Page 26 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

He peered at her, then shook his hair like a dog.

Water flicked and flew and landed on her. “Classy.”

He smirked. “You know it.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jess asked him, brow pleated. “I’m a vet, not a doctor, but I’ve had some medical training…”

“I’m fine. Clumsy, but fine.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then feel free to leave.” Cassie crossed her arms again. The nerve of the man, scaring her like that. If he wanted to sue her for tripping over a water trough, imagine what he’d do breaking his spine while performing acrobatics on—or off—a horse.

“Cass! You can’t make him leave,” protested Poppy.

“Apparently,” Cassie grouched.

He chuckled, and she glanced quickly at him. Now he was standing on land he wasn’t that much taller. Half a head, if that, so not nearly as tall as Franklin. He did have nice eyes, and maybe even a sense of humor, seeing he’d laughed at her comment.

But it didn’t mean she liked him. And it definitely didn’t mean that she was comfortable with all of Hannah’s friends glancing at her then at him then smiling, like this was a set up she’d somehow arranged. Which she had not.

“Come on, Cassie. Don’t make me leave,” he pleaded.

She crossed her arms then lifted them slightly, hiding any hint of cleavage. It wasn’t that her one-piece was too revealing, but there was a world of difference between feeling comfortable while wearing a swimsuit with her friends, and standing in front of a handsome man who made her nervous. And it definitely didn’t help to know her sister’s dance-honed physique would forever appear to advantage, especially in comparison to Cassie’s own, complete with farmer’s tan.

“Besides,” Harrison continued. “You haven’t answered my question.”

“Which one was that?”

“Why you’re here and not over there. I mean, I get that your brother is famous, and Hannah probably even more so, but you only work at the movie set, right?”

Wow. How the man had ever managed to convincingly play a law professor she had no idea. Maybe he was a good actor, after all.

“You’re kidding right?” Jess said, her arms folded, her face now holding a frown. “Cassie is one of the hardest working women around.”

Thanks, Jess.

Jess glanced at her. “Does this man honestly not know who you are?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she murmured.

“Cassie James. Does that ring a bell?”

“Jess,” she murmured.

“James?” He glanced at her. “That’s your last name?”

“Oh my gosh,” Jess muttered. “That’s why she’s Cassie James.” She rolled her eyes.

“Where have I heard that name recently?”

One second, two seconds, three…

His eyes widened. “Your family owns this ranch?”

Cassie dipped her chin.

“Whoa.” He staggered back, like her nod had held volcanic power.

Yeah, that’s right, mister. She bit back a smile. “So really, my friends and I can go swimming anyplace we like. So if it’s all the same to you, I’m going to go do that and you’re gonna leave and we’re all gonna be happy. Even Poppy.” She wrapped an arm around her sister and tugged her away. “Even Poppy will be happy, because none of us want to hold you up from all the important things that you should be doing.”

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