M att wasn’t pleased with his latest duties, but the town had banded together and nominated him and his brothers as hosts for the last group Matt ever wanted to see in his town .

The knowledge that Rowland Bowles, the legendary hot-shot film director, wanted to use several ranches in Masterson county to film his latest so-called masterpiece had thrilled the locals--and the town board. Tourism wasn’t exactly a big money maker in Masterson .

As Mastersons, and prominent citizens, he, Nate, Joel, and Levi had been nominated to see that the film crew had everything they wanted and needed. None of the brothers had been too happy about it, but since Matt had been the only one not at the meeting due to a sick horse call, his loving brothers had pawned the director and his half a dozen assistants off on Matt .

He’d be getting back at Joel, Nate, and Levi first chance he got .

Bowles wanted to use the Masterson homestead as one of their sets. Matt was not the least bit thrilled about that .

Worse. Bowles himself had been in that damned sedan watching Pip the evening of the wedding. And the man wanted her .

Badly .

There was no way that was going to happen. Matt wasn’t about to let it. A guy like Rowland Bowles would terrify her .

“What exactly are you going to be needing from the people in this county?” Matt asked as he and Bowles watched the trio of beautiful redheads cross the street. Matt had seen Pip and her two sisters when they’d pulled in. Pip’s truck was a distinctive orange and white. He’d watched them for a while as he’d half listened to Bowles chatter on. “We are busy people with busy lives around here. And we like our privacy .”

“Of course. I’m very respectful of location characteristics, Dr. Masterson. Tell me, those women there, do you know them ?”

“You might say that. One’s my housekeeper. Their oldest sister is currently on her honeymoon with my brother. They’ll be back in a few days .”

“So you know them. Tell me about them?” Bowles sounded too damned eager, didn’t he? Matt fought the instinctive urge to tell the man to just back off .

“They’re busy people who really like their privacy.” Matt watched Perci turn to her sisters and walk backward a few steps. He heard their laughter from where he and Bowles stood. Light, beautiful, perfect . “Why ?”

“That redhead in the pink. I want her. For my Gretta, I mean. Although, she certainly is beautiful, and if she wanted more—well, I’d make an exception to my business only rules .”

“Yes, the twins are gorgeous women .”

“Twins?” Bowles puzzlement was clear. “Oh. I didn’t realize the other one actually was her twin .”

Matt looked at the man like he was an idiot. Even clear across the street, it was hard to miss the fact that Perci and Pip looked exactly alike. “They’re identical. Only difference is a scar. And clothes, of course .”

“Is there? Interesting. I don’t think it was the other one I saw. Is she actually hiding between the other two?” Bowles winced. “I’m sorry. You said they were family. I don’t mean to be insulting. I just know who I need when I see them .”

“Pip is just as beautiful as her sister. Brave. Loyal. Talented. Don’t discount her simply because she’s shy .”

“Oh, I’m not, of course. Will you introduce me ?”

“Not at the moment. But I do have a two o’clock meeting with Pip Tyler about a horse. You can watch, but I won’t lie; you’ll intimidate the hell out of her. That’ll make me cranky, understand?” He didn’t know why he said it, but Bowles put his back up for some reason. Maybe it was the way he was so dismissive of a woman Matt admired more than so many others. Maybe it was the way he was eying the Tyler sisters like they existed only to give him what he wanted. To please him. “You can stand back and watch, but that’s it. What the hell do you even think you saw out there that night, anyway ?”

He had his suspicions. That pricey sedan Bowles had driven up in had been rather distinctive. And familiar .

“A beautiful red horse, with a small fairy on its back. She wore a thin pale dress and her hair flew out behind her. It was nearly as red as the setting sun. She flew on that horse. Stunning. She’d be beautiful as my Gretta. I want her. I’m willing to pay her, too. A great deal. Those who star in my movies go on to great things, Dr. Masterson. Great things. I can offer her a way out of this little town if she wants it .”

Matt threw his head back and laughed. If Bowles ever figured it out--well, there was no way little Pip would ever give Bowles what he wanted. “Let me know how that works out for you .”