Chapter 8
Grr.
Sometimes it was very hard to be a Christian. Rather, some people made it very hard to be a Christian.
Cassie sorted through the clothes in the costume section of the prop barn, searching for the apron that Ainsley had used last season. It was here somewhere. If only she could remember where it was.
But ever since the incident on Saturday afternoon, she’d struggled to hold any thoughts with great coherence. She’d enjoyed church yesterday, but most of her memories of the weekend centered on those few hours between laughing at the creek, celebrating Hannah, when everything was as it should be, then the drama of Harrison’s unexpected arrival, and even more startling heroics when he’d saved her from a garter snake.
Her lips twisted. Of course, a girl didn’t really need to be saved from a non-venomous snake, but the fact he’d leapt into action painted him in slightly different colors than how he’d appeared before with his whining about mice. Or maybe that had more to do with how his arms had felt around her, his body close to hers, when she’d been wearing nothing more than a swimsuit.
Dust motes floated as she shivered. She had never been more thankful for deciding to wear her one-piece rather than the bikini that lurked in her closet. This whole encounter which already felt a dozen shades of awkward would have been ten times worse if she’d worn that little number Poppy had once given her as a dare.
It had been awkward enough anyway. Biting her tongue when the others had only wanted to talk about how brave Harrison had been, what a hero he’d been. Please. The man was scared of mice! Not that she was so ungracious that she’d told them about his mouse phobia. There was no need to add to their alarm about the ranch’s critters.
And while it might’ve been more Poppy’s fault that the man had returned to the ranch house after his hospital visit, he should’ve known not to give in—again!—to the others’ requests for him to stay. Instead of poking fun at the Austen adaptation, all talk had focused on him and his movie career. Hannah had said she’d enjoyed it, and it was a day nobody would ever forget, so that was something. But Cassie’s feelings were muddier. Yes, she resented the fact he’d stolen the show with his antics, but she wasn’t sure if it was based more on his intrusion or the way he made her feel at the creek, when he’d held her in his arms.
She shivered again. There’d been that moment when he’d looked at her, his face soft, his gaze intense, which had sent a ripple across her soul, and definitely not made her feel like a good Christian. The ongoing feelings of resentment didn’t either, but in a very different way. And now she didn’t know how to manage any of these…emotions. Which meant the best bet was to stay away, stay out here, with only Miranda for company while she tried to get her act together.
Cassie winced. What was wrong with her that she was applying acting metaphors to herself? The man was a menace. Invading her afternoons, her thoughts, her peace. God might’ve reminded her to pray a blessing on him, but she sure didn’t want to.
The door opened, and Poppy appeared. “There you are.”
“Here I am.” She pasted on a smile for her way-too-helpful sister.
“Whatcha doing?”
“Trying to find one of Ainsley’s aprons for continuity from last year.”
“For continuity? Who on earth remembers what she wears from year to year?”
“Apparently large numbers of her fans do.” Cassie shrugged. “There are blogs devoted to historical accuracy in shows like this.”
“Huh. I wish I could be so famous that people cared about my clothes,” Poppy grumbled.
“The downside of that is that people devote blogs to all kinds of other things too.”
Because she may have just seen a blog or two devoted to Harrison’s hairstyles which had seen her fingers accidentally slip to search for one about his girlfriends, and what she’d read there was eye-opening indeed.
She knew from Hannah and Franklin’s experiences that the internet could be a savage place. But there was a world of difference between the number of people commenting on a somewhat niche sport like hockey and the sheer volume who gossiped about Hollywood hunks.
Silence descended, which Cassie hoped would see Poppy reflect on whether she needed to stay. Unfortunately, when she finally looked up and met her sister’s gaze, it was to see amusement in the blue-green eyes they’d inherited from their mom.
“So, have you seen him since?” Poppy asked.
“Seen whom?”
Poppy’s lips curved. “I love how you want to pretend you don’t know who I’m talking about.”
“Um, I’m busy here, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Fine. Pretend all you like. Is Harrison okay after his bite?”
She shrugged. “I guess so.”
“You guess so?” Poppy’s eyebrows arched. “Come on. The man saved you from a snake, and you barely talked to him all Saturday. Don’t tell me you haven’t spoken since.”
“Okay then.”
“So you haven’t?”
She shook her head. Perhaps she was behaving like a child, but she’d never liked being put on the spot like this.
“Wow.”
“Wow what?” Defensiveness clawed up her chest. “I didn’t ask him to be there.”
“He saved you from a snake—”
“Unnecessarily,” she muttered.
“—and then got bitten himself. Aren’t you grateful?”
“Yes. But I still don’t think it was needed.”
“Man. What is your problem with him?”
Good question. One she’d been struggling with since their first encounter. “I don’t like arrogant people.”
“Come on.”
“Or people who act entitled. There’s something about the way that man walks into a situation like he’s expecting the world to revolve around him that turns me off. Plus, I don’t think he’s a Christian.”
“Just because he’s not a Christian—and how do you know that for sure, anyway?—doesn’t mean you can’t still be nice to the man.”
She pressed her lips together, conviction soaring.
“Do you know how embarrassing it was to have to try to explain your behavior while we were waiting at the hospital? The poor man didn’t know why you gave him the cold shoulder. Did you even say thank you?”
Ouch. No, she hadn’t. But still, “I didn’t ask to be picked up. Some people would call that sexual assault.”
Poppy’s eyes widened. “Are you insane?”
“He should’ve asked. It’s called consent.”
“And when was he going to do that in the, oh, I don’t know, millisecond before the snake struck? Cassie, Harrison was trying to help you, not harm you. He wasn’t trying to kiss you or anything else. I don’t know what twisted world you’re living in, but you should’ve heard him. He was in pain, and couldn’t understand why his good deed was going punished.”
Cassie glanced at the lace-edged apron in her hands, her fingers ruffling the edges, shame filling her throat. Maybe there was something wrong with her, that she couldn’t even thank him for trying to help. And while a garter snake wasn’t venomous, he hadn’t known that. So the fact he’d literally put his life on the line for her made her feel very small.
“Has he ever done anything specifically to you in order to upset you?” Poppy asked, more gently this time.
The fog of the past two days lifted, as a roll-call of his previous misdemeanors passed through her mind. He’d been annoying, sure. Thoughtless more than once, too. But he hadn’t actually hurt her, physically or verbally.
She sighed.
“Is that the sound of ‘no’ that I’m hearing?” Poppy asked, way too incisively.
“You do know that as the youngest sibling you’re not supposed to be asking questions like that, right?”
“I also know that as your sister who loves you, I’m duty bound to ask those kinds of questions to make sure you’re not missing out on a good thing.”
A good thing? Her heart tensed. Did that mean Poppy liked him? “If you like him so much then why don’t you chase after him?”
“Oh, we don’t like that, do we?” Poppy mocked. “Besides, there is no point chasing after a man who clearly only has eyes for someone else.”
She swallowed her protest, sure any objection would only cause Poppy to twist the emotional thumbscrews harder. But Harrison couldn’t like her. This wasn’t grade school. Surely the man was old enough to know the way to the heart of a woman involved wooing, not pulling her ponytail in the hopes of getting her to notice him. And why he might like her made zero sense.
“I think you have rocks in your head,” she finally said.
“I think you’re trying to avoid the subject.”
Darn tootin’ she was.
“Look, I don’t know why you’d be surprised he might like you—”
Yeah, Poppy said that because she hadn’t witnessed Cassie’s Oscar-level of grouchiness with him.
“—because you’re a straight shooter, and that’s probably really refreshing to a man caught up in the Hollyweird world.”
“Yeah, what man doesn’t want someone pointing out his flaws?” Mark, her handsome high school ex, sure hadn’t.
Poppy shrugged. “Plus you’re smart, and capable.”
“Yep, that makes me a catch.”
Poppy’s hands found her hips. “Where is all this negativity coming from?”
She shrugged, although she had a fairly good idea. That’s what happened when one stirred through the cesspool of remembered words from ex-boyfriends. Guys who decried her work ethic as freakish, or her godly boundaries as quaint. She didn’t fit the mold most men required in a girlfriend these days. She probably would’ve suited the As The Heart Draws era just fine, though.
“Oh, and plus you’re pretty.”
“Gee, thanks.” Super nice to have that tacked on the end like an afterthought. Even if it was more true about her than for either of her sisters. Poppy was classically beautiful, while Jess owned a vivaciousness that added sparkle to her looks. Cassie, in contrast, had always felt like the plain Jane of the James sisters. Not that she wanted her appearance to define her, but still.
“What are you doing here, anyway? Don’t you have work or something?”
“I have Monday mornings off. And like I said, I wanted to know how he is.”
“Well, if you go on set maybe you’ll find him and you can ask him yourself.”
Poppy pushed to her feet. “I might just do that.”
“Great.”
“Good.”
Poppy stared at her a moment longer. “What is it you really object to?”
He was too different. They had nothing in common. Besides, he made her senses react in ways they had no business doing. Guys had always let her down before, and letting her heart off its leash guaranteed heartbreak again. But saying any of this was too hard. Best to just keep it simple. “He’s not a Christian,” she said flatly.
“Then what are you going to do about that?”
And Poppy smirked and flounced from the room.
Grr.
* * *
Harrison’s stomach growled,and he pushed himself up on his bed. He’d been grateful for time off yesterday and this morning that allowed him time to nurse his injury. After the hospital had agreed with Jess’s assessment that it was a non-venomous garter snake, and the blood had likely been caused by a stick, he’d battled swelling which meant lying on his bed memorizing lines or watching TV for most of Sunday. Neither activity entertained half as much as his time at the Three Creek ranch house, time when he’d received more fascinating insights into the differing personalities of the James sisters.
He liked Jessica’s practical, calm ways. He liked Poppy’s directness and sense of fun. And seeing how they vibed off their elder sister showed another interesting facet of this woman he was becoming more intrigued with each day.
He couldn’t forget holding her. Couldn’t forget that moment of terror, followed by the moment of pain. Then couldn’t forget how Cassie avoided speaking to him, avoided even looking at him, while Hannah and her friends had peppered him with all kinds of questions about the acting industry.
He would’ve been flattered, except for Cassie’s avoidance. And now, with his leg swelling, he’d needed to have the planned shooting of outdoor scenes rearranged around him to focus on scenes shot in the schoolhouse. And he was stuck in his room, flicking between lame TV shows, while he avoided the giant leather-bound book positioned prominently on the bedside table.
The low production values of the made-for-television movie forced his eyes from the TV screen onto his phone. He probably should post more on social media. He took a picture of his room, trying to give as much of an aesthetic vibe without making it too obvious where he was. The guessing game about his latest role continued, but after the weekend, where between Hannah’s friends and the hospital nurses who’d recognized him and asked what he was filming, he was fairly sure someone would be spilling certain beans pretty soon.
Tanner’s final episode would air this weekend, so once the network’s publicity department gave the all-clear it’d be safe to post the truth. It wouldn’t hurt to have a stash of photos up his sleeve, ready for posting once news got out, especially if the fans were as rabid as Ainsley, Dana and Dustin had suggested.
He liked having fans but had never had rabid ones. And the fact this show had such a loyal following twisted his insides with both anticipation and terror. Some people—Lincoln Cash was one—appeared to know how to deal with that side of fame well. Harrison had never been that famous, the best he’d scored was a number five role billing status on IMDB, so to be a solid second, after Ainsley, was new territory for him. As was rabid fans.
He wished Cassie was more of a fan.
He still didn’t understand why she seemed to hate his guts. What had he done that was so bad? There’d been that moment, before, when she’d stared deep into his eyes, when he’d really thought—
Knock knock.
He straightened from his position on the bed and used the remote to turn off the TV. Maybe this was her. “It’s open.”
The door swung open, and—
“Poppy? What are you doing here?”
The blonde smiled. “Funny. My sister just asked the same question.”
His chest thudded. Cassie had?
Poppy held up a tray. “I bumped into your assistant—Maxine, isn’t it? And she mentioned she was about to bring you your lunch, so I thought I’d offer to be the delivery girl.”
“Aren’t you thoughtful?” Delivering his lunch, taking him to the hospital, driving him back to the western town afterwards. Although he hoped it wasn’t for any other reason…
“Right?” Another smile, full of sass. “Plus, I wanted to check on how you’re doing.”
He gestured to his bound-up leg. “It’s still attached, so that’s a plus.”
Her nose wrinkled. “It still looks swollen.”
“Too swollen for wearing boots, so I’m stuck here while they film stuff without me.”
She passed him the tray, and he settled it on his lap. “Are you bored yet?”
“Not yet,” he lied.
Her lips half-curved. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not.”
“What’s with all the mistrust?”
“Exactly. That’s something else I said to Cassie this morning.”
His heart sank, and he pulled the tray of food closer to hide his dismay. Cassie didn’t trust him?
“I hope it’s all okay,” Poppy said. “Maxine said this is your usual Monday order, but I don’t mind going back and changing things if you want.”
“Thanks, but this is good.”
She pulled out a chair, and repositioned it to face him.
He lifted a brow. “Was there something else?”
Her mouth quirked again. “Maybe that’s it,” she murmured, as if to herself.
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head.
Yeah, clearly not nothing.
“So, you’re okay? Nothing else I can get you?”
“I’m okay, and thanks, I’ll be fine.”
“Is it okay if I pass that on to Hannah and the others? They’ve all been worried about you.”
All except one of them, who clearly did not care for him, seeing she hadn’t even thanked him, let alone bothered to check on his welfare. Heck, even Hector and Chuck, the security guards, had stopped by and offered their thoughts and prayers for a swift recovery.
“Um, yeah, go for it. But I’d appreciate it if you could remind your friends not to say anything about me being on the show.”
“Sure thing.” She nodded, and got up, pushed his chair back into position, tucked under the small dining table for two. “I should probably go, but I’m glad you’re doing okay.”
“Thanks for checking in.”
“Of course. I know Jess will be glad too. Oh, and my parents said to say they’re praying for you.”
“Really?” He’d only met them briefly, but they came across as genuine, salt-of-the-earth people.
She nodded. “And even though she might not have said it to you, I know Cassie is grateful for your help.”
“Mm.” He’d believe it when he saw it. Which would likely be parked right next door to never.
“Seriously, she is. She said so this morning.” She grinned again. “Among other things.”
He knew that smile was bait, designed to make him bite. But no. He wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t—
“What did she say?”
“Ha!” Poppy clapped her hands. “I knew you’d want to know.” She moved to the door.
“What? You can’t just say something like that and then leave.”
“Can’t I?” She opened the door.
Maybe she thought it was charming, but he was too tired and grumpy to be amused. “Have I done something to offend her? I really don’t know what I’ve done wrong.”
“You know, I’m not sure that she knows either. But if it helps, let’s just say she’s been a little stressed with everything lately.”
“She’s had a lot going on.”
“She always does. She’s a machine. She really needs to learn to relax. And now she’s trying to do stock take and get the figures for the accountant.” Her nose wrinkled. “Poor thing hates math like I do.”
His heart flickered. “Maybe I could help. I’m okay with figures.”
She studied him, then shrugged. “I can mention it to her. But if I were you, the place I’d really be looking for answers that will help is in that book right there.”
“What book?” He followed her pointed finger to the leather-bound Bible. “Oh, that book.”
“Yep, that one. The best book to read is the Bible,” she added, in a singsong tone.
Reminiscences flashed. Church services. Sunday school. Memory verses. His grandma’s voice: “We all need God, Harrison. More than anything. You need to stop running and let Him wrap you in His arms of love. Only then will you feel whole and complete again.”
What was with these women around here peeking into his soul? Did he have a sign saying Please comment on my spiritual state?
His chest hurt, and he pushed himself upright, and picked up the chicken salad wrap. “Well, thanks again. Much appreciated.” He fake-smiled, staring at her until she finally got the hint and left. As soon as the door shut, his shoulders slumped. He could feel a new ache beginning to grow, and this one was nowhere near his ankle. He couldn’t explain it, but it felt closer to his heart.