Page 17 of The Stranger's Code

“Oh, he’s not going to replace you, if that’s what you’re worried about, kid. Your contract is ironclad. I should know because I wrote it.” He laughed again. “Besides, haven’t you been online, at all? Everyone loves you for this role. They’re saying it’s pitch perfect casting. There are already people making memes about elbowing to the front of the movie theater just to get a better look at your face up on the screen.”

“Can we talk about this later?” Something inside me sank. “I don’t know if I’m in the right headspace for discussing this right now.”

“Sure, sure. We can figure all this out when you get back,” he replied. “But do you think it’d be possible for you to upload a few photos of your process on social media? Maybe a picture of you riding a horse. Hanging out with a cow. The studio thinks it’d be great if people can get a little taste of you in the cowboy aesthetic?—”

“Right. I’ll call you back in a few days maybe?—”

“Don’t lie. We both know I’ll be the one callingyouback,” he joked. “And we’ll chat soon. Love ya, and don’t forget, nobody does this shit like you do, Cameron. So, don’t overthink it, just think it, and it’ll get done.”

* * *

“Let me guess. A city boy.”

I was sitting near the back of Canyon Creek Diner, staring at the menu but not really reading it. The conversation with my manager had only stressed me out more than I already was, my head still spinning with thoughts about Levi. I just needed to get away from the ranch for a while, try to collect my thoughts, try to calm down. I wasn’t ready to be the face of cowboy culture, let alone cowboyanything, not if it meant Levi finding out that I was just here doing research for a part.

Not if it meant Levi finding out that I’d been taking notes on him like a goddamn lab project.

I just wasn’t ready for him to find out the truth.

“Hello? Earth to city boy?” The woman stared down at me with a hand on her hip. “I don’t have all day to wait around on you, city boy. This isn’t like wherever you’re from. You don’t just get to waste my time.”

“Sorry.” I offered her an apologetic look. “My head feels like it’s in a million different places lately.”

“It’s all right, city boy.” She smiled. “I just wanted to make sure youunderstoodthe rules. I’m Jolene. I own the place. Which means that I get tomakethe rules. Do you understand?”

“Completely.” I nodded. “I’m Cameron. I’m staying at Stratton Ranch. Trying to figure out if I want to run my own farm someday or?—”

“You look awfully familiar, Cameron.”

“I do?” Nerves shot right through me, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest.

Jolene hummed before she snapped her fingers. “I’ve got it. You look just like Gareth! From theHoneydewfranchise. I’ve never really cared for any of that stuff, but my niece is obsessed with it. Oh, if she saw you, she’d be trying to climb you like a tree. But I bet you get that comparison all the time, don’t you?”

“A few times, here and there. But I don’t know. I don’t really see the resemblance.”

“Really? You don’t see the resemblance? You might need to get your eyes checked, sweetheart, because you’re practically twins.” Jolene chuckled as she went on. “Anyway, let me get you started with some coffee. You look exhausted. But when I get back, you better have your mind made up about some food.”

“Will do. Thanks.”

Jolene playfully winked at me as she left the table, like she knew something that she wasn’t letting on about.

Shit.

Was that her way of letting me know that she recognized me? Was she trying to give me the opportunity to either lean into it or lean away from it? If so, it was an extremely considerate move, but still very concerning. I wasn’t going to last much longer in Paradise Valley if Jolene started telling people that Cameron Clarke was in town, complete with where I’d be staying for the duration of my trip.

The paparazzi wouldloveto get pictures of me out here, playing up the cowboy role.

And the studio would love it too.

The rest of my breakfast was strained and guarded, scarfing down my food and coffee like I was on the run. I barely tasted any of it, my mind too focused on how to hide in plain sight, trying to figure out how to keep up appearances until the last possible moment. I was starting to feel like I was standing in the middle of an iced over lake, cracks growing all around me, my legs suddenly feeling heavier than they’d ever been.

Except when I broke through the ice, I wouldn’t just be slipping underneath the water by myself.

I might be taking Levi with me; my lies catching up with the both of us.

* * *

“You must be Cameron.”There was a man sitting in Levi’s office, his attention on the laptop in front of him. He turned to greet me fully, with his hand outstretched. “I’m Shane. Levi’s cousin.”

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