Page 73 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

“Okay, Cassie. You understand where to go?”

She nodded. They’d run through this a few times.

“So on my count, I want you to ride along the ridge. We’ll have someone in place to let you know when the scene is done.”

She mounted Ginger, and patted her mane, praying the mare wouldn’t feel Cassie’s nerves. Thank goodness her role meant she didn’t need to ride side-saddle. Her skirts were long enough and the scene would be shot from a distance, so viewers wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The backstory was that she was alone, the lone survivor of an outbreak or disease at a farming community not too far away, and was sick and looking for help. When Mal had explained that, she didn’t mind looking helpless. It made sense if one was sick, then one would struggle to fend for oneself. Then a snake would spook Harrison’s horse, and she would try to save him. Finally, they’d both end up in the river where he’d help her, and they’d realize they knew each other from before.

“Ready?”

She sucked in a breath. Nodded.

“Go!”

She nudged Ginger, and they soon were galloping along the ridge, the wind blowing her beautifully curled ringlets awry. She glanced back, as Mal required, then bent down slightly, to suggest speed. Different poses would be spliced together to show from Harrison’s perspective from where he was positioned closer to the creek.

She peeked down the gully, saw his red coat down near the water, and memories surged of that day when he really had tried to be the hero. Fresh appreciation rose for him and for his forbearance towards her. She couldn’t wait for the chance when they could be alone and she could finally show him her gratitude.

An assistant waved a “cut” and she drew Ginger to a trot, then moved back to where Mal waited, studying the computer as the camera footage played back.

“That looks really good.” He glanced at her. “Maybe you’ll be a one cut wonder.”

“I’m happy if you are.”

“Then let’s move on.” Mal gave orders to set up for the next shot, when Ginger would be running toward the creek. This was when she had to act more, as her face would be seen. Normally a stunt person was doubling for a lead role, but because her role was new, it meant she would be seen more closely. She shivered. But not as close as the upcoming scene in the water.

“You doing okay?” Mal asked.

“Yep. I just hope we can get this done so I can do the water scenes while it’s still warm.”

“Good point. Alrighty people, let’s go,” Mal ordered.

She needed several takes for this scene—apparently her face hadn’t appeared quite scared enough. Her efforts to look afraid, gave her new appreciation for what people like Ainsley and Harrison had to do. Act with your face? Who knew?

This was soon accomplished, then they stopped for a break. She moved to where Harrison was sitting, running his lines. He had multiple lines to rehearse, and she had two: “Help me!” and “Here.” It shouldn’t be too hard to remember that.

Harrison looked up, then immediately put his script down and stood. “How are you doing?” His face held concern. “Are you doing okay?”

“It’s fine. I’m fine. I just can’t believe how much sitting around there is.”

He chuckled. “Don’t say that too loudly. Mal likes to think he’s pretty focused and I have to say this is one of the more efficient productions I’ve worked on. But Mal is used to shooting with this crew and cast, so they don’t need as much instruction as some, or so Ainsley says.”

“She seems to be a fan of yours.”

“And of you. You should’ve heard her declaring that she wanted this scenario to be about equal opportunity, so who knows what that means for future seasons? Maybe one day we’ll have a female sheriff.”

She laughed. “Like that wouldn’t be historically inaccurate at all.”

He grinned. “Unlike that Jane Austen movie you were watching.”

“You know it?”

“I’ve heard about it, and I could tell from what little bit I saw that Jane would be rolling in her grave.”

“I’d still like to see the rest of it one day.”

He eyed her. “Maybe we could watch it together.”

She swallowed. “Like on a date?”

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