Much Ado About Mother by Celia Bonaduce Page B

said. “So . . . if you’re a shepherdess when you have sheep, what are you called when you have rabbits?”
    â€œIf you were a man we could call you Warren,” Cary said, and then when no one laughed said, “Sorry.”
    Blu, surprisingly, actually did seem interested in Angora wool and started peppering Dymphna with questions. Cary steered Erinn to the side of the porch. She took a quick look back at the two waifs. If it weren’t for Cary, Erinn would feel like the largest woman in Santa Monica.
    â€œSorry the guesthouse was rented,” Erinn said. “If I had only known you were interested . . .”
    Cary looked confused and then she laughed.
    â€œThe guesthouse . . . oh, no, Erinn, you misunderstood me! Blu could never live there! There isn’t a lens in the world that could make that place look big enough for our purposes. Blu has to look like she’s made it to the big time!”
    I took on an ex-shepherdess for no reason?
    â€œWell, then,” Erinn said, “I guess as soon as you find a house grand enough for Blu, we’ll be all set to go.”
    Cary’s face fell.
    Now what?
    â€œErinn, this pilot is important. It could mean some real money for all of us if it hits. And we’re all in need of a little career boost right now, so we all have to go the extra mile.”
    â€œI understand,” Erinn said. “I’ll throw in my fish-eye lens, no extra charge.”
    â€œHow do I put this?” Cary said to the air. “Erinn, Blu needs to live in YOUR house for the next few weeks.”
    â€œMy house? Why? Why can’t the network buy her a house?”
    â€œBUY her a house? Darling, we’re talking cable! Anyway, we can’t let the network know she’s homeless! They are really sensitive to criticism that these reality shows aren’t real.”
    â€œIt won’t be real. This isn’t her house!”
    â€œNobody needs to know that! Your house is gorgeous. It’s perfect. It will make Blu seem like she has . . . some substance.”
    â€œI don’t think so, Cary. I’m sorry.”
    â€œLook, whatever you made on your last job, which was a while ago if I’m not mistaken, I’ll double it. I’ll also throw in an extra gig up the coast at a winery near Cambria. A show called Budding Tastes . It will be just like Old Home Week.”
    â€œWhy will it be like Old Home Week?” Erinn asked. “I never lived in Cambria.”
    â€œI know, darling, but you lived in Napa. You lived near wine. The shoot is this weekend, so you don’t have to be here when she moves in. I’ll spearhead everything on that end. You’ll be doing me a huge favor.”
    The shoot was a “sizzle reel” as opposed to a pilot. When Erinn had first gotten started in TV production the subtleties of the jargon perplexed her. Now she knew that it all was code for how much money the production company or network was going to put into something. A “sizzle reel” was the least expensive, followed by a pilot. In this case, Blu’s pilot trumped the wine show in importance, but it was all paid employment!
    But the money was a sure thing and that was enticing.
    Erinn was about to say that she couldn’t go this weekend, because her mother was coming into town. But having grown up in Wine Country, if not in Cambria, there probably wasn’t a better producer for the show.
    Maybe this weekend would be a perfect time to be away.
    Let the dust settle and all that.
    While Erinn silently weighed her options, Cary pulled a shingle that was hanging precariously off the side of the house, handed it to Erinn, and continued, “You really need to take care of this beautiful house and that takes cash.”
    Erinn took the shingle.
    At least I can stop lying to my sister.

CHAPTER 6
    VIRGINIA
    V irginia could feel her cheeks flush as she walked Piquant through the Los Angeles International Airport. He