Page 269 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Oh, yes.” She waved a hand.

Gracie looked at the sheet of paper that had appeared in her hand. “And all of these references will check out?”

“Yes. I’ve arranged everything.” She spoke deliberately as if she were speaking to a child. “You’re the most qualified candidate, and your references are impeccable. All you have to do is go in there and act professional. I’ve done the hard part.” She flashed an impatient smile. “Go to it. Show me what you can do.”

As it turned out, it took three tries for Gracie to get it right. Her first time into Stewart Matthew’s office, she tripped over the rug and landed in a heap beside his desk. Unfortunately, as she was falling, she reached out in an attempt to catch herself and knocked over his coffee mug, dousing him with the hot liquid. Before she even had a chance to utter an apology, Gertrude rewound time and made her do it again. On the second go around, her mind went completely blank when he asked about her experience in the advertising industry. She forgot everything she’d memorized and ended up blurting out that her real name was Gracie and she’d been a struggling actress before her untimely death.Not the best way to make a good first impression.

By the third go-around, she was at her wits end. Tearfully, she told Gertrude that it was no use. She was a lost cause. To Gertrude’s credit, she listened patiently to all of Gracie’s ranting and raving and then explained in no uncertain terms that she would rewind time a hundred times if necessary. “You will get this right,” she said with a determined look in her eye. “And you won’t quit!”

There was no use in arguing with Gertrude when her mind was made up. The only thing Gracie could do at that point was succeed. Knowing she had endless opportunities to redo the interview took away the jitters. She went into her actress mode and pretended to be the best assistant on the planet. It worked like a charm, and she got the job.

Here she was, two weeks later, learning the ropes of advertising. She still had no idea how this job was going to help her find someone for Brooke. Gertrude kept insisting thatit was imperative for Gracie to do her utmost to earn Stewart’s confidence. Gracie had lost count of the number of times Gertrude said, “The key to finding someone for Brooke lies with Stewart.” In the end, Gracie had no alternative but to follow Gertrude’s lead, even though she had serious doubts about the whole situation. It was frustrating how Gertrude would put this big plan in motion and then tell her only small portions of it, so that she was left floundering in the dark.

On the upside, the more time she spent around Stewart Matthews, the more she was starting to like him. (Too bad she couldn’t say the same about his wife. She was the spitting image of Brooke and acted just like her!) Compared to his wife and daughter, Stewart was a breath of fresh air. Whippersnapper thin with a take-charge, no-nonsense personality, he ran a tight ship. It was apparent even in the short time she’d been at the agency that his employees respected him. His once blonde hair was now streaked with silver, but it was still relatively thick considering his age. His skin was freckled and leathery due to a lifetime spent golfing in the Texas sun. Nevertheless, he’d managed to retain his Hollywood looks. He reminded Gracie a little of the present-day Robert Redford. There was an unconquerable spirit about Stewart that suggested the worddefeatwas not in his vocabulary. He’d built his agency from the ground up, starting with nothing. He was fiercely devoted to his wife and daughter, wanting only the best for them. In his attempt to give them everything he’d lacked, he spoiled them rotten. It was no wonder that Brooke was such a monster. Her every whim had been catered to. The very thought of Brooke caused a scowl to form on her face. She forced her mind back to Stewart. His open manner was refreshing. He spoke with a Southern drawl and called things as they were. (She was supposed to be from California, so it took effort not to speak in her native accent.) Working for such a man gave her a sense ofempowerment she’d not felt in a very long time. She had to keep reminding herself that her job at the agency was merely a cover—a means to an end, not the end itself. Although, she wouldn’t mind staying in this position for a few months. At least Gertrude had given her an assignment she could do. It was proving to be easier than she thought to gain Stewart’s confidence. He was a big talker and shared many things with her, including his hurt and disappointment over Dawson. Not only had Dawson broken Brooke’s heart, but also, he left the agency in the lurch. Stewart confided that he was deeply worried about Brooke’s lack of direction. He went so far as to admit that he was partly to blame for Brooke’s behavior because he’d made things too easy for her.

“Excuse me.”

Gracie’s face drained when she looked up and realized Brooke was standing in front of her desk.

“You must be Daddy’s new secretary.”

She just sat there, tongue-tied.

Disapproval was plainly written on Brooke’s face as she looked Gracie up and down. “You’re not what I expected.” She tilted her head. “A little young. Do you have a name?”

“What?”

“A name.” She flipped her hair. “What is your name?” There was a vexed expression on her face that suggested she didn’t like repeating herself.

Gracie leveled a glare as she sat up taller in her seat. “The name’s Alice.” Alarm pulsed through Gracie when she saw the puzzled look on Brooke’s face. Not good. Not good at all.

“Have we met before?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Gracie said quickly, “I recently moved here from California.”

Brooke looked unconvinced. “You remind me of someone.”

Before she could venture too far down memory lane, Gracie stood. “I’m sure your dad will be thrilled to see you. He’s alwaystalking about you.” She forced a polite smile. “You’re the apple of your father’s eye.”

Most people would’ve acknowledged the compliment with a simplethank you,but not Brooke. Instead, she merely sniffed. It was all Gracie could do to keep her expression impassive. She motioned. “Shall we?”

Just before they reached Stewart’s door, Brooke turned to her. “The inn in Utah.” She frowned. “What was her name?” Recognition lit her face. “Gracie.” She gave Gracie a scorching look. “Where did you say you were from?”

“California.”

“What part?”

“Southern California,” Gracie said, trying to keep it vague.

“You’re not from Utah?”

Gracie chuckled. “Not hardly.”

“You remind me so much of this woman I met there. Her hair was different. Same eyes though. Same bone structure. Same build,” she mused, studying Gracie.

“Well, I hope it was someone you liked,” Gracie spouted. It was a cheap shot, but she couldn’t help herself.

Brooke’s eyes went large the moment before a nasty scowl twisted over her face. “No, she was spiteful and mean! I hated her!”

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