Page 42 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

The rest of the week passed, and while she hadn’t gone out of her way to avoid Harrison, God was kind to her and ensured that either she or Harrison were busy elsewhere. She’d half expected to see Harrison around the western town on her way to supervising the setting up for the chapel, but Lance had said the leads were off shooting promotional, now that Harrison’s leg was better. Which was just as well, considering all the prep that needed to be done for the wedding.

But now, standing here in the chapel’s opened front doors on Saturday morning, she knew all her hard work had been worth it. Everything looked perfect. The chapel was beautiful, all vintage looking in soft whites and mellow timber. The pews had been freshly oiled, the roses stood in vases on their pedestals, the white drapery interspersed with pine leaves and twinkle lights. Everything was just as she’d imagined.

She smoothed hands down her jeans, hoping her hair would stay neat under its scarf. Honestly, she could almost channel Audrey Hepburn with this get-up. From the chin up, anyway. In a few moments, she’d take the ATV back to the house where she’d get changed into the dusty pink gown, a halter neck like what her sisters were wearing as bridesmaids. She’d snuck away just to double-check, half wondering if Harrison had left as he’d said he would, or whether he’d lingered. But no. He’d gone, along with nearly all of the rest of the cast and crew, just as the contract had stipulated. Only Hector remained on site, guarding the gate to the backlot.

Oh well. She squinted up where a cloudless sky promised heat, meaning the old-fashioned parasols that she’d sourced from the prop barn would be appreciated. They stood ready in another vintage umbrella stand, along with a sign painted by Poppy that declared “Ladies, please help yourself” in an olde-worlde font.

She glanced at her phone, winced, but paused to take a few quick snaps, before gunning the ATV and roaring down the western town’s dusty main street, past the white tent and caterers, and over the hills and back to the ranch.

“All good?” her dad asked, as she rushed through the door.

“Looks great.” She gestured to his suit. “So do you.”

He winked at her and she raced up the stairs.

A quick shower later, then she was in her dress, and Poppy was smoothing her hair as the makeup artist wielded her magical brushes and sticks. Hannah had already had her makeup done and was getting pictures by the barn, and Cassie and her sisters would join her as soon as this was done.

“Whoa.” Cassie’s insides sparked as she finally glimpsed her reflection.

“You like?”

“I love.” She smiled wryly at the makeup lady. “I know I’ve never looked this good before.”

“It’s all about enhancing one’s natural features and creating a little bit of drama.”

Her chest tightened. A tiny part of her wanted Harrison to see just how good she could look. She quickly snuffed it. Today wasn’t about him. And while she might’ve agreed to be friends—well, sort of agreed—it didn’t mean one should take a selfie and send it to a man, like an announcement about what he was missing. She didn’t have his number anyway, so that was that.

“Come on, stop staring at how beautiful you are in the mirror.” Poppy grabbed her hand. “Let’s go take some pictures!”

“It all looks so beautiful,” Sylvie, one of Hannah and Bree’s friends, said. Cassie had come to know Bree’s friend last year when Sylvie had come west to help when pregnancy had adversely affected Bree’s health. Sylvie had gone north for family reasons of her own, so Cassie hadn’t spent as much time with her lately. But it looked as though the snarky Goth girl had gone through her own transformation recently. Even though her tattoos were still on display under the dark blue chiffon dress, she appeared softer, somehow. Or maybe that had something to do with the reason she was holding onto the arm of Edmonton hockey player Ryan Guillemette.

Cassie smiled. “We’ve gone for rustic chic.”

“And did I hear that As The Heart Draws was filming here recently?”

Her heart tensed. “Yes, it’s been exciting.”

“And Harrison Woods is staying here?”

Oh, who had spilled the beans? She really hoped it wasn’t someone from last weekend. “Mm hmm.”

“Cassie?” The minister—from Franklin and Hannah’s church—needed her attention.

“Excuse me.”

A short time later Cassie was standing at the front of the chapel, watching as her brother pledged his life and devotion to Hannah, his soft expression filled with love. She was pretty sure she’d seen him wipe away a tear when Hannah entered the chapel, escorted by her mom.

The stained glass of the chapel’s altar window filtered rose and gold over the happy couple, the place filled with prayers and consecrated love. This was what love looked like, anchored with patience, kindness, hope. Franklin and Hannah had certainly had their ups and downs, but it had shaped them, readying them for this moment where they promised each other forever.

Her gaze swept the congregation members, so many of them in couples, or families, all smiling, as if remembering—or imagining—their own wedding days. Bree and Mike Vaughan. Brent and Holly Karlsson. Jai and Allie Mullins. Chris and Diana Thomas. Ryan and Sylvie. The hockey players that Franklin had come to regard as his Christian brothers, who stood with him while he pledged his life to Hannah.

Her heart tugged. She wanted that too. Someone who loved God and who loved her. A face flitted through her mind. She instantly batted it away. He neither loved God nor her. And while he might say he wanted to be her friend, everything felt too weird and uncertain and impossible. There could be no future, even if God did do a miracle and somehow drew the man to Himself. She blinked, hitched her smile up another peg, and refocused. Today wasn’t about herself, or anyone else, but making sure Franklin and Hannah’s day went as smoothly as possible.

After the ceremony, and yet more photos, it was time to go to the large white tent set up just outside the western town.

She glanced around the space, the laughter, the chatter, the smiles. Gratitude filled her heart. Everything was going on without a snag.

“You’ve done such an amazing job,” Hannah said, as their main courses were cleared away. It would be time for cake soon.

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