Page 19 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

After showering in the best shower he’d had since home, he nibbled a cookie—surprisingly good—and checked through the small library of books in the armoire that also hid a TV. Louis L’Amour, Jack London, Larry McMurtry, Elmore Leonard, some girly looking stuff by someone called Janette Oke.

Next to his bed lay a Bible. He didn’t dare touch it, but it lay there, taunting him.

Once upon a time he’d believed. Until the preacher’s emphasis on God being a father had turned his stomach, as his own dad was no endorsement of anything good. Then life and busyness and fakery had gotten in the way. Distractions, his grandma would’ve called it.

He reached into his bag and pulled out the cameo, the talisman he often carried that he’d saved from one of his dad’s drunken benders. His father had never valued anything of his grandmother’s, but Harrison had known his mom would like it, even if it had resulted in the worst thrashing Harrison had received in his life.

Gladness filled him that his grandmother wasn’t here to see the man he’d become, the shallow, petty man who complained about stupid things. She’d be ashamed of him. And because his Grandma had always been the gold standard by which he compared all women, she most likely would’ve been prodding him to change.

Easier said than done.

Five

Humiliation scorched Cassie’s cheeks as she drove home. She who prided herself on doing things well had messed up. Harrison Woods might be an oaf of a man, but he was right. She should have ensured the lights were set to automatic sensor mode, but had gotten distracted in the myriad of tasks requiring her attention. And with the film crew here all day, the only time she had available to attend to the chapel was at night. Somehow, she’d forgotten that Harrison would be using the room and might appreciate being able to see. And while it had been funny to see what had happened to him, all amusement fled when she realized just how dangerous the situation could have been.

By the time she got home, her stomach was churning at her mistake.

Her sister recognized her pressure when she walked through the door. “Cass?”

She sighed, slumping onto the sofa in front of the TV where a movie was paused.

“What are you doing home so late?” Jess asked.

“I needed to double check the chapel.”

“For the wedding?”

“Mm-hm. I had to measure some things, and make sure it was all fine.”

“And is it?”

“It will be.” Please God, let it all go smoothly.

“They’re not using it for the filming?”

“They’ve agreed to wait until after the wedding, so that’s something.”

Jess eyed her. “Are you doing okay? You look a little stressed.”

“I’m fine.”

Jess smirked. “Yeah, sorry sis, but that’s not the face of fine.”

“Rude.” She found a smile.

Jess had no corresponding one. “It’s honest, which is more than what I think you’re being. Come on, Cassie. I don’t understand how you keep up with all you are doing. Helping dad with running the ranch—”

Yeah, she’d hardly be helping with that lately.

“—and all this stuff with the show and the western town, and now organizing a wedding. You’re taking on too much.”

“I’m coping.” Barely.

Jess folded her arms. “I don’t think you really are. Can you get some helpers with the western town?”

“I could if I could afford to pay them.”

Jess winced. “It’s not making money yet?”

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