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housekeeper and gardener.”
    â€œI do, but when the TV crew shows up, they take care of everything. My people are on vacation.”
    â€œThey take care of the food as well?”
    â€œIt’s all catered, but Tarleton also brought along his own cook, who’s staying in the house, in fact. He takes care of anything special Tarleton might want.”
    Angie didn’t need to hear that. “I don’t understand. Tarleton has his own cook, yet he wants someone else to prepare the Christmas dinner?”
    â€œI don’t understand it either.”
    Angie’s brow furrowed.
    â€œDon’t worry. I’ve been told the special is all yours. At most, he’ll provide an extra pair of hands for preparing your Christmas feast.” He raised his glass in a toast. “Here’s to a wonderful meal—good tidings and good wassailing.”
    â€œThank you. Salute .”
    Feeling somewhat appeased as to her prospects for the job, she had a pressing question. “Earlier, you said that with my looks I could be in the cast. Then you stopped. I was wondering why. Did you notice some problem?”
    â€œOh, my dear girl!” He chuckled self-consciously. “How could you think such a thing?”
    He didn’t deny it. She steeled herself. “I can take it.”
    â€œWhy do you care? Are you interested in acting? If so, I’m sure I can introduce you to some important people. You can’t be a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles for as many years as I have without meeting lots of the right people.”
    â€œI’ve never thought about acting.” Much. “At least not until I came here.” And started thinking about it full time.
    â€œLooks like the acting bug may be nibbling at you already.” He chuckled. “Have you ever acted, Angie?”
    Completely flustered, she could only murmur, “I’ve been in a couple of plays.” High school plays, but he hadn’t asked for specifics. “I had a lead role in Damn Yankees .”
    She took a deep breath and belted out, “Whatever Lola Wants,” complete with well-practiced hand gestures.
    When she got to the part where she sang, “Little man, little Lola wants you!” and pointed at Waterfield, he stopped her.
    â€œThat’s enough!” he cried, rubbing his ear. “You have a very strong voice. Rumor has it Tarleton will be directing a musical next. They’re making something of a comeback, you know.”
    â€œReally?” Was this fate? Kismet? Is this why she’d never found a job that satisfied her creativity and paid a decent wage? Because she was cut out for stardom?
    â€œThank you,” she beamed.
    â€œWon’t Salvatore be proud to see his very own daughter in the movies! You’ll have riches and a glamorous way of life beyond your wildest dreams! And many rich, handsome men after you…”
    Her heart hammered. “I’m sure, but…”
    â€œBut?”
    â€œI’m engaged. I’m going to be married.”
    His face fell. “Oh, Angelina, I’m so very sorry.” With that, he took his Scotch and left the room.

Chapter 4
    Paavo hung up the phone. Angie had used a landline in the house since she couldn’t get her cell phone to work. The location was too remote, the hills too high. They’d barely begun to talk when someone else picked up and began dialing. They cut the conversation short.
    She’d sounded overjoyed to be at Eagle Crest and babbled on about all kinds of things and people that made no sense.
    Plastic chocolates? Lava lamps? And who in the world was Lola?
    Then she hung up, and his world seemed even emptier than before they’d talked.
    Yosh came in to the bureau. He immediately searched all the table and desktops, and practically stood on his head looking under them when he found nothing on top.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Paavo asked.
    â€œOh, nothing. I was just thinking how, when