A redhead, Linda, stepped forward.“What a treat!We knew Ben was protecting someone named Sarah, but not which Sarah.Cool!”
“I don’t pose for photographers anymore,” Sarah said.“Now, I’m usually in dirty boots and grimy jeans herding cattle or mucking out horse stalls.”She gave a light laugh.
“It’s like she’s a real person.”Sunny’s smile grew wide.“Like—like a human being.”
“Look!”Tulip pointed at Sarah’s boots.“Look, her bootsaredusty and worn.And her shirt doesn’t look new.”
“She’s like us,” Linda concluded.
“Of course I am.”Sarah gave a laugh.“There’s nothing different about me from you.I’m a normal woman.”
“Sure,” Marge said.“The only things different are, um ...your fame.”
“Your beauty,” Tulip point out.
“And your charisma,” Sunny said.
“Oh, stop.”Sarah held up her hands.“Now, put me to work.I’m a filing champ, or I can stuff envelopes, or type up invoices.Anything that needs doing.I’ll even clean the bathroom.”
Ben spoke up.“I’ll be in my office.And Sarah’snotcleaning the bathroom.We have a janitorial service for that.”
Immediately, the women began chattering.They wanted to share desk photos of their spouses and children, to ask her about various actors and what they were really like.They wanted intimate details about the life of a top-level celebrity and their curiosity was voracious.
****
From the door of hisprivate office, Ben said above the noise, “How about you people get back to work?”
As usual, his office staff ignored him.If they weren’t incredibly efficient and responsive to the needs of the company, he’d have had to crack the whip.
Not that that would work.The women in this office ruled the roost.
Letting out a snort, he walked to his desk and sat looking at the pile of paperwork, phone messages, and printed-out emails that all needed attention.
In the outer office, Sarah had already charmed his entire office staff.
Well, she’d charmed him, hadn’t she?
He didn’t want to think about how the men were going to fall all over her.Just like the Mountain Wood townspeople, his staff instantly felt an affinity and liking for Sarah Lang.People were naturally drawn to her warmth and generosity.She was genuine, and she meant everything she said.Others sensed her innate honesty.She did have charisma, dammit, and it had come through the camera lens.No wonder she was so famous.
Clean the bathroom, indeed.Ben rolled his eyes.Yet he had little doubt that if Marge had handed over a bowl brush and cleaning fluid, Sarah would have happily gone right to work scrubbing toilets.She wasn’t proud, and she always carried her weight.He really liked her.She was just damn good people.His kind of people.
His kind of woman.
Before taking a seat and tackling the stack of work, he took a moment to look through the window at the workout area as a group of men performed unending jumping jacks, arduous pushups, and flat-on-their-back flutter kicks.Satisfied that a high level of fitness was being achieved, he settled in behind his desk.
Deeply involved in work, he realized an hour had passed when Sarah knocked on his door.“Okay if I come inside?I think the long day has gotten to me, and I’d like to take you up on a nap on your couch.”Her eyes searched the office and found a small anteroom off the back.A sofa was visible through the door.
Ben looked up with pleasure.Normally when so deep in work he disliked interruptions, but Sarah could interrupt all she liked.He got up and came around the desk to stroke her shoulder.“Tired, huh?Sure, take a nap.You can close the door back there.Want a cold water bottle?”From a small refrigerator, he pulled out a bottle and handed it her.
She noticed the window and went to peer at the class of perspiring men.“Wow,” she said, sipping her water, “your guys are fit.”
“We place a good deal of importance on physical training.”
“I can see that.”
At that moment, a tall, muscular blond man pushed through the door carrying a newspaper.
Seeing who it was, Sarah launched herself into his arms.“Rio!”She hugged her brother, and he laughed.
