Read Online Riverstar (3) by Tess Thompson - Free Book Online Page B

rugged face was soft with admiration.
    Genevieve raised her eyebrows and cocked her head to the side. “Oh, really? What did she say? That I look like hell in the mornings before she fixes me up?”
    “Miss Banks, I doubt you could ever look bad even on your worst day.”
    Genevieve smiled again, putting her hand on Mike’s shoulder for a moment. “How kind of you to say.”
    Mike motioned to Cindi, who was talking with several of the cameramen at the other end of the bar. “Now, let me get you a glass of wine.”
    “Mike just got married,” said Bella to Gennie.
    “Yeah, old codgers like me can get a second chance. Never would’ve predicted it in a hundred years.”
    Gennie’s face darkened for a moment, and she met Bella’s eyes. “We’re looking for a second chance, aren’t we, Bella?”
    “This is the place for them. Something in the water.” Mike motioned for another shot.
    Sharon had come in and was walking towards them. Mike stood, motioning to his wife to join them. “Oh, Miss Banks, my wife is your biggest fan. I’m warning you, she may gush.”
    Sharon made her way through the crowd and stared at Genevieve with an expression somewhere between seeing a ghost and Jesus. Or maybe the ghost of Jesus. As Bella introduced the women, the normally refined and unflappable Sharon flushed pink.
    “Sorry, my hands are damp,” said Sharon, shaking Genevieve’s outstretched hand.
    “We’re just talking about second chances,” said Genevieve.
    “Ours in particular,” said Mike, kissing his wife on the cheek.
    Sharon, as if she were outside her body, began to stammer and babble. “Yes, right, we’re second chanced. I mean, we had a second chance. Me widowed. Mike divorced. Both of us so lonely. And then, boom, there he was, all manly in his cowboy boots and jeans.” She stopped, bringing her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t normally talk this much.”
    Genevieve, her brown eyes warm, took a sip of wine. “No worries. It’s nice to see two people so obviously in love.”
    Bella darted a quick glance at both Mike and Sharon. Did they know about Genevieve’s recent divorce? Of course they did. It was impossible not to.
    “Oh, Bella, Stefan just came in.” Genevieve pointed at the front door. “He said he couldn’t come out, that he had to study his lines for tomorrow.”
    Bella looked at her friend closely. Was there something in her voice that had changed with the mention of Stefan’s name?
    “I think I might faint,” said Sharon. She put a hand up to her collar. “This is too much all in one night.” She looked over at Genevieve. “I’m just such a fan of both of you.”
    “Oh my gosh, I understand,” said Genevieve. “I’ve wanted to work with Stefan for a long time. Well, that and I loved the book. Have you read it?”
    Sharon nodded. “Of course. You know the writer’s from Oregon, right?”
    “Yes, from a town just like this one, is my understanding,” said Genevieve. “There’s something so romantic about it.”
    Mike chuckled. “You know what Lee Tucker always says about small towns in Oregon?”
    “What’s that?” asked Bella.
    “They all have Dairy Queens.”
    Genevieve laughed. “This is true. I wish I could have a Blizzard right this minute.”
    Bella nodded, stabbing an olive with a toothpick and pointing it at Genevieve. “Too bad it’s not open this late or I would run and get one. I’m thinking cookie dough.”
    “Stop,” said Genevieve. “My stomach’s growling.” She stood, waving to Stefan.
    “Nicest guy in the business,” said Bella to Sharon, eating her olive. “Easy on the eyes too.”
    “So true,” said Sharon, her eyes following Stefan as he made his way across the room.
    “Hey now, don’t forget about how handsome I am in my cowboy boots,” said Mike, his hand on Sharon’s leg.
    “Of course not, honey,” said Sharon. “What’s your name again?”
    Stefan was stopped twice to sign autographs on beer-soaked napkins before