Chapter Eleven
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Halloween dawned cool and crisp, with a crystal-clear blue sky that promised a fine day and an even colder night.
Mid-morning, Kai passed the rest of the men split into groups working hard to frame in and roof the rest of the tiny houses they’d need for married couples before spring made it possible to build again.
One of those would be his soon, and he felt a pang of remorse that he wasn’t helping, but Linkley and his crew would arrive soon to film the pilot episode of Feed Your Army, and Kai needed to be ready for them.
As he walked, he practiced all the throwaway quips he and Avery had written and she’d made him rehearse over and over until they fell off his tongue like he’d made them up on the spot. He hoped their idea would work, and he could subversively take over the show and make it what he wanted it to be.
There was still the chance he could blow this whole thing and be right back where he started. But he wasn’t going to anticipate trouble. There was trouble enough in the world without making up more, as his mom always said.
“There’s the man of the hour,” Linkley boomed when he arrived in a limousine an hour later. Short, cocky, suited up for a New York boardroom rather than a fall Montana morning, he made quick work of the introductions and paced straight into the bunkhouse to get the lay of the land. “Christ, would you look at this place? All right, everyone; get to work. It ain’t going to be easy to film here. We should have brought you in to do this on set, but Renata wouldn’t agree to it. Between you and me, kid, that woman’s a ball-buster.”
Kai had to bite back a smile. He and everyone else at Base Camp already knew that.
It took more than an hour for Linkley’s crew to set up, creating an island countertop in the middle of the small kitchen for Kai to work at, setting up bright lights and reflectors. Meanwhile, Linkley introduced him to Mike Machamp, the show’s director, an unassuming man with a voice as loud as Linkley’s when he needed it to be.
“Think tractors, VFW halls, pancake breakfasts and Fourth of July parades,” Machamp said. “Middle America. Salt of the earth. Men who really like a steak. That’s your audience.”
“Hell, yeah.” Kai boomed back at him. He and Avery had decided he’d play this the way Linkley wanted—except for the parts where he wouldn’t. If they wanted a man’s man, that’s exactly what they’d get.
“Right. Exactly.” Machamp brightened at his response. “Except you can’t swear. This is a family-friendly show.”
“Gotcha.” Kai felt as cocky as Linkley. He was ready for this. He’d get his message out, with or without their approval.
“All right. Let’s get some makeup on this soldier,” Linkley ordered.
“Sailor,” Kai corrected, then waved away Linkley’s questioning look. “Not important.”
Ages passed until they were ready to actually film, but finally everything was in place. The director counted him in, Kai looked into the camera and began to speak.
“Hello, I’m Kai Green, and I’ll be your host for Feed Your Army. After spending over a decade protecting this great country as a Navy SEAL, I know all about working up a real appetite, and I’m here today to help you feed your army at home, no matter how big—or hungry—it may be.” There. At least he’d set the record straight about the branch he’d served in.
Linkley was grinning and nodding. Machamp seemed pleased, too. Kai reached down beneath the counter to where the crew had placed all the props he needed and brought out a cutting board and a slab of steak. “We’re going to make chili today. Real manly chili, not some watered-down version your wife makes to feed to her sewing circle. Something that will satisfy the hunger you have for meat.”
As Kai continued reading from the teleprompter, he decided it was time to add a comment or two of his own. He worked on cutting the steak into chunks.
“I’m working with beef today, because beef is standard issue in most grocery stores. But one of the best things about being a man is you get to make up your own mind. That means you can substitute your own ingredients. Want to go for a real manly meal? Try some Grade A bison meat in your chili. Montana raised and grown—mm, mmm that’s good stuff.”
Machamp frowned, and Linkley’s brows met in the middle, but Kai charged on, going back to reading straight from the teleprompter, and they let it pass, just like Avery had said they would. He saved his message about bean to meat ratio for when he was frying up the meat.
“Now, I know some people say a real chili has no beans. I know others who say the beans make the chili. What I say is, we’re all hungry, we’re all on a budget and, heck, we all want to do our part to halt the damage CO2 emissions can cause. So cut your chili with beans. They’re tasty, satisfying, light on the wallet—and light on the planet, too. If you’re a real renegade, like me, you might even throw in lentils.” He kept busy the whole time and immediately switched back to the teleprompter’s words. Once again, the producer’s and director’s worried expressions slipped back into approval. He’d made sure that while he was speaking, he grabbed the pan and flipped the frying meat like he would pancakes with a jerk of his wrist, a cool move it wouldn’t be easy for them to cut out. He caught Byron and another of Renata’s crew members exchanging a look as they filmed the Feed Your Army crew filming him. He’d better make sure he didn’t overdo things.
But by the time filming was over, he’d managed to slip all but one comment into the show’s narrative. He was riding high on his effort, proud of his cooking and his ability to get his message across.
“Good stuff,” Linkley said. “A little too much off the cuff, but we’ll polish that out of you.”
Like hell, Kai thought.
It seemed to take just as long for Linkley’s crew to pack up again, but finally the limo and trucks pulled out of Base Camp and it was time to get ready for the masquerade ball. Back when they’d gone to Alice’s for a fitting, he’d been pleased with the way she’d managed to put his Roman senator’s costume together so he wouldn’t be losing his sheet all night or mistakenly baring his butt during a dance number or some other inauspicious time. He realized now he’d forgotten to look for it in his tent, and he went to find it. He was looking forward to going to the manor and telling Addison all about filming the pilot.
When he arrived at his tent, however, he couldn’t find the toga anywhere. Kai scrambled around, finally pulling everything out of his tent and putting it back piece by piece.
Shit. If he was late, he’d disappoint Addison on her big night, and he didn’t want to do that.
Kai strode back to the bunkhouse, noting the camp had cleared out. They’d agreed they’d take turns on guard duty tonight during the party, each of them spending an hour on patrol. Walker and Clay were taking the first shift. He’d have his turn late tonight. He could see people on their way to the manor. Only Boone was around when he burst inside. Dressed as a pirate, he looked suitably swashbuckling.
“I can’t find my toga,” Kai told him.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. I wanted to be at the manor an hour ago. I need a costume, Boone.”
Boone thought fast. “Curtis has two Dracula costumes. Alice sent him two versions to try.”
“I don’t want to copy him.” He was supposed to match Addison’s Cleopatra costume.
“Buddy, there’s bound to be a half dozen Draculas at any Halloween party. He won’t care.”
Kai felt funny about looking in another man’s tent, but he was desperate, and Boone was with him to vouch that he hadn’t gone through anything private. The costume was tossed right on his bedroll, anyway, so it was no big deal to reach in and pull it out.
“See you up at the manor,” Boone said. “Hope it fits.”
“Me, too.” Curtis was brawnier than he was, so at least he didn’t have to worry about the costume being too tight. As it was, he had to loop a belt around the pants Alice had provided to keep them from sliding down around his ankles. The shirt and pants were basic but dressy. A black sash covered his belt. It was the cape that made the costume, and this one was an ankle-length black satin number lined with scarlet. The mask covered the top half of his face, with holes for his eyes. Satisfied that at least he wasn’t wearing street clothes to the ball, he half jogged up the path to the manor. The last thing he wanted to do was miss Addison’s special night.
“How did Kai lose his costume?” Riley asked several hours later. Like Addison, she was contemplating several Draculas converged in one corner of the ballroom having a toast.
The Russells had provided a huge buffet for the ball and an equally generous bar, which their guests seemed determined to drink dry. Addison had drunk several glasses of wine herself, and the ballroom had a soft glow that made everything seem beautiful.
She’d done it—pulled off a ball she could be proud of, and everyone at Base Camp was enjoying themselves, along with their guests. She’d met many people from town and was pleased to find that all of them treated her like she belonged here at Westfield.
It was like she’d finally come—
Home.
“I have no idea,” she said hurriedly, not ready to test that thought. “But then, he is a man…”
“You said a mouthful.”
“Are you having fun?” Alice Reed asked, handing Addison a new glass of wine as she joined them. She was dressed like a fairy godmother. Addison thought the costume suited her.
“I’ve been too nervous to have fun,” Addison told her. “But I think it’s going well.”
“I had a hunch you needed the chance to shine,” Alice said. “Isn’t she great at throwing events?” she asked Riley.
“She’s terrific! She’d better watch out, or we’ll make her do all the work at the B and B.”
“Good idea.” Alice winked at Addison and slipped away before Addison could say anything. Boone came to find Riley, and Addison looked around for Kai. It was warm in the ballroom despite the cool temperatures outside. Music swelled again, and a murmur rose as people found partners and began to dance. Addison decided to sit this one out. There was supposed to be a Regency number coming up—they’d coached the musicians to intersperse them between the waltzes and other dance numbers. She couldn’t wait to participate. Kai was a wonderful dancer, and she’d gotten the hang of it after a lot of practice.
A woman in a mermaid costume caught her eye. She’d arrived recently, and Addison couldn’t place her. She was statuesque, and her costume was to die for, all strategically placed sequins that left little to the imagination, with a mask that covered all but her eyes. She wondered who in Chance Creek could afford a costume like that. Whoever it was certainly liked the free bar. Addison had seen her go back for refills on some kind of colorful mixed drink several times already. As she watched, the stranger threw her head back and laughed at something her current partner said, but Addison didn’t think she’d come with anyone—or at least she danced with a new man every song.
“Your ball is a huge success,” Maud called as she danced by with James. Those two seemed to be having a wonderful time together. So was everyone, Addison thought happily. She’d come into her own putting on this party.
“You are hereby in charge of all the balls at Westfield,” Riley said, echoing her thoughts. “I can’t believe you did this all yourself.”
“I know,” Avery said, joining them. “It’s amazing!”
“I had a lot of help,” Addison said. The ball wouldn’t have been half so wonderful without the aid of the Russells—and the props Felicity had sent.
A cheer came from the Draculas in the corner as they toasted one another and downed another drink.
“But I’m a little worried everyone’s getting wasted,” she added.
“Everyone who isn’t pregnant,” Savannah said glumly. She was sipping a virgin margarita, beautiful in a witch costume despite her growing belly.
“I think it’s good for people to let off a little steam once in a while,” Avery put in. “Everyone’s so uptight all the time.”
“I’m not uptight,” Addison said, stung, even though Avery wasn’t addressing her specifically, then she had to laugh at herself. Thank goodness Kevin had thought she was. What if she’d stayed with him? She’d never have met Kai. “In fact, I think I’m three sheets to the wind.” She tried to put her glass of wine down on the nearest table but missed the first time. “Whoops.”
Savannah took the glass and set it firmly on the table. “You need some coffee.”
“I need Kai,” Addison corrected her. She wanted to kiss the man she loved. The man who loved her.
Right now.
Boone was right; there were Draculas everywhere, Kai thought as he went to fetch another round of drinks for the Vlad Patrol, as a bunch of them had named themselves. Boone had also been right that Curtis didn’t care in the least that he’d taken his spare costume.
“The more the merrier,” he’d said in his best Dracula imitation, which wasn’t very good. But no one had minded; the drinks were flowing freely. Probably too freely.
Still, they’d all been so worried these past few weeks, everyone needed to relax for a night. Tomorrow they’d get back to work—and worrying. He had decided to enjoy himself while he could.
“Here you go,” the bartender said, passing Kai a tray filled with drinks.
Kai balanced it carefully and waved at another Dracula who’d just come in the door. “Come on, Vlad. Over here. Join the fun.”
The man followed him willingly.
“I’m Kai Green. Who are you? I can’t tell a damn thing with everyone wearing masks.”
“Evan Delaney. I’m from out of town, but I couldn’t pass this up.”
“Of course not; it’s the party of the century.” The floor was clogged with dancers, and it wasn’t easy to pass through them and keep the tray balanced. Trust him to upend it and make a mess. He didn’t want to ruin Addison’s evening, so he kept a tight grip on it. “Who are you here with?”
“My wife. She’s around here somewhere. She’s a mermaid. I had to hang back and take a call out in the car.”
“Lucky guy.” He’d seen the mermaid. She had one hell of a body and wasn’t afraid to show it. If Kai was this man, he’d stick closer to her. He had a feeling she already had half a dozen phone numbers tucked into that tight-fitting costume.
“Who’s that Cleopatra?” the man asked, craning his head to get a better look.
Kai swung around to look.
“That’s my fiancée,” he said. Someone bumped him, and both he and Evan grabbed for the tray of drinks.
“That was a close one.”
“No shit.” Kai turned to angle through the crowd, anxious to reach the waiting knot of Draculas. He noticed Addison was edging in the same direction, probably looking for him. He tried to raise a hand to get her attention, but the tray tipped, and he grabbed it again.
Evan kept his gaze on Addison, until Kai wondered if he’d have to speak to him about it. Addison caught sight of him and Evan, and made a beeline for them.
“Look at all these Draculas! Damn good thing I can tell my baby anywhere,” she called out as she headed their way. She’d been drinking, too, Kai noted fondly. They’d have a party of their own later by themselves in their tent.
“Addi—” His words died in his throat when Addison ran straight up to Evan, seized his face in her hands and planted a kiss on his lips.
She was kissing someone, but it wasn’t Kai.
Addison realized her mistake almost as soon as her lips touched the man’s mouth. She put her hands flat on the stranger’s chest and shoved—hard—nearly stumbling back against a pair of dancers.
Crap, crap, crap. Who had she kissed?
“Sorry. Sorry!” she called to the Dracula. “My bad. Where’s my man?” Heck, she was drunk, wasn’t she? She hadn’t had this much alcohol in years. Usually, she kept a cool head while her guests celebrated. She got high off throwing a good party—not from imbibing the alcohol she served.
The room spun, and she tried to stay upright.
The Dracula with the drink tray ripped his mask off. “Addison, what the hell?”
“I thought he was you!” This was awful. Kai was pissed—and hurt by the looks of it.
“Addison?” The other Dracula pulled of his mask.
“Evan? What are you doing here?”
“Felicity demanded that we come. She wanted to surprise you.”
Addison laughed then sobered when she took in Kai’s expression. “This is my brother-in-law,” she explained over the noise of the music, then turned back to Evan. “Consider me surprised. I’m so embarrassed. Where’s Felicity?”
“I haven’t found her yet. She’s dressed in a mermaid costume,” Evan said.
Oh, hell. Suddenly she was stone-cold sober. That mermaid was three sheets to the wind—dancing with every man who asked.
What was wrong with her sister?
“She’s over there—” Addison didn’t even get to finish her sentence before a shrill voice she recognized pierced through the din.
“Whoo-hooo!” Felicity started making her way toward them. “Kai Green, you are just as sexy in person as you are on-screen.”
Kai sent Addison a searching look. Addison grabbed his hand and tugged him close. The drinks on his tray sloshed dangerously. “We’ve got to stop this. She’s drunk. And we’re being filmed.”
“In fact, everyone is sexy. This is a sexy, sexy group,” Felicity drawled.
“Felicity, you’re making a scene, honey,” Evan took her arm and tried to steer her away. Felicity refused to budge.
“I’m not making a scene. There was already a scene.” She circled her finger, taking in him, Kai and Addison. “And there are Draculas everywhere. Why the hell are there so many Draculas?”
She swayed a little. Evan propped her up. “Honey, seriously. Time to go.” He shot an apologetic look at Kai. “Cannot hold her liquor,” he said with the patience of a long-suffering man.
“My sister—this is all my sister’s doing. This fantastic party,” Felicity said. “But she wouldn’t be here if not for me. I’m the one who got her to say yes!”
“Evan, get her out of here,” Addison urged him. Who knew what Felicity was going to say next. “Why aren’t you in Rome?”
“It’s been pretty rough since you left,” Evan told her. “Come on, Felicity,” he added.
“Felicity, it’s time for you to go,” Addison told her sister.
“Don’t act like you’re not coming, too,” Felicity crooned at her. “Sister mine, it’s October thirty-first. The game is over. You won. You can start saying no again. Let’s go home.”
Addison swallowed hard, hoping no one had heard her, but when she glanced at Kai, she knew immediately he had.
“Game?” Kai asked. “What’s she talking about? What game? What does she mean she got you to say yes?”
“We made a bet.” Felicity shrieked as Evan picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. The rest of her drink splashed to the floor. “She had to say yes to everything for a month. And she did it. She even said yes to you, you silly man! Silly SEAL. Silly, silly SEAL.” She dropped her glass and slapped Evan’s butt with both hands like it was a pair of bongo drums.
Addison cringed. She’d never seen Felicity so out of control before, and she prayed she could convince Kai not to listen to anything she’d said.
But then Felicity lifted her head again. “You won, sis. You stuck with it and you won. My life is yours, and I get to go to fucking Rome.” She fished around in the bosom of her gown and tossed a something that landed at Addison’s feet. Addison bent and scooped it up automatically. “My keys,” Felicity called back as Evan hauled her away. “The penthouse is all yours. Enjoy!”