Page 28 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

“It’s okay.”

“Clearly it’s not.” Hannah’s bottom lip tucked in.

“It’s just a lot. And I know I probably deserve it, but it’s been a big week, and I’m tired, and now to feel like I’m the butt of everyone’s jokes, I need some time away.” Especially from him.

“Ah. It’s hard to feel like you’re under scrutiny, isn’t it?”

And nobody would know that better than Hannah, whose high-profile sports reporter job on TV, combined with a high-profile boyfriend-now-fiancé, meant there were always people watching her, judging her. Hannah had been subjected to some horrendous online abuse from people protesting the fact a woman might dare to report on men’s sports. Knowing her friend had received death threats made this afternoon’s episode feel like a giant overreaction.

Cassie sighed. “I’m such a child sometimes.”

“No, you’re just tired. And it’s hard when you’re tired to let some of the silly little things slide.” Hannah ghosted a smile. “Ask me how I know.”

Cassie’s heart panged. Today wasn’t supposed to be about pain from the past, but was supposed to be about celebrating all things Hannah. She forced down her self-focused thoughts, and smiled at her friend. “Are you all set for next weekend? No silly little things bothering you?”

“No. It’s all good. ESPN gave me Friday off, so that’s taken off some pressure too.”

“Then the wedding, then two weeks away somewhere tropical.”

“Is that where he’s taking me?”

Big internal wince. Between the accidental truth spill about Harrison’s role on the show and now this, obviously she couldn’t be trusted with any secret. “I can neither confirm nor deny.”

“I don’t care where we go. Two weeks of sleep and food and rest sounds like heaven to me.”

“I don’t think that’s all you’re supposed to do on a honeymoon.” Cassie winked.

Hannah blushed. “Come on. Last one back to the others is a rotten you-know-what.”

Cassie chased her to the water’s edge and flung herself onto the air mattress, allowing the creek’s gentle movements to guide her as she grasped the front edge. But unlike Hannah, whose competitive nature was always determined to win, she was content to avoid the others—and Harrison, if he dared to remain—a little longer.

She still couldn’t explain why he pressed her buttons so much. Couldn’t explain why she found his arrogance so frustrating. He should be nothing to her. He was nothing to her. Just a person she’d had the misfortune to meet. But there remained this weird connection, like an invisible string between them, that tugged and pulled and made her aware of him when she really didn’t want to be.

“Lord, is it wrong to dislike someone so intensely?”

Her whisper got lost among the ripples and insect hum. Which was probably just as well as it was one of those dumb prayers that she already knew the answer to.

“Okay, God. I know that was a stupid thing to ask. But I don’t like feeling this way. And I need Your help to change my heart because I’m not shining much of Jesus right now, am I?”

Her eyes pricked, and she dragged her fingers through the water, not wanting to hear God’s Amen. But changing her heart had to involve more than just words, more than a mouthed prayer. Experience had taught her that to change her attitude towards someone involved praying a blessing upon them. Each time she prayed a blessing it was like God chipped away at the stone walls around her heart, until one day her heart was soft. Witness what had happened with the twists and turns of her friendship with Hannah. They’d been friends in school, then Hannah had met Franklin right here in this very creek when she’d been sixteen, and everyone could see the sparks that had flown. But then Franklin had moved to Boston, and she and Hannah had drifted apart, and part of Cassie had resented her friend for leaving her. She hadn’t known Hannah was facing her own battles with family dramas like her dad leaving, but it had hurt at the time. Until God had reminded her to pray for her friend, which she had, so when Hannah had returned to their lives last year Cassie could warmly welcome her in with a hug that held not a drop of acrimony.

Of course, she had no intention of welcoming Harrison into her family, nor hugging him ever, but it couldn’t hurt to pray for the man, and not treat him as a nuisance. Even if he was.

“Sorry God.” Clearly this being kind to Harrison thing was going to take some getting used to.

By the time her air mattress had gently bumped down to where the others waited, she was almost reconciled within her heart. She was grateful for this time to relax, and would try to let the rest of the day gently lead her, just as the water had done. Life was too short to get upset about everything.

“Hey Cassie!” someone called.

She peeked across at the shore. Her heart dipped. Looked like Harrison had continued to ignore her wish for him to leave, sitting there with his jeans rolled up to his knees, laughing like he didn’t have a care in the world. Still, “God bless him,” she gritted out.

“Cassie!” Jess shouted.

“What?” She staggered upright and checked to ensure that her float time lying on her front meant her swimsuit was still covering all the essentials. Phew. She boosted her air mattress under her arm.

“Don’t move!” Harrison yelled.

Huh? Why was he running at her, like he wasn’t going to stop?

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