Quinn glanced through the door into his bedroom, taking note of sturdy oak furniture and what looked like a handmade quilt on the bed.“Okay, you’ve shown me where I’m sleeping.”As the voices downstairs rose in volume, he glanced at Emmy Lou.“What do you say to a cup of coffee before I turn in?”
Emmy Lou beamed in approval.“I’d say that’s a great idea.”She led the way downstairs.
As they approached the kitchen, Quinn could make out the conversation much better.
“That section of fence was fine yesterday,” Jo said, an edge to her voice.“Somebody’s cutting that wire.”
“Now who would do a thing like that?You think I want your bull trampling my cook’s garden?”
“If it means I have to pay restitution for your specially ordered designer veggie plants, yeah, I think you’d love to have my bull running around in your cook’s garden!”
Give him hell, Jo.He stepped into the kitchen behind Emmy Lou, but the five-foot-something housekeeper didn’t block his view of the proceedings.Dick Cassidy faced the door, while Jo stood rigidly with her back to it.Cassidy had soft, fleshy features that might have been cute when he was a kid and would look ridiculously juvenile in another ten years.Quinn hated him on sight.
Cassidy’s reaction to Quinn was exactly the opposite, however.His eyes widened, and he broke into a goofy grin.“Well, I’ll be damned.You’re a sly one, Jo.”
Jo turned toward the door and caught sight of Quinn and Emmy Lou standing there.Then she glanced at Dick.“It’s not what you think.This is?—”
“As if you have to introduce the guy.”Dick pushed past her and stuck out his hand.“Dick Cassidy.I live on the neighboring ranch.I’d like you to come over and take a look.You might even like it better than the Bar None.The buildings are newer, and we’ve been able to keep up with painting and such better than Jo has.Well, you have to excuse her.A woman alone can’t be expected to stay on top of everything.”
“I like the rustic look.”Quinn even hated Cassidy’s handshake, which felt clammy.
“Then we can sand some of that paint off!”Cassidy said.“You name it, and we’ll do it.”
“Dick, let me explain,” Jo said.“I know what you think, but this is?—”
“Brian Hastings, of course.”Dick pumped his hand.“I’ve seen all your movies.Damn good flicks, if you ask me.”
Quinn had about three seconds to decide whether he could live with himself if he allowed this sorry excuse for a man to continue to ride roughshod over Jo.He decided in two.“That’s good to hear,” he said.“Which one did you like the best?”
ChapterSeven
Jo had never felt so much like hugging a man in her life.Thank God for Dick, jerk that he was.Apparently his appearance had tipped the scales in her favor and made Quinn decide to help her.
“It’d be real hard to pick a favorite movie,” Dick said.“Which one did you like the best?”
“Couldn’t say.Never see my own films.”
Emmy Lou hovered nearby.“Except for the daily rushes, of course.I’m sure you see those.”
“Well, yeah.”Quinn gestured vaguely.“The daily rushes and sometimes the weekly rushes, but I don’t bother with the monthly rushes.”
Dick stared at him.“Monthly rushes?”
“Hollywood!”Jo threw up her hands.“Who can keep up with the funny little terms they use?Hey, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I crossed two time zones twice today and I’ve had no sleep for twenty-four hours, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll turn in.”She glanced at Quinn.“Brian?You look pretty bushed, yourself.I’m sure you’ll find the guest bed comfy.”
Dick’s jaw dropped.“He’s staying here?”He turned to Quinn.“But where are the rest of your people?Your what d’ya call it...entourage?”
Quinn flexed his shoulders and looked bored.“I sent ‘em off to Bimini, told ‘em to relax, catch some rays.I need to be here alone, get in character.”
“Wow.I never knew you guys were so dedicated.That’s impressive, Brian.Is it okay if I call you Brian?You can call me Dick.”
“I sure will, Dick.”
“How many Oscars have you won, anyway?”
“You know, Dick, it’s easy to lose track of things like that, after the first few.”Quinn glanced quickly at Emmy Lou, who discreetly held up three fingers.“Three.”
“Dick, I hate to be rude.”Jo linked her arm through Quinn’s.“But Brian’s so polite he’d stay here answering your questions all night, when he really needs to get some sleep.I’ve appointed myself as his personal watchdog, to make sure he takes care of himself.Stars become so involved in their art that they sometimes neglect the essentials, like food and sleep.”
