Page 51 of One Kind Hand

“You must believe it is, young grasshopper,” Isabel said. “All I know is that the movie Austin is shooting could have been looking for local dump truck drivers or train engineers. But it wasn’t. It was looking for helicopter pilots. It was looking for you, Charlie. It’s destiny.”

“Oh, boy. I’d better go before you get all crunchy on me.”

“Embrace the crunch.”

“Bye, Isabel.” Charlie hung up and stowed her phone in a tiny black purse Heather had included with the dress. The strap had a little sparkle woven into it that complemented the other accessories Charlie wore.

And when was the last time she’d cared about complementing accessories?

How about never?

With an eye roll, she applied a dark red lipstick and had to admit that brought a little bit of the badass vibe back. She approved.

Before leaving her bedroom, she stuffed another pair of yoga pants, a T-shirt, and a few other necessities into her bag. She didn’t want to assume she’d be staying the night again, but she also wanted to be prepared if the invite was issued. Last night had occurred due to a possible concussion.

Tonight would be intentional.

She strode out to the living room, heading for her front door, when knocking sounded at the sliding glass door in the dining room.

“Knox.”

Charlie set her bag and purse by the front door and went to see her crow buddy. As soon as she opened the sliding door, the large black bird hopped along the railing of her deck, fluffing up his feathers in greeting.

“Hey, Knox,” she crooned. She’d tried out a bunch of voices after reading about crows and Knox responded best to an almost flirty tone.

Didn’t all males. She chuckled and Knox let loose a similar sound.

“Oh, going to copy me today?”

Another series of chirps were issued and she translated that to mean, Where the heck have you been, lady?

“Sorry, pal. I’ve been high rolling in Montpelier with a movie star.” She went back into the house for the peanuts-and-seeds mix she kept specifically for Knox.

He cawed a few notes while she was in the house and when she returned outside, he was balancing on his good foot as he often did. It made her wonder if the slightly mangled one hurt him, but she wasn’t about to attempt taking a wild crow to the vet. Knox had managed this long with that foot so she figured he had his adaptations all figured out. He was, of course, a very smart crow.

“Here.” She set a handful of the mix on the deck railing and Knox hopped over immediately. He pecked away at the stash then regarded her as he often did. She’d give anything to truly know his thoughts. She’d bet they were deep and philosophical. Knox’s eyes always looked as if he’d give great advice.

“Do you think I’m crazy to get involved with a famous person?”

Knox fluttered out his wings then settled them back against his sleek body. He let out a little warble that she took to be words of encouragement.

“You’re right. I should go for it. If it goes south, it goes south. At least I can say I shagged Austin Rayhill.” Only it had felt like way more than shagging last night. Shagging rarely led to all-night cuddling in bed. Shagging was okay, I’ll call you sometime. It wasn’t I have to see more of you. That was what Austin had said to her when he’d issued his dinner date invite.

“Yeah, Knox. Definitely more than shagging.”

The crow finished his peanuts and seeds then gave her his customary farewell song before extending his big, black wings and taking off. She gave him a wave and went back into the house. Grabbing her purse and bag again, she exited through the front door and headed for her SUV.

Charlie was certain she was out of her league, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to play in the game.

****

Austin tightened his tie and flipped down the collar of his white dress shirt. He slid his arms into the sleeves of a black suit coat and buttoned the top button only. Smoothing his hands over the expensive fabric, he checked that his fly was zipped then brushed away some Berto fur, eyeing the pup who was lounging on the bed.

“So you’re telling me that if I don’t want your fur all over my ass, I’d better stay standing to slide on my shoes?”

Berto let out a little bark and Austin nodded.

“Yeah. That’s what I thought. Punk.” He scratched between Berto’s ears then under his chin. “Fine. You can get your fur all over everything except me, bud.” Austin bent to pick up his dress shoes and carried them out to the living room, Berto trailing after him.