Lights, Action...Family!

Her big brother’s attention turned to the new arrival. “Hi, I’m Nate Hunter.” He held out his hand.

The man shook it. “Reece McKellen.”

Nate smiled. “We’ve been expecting you.”

Emily was totally confused. “You’ve hired him?”

Nate gave her a strange look. “No, sis, Jason did. Remember? The movie’s producer?”

Emily could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. “I didn’t realize.” She sent him an accusing glance. “You could have said something.”

If it were any consolation Reece looked just as confused as she did.

“Em, meet Reece,” Nate continued. “He’s the wrangler and stuntman on the movie. Reece, this is Emily Hunter, the author of Hunter’s Haven.”

Reece sure didn’t see this one coming. He quickly recovered and tipped his hat, murmuring, “Ma’am.” Then he turned headed back to the truck. So the Good Time Café waitress was also the screenwriter and author Emily Hunter. Just Great. Not that he had any hangups working with a woman, but there was no denying that there were sparks between them and that could mean trouble. If he let it. He shook away the thought. No way. He had to concentrate on just two things, this stunt job and his new role as Sophie’s parent.

He opened the truck door and realized that even with the air going it was still warm inside. So was his niece.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He unbuckled her seat belt and lifted her out of her seat in the truck and onto the grass. Then reached in the cooler he always kept in the cab and took out a bottle of water. After he made sure that Sophie drank enough, he took some himself.

He’d always liked movie work, and he was good at his job. The one positive thing about his time in foster care was he’d been sent to live on a ranch. He’d taken to horses immediately and as long as he’d gotten his chores done, he’d been allowed to ride. As he gotten older, he’d become somewhat of an expert rider, and one of the best around to do horse stunts.

According to the director of this movie, Trent Justice, this movie’s stunts would be a piece of cake. Just some fast riding scenes and saving the leading lady, Jennifer Tate, from a runaway horse.

Not for the first time Reece wondered if this particular job was more trouble than it was worth. Maybe it would be too much of a hassle to work while Sophie was still adjusting to her mother’s death. Would it be better if he cut his losses and headed to Texas? He could get a job as a ranch manager. Though it wouldn’t pay as well as stunt work, he could put a stable roof over Sophie’s head.

And there would be no Emily Hunter to distract him. She was the kind of woman who could cause him to lose his focus. She might even make him think about completing his family. Not that his track record had been good when it came to relationships. It seemed every person he’d come to care about left him one way or another. He tightened his grip on Sophie’s hand. He wasn’t going to lose her.

Reece turned to see the movie’s screenwriter heading his way. His gut tightened. No denying she was one good-looking lady, and he definitely needed to stay cool. She was Hollywood bound. A career woman. And after this movie, he was leaving Hollywood behind to make a home for Sophie. He released a long breath.

Life sure would be simpler if she was still only the pretty waitress at the Good Time Café….

Chapter Two

Thanks to our neighbors, the barn is finally built. And if the weather holds, I promised Becky I would start the cabin. Although, she deserves to live in a stately mansion, she said all she wants is a home right here, with me.

Jacob’s Journal

“Why didn’t you say you were associated with the movie?” Emily asked as she stood in front of the truck.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Reece countered, helping Sophie drink some water. “Also why are you moonlighting as a waitress?”

“I was just helping out. Sam Price, the owner, is a family friend.”

Before he could say anything else, Nate appeared behind her. “Tell the truth, sis,” her brother began and looked at Reece. “Emily decided the set builders would finish faster if she made herself scarce.”

“That’s right. You and Shane didn’t run me off, it was my decision to help Sam.”

“And it was a good choice,” Nate teased, then glanced down at the child. “We weren’t expecting any of the crew for a few days, but Jason mentioned this morning that you might show up early to check out the terrain. Who’s your friend?”

“My niece, Sophie,” Reece said. “She recently came to live with me…permanently.”

Nate knelt down to be eye level with her. “Hi, Sophie. I’m Emily’s brother, Nate.”

Emily watched as the child’s eyes lowered shyly. The little girl’s arm latched tighter on to her uncle’s leg.

Emily’s heart went out to the forlorn looking girl. It was obvious she’d been through some kind of tragedy…but to lose both parents. She knew all too well what it felt like to lose someone you loved. Even after a dozen years, she still missed her father.

Emily shook away the memories and put on a smile. “Sophie, remember me?”

The child raised her eyes and nodded. Just that slight response tickled Emily. “How about you and I go up to the house and have some lemonade and cookies while your uncle tends to his horses?”

Emily looked at Reece for permission. “There’s no need for you to feel you have to watch her.” Reece said.

Emily took Sophie’s hand. “Since I’m not needed at the movie set until tomorrow, Sophie will be doing me a favor. And since you need to take care of those beautiful animals, your niece and I can entertain each other.” She glanced at the child. “What do you say, Sophie? You want to go with me?”

Sophie turned her big brown eyes on her uncle and saw him nod. “It’s okay. I’ll come and get you just as soon as I care for Toby and Shadow.”

Holding on to her raggedy bear with one hand, and with the other in Emily’s, the two started off toward the house.

Reece watched them walk away. He should be happy that his niece was responding to someone. Except that it could be a problem. Sophie could get too attached, and their time in Haven was only going to be temporary. Reece remembered too well how much it hurt when he’d gotten too attached to a person when he was growing up. He couldn’t stand that happening to Sophie.

“She’ll be okay,” Nate said.

Reece came out of his reverie. “What did you say?”

“I can assure you that my sister is good with kids. It’s men she’s been known to be hard on.” A friendly grin appeared. “I guess my brother Shane and I had something to do with that. We used to tease her, but she gave back as good as she got.”

Reece didn’t want to hear about Emily Hunter’s attributes. He had to stay focused on the reason he was here. The money he’d make would go a long way in helping him to achieve his goal of buying his own ranch.

Shadow whinnied and Reece returned to the present and his responsibilities. “Would you mind if I let the horses loose in your corral? It’s been a long trip.”

“Sure, let me help,” Nate said as they walked to the animals. “I hear you’re from California. Do you own a ranch there?”

He wished. “No, just an apartment in L.A. I board my horses out in Riverside.” He’d worked out a deal with the ranch owner, Jerry Holt, to train horses in trade for boarding his black mare and bay gelding in between jobs.

Reece took Shadow by the reins and led him into the corral, while Nate brought Toby. Reece glanced around the freshly painted barn. “You’ve got a nice place here.”

“Thanks.” Nate closed the gate and removed the lead rope from the horse’s bridle. “The Double H had been in the family for generations, but we’d lost it when our father died. I bought it back about ten months ago.” A sudden sadness masked Nate’s face. “It was shamefully run-down. My brother Shane, owns a construction company, and he’s responsible for all this restoration work.”

Reece released Shadow and the animal ran off. “I take it he’s the one building the movie set?”

Nate nodded. “The producer is a stickler for detail, so we’re replicating the original homestead.”

Reece had worked for Jason before so he knew the man’s desire for realism. He was anxious to see the location, but he also needed to get Sophie settled for the night.

“Do you know what the accommodations will be?”

Nate nodded. “The actors will have trailers. Jason and I have an agreement for the crew to stay in the new bunkhouse. There are five female crew members that will share the foreman’s house.”

“You’re being pretty generous with your place.”

Nate watched the horses gallop around in the sun. “I haven’t exactly got the ranch up and running yet so I’m not using most of the facilities right now. At the moment I just have a small herd and a few saddle horses. My hope is to have things up and running by the spring. The truth is I’m not even sure how big an operation I want to handle, and if it will be cattle, or mostly horses.”

Reece wouldn’t have any trouble deciding at all. “If I had the money and a place like this, I’d do both, but I’d definitely breed horses.”

Nate smiled. “My great-great-grandfather was a horse breeder. He had a line of champion stock that was well known around this area,” he said. There was obvious pride in his voice.

“Must be nice to trace your family back so far,” Reece said. Hell, he didn’t even know his father.

“Damn straight. That’s why it’s only right the Hunter family story be told where it all began. For a while there, we’d lost everything, but we still had each other. That’s the most important thing. I take it you’re Sophie’s only family.”

Reece nodded. “Her mother died recently, and her father was never in the picture. I’m her guardian now.” He didn’t want to go into any more details. “And I need to talk to Jason. Is he around?”

Nate shook his head. “He flew to L.A. earlier this morning, but he’ll be back Tuesday.”

“Did he happen to mention about arrangements for a place for me?”

Nate’s eyebrow drew together. “No, he didn’t say anything to me.”

“Damn, I was afraid of this. I can’t work on the movie if I don’t have a place for Sophie and me to stay, and someone to watch her while I work. Jason promised to help me out.”

Nate raised a hand. “Let’s not panic. I’m sure Jason has something in the works, but in the meantime, why don’t you move into the bunkhouse. It’s just sitting empty.”

That wouldn’t solve Reece’s long-term problem, but he was grateful he and Sophie would have someplace to sleep that night. “You sure it’s okay?”

Nate smiled. “It’s my bunkhouse. So relax. Now, let’s get out of this heat and go up to the house.”

Reece hesitated, but ended up following Nate. He wasn’t going to stay long. They’d spend the night, but there was a good chance that this job wasn’t going to pan out. He glanced toward the mountain range. That was a shame. This sure was beautiful country.

In the ranch kitchen, Emily sat on the hardwood floor with Sophie. The child played silently, putting a dress on one of Emily’s old dolls that they’d found in the attic. Emily tried to interact, but the little girl seemed more comfortable on her own.

“Too bad you’re having a boy,” Emily said, glancing up at her pregnant sister-in-law. “All these dolls are going to waste.”

The petite blonde ran her hand over her protruding stomach. She was due in a couple of months. “We might just have a girl one day.”

Emily studied her sister-in-law’s smile. Nate and Tori were so happy, but that hadn’t happened easily. Although Nate had fallen in love with the San Francisco heiress almost immediately, Tori had men issues, a dominating father and a bad relationship with a man who cared only about her money. Nate had changed all that. And even though she’d been raised in the city, Tori took to ranch life as if she were born into it.

“So, you’re already thinking about another baby?”

Tori glanced at Sophie. “Who wouldn’t want a child like this little one? She’s beautiful.”

The girl looked up. Her eyes showed her excitement as she held her doll up to Emily.

“Oh, what a good job you did dressing Sunny,” she praised her. When the child didn’t move the doll, she realized she was giving it back. “Sophie, you can keep her,” she said.

There was a glimmer of joy on Sophie’s face and Emily decided she’d do almost anything to see that look again. Just then the back door opened and Nate walked in along with Reece. Tori went to her husband and kissed him. Amazingly Emily found she wanted to go and greet the brooding man standing stiffly in the doorway. She told herself it was to see if she could get a reaction from him. Her gaze went to his mouth, wondering how it would feel to kiss him. She raised her eyes to his and heat rushed to her face.

It was Sophie who distracted them. She got up and ran to her uncle. She held up the doll and whispered his name. “Unca Reece. See? Her name is Sunny.”

He looked confused. “She’s pretty.”

Nate brought his wife closer. “Tori, this is Reece McKellen, the stuntman on the movie. Reece, my wife, Tori. And she’s carrying our son, Jake.”

Reece removed his cowboy hat and nodded. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. And congratulations on the baby.”

“Thank you. And please, call me Tori.”

“I hope Sophie hasn’t been too much trouble.” He tossed a quick glance at Emily.

“Oh, no,” Tori said. “She’s been a joy. She’s so well behaved.”

Smiling, Nate placed a glass of iced tea on the counter for Reece. “And Tori should know about kids, she’s taught school.”

Reece liked the Hunters. They’ve graciously welcomed him and Sophie into their home, but it didn’t change the fact that he always felt like an outsider. He hadn’t fit in many places, especially ones like this. He glanced around the beautiful kitchen as he took a long drink of tea. Man, it was something. He admired the honey maple cabinets and dark granite counters. The hardwood floors gleamed with high-gloss polish.

There was a knock on the door. It opened and an older woman peeked inside the room. “Hi, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.”

“Mom, you don’t need an excuse to come by,” Nate said as he went to the woman and hugged her.

“She’s here to check up on me,” Emily began. “Sam called you, didn’t he?”

The attractive older woman smiled innocently. “He may have mentioned that you didn’t finish your shift.” Mrs. Hunter glanced at Sophie. “Well, who do we have here?”

“Sorry, Mom,” Emily began. “This is Sophie and her uncle, Reece McKellen. He is working on the movie. Reece, this is our mother, Betty Hunter.”

Mrs. Hunter had short gray hair and a slender build. “Oh, my, you’re one of the movie stars, aren’t you?” she said. Her blue eyes, so much like her daughter’s, widened.

Everyone laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, ma’am, but I’m just part of the crew,” he said.

“Reece is the stuntman on the movie,” Nate offered.

“Oh, so you’re doing Camden Peters’s stunts.”

“Yes, ma’am. A little trick riding.”

“What happens if you get hurt?”

Reece couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t plan on that happening. I learned how to fall during my rodeo days. Believe me, those broncos have so many creative ways to toss you off, I’m pretty sure I’ve learned them all.”

“Oh, I hope so.” She glanced down at Sophie. “Is this your little girl?”

“My niece. She lives with me now.”

Betty Hunter smiled. “Just look at all those beautiful curls. You remind me of Emily. She had hair like this. And she was such a precocious child.”

Emily groaned. “Mother, I’m sure Mr. McKellen doesn’t want to hear about my childhood.”

Reece found he enjoyed Emily’s blush. Damn, if it wasn’t as appealing as the rest of her. He placed a hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “I think it’s time we get settled. Thank you, Nate, for your hospitality.” He looked at Emily. “And thank you for watching Sophie. Would you happen to have Jason’s cell phone number?”

“Sure.” She went to the purse on the counter and searched the for a business card. She handed it to him.

“Is there a problem?”

“Just a little mix-up with living arrangements.” Reece didn’t want to involve the Hunters in his problems. “Thanks again for watching Sophie.”

“It was my pleasure,” Emily said. “Bye, Sophie.”

When he turned to the door, Nate stopped him. “I’ll bring some bedding down to the bunkhouse later. Say, why don’t you and Sophie come up for supper tonight? There’s always plenty.”

Reece knew Nate meant to be neighborly, but he hated feeling obliged to people. “Thank you, but we’re both pretty tired after the long drive today.”

Sophie started to hand back the doll and Emily came down on her knee. “Oh, sweetie, remember, I gave Sunny to you, to keep. Maybe we can play again.” She touched the child’s cheek. “See you later.”

Reece saw the longing in his niece’s eyes. He knew she was lonely, how much she’d missed her mother. And someone like Emily and her family would be easy to turn to, but he had to remember the stop at the Double H was only temporary. He stole one last glance at Emily Hunter, knowing if he stayed the next few months were going to be full of temptation. For both of them.

At seven-thirty that evening Emily made her way toward the bunkhouse, all the time telling herself that she was only bringing them the bedding. She was not doing it because she wanted to see Reece McKellen again. Okay, so he was a drop-dead sexy man, who didn’t seem to like her, she reminded herself. Why? Was he just not attracted to her? Okay, she could accept that. She shook her head. Why was she even thinking about him? She didn’t need to get involved at this time in her life. Not with her career just taking off. She needed to stay focused on Hunter’s Haven.

She’d worked too hard to get through school and spent too many hours on her feet as a waitress to let a man come along and turn her head now. But it wasn’t just the man, it was Sophie. Emily was drawn to her, too. And that was even more dangerous. Just as soon as she dropped off the sheets and towels, she’d stay away from them both.

Emily stepped up on the wooden porch and glanced through the bare window. Sophie at the table playing with her new doll. Emily knocked, then opened the door.

“Hi, Sophie.”

“Emily.” The little girl stood up. All ready for bed, the child was wearing pink pajamas, her damp hair in ringlets.

Emily’s heart tightened. “I brought you some towels and sheets.” Just then she heard running water in the other room. Well, she wasn’t about to interrupt the man’s privacy to give him a towel.

She glanced around the ranch hand’s new quarters that Shane had built this past spring. The efficient kitchen had a stainless-steel stove, an oversize refrigerator and a long table that could seat twenty men. On either side of the room a hallway led to the two bedrooms. She knew that the large bathroom was designed in two sections with several walk-in shower stalls, separate from the sinks and toilets. She didn’t want to think about the naked man now using one of the stalls, or the water spraying over his muscular body.

She quickly shook away the image and turned her focus to the table holding a cooler and groceries. “Did you eat?”

Sophie nodded.

Emily saw the carton milk and loaf of bread. Why didn’t they just come to the house and have pot roast? No. That wasn’t her business.

“Hey, how about I make up your bed? Where are you sleeping?”

The child motioned for her to follow as she walked into the nearest bedroom where five single bunks lined both sides of the long walls. The first two had sleeping bags opened on top of the new mattresses.

“I think I can make you a little more comfortable. Emily pulled off one nylon bag and spread out the sheet.

“You want to help me?” Sophie came over, and with some instruction, she tucked in the corners. Of course it wasn’t as good as could be, but the child was obviously proud of her handiwork. With one bed made, Emily started on the other. Maybe if she hurried she’d be finished before Reece returned. Suddenly she glanced up and saw the man in the doorway, leaning lazily against the frame. Too late.

No fantasy she’d ever had came close to the real thing. The real thing was six foot two inches of pure male standing there in a pair of worn jeans and nothing else. His broad shoulders and well developed chest were bare and damp.

“Unca Reece,” Sophie called out. “I made my bed.”

“You sure did,” he acknowledged never taking those sable eyes off Emily.

“Emily helped me,” she said.

“I can see that,” he told her. “You just seem to show up everywhere.”

Emily felt heat flood her face. “Tori wanted to make sure you had enough bedding. I brought towels, but I can see you didn’t need them.”

“We made do, but thanks.” He went to the other side of the bed and began to tuck in the sheet, careful to make sure that Sophie was able to help. “We’re leaving in the morning and heading back to L.A.”

“But the movie… Have you heard anything from Jason?”

She shook her head. “I’ve called, but he’s been in meetings all day.”

“I’m getting the same message. If I didn’t have Sophie it wouldn’t matter. But I need to provide her with a stable environment. Her caseworker wasn’t crazy about me bringing her on location as it was.”

Emily realized she didn’t want to see them go, but knew the child had to come first. “What will Jason do about a stuntman?”

“It’s not a problem to replace me. The stunts are pretty simple. A good horseman should be able to handle them. Even Camden Peters.”

Emily shook her head. “It’s stipulated in his contract that he doesn’t do stunts.”

Reece’s face split into a grin and her breath caught. “I guess he’s afraid to take any chances.”

“I don’t care. We’re lucky to get him for the part.”

Reece had worked with Camden Peters once before. The man was demanding and used his star power to get special treatment. “I’d say he’s the lucky one to have a chance at such a great part.”

Emily didn’t know why, but this man’s praise meant a lot to her. “Thank you.” Her gaze lowered to see a series of faint scars across his chest. “Is that from one of your stunts?”

He didn’t look down. “No, they’re from my rodeo days,” he said. “I guess I’m lucky I don’t have to take off my shirt for my part in the film.” There was a twinkle in his eye.

She swallowed. “I imagine my ancestors got a few scars settling this land. You’d look perfect, scars and all.”

His mouth twitched in amusement. “I’ll take that as a compliment. But stuntmen get paid for their ability to make the actors look good. No one sees my face.”

Oh, that was a shame. He wasn’t pretty-boy handsome, but he had rugged good looks. Deep-set eyes that pierced right through you, a sharp jawline and a chin that displayed a deep cleft. But it was his mouth and a full bottom lip that, for the second time, made her wonder how it would feel against hers. Heat surged through her and she shook away the direction of her thoughts. “Well, I guess I should get back,” she said, realizing she was getting too up close and personal with the man.

“Thanks for the sheets and towels.”

“You’re welcome.” When she headed toward the door, he followed her. She reached for the doorknob and he did the same. Warmth shot up her arm and she jerked away just as Sophie came running to her, but stopped short and stood by her uncle’s side.

Emily knelt down to the child’s level. “You get some sleep. Sweet dreams.”

Emily moved to the door, but made the mistake to look over her shoulder to see the two. Just leave and don’t get any more involved. But it was too late.

She found herself saying, “I think I know a place you could live during the filming. My mother has a small apartment over the garage.”

Reece McKellen’s expression didn’t change except for a slight rise of his eyebrow. Emily decided that was probably the most emotion he showed people. Well, that was just fine, especially since she’d see him nearly every day for the next few months. They would be working together.