by Tina Leonard
“Yeah. Let me get it for you.”
Stormy expected a portable to be brought to her room, but Mary dragged an old black phone from across the hall, its long cord pulling taut on the carpet. “Thanks,” she said.
“I’ll leave so you can talk.”
“Thanks,” Stormy said again, her mind now on the call she had to make. Pulling a calling card from her purse, she dialed the number.
“Jonathan. It’s Stormy.”
“Where have you been? I’ve called your hotel room five thousand times, luv!”
“Sorry. I got sick, and a friend brought me to his house.”
“Oh, really. How nice of him. Love is the best medicine and all that.”
“Hardly.” Stormy injected ice into her tone. “It was either come here with his mother so she could look after me, or go to the hospital.”
“You sound all better now.”
His patronizing tone grated her nerves. “I am. I think I’ve decided on Shiloh, Texas, for the shoot. The mayor is anxious for us to come there; the land looks good. Not as great as here, but I can’t get these folks to budge.”
“Oh, Stormy, luv.” Jonathan hesitated a moment. “I’ve got some bad news.”
Sinking hit her stomach with a green-tinged wave. “What?”
“Well, when we couldn’t find you—I mean, it had been a couple of days—the folks with the bankrolls were afraid there was a problem.”
“You assumed I was taking some side trips into the pharmacy.”
“You knew we had a deadline, you knew we stood to lose some big stars, Stormy! So when we didn’t hear from you and couldn’t reach you, they called in Rhonda Harlow. There was nothing I could do.”
“Then I’m…” The sinking sensation turned into a sinkhole.
“Fired. I’m so sorry, luv. But what could I do? My hands were tied.”
“A position I’m sure you enjoyed very much,” she snapped, hanging up the phone. “Damn it!” What in the heck was she going to do now? She had no job, no prospect of another one, and a new black mark on her record. She’d failed on her last chance.
Slowly, she pulled her hair out of the braid, letting it wave around her shoulders. It was time to get dressed, go back to the Stagecoach, and say goodbye to Desperado. There was nothing else she could do.
“Stormy? Are you off the phone?” Mary peeked around the door again.
“Yes.” She watched as the teenager came into her room. “Where’s your uncle?”
“Riding fence. He’ll be back this afternoon.” Mary’s eyes looked longingly toward a flowered bag which sat in a chair, on top of some clothes. “Is that your makeup?”
Stormy’s eyes widened. Obviously, Cody had made a trip to her hotel room to get her a change of clothes and her cosmetic bag. “It seems to be.”
She got up to look at what he’d brought her. How thoughtful. This was the last thing she’d ever expected from the stoic rancher.
“Can I try on some of your makeup?”
“Sure,” Stormy said sadly, as she took the clothes into the bathroom so she could change. “Help yourself.” I’m kinda going to miss him, now that I have to leave. Even as the words strayed across her mind, she realized how ridiculous the longing was.
But she’d never met anyone like him.
Fifteen minutes later, Cody knocked on the door, striding in as soon as he saw Mary in Stormy’s room. “What in the hell do you have on your face?” he demanded.
“Stormy’s makeup. Don’t you think I’m pretty?” Mary’s lip wobbled.
He forced himself to slow down and take a deep breath. Obviously, Mary thought she’d made an improvement in her looks. It was important that he remember she was in a struggling phase of her life. “Ah, it looks nice, ladybug,” he lied through his teeth, “though I must admit I like you better with, um, just a little less on. I do like to see my pretty girl’s face.”
Mary appeared unconvinced. “You sound kind of smooth, like Wrong-Way Higgins.”
“Well, I—” He faltered at her perception.
“Uncle Cody,” she said sternly, with her hands on her hips, “you can’t fault other people for fibbing if you’re going to do it. And you can’t get on to me for it, either.”
“Hold on a minute, ladybug. There’s fibbing, and then there’s fibbing.”
Stormy walked out of the bathroom, and his breath left him. She was tousled and sexily elegant all at the same time. Why did he have to find himself drawn to her when it was as futile as a moth beating helplessly against a light?
“No, there is not two different kinds of fibbing,” she said, joining into the debate. “There are no varying levels of lying. Tell her the truth, Cody.”
He sighed. “I don’t like you wearing so much makeup. You look like you’re going to be in a horror movie.”
The instant he said it, he damn sure wished he hadn’t.
“I’m going to be an actress when I grow up,” his niece replied dreamily, turning back to the mirror.
“This is all your fault,” he growled at Stormy. “Did you tell her she could get in your goo?”
“Yes.” Stormy sashayed to the bed, dressed in the clothes he’d brought her and looking totally refreshed. He’d been at a loss to choose something out of her closet for her, finally settling on a loose dress that had enough material for a circus big top. Unfortunately, when she put it on, somehow a bow here and a tie there made the damn thing float on her body like gentle hands. He stared at her toes, which were small and delicate and had burgundy toenail polish on them. “You look much better,” he managed. “Nice, actually.”
“Is that the truth?” She shot him a daring look.
“Yes, it was,” he ground out. “Can you take a compliment without making a federal case out of it?”
“Testy today, I see,” she murmured.
“Testy most days,” Mary inserted. She leaned close to a mirror, examining her handiwork.
Stormy zipped her handbag closed. “I hate to leave, but I must, Cody. I’m going to call a taxi, if you’ll tell me exactly where I am.”
“A taxi? I can take you back to the hotel.”
“I think I’ve put you out enough.” She smiled, feeling tired all of a sudden. “I appreciate you taking care of me—saving my life, probably. But the taxi can wait while I pay my hotel bill and grab my things, and then take me on to the airport.”
“Airport?” Cody and Mary both stared at her.
“Yes. As of yesterday, my lodgings are no longer being paid for. So, I’m off, as much as I’ve enjoyed my stay here.”
“What about the movie?” Mary demanded.
Yeah. What about it? Cody thought belligerently, knowing the answer. Wrong-Way had worked the deal he wanted and now Stormy was off, leaving as breezily as she’d come.
“Well, I suppose I must be truthful now.”
A little of the stiffness went out of Stormy; Cody thought she looked defeated.
“I got fired,” she said.
“Fired! How?” Cody asked.
“I had a deadline I needed to meet. What day is it, anyway?”
“Monday. Why?” How could she have gotten fired? If he had a movie company, Stormy would be his emissary of choice. She was popular with folks she met, she stuck to her job without being pushy. He almost admired her.
“I missed my deadline. I needed a set location by Friday, and I guess I’ve been here that long. I should have called to let them know I was getting close to something on Friday, but it just flew out of my mind when I got ill.”
Hell, yeah. Everything had been flying out of her very rapidly that day. Dismay filled him. “Uh—did you happen to pick up your messages at the desk on Friday?”
“No.” She looked at him curiously. “Have you been going through my messages?”
“No! Why would I do such a thing?”
“I don’t know.” She gestured to her clothes. “You seem to have helped yourself to my room and my stuff.”
“Oh, for crying o
ut loud. Be sure you skip the gratitude and get right to the complaint department.” He glared at her, but he could feel his expression softening at her teasing smile.
“Can we get back to my messages?”
“Annie said she left you one on Friday,” he said begrudgingly.
“Oh? What did it say?”
“I have no idea.”
“I do.” Mary glanced up from the mirror. “Mom’s going to let you film your movie on her land.” Her expression was hopeful. “You still can, can’t you?”
Stormy stared at Cody, her eyes asking for confirmation of Mary’s words. He nodded abruptly.
“Oh, no,” she murmured.
“You can’t?” Mary asked.
“I’m afraid it’s out of my hands.” Stormy looked at the little girl unhappily.
“You mean, I won’t get to audition for the movie?”
“I don’t know what will happen now.” Stormy shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mary.”
The teenager looked down for a few seconds, before putting Stormy’s makeup back in its case. Stormy held Cody’s gaze.
“I’m sorry you lost your job, Stormy,” Mary said softly. “I’m going to miss you.”
Cody watched Stormy’s gaze instantly flick to Mary. “I’m going to miss you, too,” she said, and instantly, he realized that Stormy had gotten attached to his ladybug. In a way, he wasn’t surprised. They both seemed so fragile, so vulnerable. A lump settled in his throat. It didn’t seem right that Stormy would leave Desperado. But if she’d gotten fired, she’d gotten fired. Why did he find her leaving surprisingly hard to look forward to?
“Of course, Annie is welcome to talk to the new location scout. I can give her the phone number of the studio and she can call her.”
Cody blinked as Stormy turned all business. “I’ll pass it on.”
“Fine. Well, I should call that taxi now.”
“I’ll take you to the hotel,” he said gruffly. “At least save you that cab fare.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a slight smile.
“Ladybug, you stay here with Grandma. I’ll be back shortly,” Cody instructed.
“I will.” She got up to hug Stormy. “Thank you for treating me like a grown-up,” she whispered, but Cody heard. Did he not do the same?
Stormy picked up her handbag and walked into the front of the hall, noticing how long it was. Cody had carried her all this way. It seemed like she’d been here a lifetime—and somehow, she hated to leave.
Carmen stood as Stormy walked into the living room. “Thank you for taking care of me, Mrs. Aguillar.”
“Please call me Carmen. I am glad you are feeling better.”
“I do. I’m sure I’d be in the hospital if it wasn’t for you.”
“Bah. They don’t make decent food in the hospital. They don’t let a person sleep. I’m glad Cody brought you here.” The wiry little old lady reached out to take her hand in hers. “You come back anytime.”
Of course she wouldn’t, no matter how right it felt to be here. “Thank you,” she said simply.
“Be back in a bit, Ma.” Cody took Stormy’s things from her and she followed him outside. He opened the door for her and she got in the truck, wincing as the door slammed shut. It sounded so final. Cody started the truck, and sadly, she watched the ranchland go by outside her window.
For just a while, she had belonged somewhere.
“Here we are.” Cody parked the truck and got out. Stormy waited, fully capable of opening the door, but knowing he expected to do it. She decided she appreciated his brand of caring.
“You don’t have to walk me up,” she said hurriedly, when it became obvious he was going to carry her things up to her room for her.
“I’m taking you to the airport.” His face held no indication that he’d give on this matter.
“But I haven’t arranged for my flight back yet.” She reached for the most likely deterring tactic she could think of. “It might take me a while.”
“I can wait.”
She shrugged, leading him into the Stagecoach. Ornery cowboy. His code of honor bordered on machismo. Still, she couldn’t help thinking how nice it was that this handsome man would go out of his way for her. He’d do it for anyone, if he thought it necessary, her conscience reminded her.
Maybe, she argued, but I can enjoy it while it lasts.
He strolled to the window, looking down at the ground. “Take your time.”
“I—okay.” She couldn’t think how to dial the airport, she couldn’t remember what airline she’d flown in to Texas on. All that was in her mind was Cody and how big and strong he looked silhouetted against the sun-filled window. “Wouldn’t you prefer to wait in the lobby?” She honestly couldn’t think with him in the room.
“I’m fine. Unless you’d rather I did.”
“No, no,” she said hastily. Too hastily. “I just can’t find the phone book—”
He reached to grab it from the nightstand. Handing it to her, he said, “Why do you need it?”
“I’m not sure,” she murmured. “I know the 1-800 number for the airline by heart.”
Slowly, he put the phone book away, his eyes never leaving hers. She felt breathless at the sudden purposeful look he wore as he moved close to her. “I’m not making much sense, am I?”
“No. You talk too much, anyway.” He slid his hands along her arms. “I’m getting used to it. Think I’ll miss it when you’re gone.”
“Oh, my gosh,” she whispered, hardly daring to believe it when he lowered his lips to touch hers. Closing her eyes, she reveled in the feel of his firm mouth seeking, exploring. Finding. She moved her hands up his strong back, feeling muscles ripple through the material. And he smelled so good, like man and soap and strength. At this moment, she didn’t feel like saying another word.
All she could do was enjoy what he was doing to her. He traced along her jawline with his thumb, then down over her shoulders with both hands until he reached her waist. She moaned when he circled her waist almost completely. He moved his hands up to her rib cage to just under her breasts. Her breath caught as she waited to see if he would go farther.
She wasn’t disappointed. Gently, he smoothed her breasts into his hands. Her knees went weak; her eyes teared up with desire she had never before felt. “Cody,” she whispered.
“What?” he asked huskily.
“Don’t stop.”
She felt his fingers brush across her nipples, which hardened instantly. Moisture heated between her legs. Daring herself to do it, she moved her hands down into the small of his back, then along the top of his buttocks. Something inside her jumped in amazement at how wonderful a man could feel. She’d known this man was well built, but he felt better than she could have imagined. Wanting to know more, she pulled out his shirttail and ran her hands up his bare back.
He responded by kissing her neck. She leaned her head back so he would give her more of the wonderful sensation. He did, pressing big hands around her bottom and cupping her to him as he kissed her. Hot strength at the center of his legs pressed against her, and Stormy’s eyes flew open. Was a man supposed to feel that way? Big and hot and…dangerous?
Suddenly, she pulled away, worried that she might have gone too far.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. His arms refused to completely release her. Awkwardly, she laid her head against his chest, hearing his heart thunder inside.
“Nothing,” she whispered. “It’s wonderful.” I wish it weren’t.
He rubbed her back in gentle circles. “Maybe I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I’m so glad you did.” She drew a deep, shuddering breath. “It’s just that it’s hard to have you kiss me like that and then put me on an airplane.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I hadn’t planned on kissing you. I really had no call to do that, but if you don’t mind, I’m glad you let me.”
She smiled sadly against his chest. “Well. I should call the airline.” Reluctantly, she backed out of
his arms, unable to meet his gaze. She reached for the phone, dialed the airline, and made a reservation. That done, she busied herself packing, uncomfortable with Cody watching.
“Guess if I hadn’t been so stubborn about you filming on my land, you wouldn’t have lost your job.”
“Oh.” Stormy barely glanced at him. “Don’t worry about it. This happens sometimes.”
“Not a very secure job.”
“No. It’s not.” Nothing in her life was secure, but having grown up on the edges of the entertainment industry with her traveling parents, it had been the obvious choice for her to turn to. “I’ll get another job.”
“Will you be okay until you do?”
He meant moneywise and Stormy could feel her cheeks pinken. “I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t about to confess her love of shopping, the fact that shopping was the one vice she couldn’t give up now. It comforted her when she was down, and her credit card balances spoke of the fact that she was down more times than up. I haven’t bought a single thing since I’ve been in Desperado, she realized, amazed. Not even souvenirs.
The telephone rang, startling both of them. Stormy snatched if off the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Stormy, it’s Jonathan.”
“Jonathan. Hello.”
Cody bit the inside of his mouth at the sound of another man’s name on Stormy’s lips. Of course she had a boyfriend waiting for her return. I kissed her, he reminded himself; she had not made the first move. If anything, he’d been poaching. So now he knew to keep his hands and his mouth where they belonged—and his heart firmly encased in steel.
“Oh? I can’t imagine,” he heard Stormy say drily. “It depends on what you have to say, Jonathan.”
Cody stared out the window, opening it to let a dry breeze come in. He hated to hear her playing it cool with another man. On the other hand, it would help him to put her on that airplane and say goodbye without feeling pain. It wasn’t going to bother me, anyway.
“Well, I’m not a bargain basement movie scout you can just hire and fire because the upper rent ones aren’t available. And I’ve already made my plane reservations. You just caught me as I was going out the door.” She glanced at Cody guiltily and shrugged. He grinned at her fibbing and told himself he was going to give her hell about it on the drive to the airport.
