“Don’t be that way, Audra.” He clamped a hand on her shoulder.
Audra glared from his touch to his eyes. “Get your hand off me.”
Wendell stepped back, lifting both hands in a sign of surrender. “Come on, Audra. I’m having a little trouble getting my production company started. All I need is one big name to help me get off the ground, then I’ll be fine. You’ve worked with Electra. She trusts you. If you t
ell her I can turn her next album into a hit, she’ll listen to you. Then people will see what I can do, and other big names will follow.”
“What a load of bullshit.”
“No, it’s not.”
A warm breeze riffled through her hair. Audra brushed back the tousled strands. “Wendell, my name got your foot in the industry’s door, but you need talent to keep the door open. You obviously don’t have any.”
His tan features twisted into an ugly mask of rage. He stuck a finger in her face. “Now that’s a load of bullshit.”
She slapped his hand away and held her ground. “You made a lot of promises, but you didn’t deliver on the quality of your work.”
“Who said that?” His tone was rough.
“Everyone.” The word was delicious, tripping off Audra’s tongue. Was it wrong to feel such glowing satisfaction? “People love to gossip.”
His dark eyes searched hers. “You won’t help me?”
“Even if I could, what makes you think I would?”
“You know, Audra, I’m not the only person whose happiness could be taken from them.”
Audra stepped forward. “Are you threatening me?”
He shook his bald head. “No, I’m just making an observation.”
“Is everything all right?” Sheriff Alonzo Lopez’s question interrupted their standoff.
“Yes, thank you, Sheriff.” Audra broke eye contact with Wendell and attempted a smile for the lawman.
Alonzo looked approachable in his Smokey-the-Bear-like uniform. One large paw incongruously gripped a dainty lavender Books & Bakery pastry bag.
Alonzo inclined his head in greeting toward Audra before turning to Wendell. “Welcome to Trinity Falls. Are you in town for the sesquicentennial?”
Wendell’s frown was part irritation, part confusion. “What?”
Alonzo remained unruffled. “Town’s celebrating its one hundred and fiftieth birthday.”
“I’m happy for it, but this is a private conversation.” Wendell waved a hand between him and Audra.
“And this is a public parking lot.” Alonzo’s reply was slow and easy.
Audra glared at Wendell. “We’re done talking. Go back to Los Angeles.”
Wendell crossed his arms. “I think I’ll stay for the town’s celebration.”
“You have a place to stay?” Alonzo asked.
Wendell scowled at the sheriff’s interruption. “You only have one hotel and one bed-and-breakfast, and they’re both booked.”
Alonzo jerked his head toward the road in front of the town center. “You’ll have to try the hotels in Sequoia. It’s one town over, but they might be full, too.”
Wendell glanced at Audra. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Or I could stay with you.”