Wilde Horses. Jannine Gallant

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      With a sigh, he tapped the screen to call Kent’s cell and was amazed when the man actually answered.

      “Hey, buddy. How’s life been treating you?”

      Blake thought about telling the truth for two whole seconds before giving the traditional response. “Just fine. Actually, I’m not too far from you right now. I’m on location in Wyoming and heard you have a show in Montana tomorrow night.”

      “In Billings. Can you come? Do you want tickets?”

      “I can’t make it tomorrow, but I was wondering where else you’ll be performing. I met a woman who’s a big fan, and—”

      Kent’s deep chuckle filled his ear. “You must be losing your touch if you have to use me to get a date.”

      “It’s not like that.” He paused to run a hand over the back of his neck as a vision of Eden’s bright blue eyes flashed through his mind. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind taking this lady out. She has a lot of spirit, but I get the impression she’s not interested. Still…”

      “We head down to Cheyenne on Sunday, and then I have a show in Boise, Idaho Tuesday night before flying up to Seattle. Will any of those stops work for you?”

      Blake turned away from the activity as the director shouted instructions to the crew setting up the scene. “You’re in Boise on Tuesday? I’ll be in Eastern Oregon for…family business that afternoon. I was planning to fly out of Boise Tuesday night, but I could change my plans to leave the next morning. If Eden wants to come with me, we could see your concert.”

      “I’ll leave front row will call tickets and backstage passes for you at the door.”

      He smiled. “What woman could turn down an offer like that? Thanks, Kent. It’ll be good to catch up.”

      “Happy to do it.”

      Blake glanced over his shoulder as John yelled his name. “I’ve got to go. They’re ready for me on set.”

      “No problem. I’ll see you and your lady Tuesday night.”

      “Thanks, again. I appreciate it.” Blake turned off his phone then shoved it in the pocket of his dungarees. Mentally changing gears, he rolled up the sleeves of his loose, homespun shirt and adjusted his hat. Ready as he’d ever be.

      He wasn’t much in the mood to film a passionate embrace with Kara. Now if Eden were doubling for her in the scene, he’d be a lot more interested. Still, he could fake enthusiasm with the best of them. He straightened his shoulders and pasted on the smile that entranced female movie-goers across the world—or so he’d been told. No one who watched the film would ever guess a piece of his heart had died today.

      Chapter 4

      Eden stood at the open window beside her mother and planted an elbow next to her grandpa’s kitchen sink to unabashedly check out the action going on behind his cabin. Cameras were trained on Blake and Kara as the two argued fiercely for at least the fifth or sixth time.

      “Cut! Goddamn it, Kara, I told you I wanted your hands fisted on your hips.” The director’s voice broke in on the heated conversation between the two stars. “Why was your right one waving in the air?”

      “Sorry, I got distracted.” Kara’s voice was high and whiny. “I don’t know what was wrong with the fourth take. Seemed like it was perfect to me.”

      “I’ll let you know when it’s perfect.”

      Eden leaned a little farther to catch a glimpse of Blake’s irritated expression and grinned. Good thing his fists weren’t supposed to be clenched, or he’d probably punch someone.

      “I’m sure we could go outside to watch instead of hiding in here behind the curtains. I doubt anyone would mind.”

      Eden glanced over at her mom and shook her head. “Then I’d feel like a rubbernecker at a car accident. This way we can be entertained with anonymity. Although if they don’t get the scene right soon, I’ll have to leave. There are a dozen things I should be doing, and gaping at movie stars isn’t on the list.”

      “I’d planned to drive into town for groceries. I came out here to see if your grandpa needed anything, but I’m not sure where he disappeared to.”

      “I’m surprised he isn’t watching the action.” When something soft brushed her leg, Eden let out a squeak then glanced down and pressed a hand to her chest. “Geez, Vic, you startled me.” Vic, short for Vicious, jumped up on the counter beside her. Eden didn’t waste her breath telling the oversized fur ball to get down. In her grandpa’s cabin, the cat was king.

      Her mom nudged her with an elbow. “Shhh, looks like they’re ready to roll again.”

      “And, action!”

      “I had no part in that raid.” Blake’s voice rose. “Honestly, Kimani, I swear to you on my wife’s grave, I didn’t know what they were planning.”

      Eden was so focused on the despair mirrored in his eyes, along with a hint of anger, she missed Kara’s response. The man was good. Blake Benedict didn’t exist anymore, only Jeremiah Tucker, the settler who’d saved a young woman fleeing for her life.

      When he gripped Kara’s arms and pulled her roughly against him to silence her protests with a kiss, Eden let out a long breath and fanned herself with one hand. “Wow.”

      “Those two have great chemistry,” her mother whispered as the kiss deepened.

      Blake backed Kara toward the rear door of the cabin, his hands wrapped in her shiny dark hair. She gripped his shoulders, head flung back as he kissed his way down the length of her neck. Passion blazed in her eyes before her lids slowly closed.

      Eden’s stomach did a funny dip and roll, kind of like the time her freshman year when she’d seen the cute new boy kissing one of the cheerleaders.

      “Cut. That was great.” The director beamed. “We’ll break for lunch then pick up with the infantry scene this afternoon.”

      Blake released Kara and stepped away. “About damn time we got it right.”

      “I guess I’m better at kissing than I am at arguing.”

      “I won’t dispute that.” He glanced over as Hayden Yarbrough approached. “See you later, Kara.”

      Eden stepped back from the sink. When the cat laid a paw on her arm and dug in his claws, she winced. “Ouch. Damn it, Vic.” Detaching herself, she moved out of reach. “I guess I’d better go work on the belt order that came in last night. At this rate, I may need to hire someone to help me.”

      “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Her mom raised a brow. “You’re turning a hobby into a business.”

      “I suppose so, though I don’t have much time for sleep anymore. Roman expressed an interest in learning to tool leather. Any chance I can take him away from his ranch work for a couple of hours each day?”

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