Page 31 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

“Drama is what he does,” Cassie muttered, her gaze meeting his for a second before sliding away.

So much for making amends.

But there was no time to apologize again, as he was hustled to Poppy’s vehicle and gently pushed inside, while the other women stowed various pieces of paraphernalia in other cars.

And as Poppy reversed, he caught sight of Cassie, wading across the creek again and collecting his horse, her slumped shoulders saying this was not how she’d planned her day.

It certainly wasn’t how he’d planned his, either.

Seven

“Thanks, Ted. I really appreciate it.” Cassie ended the call, gave Buddy one last nose rub, then moved to her pickup where Hannah sat waiting. The others had loaded the other vehicles while Cassie had secured the horse in a small corral not far from the creek. What a train wreck of an afternoon this had been. “Ted said he’d come get Buddy soon.”

“Will he be okay by himself?”

“Yep.” She’d refreshed the water trough, and the long grass nearby meant he had plenty to eat. “Apparently they’d been looking for Harrison and Buddy when they didn’t return.”

She exhaled. What kind of man ditched his co-worker to play hooky with women he didn’t know? The kind with a million ex-girlfriends, that’s who. Ted hadn’t been impressed. Until she’d mentioned Harrison was in the hospital, and why.

Not that she needed Harrison getting an even more swollen head with words like “hero” being thrown around. Maybe he’d been surprisingly brave in trying to help her as he had, especially for a man scared of snakes, but it wasn’t like he owned Superman status as some of Hannah’s co-workers seemed to think.

The drive didn’t take long, not nearly long enough for the churning emotions to have a chance to subside. Heat balled in her chest, boiled in her stomach, and for some reason she felt awfully close to tears. The afternoon had been so good, the relaxing vibe just what her tense heart needed, then he’d shown up and spoiled things. Again.

“I’m so sorry, Hannah,” Cassie said as the ranch house drew into view. She wasn’t usually emotional, but she’d been up and down all day, and after the past hour, her emotions—along with the day—were fast spiraling out of control. “This certainly wasn’t how I envisaged today going.”

“It’s alright. As long as you’re okay and Harrison is fine, there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”

She supposed that was true. “I just don’t want this to have spoiled your day.”

Hannah’s hand clasped Cassie’s arm. “The only thing that will spoil it is if my best friend is upset when there’s nothing to be upset about. Of course, if Harrison was to get really sick, then that would be upsetting, but Poppy hasn’t called to say that’s happened, so it’s okay to be okay.”

In other words, pull yourself together and stop worrying. She lifted her chin. “Okay.”

Hannah chuckled. “I have to admit, I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got planned for the next act.”

Cassie groaned, then caught her friend’s tease. “See? Now my plans will look so tame in comparison.”

“I think after that episode we all need some tame time.”

Probably. Sitting down and enjoying high tea while watching the 2022 adaptation of a Jane Austen classic was about all the drama she could sustain. Bree, an Austen aficionado from long ago, had mentioned Hannah was wanting to watch more girly movies, given her usual diet of strictly sports fare. And while this adaptation was scarcely historically accurate or faithful to the book, especially the heroine’s characterization, it should still prove sufficiently romantic enough to woo an Austen newbie who’d never read the book and didn’t know any better.

They soon entered the ranch house, and after greeting Mom, who kissed Hannah on the cheek, Cassie shooed away Hannah to go sit in the living area. Poppy and Jess had previously decorated it with the rustic chic vintage theme that would be present in next weekend’s wedding. That part of the house totally fit that vibe anyway. The low beams and wooden paneling and antiques and sepia photographs told the story of a family whose house had been built last century and expanded over generations to fit the changing needs of those who had lived here. She loved her home, even with its creaking stairs and cupboard doors that didn’t always close according to the vagaries of the weather. This was home, and love colored the walls as much as any pine wood stain. Modern houses, like Franklin’s apartment in the city, didn’t hold nearly as much personality or character.

She moved to the kitchen and began helping her mom plate up the afternoon tea treats. Jess’s arrival soon saw her help too, as the increased noise in the living area suggested everyone else had also arrived.

“Where’s Poppy?” Mom asked.

Cassie exchanged glances with Jess. “She ended up having to go to the hospital.”

Mom blinked, her eyes widening. “What’s happened? What’s wrong with her?” She moved to the key rack as if planning to get her car and go there too.

“No, no, it’s okay! She’s fine. She just had to drive someone there.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Snake bite.”

“A snake? We’ve hardly ever seen them around here.”

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