Page 53 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because why?” she asked suspiciously.

“Because I’m staying here in Franklin’s place and I could really do with some company. And didn’t Hannah give you a nice voucher to spend at a spa here?”

She had. And maybe Dad was right and it would be good for her to get away. Between the planning for the wedding and all the ranch things of late, the idea of getting a few days of quiet—even if it was in the city—sounded like heaven. “Um, sure. I’d need to check the schedule, and see if Dad needs my help, but I might be able to swing it.”

“Great! I do think that while Franklin is away us kitty cats should play.”

“I’m not sure if that’s how that expression is meant to go.”

“I don’t care. I’ve been working with animals all day and I think I’m turning into one. So you can see my need for some sanity and a sister who might need some time out.”

“Franklin does have a well-located apartment.” Near restaurants, and movies, and galleries. Effective distractions, all.

“And it would be a shame if it was not being appropriately appreciated while he’s away.”

“I’ll talk to Dad now.”

“Great! Hey, do you think that Poppy would like to come too?”

“She might, but she’s in Winnipeg.”

“What’s she doing there?”

“Bailey needed her for something.”

“Oh, to have a job where you can just drop everything,” Jess teased.

“Right? Then there are those of us who find it super easy to walk away from the cows and fences and stuff.”

“You have a hard life, that’s for sure.”

“You know it.”

But the idea of getting away, of hanging out with her sister, another person who could talk sense and bring clarity, sure held a lot of appeal.

“I’d forgotten how much fun this is!” Cassie grinned at Jess across the restaurant table. Below them, the lights of Calgary gleamed as the sky tinted with orange and pinks of the setting sun. If a girl was going to go eat fancy food with her sister, then this revolving restaurant located in the top of the Calgary Tower was the place to do it.

“I’m loving this black truffle fondue,” Jess said, dipping a skinny fry into the cheesy pot.

“Thanks Franklin, for your generosity.” Cassie clinked glasses with her sister.

Franklin and Hannah’s gift voucher was part of a thank you gift to Cassie for organizing their wedding. She hadn’t minded cashing it in tonight, even if the truffle-flavor of the fondue was a little strong for her liking. Everything else was perfect. Everything else yesterday and today had been perfect.

The past day of sleeping in and being free of responsibilities had been just what her mind and body needed. Watching dumb movies on Franklin’s large screen TV had been a treat too. She’d love to see his face at the recommendations that would start popping up on his account after what she’d been viewing. Another part of her wondered if he’d realize that a number of those movies had starred a certain Mountie impersonator who was currently living at Three Creek’s western town.

But watching Harrison, in the privacy of her own—well, Franklin’s—space was good. It only reinforced how a man who had played a himbo in a Baywatch-like show, the hot guy with a different girlfriend each week, was so wrong for her. That even if he wasn’t immediately disqualified by his non-Christian status, he would be by his roles. Sure, it wasn’t like he had ever played a sex-crazed vampire or psycho killer, but he’d played enough roles that made her hesitate some more. Like, how much kissing did one actor actually need to do? The thought that a man who looked like that and had said he wanted to take her out for dinner made her wonder where else he’d like to take her.

She glanced around the dining space. “Do you feel a little conspicuous, being the only two female diners when everyone else is a male-female couple?”

Jess shrugged. “I don’t care.”

Cassie eyed her sister. “So, um, has Tom ever taken you any place like this?”

“Tom?”

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