STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) by Bev Pettersen

you can hang around and get paid for the entire day,” he said impulsively. Obviously she needed the money, and in his opinion she deserved it. “Do you live close by?”
    “I’d love to stay,” she said. “I could clean stalls. Or wash dye off horses, bath them, whatever needs to be done.”
    She hadn’t answered his question although her helpful offer was appreciated. Wranglers looked after the horses and delivered them for each scene, but it was always hectic, especially when animals needed extensive grooming. And Emily was obviously very capable in that department.
    When they’d met in the dining tent, her shapely legs had been showcased by three-inch heels. During her interview, she’d flashed designer jeans and lipstick lips. She’d looked like someone pretending to be a groom. Today though, she was ponytail pretty in scuffed boots and faded jeans. She looked like a real horseperson, certainly someone who could bathe a horse. He already knew she was tough enough to sleep in a stall and skip a shower.
    His eyes narrowed in sudden comprehension. Naturally she was eager to wash horses. There were no public showers on site; she probably needed soap and water. And her shirt today was typical groom issue. Clearly she’d been prepped by the wardrobe people. Maybe she was too proud to admit she had no place to stay…or that she couldn’t afford one. He knew what it was like to be reduced to sharing a horse’s bath.
    “I could use some help later,” he said, watching her reaction. “There’s a wash stall in the stud barn past the caretaker’s cottage. A horse there needs cold water treatment.”
    Her little shiver was almost imperceptible.
    Almost.
    “We’ll get the warm water going too,” he added. “The barn hasn’t been used in years but it was built for Reckless. It’s well equipped. If you can hang around for an hour or so, I’ll show you where it is.”
    “Sounds good,” she said.
    Her words were simple but her grateful smile lifted his spirits, and he returned to the set feeling more enthused than he had all morning. He even managed a genuine chuckle at one of Shania’s horse jokes.

 
     
     
CHAPTER TEN
     
     
    “Roll camera!” the assistant director called, from the middle of the barn aisle.
    Emily stood among a smattering of bystanders, surrounded by the smell of wood and paint and excitement, trying to resist the urge to pinch her arm. Dan had told her to watch the action from the periphery. There was no need to sneak or pretend. She actually had permission—such an odd and comforting thing. Already she’d learned so much.
    This was the sixth take of Shania who played the missing groom, Tracey, with Robert Dexter, playing Mr. Hamilton. They hotly discussed the benefits of moving Reckless to a smaller barn. Apparently Tracey and Mr. Hamilton had enjoyed a very close relationship, and Hamilton had been almost as upset as Reckless when Tracey had left.
    “Action!” the director called.
    Shania dropped the wheelbarrow and jammed her hands on her hips. She wore a low T-shirt and her chest heaved with each impassioned plea. Emily blew out a wistful sigh. They hadn’t skimped on Shania’s hair, or makeup. The actress looked stunning. If the original groom had looked anything like that twenty years ago, there was probably some truth to the rumor that Hamilton had been completely infatuated.
    At some point Emily had stopped feeling self-conscious about her own lack of makeup, mainly because Dan didn’t seem to notice. He treated her the same way as he had yesterday. And while most men salivated over Shania, Dan seemed only interested in the welfare of his horse.
    “Cut!” the director called. Shania immediately turned to a hovering assistant and accepted a glass of mineral water.
    “That looked realistic,” a satisfied voice behind her said. “Exactly as I recall.”
    Emily glanced over her shoulder, recognizing Mr. Hamilton and his wife. Mrs. Hamilton’s expression was slightly