Chapter 3

They were here. Everywhere he went on the ranch, he could hear the whispers of excitement. The film crew had arrived thankfully without fanfare. They had arrived in the dead of night, possibly to avoid being hassled by ‘the small-town people'.

Taj supposed that as the most prominent family in town, he should make an appearance and welcome them. But that was the last thing on his mind right now. Another incident with the cattle this time had reared its head and they had stayed up most of the night trying to fix things.

His men were tired, and he was bone weary. He had insisted on his dad going to bed when it touched midnight and he had done so, albeit reluctantly. The east side of the ranch had been thoroughly cleaned and was ready for the shooting or whatever the hell it was called.

That section was relatively cut off from the main house, which meant they would not be disturbed. He had been given a schedule, which he had given only a cursory glance and noted that they intended to be here sometime from dawn. That part had surprised him because he had no idea that Hollywood types arose before noon.

There had also been requests made for them to avail themselves of several of the horses.

The ranch had plenty, and he had left the arrangements to his foreman. He certainly did not have time for anything like that.

He had opened the ranch up for them and that was enough.

Dragging off his work gloves, he dismounted, twisting the reins over a nearby sapling. Hunkering down, he dipped his hands in the cold clear water and took several long swallows. He had been up since four this morning after stumbling into the ranch house at two a.m. and his body was feeling the lack of sleep.

He was going to have to crash at some point today if he had any hope of getting through the remainder of the day.

Sidling over to the trunk of a towering oak tree, he leaned back and closed his eyes wearily. Ranching was not a bed of roses and certainly not for the weak as he had discovered very early in life.

He had been given a choice because his mother had insisted on it.

"Let him decide for himself." She had told his father firmly. "I know this is a family business, but it will be better served if this is what he wants to do."

He had been in the saddle almost as soon as he could walk and had ridden the range with his dad and granddad. Those early years had taught him to appreciate the land and the wild beauty of it. He had also seen the ravages that came with it. Men had died, due to carelessness and unpredictable weather.

He had been taught firsthand and had even murmured against going off to college when he resolved that ranching was what he wanted to do, but his mother had been firm.

"You are going and honey, that's not a request. I have always been on your side, and I know that this is indeed a family business. Your dad went to college- "

"Gramps didn't." He had chimed him which had gotten him a tug on his earlobe.

"You are going and that's final."

So, he had reluctantly signed up for Yale and with his prestigious grade point average, had been offered a partial scholarship. He had studied agricultural science and business management and found that he rather enjoyed the time he spent there. But right after graduation, he had come back home to start his job as a rancher.

He had mistakenly thought that with his degrees, he would naturally start at the top, but his father had insisted on him starting from the bottom.

"You expect me to muck out stalls and feed the animals?" he asked, with an incredulous look on his face. "I did that when I was ten."

"And you will better be able to appreciate your legacy if you know everything there is to know about the business."

"I already do!"

But no number of arguments and persuasion had swayed him not even when he threatened to go elsewhere. "Go ahead, but you will only be coming back right here. One day all of this will belong to you and your children.

Start at the bottom and show these men we employ that you are not afraid to humble yourself. I did it and you will too."

He had reluctantly acceded and discovered that his dad had been right all along. He had gained the respect of the men and learned all there was to learn.

The sound of his phone vibrating snapped him back to attention. Dragging his hands over his face, he forced the weariness from his body and answered the call.

*****

"Wakey, wakey. I have eggs and a bakery."

"You sound ridiculous." Dani dragged herself up against the mound of pillows, eyes glinting at the brilliant sunlight gleaming through the drapes. "Why are you up so early and why is it so bright in here?"

"To answer the questions in the order they were received – It's a little past noon and it's bright because the sun has been up since dawn or the breaking thereof. Several of us who have never experienced farm life before went for a hike and watched fascinated as a decrepit-looking farmer milked his cow, Betsy."

"You are making that up."

"I swear on my dear departed grandmother's grave," Jason said with a grin.

"You hated your grandmother."

"True," he nodded, taking off the cover with a flourish. "Eggs over easy, the way you like it, and bacon, so damn tasty, I swear they just killed the fricking pig."

"Now you are turning me off," she said, wrinkling her pert nose.

"Wheat toast with just the right amount of honey. I warned the cook, a very buxom and pleasant lady by the by. I warned her how particular you are and that you define the word diva. Suffice it to say that she is in fear of her job."

"You are evil." Picking up the bread, she bit into it, eyebrows lifting. "It's very good."

"Told ya." Kicking off his tennis shoes, he climbed in and leaned his head back against the pillows, his amused blue eyes wandering over her unmade-up face.

"What?"

"You are probably the only woman I know in our profession who does not look ghastly without makeup on."

"Why, thank you." Ignoring him, she reached for her cup of coffee and simply breathed in the caffeine.

"You are welcome. I am also here to tell you that the crew and cast are invited to dinner at – Wait for it! The Southern Ranch." He clapped a hand to his mouth, blue eyes dancing. "We get to meet the great men of the famous multi-billion-dollar ranch, all three generations of them."

"I would rather pass." She grumbled.

"Non-negotiable darling." He told her lightly. Plucking the cup from her, he took a sip that earned him a glare. "As much as you are the integral cog in this particular wheel, there are some things mandatory, even for you.

And I have been avidly studying the gorgeous heir to the fortune. All untidy blonde hair and the greenest eyes this side of the world. If he is straight- "

"He is. I read that he is quite popular with the ladies." She retorted.

"As I was saying – if he is gay, I am going to ride that cowboy – rough." He grinned at her look of distaste at his crudity. "And if he is straight, then you get to ride him."

"The only riding I will be doing- "Taking her cup from him, she sipped more coffee. "Will be the excellent horseflesh they have available. I am here to work and that's what I will be doing. And I am sure he is involved with someone."

He studied her thoughtfully, eyes roving over the mass of dark brown hair she had twisted into a careless bun on top of her head with tendrils escaping over her face. He had teased her about her lack of makeup, but in fact, she did not need any artifice. Her skin was flawless. "Don't you think it's strange that you have morals?" he asked quietly.

Her brows lifted. "Because I refuse to sleep around?"

"Yes and that you are discriminate. When was the last time you had your delectable body wrapped around a man's? And I am not talking about the time you jumped into my very strong and muscular arms when you thought you saw a mouse."

She shuddered even at the thought of those nasty creatures. She could deal with snakes, jungle animals, and a bear or two, but rodents give her the creeps.

"Now I am officially not hungry anymore." Shoving the tray away, she gave him a baleful look and swung her legs off the bed. She had put on an oversized shirt that left her shapely legs bare, affording him a fetching view of even more of her skin.

"You are one to talk." She murmured as she headed for the bathroom. "You always make certain that the people you see are unattached."

"A fat lot of good it does." He muttered. "Maybe I should change my method. Being morally inclined has not done me a damn good."

Leaning her head out the bathroom doorway, she flashed him a smile. "It might come in handy someday. Are you going to lurk inside my bedroom until I come out of the shower?"

He grinned at her and responded by folding his hands behind his head and making himself more comfortable. "I am waiting right here and hoping that you come out dripping wet and minus the towel."

"Pervert." She muttered wryly before going back in.

*****

She had seen photos of the place of course, but nothing prepared them for the sheer beauty of the dazzling whitewashed building perched atop a gentle incline and spreading over several miles.

The porch seemed to go on forever with trellises climbing up the towering pillars. The winding driveway seemed to go on for miles until they came to a stop at the front steps where a uniformed maid was waiting to show them in.

Dani's senses were delighted by the blaze of so many different varieties of flowers that it boggled the mind. And the landscaping was magnificent. From where she was standing, she could see a large barn and several horses grazing in the paddock.

Several cottages dotted the enormous land space, and a gentle spring breeze stirred the towering trees and glided off the skin pleasantly.

"My God!" Jason breathed reverently, coming up beside her. "It looks like something out of a flipping fairytale. And the air- "He breathed in deeply. "Have you ever felt anything so clean and fresh?"

"There might be bugs circling." She warned, flashing him a smile when he cast her a dirty look for spoiling his moment.

Linking her hand through his arm, she climbed the steps and nodded to the waiting maid who opened the door to admit them.

Wide hallways, silken tapestries, and priceless art met their dazzled eyes as they were shown into a cavernous drawing room where two men rose to their feet as they were shown into the room.

Introductions were quickly made and apologies for the absence of the younger Byrne.

"Some crises with a mare foaling and Taj wanted to ensure there were no complications.

Theodore Bryne's piercing blue eyes were intent on Dani's face, giving her the uncomfortable impression that she was found wanting. His dad, Thomas =, was more receptive and was determined to make them feel at home.

To her surprise, Dani found herself warming up to him and by the time dinner was announced and they all piled into yet another cavernous room with a table that could easily seat a hundred people, she was laughing at his stories.

The meal was sumptuous and delicious. They were served cold tomato soup, the best she ever tasted as the appetizer followed by orange duck, so savory and thinly sliced that it positively melted in one's mouth.

They were in the middle of the meal when he appeared just inside the doorway.

"Ah, here comes my wayward grandson and he even had the presence of mind to shower and change."

"Thanks, Gramps." The voice coming from the tall, leanly muscular man walking with panther-like grace inside the room was magnetic, as was his very arresting face.

He was blonde and should have been fair of skin, but years spent out in the inclement weather had turned his skin into a very attractive tan that was striking against the untidy shoulder-length hair. But it was his eyes that drew one's gaze to him.

They were a cross between emerald and a dark wintergreen and seemed to glow with an intense light.

Dani heard the indrawn breath from Jason who was seated next to her and noticed that the female members of their group were practically salivating. She admired the sheer male beauty, managing to keep her reactions private.

She was accustomed to handsome men, but this one had an earthy sexuality that was too obvious not to be noticed. Introductions were made before he took his seat to the right of his dad. A maid materialized as if by magic to set a place for him.

"Ms. Matthews.' He addressed her for the first time, handing the bowl of herbed potatoes to his dad. "My grandfather is an avid fan of yours."

Dragging her eyes from the hypnotic gaze, she flashed a smile at the jovial old man. "That's what he told me the moment I stepped into the room. And I am flattered."

"Nonsense child." Thomas waved a fork dismissively. "I am quite certain I am not even your oldest or biggest fan."

"Certainly the most gracious." She told him softly.

Taj watched as the beautiful male sitting close to her whispered something in her ear and felt a strange frisson of emotion he could not identify.

Her photos did not do her justice. It had not shown how flawless her skin was or that her hair was so thick and healthy, it shimmered at the slightest movement of her head. Neither did it do justice to her dark brown eyes or the seductive shape of her lips.

"Taj?"

Shaking his head, he turned to see his dad looking at him strangely. "Yes?"

"We were talking about the horses."

"What horses?"

"Ms. Matthews and several members of the cast would like to have some of our horses available for riding."

"We are going to be doing several scenes where we are required to ride short distances." Mel Gibbons, the producer explained.

"I am assuming we don't have to offer to teach you how to mount a horse?" He posed the question to Dani.

"Thankfully no." She responded.

"Dani is an excellent horsewoman," Jason said proudly, placing one hand over hers on the table. The movement did not escape Taj and he found himself wondering if the rumors were true. They looked very good together, he had to admit.

The rest of the conversation centered on the ranch and the various activities, and the two hours flew by quickly. Dessert was a delicious combination of fresh blueberries and homemade ice cream followed by coffee so strong and potent that Dani told them laughingly that she would probably be up all night.

They were about to say their goodbyes when Taj excused himself.

"I have to go back out there." Nodding to the cast and crew, he found his gaze lingering on the beautiful woman who had captured his attention.

"I think he likes you," Jason murmured as they made their way back to the farmhouse.

"Jenny and Sara are going to be vying for his attention." They had been given rentals when they arrived and she was traveling with Jason, giving her a chance to kick off her shoes and wriggle her toes.

"And he never once gave them a second look." He glanced at her briefly, admiring the raspberry-colored silk blouse she had worn over her chic blue pants.

"You are imagining things as usual." She scoffed.

"You have to admit that he is pretty hot."

"I don't have to imagine anything."

"Hmm." Sliding her a teasing look, he eased into the parking lot of the farmhouse and killed the engine. "It would not hurt to tumble into bed with a man who looks like that."

Turning her head, she gave him a wry look. "Why are you insisting on me getting laid?"

"Because I love you and he is not interested in me. Your pipes should be clogged about now darling and need a good and thorough cleaning." He grinned at the incensed expression on her exquisite face.

"The things that come out of your mouth."

"Just saying it like it is."

"I am fine."

"Want to go for a walk?"

Looking out the window at the inky darkness relieved by a very big moon, she nodded. "Just so that I can walk off some of that fabulous food."

"Have you ever tasted anything so yummy?"

"Not even when we were shooting that scene in Paris."

*****

"You don't like her." Thomas gazed at his son as he rolled the brandy glass between his palms, a slight frown on his brow. He had poured himself a glass after their guests had left and had been silent ever since.

"I hardly know her." He did not pretend ignorance.

"She seems very nice for someone of her fame."

"Fame." His son let loose a harsh laugh. "I would not exactly call repeating lines and reaping loads of money, fame."

Thomas stared at him with a frown. "That's not fair to the young lady. She is quite talented."

"And no doubt of loose morals as well." There was no mistaking the scathing note in his voice. "She and that young man who is too pretty to be real, seemed to have forgotten that there were other people at the table."

"They do seem to be very close." His father agreed absently. "Did you notice the way Taj was staring at her?"

"He would do well to stay the hell away from her."

His father's frown deepened. "Marion was an out-of-towner- "

"I hope you are not comparing my wife to that – that actress."

"Son, what's bugging you?"

"Nothing." Theodore had stayed away from Jane because he was feeling guilty. Several nights ago, when he had been with her, the guilt had surfaced and after the conversation with his son afterward, he had gone up to the suite he had spent years with his wife and just sat on her love seat, staring at her photo.

But there was no need for that. Each time he gazed at their son; he was reminded of her. She had passed on the luxurious blonde hair to him and those incredible green eyes that had bewitched from the very first day he saw her.

He missed her so much that he was aching inside.

"I miss her too." His father's quiet gruff voice dragged him out of his misery.

"I apologize," he said dully.

"For what? You don't think I miss your mother every goddamned day? I do. But the memory of her lives on in here." He slapped his hand against his chest. "Wonderful memories and of course I have you. The same way you have Taj, who happens to be a fine young man."

"I know." With a sigh, Theodore lifted the glass to his lips and downed the liquor. "But that does not prevent me from wanting to look out for him. He can have any woman he wants, and I certainly do not want him pining after some shallow actress who will be gone in a few weeks."

"I have to remind you of your wife again." His father said gently.

"My wife was sweet and gentle, and a lady and she did not hesitate to give up her life to stay here with me. That woman is from a place where morals are loose and standards-" He shook his head. "Well, there are no standards, are there? But I am jumping the gun. Taj is too wise and levelheaded to fall for just a pretty face. He knows better."

"We'll see." His father murmured obliquely, causing Theodore to give him a narrow-eyed look.

"Dad, I hope you are not thinking of interfering and causing problems."

"I happen to be a sick old man who is unable to think past tonight. What on earth do you expect I would be doing?"

"Your innocent expression does not fool me one bit," Theodore warned him. "Stay out of it."