Page 244 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

She pulled open her trailer door and scanned the area quickly, knowing that if the flowers had been delivered, they’d be close to the vanity.

A wave of relief washed over her as she came up empty. No flowers, thank heavens. There were, however, lined up along the cocktail bar, an array of greetings by way of welcome baskets and cellophane-wrapped gifts from diverse groups who were in the know. It was often she'd have a welcome gift from the city Mayor, welcoming her to their town with sentiments like, ‘we hope you will enjoy our fine city.It’s an honor to have you here.’

The producer, of course, always provided the most personalized selection, having kept track of Ellie’s preference where snacks and drinks were concerned. Still slightly disturbed by the worry she’d seen on Geneva’s face, Ellie pulled Nash toward the easy-to-spot basket from the producers. "Do you recognize anything in here?" she asked.

Nash pulled a face of disgust. “Ew, looks like they know you have gross taste when it comes to jerky. If I were you, I'd have let that one remain a secret.”

Ellie laughed, though she sensed that Nash's teasing seemed forced. He’d definitely noticed Geneva's reaction, too.

"Hey,” he said, “if you want to try and reach out to your dad, I’ll give you a minute. I mean, I’m leaving anyway."

Ellie nodded. “Why don’t I just text him. He’s usually quick to respond.” She shook her head as she imagined where he might be. “I bet he’s chatting up one of the actresses on set. Lela King is playing the part of Melody’s deadbeat mom, so he's probably inhertrailer." Ellie retrieved her phone and typed up a quick text to Dad.

Ellie:Where are you?

A tap sounded on the trailer door, and Bronson's voice came from the other side. "Special delivery."

Nash cracked open the door, and Ellie prepared herself.It’s fine if it’s the roses. They don’t mean anything.

Only as Bronson came into view, an arrangement of flowers in hand, Ellie was relieved to see they weren’t roses at all.

"Here," Nash said, "I'll take those. And just give me a minute while I switch out the card." He chuckled. "I thought you were supposed to give flowers at the end of a performance," he added sheepishly.

Ellie pointed to an empty spot on the cocktail bar. “Go ahead and set them right there, thanks.” She tugged the envelope from the prongs, nearly certain the card within would be different. But even if it wasn't, even if the card had that same lone image of a dark wolf, Ellie assured herself she wouldnotpanic.

Wolf was merely an investor, which was why he was interested in her career.

Still, the second she spotted the handwritten note on the card, Ellie sighed once more with relief.Looking forward to working with you again. Signed, your lovesick cowboy, Trigger.

Ellie caught sight of Nash as he raised one fist and pounded it into his cupped palm. "Heaven help me,” he groaned. “Just what kind of torture did I sign up for?"

Ellie grinned, glad that the mood had seemed to shift. But then she glanced down at her phone, half-expecting to see her dad's reply, quickly disheartened when it wasn’t there. She considered the cycle he'd repeated so many times before. A similar question ran through her mind as she wondered about her father's whereabouts. Just what kind of trouble hadhesigned up for?

In an ominous answer to her question, a deafening explosion blasted through the air. The ground rumbled, causing the trailer walls to tremble and shake.

Nash caught the arrangement, barely keeping it from falling off the bar and crashing to the floor.

Ellie locked her eyes on him, her chest and throat tightening with panic.

Her question came out at the same time his did.

“What was that?”

Bronson flung open the door. “Hurry,” he hollered, “you two come with me.”

They were quick to obey, rushing from the trailer and onto the open field where black smoke billowed from the farmhouse. Or from what wasleftof the farmhouse. Heart thrumming wildly out of beat, panic building with every breath, Ellie clung onto Nash’s hand as he ushered her to the parking area, sheltering her with his body as they moved.

Actors, set staff, and members of the filming crew scrambled as a police officer barked orders to clear the set.

“Glad I didn’t park where theywantedme to park,” Bronson said as he approached the car. “We’d be stuck behind everyone else trying to flee this place.”

Speaking of everyone else… “I wonder where my dad is,” Ellie said, half-tempted to go back and look for him. She glanced over her shoulder, stunned by the sight of towering flames, pluming smoke, and rising ash from one side of the house.

“They evacuated the farmhouse,” Nash reminded her as he flung open the back door. “I’m sure he’s safe. Get in, and you can call him.”

Bronson had already climbed in behind the wheel and started up the car.

Ellie hurried inside and scooted over for Nash to climb in, too. “Come in this way,” she urged while tapping her phone tocall her dad. She pressed on the speaker in time to hear it go straight to voicemail.