an effort, she drew in a shaky breath and gathered her wits.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” After a few more breaths, she opened her eyes and struggled to sit up.

  A strong arm wrapped around her back, and for a moment, she let herself lean against the welcome support. Finally, she glanced up into eyes the same color as the sky above them.

  Blake squeezed her shoulders. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “Certainly not the first time I’ve landed on my ass, but getting bucked off is never fun.”

  He smiled. “Way to take one for the team. Are you sure you should move?”

  Eden grimaced then pressed down on his hard thigh to rise to her feet. Heat shot through her as muscle flexed beneath her palm. “I’d know by now if something was broken.”

  Standing, he kept an arm around her back to steady her. “If you say so.”

  “Eden, honey, are you all right?” Her grandpa limped closer, leaning on his cane.

  She forced a smile. “I’m fine, Gramps. Just tell me I don’t have to do that again.”

  “Didn’t you hear the crew cheering?” He let out a hoot and grinned. “You were spectacular.”

  “Definitely impressive.” Blake let his arm fall to his side as Eden stepped away. “You’re going to make me look bad in my scenes on horseback.”

  She brushed dirt off the buckskin dress then glanced up at him. “Don’t you have a stunt double?”

  “I do, but I prefer to act in all my own scenes whenever possible.” He grimaced. “Max would probably like to see me crash and burn, just so he could get a little more time in front of the camera.”

  “If you attempt to ride one of these beauties,”—she waved toward two of the Pintos eyeing them from a safe distance—“my money says you’ll land on your ass in under ten seconds.”

  “Do I get a saddle?”

  She narrowed her eyes against the bright sunlight. His stance had taken on a cocky edge, but she’d still back any of her horses against a city boy. “Sure.”

  “You’re on.” He reached out to grip her hand in a firm shake. “I may not be as good as you are, but I’m not a novice when it comes to horses.”

  Her fingers tingled, and she pressed her hand to her chest as soon as he released it. “We’ll see about that. What’s the wager?”

  The blue of his eyes deepened. “If I win, on my first free day you give me a tour of your spread…on horseback. If you win, I’ll muck out the stalls in the barn.”

  She covered her mouth to hide a wide grin, picturing his casual perfection covered in manure. “Can I post a picture on social media?”

  “You bet.”

  Her grandpa chuckled. “I think you’ve been had, Eden. Blake told me he grew up around horses.”

  She shrugged. “My guess is you’ve gone soft in Hollywood. The next time I’m working with Apollo, I’ll give you a shout, and you can show me your stuff.”

  “Which one’s Apollo?”

  “The stallion I rode. Seem
s only fair.”

  His eyes sparkled. “I’m up for the challenge.”

  “But right now, I have work to do just as soon as I change out of this costume and back into my jeans.”

  Blake frowned. “Maybe you should check in with John before you disappear.”

  “The director?” At his nod, she shrugged. “If the camera crew didn’t get the footage he needs, it’s not my problem. I did my job. See you later, Grandpa.”

  “Bye, Eden.”

  Turning, she headed toward the barn. Behind her, Blake spoke in a low voice. Not low enough since her hearing was excellent.

  “Is she always that…uh, straightforward?”

  “You bet. Our Eden doesn’t mince words or suffer fools.”

  She grinned at her grandpa’s response. Mr. Hollywood Hottie probably wasn’t used to being questioned. She couldn’t wait to see him shoveling horse shit. As she neared the barn, a large gray gelding galloped up, and their ranch foreman swung down from his back to walk beside her.

  “Nice outfit. What, no feather in your hair?”

  Eden rolled her eyes. “Funny, Zane. Did you catch my performance?”

  “From a distance. I saw you bail off Apollo.” His brown eyes held concern as he surveyed her slowly. “Looked like it hurt.”

  “I’ll have a few new bruises.” She paused at the side door. “Did you need something?”

  “Huh? Oh, no. I have some paperwork to do. I left Roman and Jack looking for stragglers out near the foothills. We’re moving the herd further north tomorrow.” He scowled. “The production company is trampling all the grass in the area where they’re filming. By the time they finish, the cattle won’t be able to graze there for months.”

  Eden met his irritated gaze. “Then moving them is probably smart. Is that where Cookie and Cracker disappeared to?”

  “Yeah, I took the dogs with me early this morning.” He resettled his Stetson on dark hair threaded with a few strands of gray. “I looked for you, but…”

  “I was probably meeting with John Stafford, the director, or maybe the woman in charge of costumes.” She ran a hand down the soft rawhide dress. “This is pretty much all I get to wear for filming. I tore off a couple pieces of fringe in that fall, but at least I didn’t rip a hole in the skirt.”