Free Mama Sees Stars: A Mace Bauer Mystery by Deborah Sharp Page A

darlin,’ long time no see.’’
    I gasped, and felt Carlos’s body go rigid beside me. He was wide awake now.
    “Well, say something, why don’t you?’’ The caller’s tone was light, joshing. “Sorry it’s late. I just wanted to call to let you know it looks like we’re going to be working together out there on that movie set.’’
    I tried to get my tongue and lips to form some words. All I managed was a little squeak.
    A low, sexy chuckle came over the line, hitting me hard in the memory bank. “I expected a little more of a response to the news than that.’’
    Instinctively, I turned my back to Carlos, hunching my shoulders and tucking the phone close to my mouth. Even in the dim moonlight that shone through the bedroom window, I knew Carlos would be able to read the emotions on my face. If he did, what would he see?
    A tapping issued from the phone, like the caller was knocking the mouthpiece against something to make sure it was working.
    “Is this thing on? Are you there, Mace?’’ He paused. “It’s me. Jeb Ennis.’’

The Bar J Ranch crew arrived with its own soundtrack. A stock trailer squeaked and rattled as it rolled over rough pasture toward the movie set’s cow pen. About two dozen head of Brangus cattle lowed from inside. Hauling the trailer was a big Ford dually, a pickup with four wheels on the rear axle. George Strait’s River of Love floated out through the open windows of the battered truck. Three cowboys crowded onto the front seat. I recognized the driver of the white truck by his black hat.
    “I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Mace.’’ Maddie squinted at the truck, shading her eyes from the mid-morning sun. “Besides, I thought Jeb lost his ranch. How’d he even get this job?”
    I shrugged. I didn’t trust my voice. The fact my stomach was in my throat would surely make the words come out funny. Plus, I didn’t want to get into a big discussion with my sister about Jeb, the first male to pluck out my heart and stomp on it. Even after all these years, I always ended up making excuses for him, which made me feel like a sap.
    Marty smoothed her blond hair behind her ears. “I heard he’s been working hard to rebuild Bar J. He’ll probably do whatever he can to earn a few extra bucks.’’
    “Humph!’’ Maddie snorted. “So he can squander them again, no doubt. What a loser.’’
    “Remember Maddie, ‘ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy .’’’
    Mama was capable of chastising Maddie with a verse from Matthew, even as she reached over and rearranged my hair. Then she licked her finger and rubbed at my cheek. “I can’t tell if that’s dirt or manure, Mace. Either way, it’s not a good look.’’
    I jerked away. “Like I care, Mama. This isn’t a fashion shoot. I’m working here.’’
    “Humph!’’ Maddie glared in Jeb’s direction, and crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, you care, sister. That’s the problem.’’
    I shrugged again, in what I hoped was a carefree manner.
    We were gathered at the corral. The crime scene investigators had finished, even removing the section of fence where we’d found Norman. The movie set’s carpenters hurriedly patched it with similarly weathered wood. Mama and my sisters came to help me feed and water the horses. We also worked on preparing saddles and other tack for an upcoming scene.
    Mama hadn’t done much actual work, unless you count sitting on the fence and telling the rest of us how we were doing everything wrong.
    At the corral, I’d filled them in on the details of Jeb’s late-night call, omitting the specifics of what I’d been doing in my bedroom just before the phone rang.
    “What’d Carlos say?’’ Marty asked.
    “Not a thing,’’ I said. “I ended up walking the phone out to my porch, but you know how small my cottage is. Jeb and I only talked for a few minutes, but I know Carlos heard every word on my end. When we rang off, I remember I called Jeb by