Page 94 of One Kind Hand

Charlie grabbed Austin’s hand. She put a little pile of seeds and nuts in his palm and tugged him closer to Knox who was watching them from the railing. “Keep your hand open all the away and no sudden moves.”

“Or he’ll rip my hand to shreds with his razor-sharp beak?”

“C’mon, this could open up a new door on your acting career,” she teased. “You could have animal co-stars.”

“Do not mention that to Cody.” Austin took a few steps closer to Knox, his hand steady enough to make Charlie proud of him.

Knox considered the seeds and nuts in Austin’s palm with his usual head tilts then ate with the same care he’d always taken with Charlie.

“Holy shit.” Austin’s voice was hushed and filled with awe. “I’m feeding a goddamn crow!”

“And looking goddamn sexy doing it.”

Austin arched an eyebrow at her. “Oh, yeah?”

“I’ll bet you’d look sexy doing laundry.”

“Nice try, Badass Chopper Pilot, but I’m not falling for that one.”

She shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

“Of course if the clothes you’re currently wearing need to be removed for laundering, I am always available to help with that task.” Austin brushed crumbs from his hand after Knox finished eating and flew off.

Charlie led them back inside after giving her crow buddy a goodnight wave. She removed her coat and shoes as Austin did the same then looked down at her clothes. “I have been wearing these clothes all day,” she said, slowly backing Austin toward the hallway. “They probably should make their way to the laundry basket.”

The devilish grin Austin gave her was all she needed.

Chapter Seventeen

Austin hopped out of Charlie’s chopper and bolted across a stretch of airfield, cameras following as he raced to a silver sports car and slid into the driver’s seat. Starting the engine, he gave it a boisterous rev before hitting the accelerator and rocketing forward. He sailed down a length of roadway then banked a right, causing the car to let out a squeal. When he passed a marker the crew had set up, he eased up on the gas and came to a stop. He jumped out of the vehicle, prop gun out in front of him, and dashed to another car supposedly filled with bad guys.

“Cut!” the director yelled.

Austin turned the car and the gun over to a props guy and rode a golf cart back to Charlie’s chopper.

“That looked great,” the director said, giving Austin a chance to review the footage. “Let’s call it a day.”

“Sounds good.” Austin shook the guy’s hand then immediately headed for Charlie who leaned against her chopper, looking like the definition of sexy in her sunglasses, black cargoes, and short army-green jacket over a black shirt covered in skulls. She had on a black knit hat too, the November cold particularly biting today. More snow was forecasted for Thanksgiving at the end of the week and the air certainly indicated the white stuff was on the way.

“I like your hat,” he said when he reached her, lowering his head to give her a kiss and chucking a finger at the stunts specialist who whistled at them.

“I’m glad you like it.” She reached around to the back pocket of her cargoes then dangled another black knit hat between them. “Because I made you one too.”

Austin closed his hand around the hat, admiring its tight stitches. “You made this for me?”

“I told you I would knit you something, didn’t I?”

“You did, but when did you have the time? I feel as if I’ve been monopolizing most of your free moments.” He kissed her again, and she linked her hands at the back of his neck to deepen the kiss before releasing him.

“You have.” She held up her gloved hands. “And I’m not complaining about that at all.” She grinned up at him. “But I can pump out a hat quickly. I’ve made a ton of them so I can whip them up in my sleep at this point. Of course I knit a little love into that one. Just for you.”

Beaming, Austin slid the hat onto his head, liking the feel of the soft yarn. He instantly felt warmer. He shifted over a step so he could see his reflection in one of the chopper’s windows behind Charlie.

“No one has ever made me a gift before.” He rubbed his cold nose against hers then whispered, “I love it. Thanks, Badass Knitting Chopper Pilot.”

“That’s getting to be too long of a nickname, Mr. Movie Star.”

“Well, stop adding impressive skills and I could keep it short.” He corralled her with his arms on either side of her, his palms pressing against the helicopter. “We’re done for the day here so what do you want to do next?”