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The perfume tickled Londyn’s nose and made her sneeze. She hoped it would fade before she had to say her lines. Already late for the shoot, she didn’t want to have to do multiple takes should she start sneezing.
When she stepped out of the cabin, she found the hair stylist and makeup artist talking with Nash.
They were young and pretty and smiling up at the handsome man.
A stab of something hit Londyn square in the chest, making her hands curl into fists and a flush of red fill her vision. It was anger, but not the kind of anger she was used to. Her eyes widened. Holy crap. Was she jealous?
She shook her head, trying to clear the emotion before the women turned toward her.
“Oh, good,” the makeup artist said. She plopped a tall folding chair in front of Londyn. “We came prepared,” she said. “Sit.” The woman pulled a makeup palette from the satchel slung over her shoulder.
The hairstylist had her toolbelt strapped around her hips with hairbrushes, a flat iron and bottles of hairspray positioned around her. A long extension cord ran from the flat iron to somewhere around the corner of the cabin, probably hooked up to one of the site’s generators.
Londyn dropped into the chair.
For the next few minutes, the women worked their magic on her makeup and hair. When they were done, they stepped back.
The makeup specialist tipped her head toward the set. “Go. They’re waiting on you.”
Londyn popped out of the chair and hurried to where the cameras were positioned. The cast and crew stood around, smoking, joking or generally looking bored.
Director Haynes stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his toe tapping in the dust. When he spotted Londyn headed their way, he turned and shouted, “Let’s get this ball rolling!”
People sprang into action. Cameramen ducked behind their cameras, and lighting technicians took their positions, adjusting the lighting. Troy and Craig stood in the middle of the set where they’d been when Londyn had first arrived.
Having read the script and witnessed the scene acted out with Julia playing her part, Londyn had a good idea of what was expected. Only she’d be damned if she dropped the gun.
“Remember, when you get the gun, you’re to aim at Troy and pull the trigger,” Haynes said. “The blank will sound just like a real bullet being discharged.”
Having been raised by her grandfather, Londyn knew how to handle handguns, rifles, shotguns and even a flame thrower. Each had its purpose on the ranch. Her grandfather had made sure she could handle all of them and that she maintained her proficiency. He’d preached that when you needed a gun, you didn’t have time to learn how to use it.
They’d spent many hours practicing with targets, aluminum cans, tree stumps and clay pigeons. He’d taken her hunting deer, elk, moose and pheasants. She’d bagged her limit on many occasions. Her grandfather had also taught her to fish. What they hadn’t eaten immediately, they’d put in the freezer. When money had been tight, they’d never lacked for meat.
Funny how images of her grandfather came up. He’d taught her so much about ranching, nature and responsibility. But this wasn’t hunting and fishing. She was a fish out of water in the world of acting. If she wanted to save the ranch, she had to focus on getting her lines right and making her movements look natural. She didn’t like having to shoot the same scene over and over. Her goal was to get it right the first time.
Nash stood behind the cameras while Londyn took her position.
As much as she liked her independence, not relying on anyone else, the feeling of being safe filled her heart and soul, making it easier to concentrate on the work she must do. She had to remind herself, Don’t get used to it. Once the film was complete, she’d be back on her ranch, and Nash would go on to the next job. A sad feeling washed over her.
What did she expect? To Nash, she was the job. It wasn’t like he’d fall in love with her and stay. And it wasn’t like she’d fall in love with him. Watching her mother’s three failed marriages, Londyn had decided long ago that marriage wasn’t for her. Why tie yourself to a man when it never lasted? Falling in love wasn’t worth the hassle and pain of divorce.
As Londyn prepared for the director to yell Action!, she glanced back at Nash with his broad shoulders, observant gaze and jagged scar along the side of his face. She could see where other women would find him attractive enough to fall in love with him. He was handsome, dedicated and concerned for her welfare. And his body had hers humming with the simplest of touches. And his kiss...
Her pulse ratcheted up, and her cheeks filled with heat. Now was not the time to remember that kiss.
Focus, girl! He’s your bodyguard, nothing more.
Then why did he feel like so much more?
Nash stood back, wishing he could be closer to Londyn. The distance between them wasn’t great, but it was enough to make him edgy.
What if Troy was too rough on her? What if the gun he pointed at her head suddenly went off? Sure, they were using blanks, but a blank fired at close range could kill someone. With the barrel of the pistol pressed against her temple, all it would take was for Troy to get careless and squeeze the trigger.
The rush of dread sent Nash stepping forward.
“Action!” Haynes yelled.
Troy grabbed Londyn and pressed the handgun to her temple.
