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“That’s a wrap for today,” her director announced.
Someone approached to remove the microphone pack clipped to the back of her pants. Her feet hurt, she was hungry, and a headache was beginning to throb behind her eyes.
But none of that could dampen the anticipation that had been building all day. Because unlike the previous ten nights, she wouldn’t be going back to Edith’s after this.
For once, she was about to get exactly what she wanted—one-on-one time with Grady with no interruptions or prying eyes.
A few stolen kisses they’d managed hadn’t come close to satisfying her.
One morning, she’d stopped by the sheriff’s office under the guise of having questions for the production and gotten a few precious minutes alone with him behind his closed office door. Another afternoon, he’d shown up at the school near the end of rehearsal, supposedly to make sure the paparazzi weren’t causing problems on school grounds. They both knew he’d really come to see her. They'd found a place to disappear for a few minutes, but a dispatcher interrupted them with a burglary in progress. Grady had apologized before rushing off, leaving her with another unfinished kiss and a growing appreciation for just how unpredictable his job could be.
Then yesterday, at the end of filming, Fen had somehow smuggled Grady in and out of her dressing RV without anyone noticing.
That had been the worst tease of all.
The late-night video calls helped, especially when the conversation led elsewhere, but even those left her wanting the real thing.
Tonight, if Fen’s ridiculous scheme worked, she’d finally get it.
That thought put a little more energy in her step as she headed toward the temporary canopy where her assistant waited.
The plan itself was simple enough. Fen would leave the ranch with Willow disguised as Amanda, drawing the paparazzi after them. Once they were far enough away, Amanda would take Willow’s truck to the JP Ranch.
Simple, but probably their best chance of getting her there without leading a parade of photographers straight to Dale and Jeremiah's home. They'd offered her and Grady the guest cottage they'd built for Jeremiah's parents when they visited from Arizona.
Tonight, that cottage would be all hers and Grady’s.
She was beginning to think Fen deserved a raise.
Maybe.
“You really think they’ll all follow you?”
“If they think you’re sitting beside me? Absolutely.” His confidence faded a notch. “But if even one of them stays behind, you don’t leave.”
Amanda nodded. That part of the plan had been nonnegotiable from the start. Once Fen drew them away, she’d be on her own. If anyone followed Willow’s truck when she left, she’d turn around long before getting anywhere near the JP Ranch.
She trusted Fen to get the paparazzi away from Grady’s cousin’s home.
After that, it was up to her.
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
She headed into her dressing RV to change out of her filming clothes. Fen had already sent the hair and makeup team home early, leaving the space empty except for Willow, seated in front of the mirror, an auburn wig covering her brown hair.
Amanda stopped inside the door. “Oh, my God.”
Willow turned in the chair. “That good?”
“That disturbing.”
Laughing, the woman stood, and Amanda got the full effect. When the three of them had worked out the plan over lunch yesterday, it had sounded plausible enough. Seeing Willow in the wig made Amanda realize it might actually work.
No one would mistake them for each other up close, but that wasn’t the point. The paparazzi were stuck out on the road, too far away to get a good view inside Fen’s car as it passed. With the wig and some sunglasses, Willow could definitely fool them.
Her attention dropped to Willow’s right arm. Colorful tattoos covered it from beneath her shirt sleeve to her wrist. If any of the photographers spotted it, they’d know they weren’t stalking the celebrity.
“Where’s the jacket?”
