STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) by Bev Pettersen

signs. Toilet and sink but no shower.
    Disappointed, she trudged from the tent, balancing the coffee tray. She’d expected much better facilities at a movie site. Not even a shower?
    She entered the wardrobe tent, blinking as her eyes grew accustomed to the different light. Luckily Maggie, the helpful lady who’d outfitted her in the groom’s clothes, was already sorting shirts.
    Maggie laid down a plastic hanger and gave Emily a cautious nod that blossomed into a big smile when Emily passed her the coffee.
    “Thank you, sweetie,” Maggie said, selecting a packet of sugar from the condiments on the tray. “I’m alone for the first hour and it’s impossible to grab a coffee. Are you working as a groom again?” She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. “Why didn’t you return those clothes yesterday?”
    “I was in a rush last night,” Emily said. “This morning too. Even had to skip my shower. I’m surprised there’s no running water on the grounds.”
    Maggie shrugged. “Anyone who’s important has a trailer. Or a hotel room.”
    “I see.” Emily swallowed. It would be impossible to primp in a portable toilet. Judith had warned about background’s lowly status but the reality stung. “Do you have a bathroom here where I can clean up?” she asked, her voice small.
    Maggie jabbed with her thumb. “Toilet and sink, second door. But you look fine. They want the grooms with basic hair and clothes. Let me check the wardrobe sheet and I’ll fix you up.”
    “Okay.” Emily paused, hating how she always felt like a bum. “But I’d hoped to keep these clothes from yesterday…in case of a later scene. It gets so busy.”
    Maggie took a thoughtful sip of coffee and nodded permission.
    “Thanks,” Emily said, vastly relieved to have a second set of clothes. “I’ll be right back.”
    She left her coffee on the table and hurried into the bathroom. It was tiny, not much bigger than the bathroom on the bus, but she managed to squeeze out enough soap and water for a rudimentary wash.
    When she returned, Maggie had already pulled out a faded pair of Gucci jeans and a clean shirt.
    “I thought you’d appreciate the high end jeans,” Maggie said wryly. “And I already had your sizes recorded. If you hurry over to hair and makeup, they’ll check you out.”
    Emily nodded gratefully, then paused. She’d deliberately glossed over her clothes predicament, but without Maggie’s support she never would have landed the groom’s job. “Thanks for your help yesterday,” she said. “Those boots and jeans were perfect.”
    Maggie gave a knowing smile. “Just make sure you return everything. I’ve never had so many people worrying about the fit of their jeans. My supervisor calls it the Dan Barrett effect.”
    “It’s not him,” Emily said. “I just like clothes.”
    “Good thing. Because he avoids actresses like the plague.”
    “But I’m not an actress,” Emily said quickly. “I’m only background.”
    Maggie laughed, so teasingly Emily even smiled. But she honestly wasn’t worrying about Dan Barrett. Not like that. And it wasn’t his good looks she found attractive. It was his attentiveness and that super-calm vibe. Besides, she wanted someone who wore a suit, not faded jeans that molded long legs and emphasized the way a man moved when he was comfortable in his body.
    Her skin tingled and she grimaced. Okay, admittedly he was droolworthy, but men like that always cracked hearts, and she couldn’t afford to be sidetracked. This was a big day. She intended to stay focused. It might even be possible to take a picture of the horses so she had something to send Jenna. Perhaps people photography was forbidden, but surely it wouldn’t hurt to snap a few photos of Bruno. After all, he wasn’t a human actor.
    And Dan might not mind. He was so kind, so accommodating…although obviously not when in full work mode. When he’d folded those ripped arms yesterday and quietly suggested she stay, she