Grace in the Wings by Kari Bovee

Author:Kari Bovee [Bovee, Kari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781947905016
Publisher: Bosque Publishing
Published: 2019-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chet shook his head. Weak. Donovan Green jealous of Grace’s riding skill was a stretch, but he hadn’t been able to think of anything else to say to her on the fly. He didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He opened it to find a bellman. “Mr. Riker, there is a telephone call for you in the lobby.”

“Do you know who it is?”

“Mr. Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., sir.”

Chet drew in a deep breath. “Very well. I’ll be there in a minute.”

He closed the door on the bellman, readying himself for the tongue-lashing he’d get in a few minutes. Hopefully Flo wouldn’t fire him for throwing that bastard off the train. If so, he’d have no protection from Marciano or his goons, who seemed to be everywhere. It would also leave Grace unprotected.

When he reached the lobby, he found the bellman standing next to a desk, guarding the phone. Chet took the phone from him and handed the kid a quarter.

“Hello?” he said into the receiver.

“Chet, old boy, how are you?” Flo sounded cheerful, bordering on giddy.

“Hello, Flo.”

“I received a telegram from Mr. Green. Seems he made it back to civilization in one piece. You actually threw him off the train?” Flo chuckled. “Brilliant, my man, just brilliant.”

Chet hesitated, letting the words sink in. “So you’re not angry?”

“Well, he got results, but I never wanted Grace to be hurt. I care about the girl. Plus, hurting the Follies’ newest star would be extremely counterproductive. Green proved reckless, and I would’ve chucked him off that train, too. The spin that you and Grace are lovers, however, is genius. As much as I tried to discourage you before, I think it adds spice to her story.”

“Spin that Grace and I are lovers? What are you talking about?”

Chet heard the crinkling of paper on the other end of the line. “‘Ziegfeld Star Survives Brush With Death,’” Flo’s voice took on the monotone quality of reading aloud. “‘War hero turned bodyguard, Chet Riker, swooped in to rescue Grace Michelle, sister of the late Sophia Michelle, after a bruising fall from a runaway horse. The lovers had just completed a promotional tour stop at the St. Cecilia’s Orphanage outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, when Miss Michelle’s horse bolted, dragging her a long distance. Riker galloped after her and returned with Miss Michelle unconscious in his arms. No bones were broken, and the couple continued their trip to Hollywood, California, where the new star will be auditioning for a motion picture.’ It’s brilliant, I tell you!”

Chet took in a breath. She’s not auditioning for anything. And lovers? Hardly. “Who blabbed to the paper?”

“You do remember the reporter and photographer who traveled with you to the orphanage.” Flo said.

“I do,” Chet’s voice betrayed the fact that he was not at all amused. Why the hell does Flo think this trash is good publicity? His latest stunt nearly got her killed.

“Look, Chet. I know you are upset at this. But anything that draws attention is good for the show.

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