“Jo has been worried, all right.Poor woman takes her responsibilities very seriously, although between you and me, I think she needs someone to give her good financial advice.Maybe you could recommend someone.But the main thing is, you’re here.I wasn’t sure you’d show up.”
“Well, a lot is at stake.And a stud deserves to have his last shot count.”
“Last shot?”Emmy Lou’s smile was coy as she looked him up and down.“I hardly think so.”
“Well, that’s what Jo said this would be.”
“How rude of her!”She peered at him.“When did you discuss this with Jo?”
“In New York.”Quinn was becoming a little confused by the conversation.
“That little dickens.I need to have a talk with that girl.She may be getting a little too big for her britches.”
Quinn thought Jo fit her britches just fine.
“Anyway, you’re here now.”Emmy Lou led him into a country kitchen filled with the scent of chicken and baked apples.
Quinn’s mouth watered.
“Sit yourself down and take a load off,” the woman said.“I’ll run and fetch Jo.She’s upstairs.She’ll besoglad to see you.”
“Okay.”Quinn felt extremely pleased with himself.Maybe this sperm-delivery trip would improve his image after his sorry performance with the snake this afternoon.And if Jo truly needed financial advice, maybe he could help her there, too.
He set the cooler on the floor beside his chair.After Jo got over the shock of seeing him, he’d bring it out as a special surprise.He wondered how she’d react.Maybe she’d hug him in gratitude.That was a nice prospect.
Emmy Lou left the kitchen and walked down the hall.“Jo!”she called up the stairs.“You’ll never guess who’s here!”
Quinn smiled with pleasure.Despite the snake, he must have made a decent impression on Jo if she’d told her housekeeper all about him.He’d planned to head straight back for New York, but with this kind of welcome he might be convinced to stay a little longer.
ChapterFive
Jo came to the head of the stairs.“Who?”
Grinning like a politician at a barbecue, Emmy Lou motioned her down, and Jo descended the stairs, eyebrows lifted.
When Jo was two steps away, Emmy Lou leaned forward and delivered her news in a stage whisper.“Brian Hastings.”
“You’re kidding.”Jo’s heart rate kicked up a notch.
“Nope.Sitting right in my kitchen.”
Technically it was Jo’s kitchen, but she didn’t correct Emmy Lou.If possession was nine-tenths of the law, Emmy Lou owned the kitchen.“He just showed up at the door?Nobody’s with him?”
“He probably enjoys getting off by himself once in a while, away from all those screaming women.Why I decided I wouldn’t even ask him for a button off his shirt.At least not yet.”
“Go slow on the button thing.”Jo glanced toward the kitchen, and her chest tightened.As much as she’d prayed for this moment, she realized she’d never negotiated a movie contract.It probably wasn’t a job for someone with math anxiety, either.She’d have to concentrate really hard and make sure she counted the zeros, although she had no idea how many there should be when someone wanted to rent your ranch.Lots, she hoped.
“It’s really going to happen, Jo.”Emmy Lou’s voice trembled with excitement.“The Bar None will rocket to stardom, and we’ll be able to pay the bank.Not to mention having Brian Hastings around for weeks.Do you think I should ask him for a part in the movie yet?”
“No!”Jo whispered.“And don’t you ask about that darned button, either!This might still be a preliminary visit.We might have made the shortlist or something.”She ran her fingers through her hair and glanced at the torn jeans and old T-shirt she wore.She could either meet a famous movie star looking like this or go upstairs and change, which would keep a famous movie star waiting.She decided to go with the outfit she had on and headed for the kitchen.A man used to starlets probably wouldn’t give an ordinary woman a second look no matter what she had on.
She paused outside the kitchen door and took a deep breath.He was only a man, she reminded herself.But herself wouldn’t listen.Her heart was leaping like a rodeo bronc at the idea of coming face-to-face with the very person commonly referred to as the sexiest man alive.And she couldn’t blow this interview.The future of her ranch might depend on the impression she made in the next minute.
Closing her eyes, she counted to ten.Then she walked into the room.
Quinn Monroe smiled at her.“Surprise.”
“Damn!It’s you!”
