Page 5 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

“I understand.” Cassie glanced at her brother. “He’s always been needy.”

“Sure have,” Franklin said, wrapping Hannah in a hug before giving her a big smooch. “And now I need to get married.”

Hmm. Judging from that kiss they probably did.

But that wasn’t a thought she cared to pursue, even if the sight of the two of them, so at ease with each other and knee-deep in love, drew a pang of longing for something similar for herself. Not that she’d met any men recently she’d like to explore such things with. In fact, the last new man she’d met—a certain leading man on a certain TV show—was about the last man on earth she’d ever want touching her lips.

She left them to it, then slowly moved to the kitchen. Thinking of what she didn’t have never worked well for her. She didn’t like herself much when she spiraled into negativity, so it was best to focus on good things instead. Good things, like—“Mom.”

Her mother looked up from the oven tray, her glasses fogged up, which drew Cassie’s smile. She gave her mom a moment to recover, then hugged her, savoring the comfort.

“Cassie?” Her mom drew back. “Is everything okay?”

She nodded, pasting on a smile, but knew her mom wasn’t fooled. Still, with her younger sisters bouncing in, and Franklin and Hannah entering the kitchen, now wasn’t the time to talk. Not that there was much to say, anyway.

Jessica groaned, slumping at the table. “Oh my gosh. I don’t know how many cats I’ve seen today. Is a vet allowed to say she much prefers working with dogs than cats?”

“This vet is,” Dad said, patting her on the back.

Jess briefly smiled. “I don’t know why they were all so hissy today, either.”

“Having hissy fits, huh?” Franklin asked.

Jess swapped looks with Cassie. “Someone must be feeling relaxed if he can make bad jokes like that, right?”

“It probably means that he can start helping more with the wedding prep.” Hannah poked her fiancé in the side.

Cassie lifted her water glass. “Amen.”

The meal of pot roast and vegetables passed as it usually did, with compliments to the chef (Mom) and chief gravy maker (Dad), and exchanges about people’s days.

Poppy, her youngest sister, wasn’t loving her work at a Calgary dance studio. “But I’m grateful to have a job, even if it’s not like it used to be, back when I worked with Bailey in Winnipeg.”

“Remind me what you did there?” Hannah asked.

“After Bails and I finished our training, I stayed in Winnipeg and worked for a time, then she and I ran her studio. It was fun. She’s really sweet.”

Franklin smiled. “I should see if she and Luc Blanchard could meet.”

Poppy scoffed. “I can’t see that working. Bails isn’t exactly a fan of a mullet.”

“A mullet?” Mom asked.

“You know, Mom. That men’s eighties’ hairstyle where it’s business at the top, party at the back,” Jess said.

“And not just men. I’ve seen some women wear it too.” Poppy’s nose wrinkled. “But I don’t think he’s the kind of guy she needs. He’s just too different from her.”

“What about opposites who attract?” Jess asked.

“And they’re probably not too different. Isn’t she a Christian?” Franklin asked. “Luc sure is, so it’s not out of the question.”

“Bails is a believer. But I think you have to have more in common than just faith.” Poppy shrugged.

Sure did. Shared interests, shared goals in life, a shared sense of humor all helped knit people together, even if faith was the most important thing. Cassie slowly scooped up the last of her mashed potatoes. Judging from what she’d seen from Harrison today—arriving late, then hiding, then blaming others and not taking responsibility for his conduct—suggested he was lacking in any sense of accountability, and certainly wasn’t indicative of a man of faith. She choked.

“You okay there, sis?” Franklin asked, banging her on the back.

She nodded, snatching up a glass of water and downing it carefully. Great. Now all eyes were on her. And she had zero desire to talk about her day. Or the man who she really didn’t want to be thinking about.

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