STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) by Bev Pettersen Read Free Book Online Page A

and slipping it back into her pocket. “But a well-dressed one. No ugly jeans but a designer type. And those tooled leather boots on the second shelf might fit. I like the silver belt on the hook too.”
    The woman’s brow furrowed and she shot Emily an odd look. However, she gathered the items and handed them over with a tight smile.
    Emily scooped them up and hurried into a change room, eager to escape the tent before the supervisor returned.
    The shirt fit nicely and the boots were lovely, with leather soft enough to be comfortable but certainly not too worn. However, the pants weren’t flattering at all. She certainly couldn’t appear around Dan Barrett in ugly jeans.
    She spent several precious minutes trying on more jeans, stoically resisting the compulsion to check over her shoulder for the supervisor. Finally the patient wardrobe lady—after the first five minutes she introduced herself as Maggie—dug up some lovely Hudson jeans that outlined Emily’s legs perfectly.
    Emily gave a satisfied thumbs up to Maggie and rushed from the tent, bolstered by the knowledge she was now suitably dressed. If a hunk like Dan Barrett had to see her looking like a groom, at least it would be as a well-dressed one.
     
    *
     
    “We’re a day ahead of schedule.” Anthony Jenkins rubbed his hands and gestured at the whiteboard. Dan had never seen the director look so pleased.
    “If the weather cooperates, we’ll switch back to the track tomorrow,” Anthony said. “Where Dan can show us more of his magic.”
    The nine other people in the trailer turned and smiled at Dan. He shifted in the chair, always a bit impatient during the daily production meetings. Much of it related to interior scenes that didn’t involve him—or the horses.
    And he was concerned about Bruno. The gelding had been over zealous with his rearing and needed more work in the round pen. Tomorrow’s scene with Ice should be a cinch though. Ice was a pro; that horse never put a hoof wrong.
    “We’ll be shooting out of sequence this week,” Anthony said. “Shania has a cold and needs some time.”
    “She didn’t like the splash from the pool,” the AD said, rolling his eyes. “And unfortunately she’s allergic to horses.” He shot a snide look at the casting director who appeared unfazed by the criticism.
    Anthony shrugged. “Shania’s a box office draw. It’s important to keep her happy.” He flipped through the storyboards then tapped with an authoritative finger. “I’m going to jump ahead and shoot Reckless’s behavior following the disappearance of the groom.”
    Dan kept his face impassive but inwardly cursed. Bruno was going to need his A-game this week. He was playing the ‘bad’ Reckless. Unfortunately Bruno was more intuitive than the actors and had quickly learned how to intimidate. He behaved perfectly with Dan, and the stunt doubles loved him. But his rearing was much too enthusiastic.
    Maybe Ice should sub for Bruno. He could also rear on cue. However, Ice’s maneuvers were submissive and much more mechanical. He was the type of horse who wanted to please. He definitely lacked Bruno’s air of menace.
    Dan dragged a hand over his jaw. A sigh leaked out.
    Anthony swung aggressively toward Dan. “I assume you’re okay with this?”
    The director had mercurial mood swings but Dan liked working with him. Anthony was an award-winning director and a genius for capturing emotion, but what Dan appreciated most was that he didn’t generally interfere with the horses.
    Dan gestured at the whiteboard. “Can a male groom lead Reckless to the track? With the rear by the barn door?”
    “I prefer the rear be in the aisle,” Anthony said.
    Dan shook his head. “Too dangerous. The horse could slip. It has to be on dirt. And the same horse can only rear twice in one day, unless we get special permission from the Humane Association.”
    “All right.” Anthony blew out a long-suffering sigh but turned and jotted a notation on the