Chapter 181: Red Flags"Hey, Mom? I'm popping out early." Anna approached her mother as the older woman surveyed the dining room."Are you feeling okay, hon?" Teresa fixed Anna with concerned grey eyes so much like her own."Yeah, I just…" Anna hesitated. "I told Bruce I'd have dinner with him in town."At that moment, Simone walked by with baskets of dinner rolls in each hand. "You have a date?"Anna blushed as she glanced at Bruce, who stood talking with her father across the room. "It's not a date. We're just catching up. He's off to Idaho tomorrow.""I was hoping you'd go out with Mr. Tall, Redhaired, and Gorgeous." Simone sounded disappointed."Oh, for Pete's sake!" Anna hissed. "I'm not going out with anybody. I'm just having dinner with an old friend."Simone raised an eyebrow. "Out. You're having dinner out."Teresa hooted with laughter. "Go on, hon. Lord knows you could use a night off."Throwing a final glare toward Simone, who laughed too, Anna turned and head

Chapter 183: Angus to the RescueIn his cabin, Angus's empty stomach complained loudly as he leaned over the table and shifted a pair of notecards he'd just switched moments earlier. Rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand, he straightened up and walked out onto his front porch. The night air was crisp and all was quiet as a million stars twinkled overhead. He inhaled the scent of pine and felt a sense of peace settle over him.During dinnertime, he'd been on a conference call with his art director, location manager, and director of photography as they worked to untangle a complication with the place they'd chosen to be the backdrop of the film. More than once, Angus found himself wishing they could shoot the movie here at Sweetwater Ranch. But they had already committed to a property just outside Aspen, Colorado, and after a couple of hours, they'd landed on a solution that everyone could live with. Now he just hoped his bank account could live with it.But he'd missed

Chapter 185: Getting PersonalBemused, Anna suppressed a smile as she clicked her glass to his. Feeling vaguely guilty for drinking beer while he sipped seltzer, she nevertheless chugged down about half of it, willing the alcohol to do its thing and help her forget about the last couple of hours."Thirsty, are ye?" Angus asked, his eyes sparkling with something that might have been either amusement or cautious concern.Opting to take the question at face value, Anna nodded. "I ended up walking a lot further than I anticipated tonight."Angus idly stirred his seltzer. "And why is that?"Anna gave her head a sharp shake. "Doesn't matter. So you're from Scotland?"He chuckled at the abrupt change of subject and sipped his drink. "Aye, I'm a weegie, born and bred."She tilted her head incredulously. "A ouija? Like the board game? Contact the spirits of the dearly departed and all that?" She waggled her fingers mystically.He laughed again, genuinely amused, and his blue eyes crin

Chapter 187: Meet the Movie StarChristopher picked up his glass of chardonnay and looked expectantly at Ross, who drummed his fingertips on the bar before he stood. "Fine," he sighed. "Let's go meet the movie star. Because this night couldn't get any more surreal."Ross and Christopher began making their way across the room. Anna tried to keep up, but with every step, she felt like she was walking on glass. "Slow down boys, I'm not moving so fast tonight."Turning, Ross frowned. "What's wrong?"Anna shrugged irritably. "Blisters."Together, the trio approached the booth where Angus stood and offered his right hand. "Hallo.""Angus McGregor, you already know Ross. Meet Christopher--" She looked at the tall blond man helplessly. "Baker," Ross and Christopher said simultaneously.Anna gave a satisfied nod. "Sorry. I forgot. Baker. They're going to join us." She grabbed her beer and slid into Angus's side of the booth.Angus gave a genuine smile as he shook both men's ha

Chapter 189: Big DummyAs Angus followed Christopher out of the exam room, Ross came back in, a solemn look on his face. Mentally, Anna rolled her eyes. It was late. By her estimation, it had to be at least 12:30, and she was tired. She was thankful the following day was Sunday. There would be no formal riding sessions. Following a quick continental breakfast, most of the guests would be going with Andy and Ross on an all-day excursion to Rustler's Gap, an old ghost town about an hour away. In thinking about the day, she was already making plans to become intimately reacquainted with her pillow and her goose-down comforter.Ross sat on the stool Christopher had vacated, rolling up to face her. "Hey, sis. How are you feeling?"Anna carefully swished her feet through the water and shrugged. "Alright, I guess. The water kind of stings and kind of feels good, all at the same time.""I can't get over Batman, though. I never in a million years thought…" He trailed off, running