Page 97 of One Kind Hand

“His agent is in the process of getting him some help. Hopefully he’ll straighten out.” Cody clamped a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Of course, by then we’ll have dominated Hollywood.” He released Austin and wiggled his phone. “I’ll get to those arrangements.”

“Don’t make any flight plans,” Charlie said to Cody. “I’ve got that covered.” She angled her head toward her chopper.

Nodding, Cody said, “Okay, Melanie and I will meet you there.”

“Melanie, huh?” Austin waited for his friend to look up from his phone. “This sounds serious.” He couldn’t remember a time when Cody kept the same chick around for this long. And forget taking her on the next gig. Usually it was just the two of them, hopping across the country from project to project.

“Yeah. Melanie is . . .” Cody shrugged. “She’s special.” He inhaled deeply. “I don’t know. There must be something in this Vermont mountain air. I need to see how I feel about her in another state before I do anything drastic.”

With a wave, Cody walked off toward a waiting limo.

“He might be on to something about this Vermont mountain air,” Charlie said. “I mean, look at us.” She waved a hand between them. “Look at most of my friends who have fallen completely in love. There’s magic in these mountains.” She pointed to the tall shadows on the horizon.

Austin pulled her into a hug then kissed the top of her knit hat, loving that they wore matching ones, no matter how corny that was. “Good thing Hunting Justice was filmed here.”

“Good thing it called for a helicopter and pilot.”

After another kiss, Austin quickly got rid of his remaining props and changed out of the clothes he’d worn for filming today. He and Charlie walked, hands linked, to his SUV and Austin drove them to his hotel.

In the elevator, Charlie wrapped her arms around one of his, leaning her chin against his shoulder. “I wonder what other famous people will compete on that show.”

“Not Chad Zimmers,” Austin said, making them both chuckle. “I wonder how bad the other teams will take it when we crush them.”

Charlie pointed at him. “I like this competitive energy.”

“It’s more like fact, baby.” Austin slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “Together, we’re unstoppable.”

****

Charlie fully enjoyed all three of Austin’s sisters. Of course it was easier to like these insanely gorgeous women now that she knew they were related to him and not trying to date him.

Berto got to all fours in Charlie’s lap, turned in a little circle as he yawned, then settled back into a tight ball on her thighs. He let out a contented breath and Charlie couldn’t resist stroking his back. She wondered what Knox would think of the pup. She’d have to schedule a meet-and-greet between Chihuahua and crow soon.

But next up on her list was to enjoy the fact that Austin was giving her a look from across the living room in his sisters’ suite. A look that said Let’s get the fuck out of here, baby.

I hear you, Mr. Movie Star. Loud and clear.

As if they’d actually had this conversation aloud, Austin strode over to her and scooped up Berto. The pup let out a little protest, but he quickly settled into the crook of Austin’s arm.

“Time to be somewhere else,” Austin said, holding a hand out to Charlie.

She took it and he pulled her to her feet. “I’m all for this plan.”

A phone buzzed on the end table and Morgan grabbed it, but not before both Charlie and Austin saw the name Sawyer on the screen.

“Who’s Sawyer?” Austin asked, his voice immediately shifting into big brother mode.

“No one.” Morgan held her phone to her chest as if protecting the caller from Austin.

Austin let out a low grumble. “Then you won’t mind if I answer that and have a little chat with this Sawyer character.” He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers for her to hand over the phone. “C’mon.”

“Not happening, brother.” Morgan shook her head. “You’re not going to scare him away.”

“That’s fine.” Austin grinned when the phone stopped buzzing. “I got you to bullshit with me long enough that this Sawyer dick gave up anyway.”

Morgan pulled the phone from her chest to look at the screen. “Dammit, Austin! He’s not a dick.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know that because you’ve told me nothing about him.”