Twisted Arrangement 2 Read Online Free Page B

spreading nasty rumors. And he resented having to beg William Ransler to sign onto a project he should be jumping all over, because he thought Josh was some sort of boogieman.
     
    “William, I appreciate your honesty. But I just don’t understand what it is about my character you find so objectionable. I’ve never cheated on my taxes. I donate to charity all the time. I treat my cast and crew with respect and see they have whatever they need. I care about the artistic integrity of my films. You’re not going to find another Hollywood producer that can say all that honestly.” Josh tried to relax his grip on the beer bottle. He was worried it would shatter in his hand.
     
    As he watched, Ransler’s eyes moved over his shoulder and a grin like a sunbeam broke out across his face. Josh shifted in his seat so he could see who was coming. He’d never seen a man look so joyful before.
     
    The woman gliding toward them was tall, maybe six feet. Her orange-red hair hung in a long braid down her back, swinging side to side with her swishing gait. Her round face was sprinkled judiciously with freckles. They covered her cheeks and her long, thin nose completely. Her wide mouth curved upward, and Josh could see a glint of laughter in her soft brown eyes even from a distance.
     
    She wasn’t a gorgeous woman, though her dusty blue jeans and bright purple tank top showed off her full figure well, but she carried herself with a graceful confidence. And William Ransler was gazing at her as if Venus herself had just stepped down from her clamshell.
     
    Josh barely recognized her. 17 years ago, an up-and-coming William Ransler had done a film called Down the Plains . It was a cowboy flick that had bombed at the box office, much to the surprise to the investors. But the bigger shock to the Hollywood system had been the lead actor’s sudden marriage to a young lady no one had ever heard of, a girl who lived in the town Down the Plains had shot in.
     
    Maisie Buchanan was a rancher’s daughter, going to the nearby community college for animal husbandry. She hadn’t even worked on the film. After the wedding, the couple had bought a ranch in Northern California and Ransler’s wife had rarely been seen in Hollywood. If he brought a date to an award show or event, it was usually his eldest daughter.
     
    “There she is,” William murmured with relish. He held out his hand, palm up, and she slid hers into it, twining their fingers. William tugged her down beside him, running her braid through his free hand. “Josh, this is Maisie Ransler. My wife. Maisie, this is Josh Owens.”
     
    “The producer?” Maisie’s thin brows curved upward. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
     
    Josh gave her a crooked grin. “Seems like many people have. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Ransler.” He extended his hand and Maisie shook it briskly. Her hand was big, almost as big as his, and warm. She squeezed.
     
    “Call me, Maisie, please.” She drew back her hand and rested her chin on it, dancing eyes fixed on Josh’s face. “You’re trying to talk Willie into joining your movie, huh?”
     
    “I am. And you should call me Josh.” He liked Maisie Ransler immediately. She had a kind face and her friendliness practically radiated off her like heat waves.
     
    “Well, good luck, Josh. He’s awful picky these days.” She rubbed her nose briefly against William’s cheek and then pressed a quick kiss there. “I just came by for a kiss. I’m going to go help Norman with those spring squash. Want me to get us a few for dinner?”
     
    William brushed her lips with his own. “If you want. We can throw ‘em on the grill with the steaks.”
     
    Maisie unfolded herself from the seat and touched William’s cheek gently. “Sounds like a plan. You boys play nice, now.” She lifted her laughing gaze to Josh’s. “Josh, don’t you let him talk himself out of this one. I’m counting on you.”
     
    She raised a hand in farewell and