more likely there’s a self-serving reason.”
“Could it hurt to call and find out what he has to say?” James asks.
“Let’s get through our afternoon with Rachel and I’ll think about it. Are you looking forward to your modeling debut?”
His face contorts into an exaggerated cringe. “I have no idea why she wants me to ruin a picture that’s sure to thrill the entire male population of the planet.”
I laugh. “Maybe she’s trying to appeal to her female audience.” I give him a flirtatious look that clearly suggests I wouldn’t mind seeing what’s under his clothes, as well.
Addressing my obvious sauciness, he says, “There are other ways to see me without my clothes on.”
“Not for me there aren’t,” I blurt out. He looks so hurt, I quickly add, “I mean, not right now.”
“Tara,” he starts to say.
I cut him off. “James, I really like you, but I’m not sure now is the best time to start something between us. Especially when I don’t know if I’ll be staying here once Rachel’s articles come out.”
“You can’t keep running,” he says.
“No, but maybe the best place to hide is in plain sight.”
“What do you mean by that?” He absently butters his toast and winds up slathering part of his hand as well.
“I’ve been thinking that once Rachel’s articles come out, maybe the best place for me to blend into the woodwork is where a lot of famous people live.”
“So, you’re thinking about going back to LA?” He sounds incredulous.
“I could always move to New York, London, or Paris … (or travel with the circus). Famous people are a dime a dozen in those places and are usually ignored. You know, as long as the tabloids aren’t stirring up a frenzy.”
“If that’s true, then why did you come to Oregon?”
“I told you, I wanted to see what life was like for normal people.”
“And you hate it?”
He sounds sad, so I explain,” I love it, but only because no one knows who I am.” I take a tentative sip of my orange juice.
“You don’t have much faith in people, do you?”
I don’t know how to answer that question, so I shrug.
“You know Sam Elliot lived just south of here in a small town called Brownsville for many years.”
“Sam Elliot?” I didn’t know that.
“Yup. When he wasn’t away filming something, he was there buying his groceries at the local market or having a drink at a local bar. People got used to seeing him and he became a fixture in town.” Then he adds, “Don’t give up on the folks of Spartan until you give them a chance.”
“We’ll know soon enough, I guess.” My mind flashes to all the chaos that might result from Rachel’s articles. Not just for me, for James, too.
James reaches over and takes my hand. We must look like an old married couple sitting in bed having breakfast together. He warns, “People will pay a lot of attention to you at first, but they’d do that anywhere. I’d bet money on the fact that they’ll start treating you like Sam Elliot in no time though.”
I can’t help the spontaneous giggle that bubbles up. “I never aspired to be Sam Elliot before, but you know what? I do now.”
We eat our breakfast in relative silence. I don’t know what James is thinking, but I’m contemplating how nice it would be if he was right and, once my secret is out, people here would continue to treat me like they already do.
“And once you realize you and Sam are the same, I want to start dating you for real,” he says.
“You have a thing for Sam Elliot, huh?” I tease.
He puts his toast down and says, “It’s the mustache. It makes me hot.” Then he gets all serious and stares into my eyes. “I have a thing for you, Tara. I’d have a thing for you even if you had a handlebar mustache.”
A delicious tingle fills my body and I momentarily lose my ability to speak. When I finally snap out of it, I say, “If you’re right about people not caring who I am, I’d be honored to date you.” And while I hope against hope Spartan comes through for me, I’m not exactly optimistic.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ruby
“Ruby!’ Chris calls out as her friend walks toward the dining room.
Turning to join her at the front desk, Ruby asks, “What’s up?”
Gwen introduces her to the young woman she’s talking to. “This is Claire. She’s the wedding planner for the Thanksgiving wedding in the ballroom.”
Ruby smiles, thinking