Snowbound Heart by Jennifer Blake Page A

place like this, if it hadn’t been for dinner this evening?”
    “No, of course not — “
    “Then I think we can safely say the expense was due to the project, and should be charged against it.”
    As Clare looked up at him, she felt her senses assailed once more by the light in his brilliant blue eyes. “I … I have the feeling there is something wrong with that logic, but I’m not sure what it is.”
    “When you decide, let me know. We will have plenty of time to discuss it.”
    Smiling a little, he dropped a kiss on her forehead, and with quiet, easy footsteps, moved to the door and let himself out of the room.
    “Why in the world did you ever agree to such a thing?”
    Beverly sat across from Clare in a booth in the hotel coffee shop. Her brown hair hung in a shining pageboy about her heart-shaped face. There was a troubled look in her soft brown eyes, and the happy animation that usually enlivened her features was absent. Leaning forward, she repeated, “Why?”
    Clare swirled the steaming coffee around the inside of her cup, then looked up. “I’m not sure. I guess one reason is Janine. I hate to see Logan disappointed because of her petty vindictiveness, and then, she didn’t exactly endear herself to me. On top of that is the screenplay. It really is good, Bev. Something that worthwhile deserves a chance.”
    “Are you trying to tell me it has nothing whatever to do with Logan Longcross? Because if you are, I will have to tell you I find that hard to believe.”
    “Well, naturally, I am doing it because he asked me. I would never have dreamed of suggesting it myself.”
    “That is not what I meant, and you know it.”
    “Do you mean you think I am going along with all this because of some idealistic infatuation with him as a movie star? You are as bad as he is!” Clare’s smile took the heat from her words.
    “That’s what he thinks, does he?”
    “It is certainly what he thought at first. I hope I convinced him he was wrong, but it’s hard to be sure.”
    “Oh, yes, instead he thinks you are a lady journalist out to get him. Has it occurred to you, Clare, that he is just using you in much the same way that he thinks you meant to use him to further your career?”
    “I can’t say it has,” Clare answered. “Even if it were true, I can hardly complain, can I?”
    “You don’t intend to accept his offer of an interview, or mean to write an article, do you?”
    “Don’t you think I will have earned it?”
    “Clare!”
    “Oh, yes, I know, I should do my bit, then fade into the background. When no article appears under my by-line, Logan will know he has misjudged me and I will be vindicated. I grant you there would be satisfaction in that, but there might be more in writing something that will let people know what he is really like.”
    Beverly frowned. “From what you have told me, I’m not sure he would appreciate that.”
    “Yes,” Clare said with a dispirited nod, “you are probably right.”
    “On the other hand,” Beverly went on, “he did offer you the interview. You didn’t ask for it as a condition for playing his little game. That must mean something.”
    “I told you about his reading the tear sheets,” Clare said, tapping the sheets of newsprint she had handed over to Beverly. “Maybe it means he approved of my writing.”
    “I supposed it might,” Beverly agreed. She sipped her coffee, then sat back. “If you have made up your mind, there is nothing I can say to stop you. I only hope you know what you are doing.”
    “I think so. It will only be for a few days.”
    “You are moving up to the lodge at Snowmass after lunch?”
    “Yes, that’s right. Bev, I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you for not making a fuss. I know I’ve ruined all your plans for this week.”
    “Listen,” her friend said, an impish smile creeping into her eyes, “don’t worry about it. I do want you to come and see the cabin John and I fixed up, but other than that, we will