Page 11 of One Kind Hand

“Thanks.” Charlie’s gaze drifted over Cody’s shoulder and the man swiveled to face Austin.

“Let’s not forget our last introduction,” Cody said. “Charlie Moyen, meet Austin Rayhill.”

Austin strode over as he pulled the sunglasses from his face and hooked them on the collar of the blue thermal T-shirt he wore under a black leather jacket. His blue eyes hit Charlie like laser beams and she hoped she got to shake his hand before she turned to ash at his feet.

Holy shit. Isabel would die.

Hell, I might die.

“Hi.” His voice was a little less intense than what Charlie had heard on screen, but it was still all low and all male and all plucking every string inside her.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Rayhill.” She impressed herself with her ability to sound like an actual human being.

Their hands met and Charlie felt as if she was made of metal and had been inserted into a power outlet. Zing to the nth degree!

“Can I call you Charlie too?” Austin asked, his lips turning up at the corners and transforming his face into something lethally handsome.

“Of course.”

“Then you can call me Austin.”

“Okay.”

Their hands slipped apart, but Charlie caught Austin gazing down at his hand as if he’d been zapped by the same current passing between them.

“Your chopper is a beauty.” Cody took a step closer to it.

“Thanks.” Somehow Charlie peeled her eyes from Austin to look at her baby. “She flies great, has saved a bunch of people, and delivered a bunch more to their intended destinations.”

“Excellent,” Janice said. “Now it can add movie debut to its resume.”

“How long have you been flying?” Austin’s long, denim-covered legs took him to the front of her chopper.

“Ten years. Eight with this particular helicopter.” She patted the side of her trusty bird, feeling more relaxed now that they were talking about what she loved to do.

And now that she wasn’t staring at Austin head on. As soon as he came to stand next to her, however, her knees literally shook a bit.

I’m breathing the same air as Austin Freakin’ Rayhill! It was hard for her to grasp that the man she and Isabel had drooled over on TV and movie theater screens was right here in the flesh with her now.

God, she hoped she didn’t pass out. That would suck ass. Unless Austin attempted to give her mouth-to-mouth to revive her.

Another knee wobble occurred.

“And it’s up-to-date with all its maintenance?” Cody asked.

“Of course. If she doesn’t run well, I’m out of work,” Charlie said. “She gets treated better than half the people I know.”

Cody and Janice chuckled, but only Austin’s raspy laugh filled Charlie’s ears. His face got even more perfect when he laughed, which she hadn’t seen a lot of in his movies as they were more serious in tone. The man should definitely try his hand at some comedies.

Romantic comedies. With kissing in them. Lots of kissing.

“Some scenes in the script for Hunting Justice call for tricky maneuvering,” Janice said. “Any experience with that?”

“All the time. People who need rescuing don’t tend to get into trouble in wide-open, easy-to-navigate locations. I’ve had to flutter into some tight spots and so far, we’ve emerged without any scratches on us.”

Austin’s gaze traveled down the length of her as if he were looking for scratches. Charlie was more than ready to show him she had none.

“Have a little daredevil in you, Charlie?” he asked.