"Are we getting into the celeb business now?" His cop brain kicked in, wondering if Kyla had processed all of the security angles involved with having a public figure wandering around this ranch. Did she have any idea what a nightmare this could be?
"No. I mean, not really. But we've got the two new cabins, so it kind of worked out perfectly. She's a star who needs a quiet getaway, and we have-you know-the perfect getaway spot." She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like I've sprouted an extra head?"
"Have you ever had a celebrity here, Kyla?"
"No, but that's okay. We can do it."
"Is she bringing a security team?"
Kyla shook her head. "No. Just her."
"No security?" Cooper pulled off his Stetson, which suddenly felt claustrophobic. Some Hollywood assistant was booking her movie-star princess into a Montana ranch, without even a bodyguard? Who did that anymore?
But wait. Did Kyla think he-?
"What kind of celebrity?"
"I'm not exactly sure." Kyla shrugged like she was embarrassed. "Details were a little … sketchy. But it'll be fine! I'm sure it'll be great!"
Cooper frowned at her childlike optimism. His own optimism bone had been shaved thin by years of human razors, but that was his problem. He knew it was unfair to make it hers.
"So is buddy a code for bodyguard?"
"No. Her assistant didn't ask for anything like that."
"But you're smart? So you realized that maybe her assistant was being a little shortsighted, sending her to a ranch full of strangers who might or might not be completely insane and/or murderous?"
"Cooper? Did you tipple the moonshine for breakfast?"
"No, but I might have to find some for lunch." He shook his head. "She seriously wants to send her star here without any security? Did you have to promise to keep her undercover? How would we possibly do that here?"
"I wasn't asked for any promises of the sort." Kyla's chin came up, and he knew he was treading on thin ice. "We have a perfect, empty cabin where she can stay hidden away for as long as she wants, and I found the perfect-albeit extremely grumpy-person to keep her company if she wants some."
"Charming." He closed his eyes. "Just curious-how'd I pull the short straw on this one?"
She smiled. "No straws. You're the perfect guy for the job. So? I gave you the job. And really? You're going to thank me. I took you off the guest schedule for the entire month. You get to move into Buttercup, put your feet up, and hang out with a celebrity. You scored prime real estate, along with a cushy assignment."
"A month?"
"I didn't mention that part?"
"No. You really didn't."
She shrugged. "My bad. But-honeymoon cabin!"
"No offense, Kyla, but I think our definitions of prime real estate might be a little different."
"You're missing the part about hanging with a celebrity."
"Trying." He rolled his eyes. "Why is she coming? Do we know that?"
Kyla's smile fell a little. "Sounds like something happened, and she needs to go invisible for a little while."
Cooper crossed his arms. "Something happened is a pretty big red flag, don't you think?"
"Not necessarily. But it might be why I put the only officer I know on the short list for this position."
"I'm not an officer anymore, Kyla."
"I know." Kyla nodded. "But you were. And those skills didn't go away when you turned in your badge. Hopefully she just needs a month of peace and quiet to help her get her head together, but if there's something else going on, I know you're the right guy to have close by her, okay?"
Cooper's gut buzzed at her misplaced trust. He really, really didn't want this assignment. There was a reason he'd turned in that badge. Quite a few of them, to be honest.
"So are we good?" She pulled the clipboard out from behind her, using her teeth to pull the cap off her pen.
He closed his eyes in pain. "Not sure I want to know the answer to this, but does your husband know you've taken me off guest duty? For an entire month?"
"Yep. But if it makes you feel any better, he argued for quite a long time. Decker isn't so fond of me reallocating employees." Kyla made a check mark. Then she flipped a couple of pages, made another check mark, and looked back up at him, not even bothering to hide a brief, satisfied smile. "So let's get you moved into Buttercup this afternoon. That way, you'll be settled in before she gets here tomorrow. We can work on your cover story and stuff tonight."