LITMIR.BIZ

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swallowed. “I imagine my ancestors got a few scars settling this land. You’d look perfect, scars and all.”

      His mouth twitched in amusement. “I’ll take that as a compliment. But stuntmen get paid for their ability to make the actors look good. No one sees my face.”

      Oh, that was a shame. He wasn’t pretty-boy handsome, but he had rugged good looks. Deep-set eyes that pierced right through you, a sharp jawline and a chin that displayed a deep cleft. But it was his mouth and a full bottom lip that, for the second time, made her wonder how it would feel against hers. Heat surged through her and she shook away the direction of her thoughts. “Well, I guess I should get back,” she said, realizing she was getting too up close and personal with the man.

      “Thanks for the sheets and towels.”

      “You’re welcome.” When she headed toward the door, he followed her. She reached for the doorknob and he did the same. Warmth shot up her arm and she jerked away just as Sophie came running to her, but stopped short and stood by her uncle’s side.

      Emily knelt down to the child’s level. “You get some sleep. Sweet dreams.”

      Emily moved to the door, but made the mistake to look over her shoulder to see the two. Just leave and don’t get any more involved. But it was too late.

      She found herself saying, “I think I know a place you could live during the filming. My mother has a small apartment over the garage.”

      Reece McKellen’s expression didn’t change except for a slight rise of his eyebrow. Emily decided that was probably the most emotion he showed people. Well, that was just fine, especially since she’d see him nearly every day for the next few months. They would be working together.

      “Are you interested?”

      His dark eyes pierced hers. “I’m very interested.”

      Chapter Three

      Thanks to our neighbors’ help, the barn is finally built. And if the weather holds, I promised Becky I will start the cabin. Although, she deserves to live in a stately mansion, she said all she wants is a home, right here with me.

      Jacob’s Journal

      The next morning at the ranch, Emily was up at 6:00 a.m. After a quick shower, she headed downstairs to find coffee and her brother. Since their father’s death, she—as well as the rest of the family—had always turned to Nate with her problems. And he’d always been there for her. Not just financially to help her through college, but whenever she needed emotional support. He might have been a little heavy-handed when it came to prospective boyfriends, but when it came to important choices, like her deciding on a film career, he’d stood by her. And now she could use his reassurance. She was filling her mug when he walked in.

      “Mornin’, Em,” he grumbled. Although he was showered and dressed for ranch work, his eyes were still heavy from sleep.

      “Hi, Nate.” She handed him her mug and poured another for herself.

      “Thanks,” he said and took a sip. “Tell me again why I want to be a rancher. These hours are worse than those of a sheriff.”

      She knew he wasn’t serious. Her brother had spent the past dozen years working and saving to get the Double H back in the Hunter family. “You love the smell of horse manure in the morning?”

      He tugged on her ponytail. “You’ve got a smart mouth.” He took another sip and leaned against the counter. “It’s going to get pretty busy around here in a few days. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

      No! But she wanted it more than anything. “Are you kidding? You know I’ve been dreaming about all of this forever.”

      “Sometimes reality isn’t as perfect as the dream.”

      Her pulse raced in panic. Nate and Shane had been working closely with Jason, from building the set to working out housing for the crew and corralling the animals. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

      He shook his head. “No. I’m only saying the next few months are going to be hectic.”

      Emily knew she’d be working with a demanding director, Trent Justice, and didn’t doubt she’d be doing rewrites for several scenes. “I can handle it. It’s you and Tori I’m worried about. Are you sure this isn’t too much for you guys? Especially Tori? You’ve shared your home, and now with a baby due in six weeks…”

      “Tori is loving it. You know that she loves having people around. But if it gets too crazy, I’ll keep her in the house,” he said and laughed. “Yeah, as if she’d let me boss her around.”

      Everyone could see how much Nate and Tori were in love. Her other brother, Shane, had also married recently, and his wife, Mariah was the love of his life. They had sneaked off to Las Vegas and didn’t tell a soul. They were excepting a child in the spring. It was hard not to envy what her brothers and their wives had.

      “With all the commotion going on I hope it won’t be a distraction from your work for the gallery?” she said. Nate, who was also a talented wood carver, had a show coming up.

      He smiled. “Not if you don’t mind waiting for me to replace the figurine I borrowed from you.”

      How sweet. When Nate’s talent had first been recognized he needed several carvings for his initial show. That show’s money had been what helped buy back the ranch. Friends and family donated their carvings to help the cause. She’d never regretted giving him the horse figurine he’d carved for her. “How about you give it to me for a wedding gift?”

      Nate cocked an eyebrow. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

      She laughed. “I’m telling you that you’ll have plenty of time to replace my carving.”

      He studied her for a moment. “Be careful, someone just might walk through that door and you’ll fall like a ton of bricks.”

      “Is that how it happened for you?” Tori asked from the doorway. She was wearing her gown and robe.

      “Sure was.” Smiling, Nate went to his wife. “I thought you were going to sleep in?”

      “I was until junior decided to play a game of kick ball. I’ll nap later.” She looked at her sister-in-law.

      “How did you sleep in your old room?”

      This was the house Emily had grown up in until their father died. When they couldn’t pay the mortgage, the bank repossessed the property. “Great, but I can’t impose on you guys anymore. You’ve done so much already.”

      Tori glanced from her husband to Emily. “I grew up in a big lonely house so I love having people around. You’ll never be intruding.” She wrapped her arm around her husband’s waist. “We want the whole family to feel like this is their home, too.”

      Emily swallowed the lump in her throat and glanced at her brother. “I’m sure glad you were wise enough to marry her.”

      “So am I.”

      Emily watched as the two exchanged a look that showed the depth of their love. Lately, when both her brothers were with their wives, she’d felt like the fifth wheel, an intruder. But someday she hoped she’d find their happily-ever-after kind of love with a special guy.

      There had been someone in college, but he wasn’t willing to allow her time for her career. She’d spent too many years in school not to get a chance to prove herself. She preferred to think that the real reason she hadn’t settled down was that she hadn’t found the man of her dreams yet.

      Suddenly the picture of a big, strong cowboy who’d been so tender with his niece popped into her mind. Not many men would single-handedly take on the responsibility of a child. But she doubted Reece McKellen was like most men.

      There was a soft knock on the door. She watched as Nate went to answer

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