Chapter 10
Anticipation filled Cassie as she rode Ginger through the western town, checking over the site before filming began today. It was amazing how much lighter she felt with the wedding over. Franklin and Hannah were now in Fiji, the reception tent and chapel decorations were down, and the western town looked exactly as it ought to represent the past one hundred and fifty years.
Yep, not a speck out of place to show that a hundred or so guests had been partying the night away just three nights ago. Most of the cast and all of the crew had returned, the only ones missing were those cast members not scheduled for shooting scenes today. Which meant Harrison was somewhere, as he was supposed to be filming today.
But…how silly was she to look for him, to still think about him when it was clear he wasn’t for her. Put it down to feeling alone on the wedding weekend, even when she’d been surrounded by people, and the talk of love that had filled nearly every conversation
Mom had noticed, asking Cassie how she was feeling. She’d admitted to relief that everything had gone smoothly, even though she hadn’t admitted to all of her emotions.
“I imagine that you’ll feel something of a letdown after all the energy you’ve put into making this so special,” her mom had said.
Cassie had nodded, and sure enough exhaustion had hit hard on Sunday. A nap and wedding cake leftovers and early nights for the past two evenings had helped with some of that. But the flatness had lingered, even as she tried to remember to be thankful, to count her blessings. Hopefully life could resume a slower pace now that all the wedding frantic-ness was done.
With no sign of anyone—no, she wasn’t looking for anyone specific—she nudged Ginger along the road and up the hill, taking the path to the trailers and dining hall. She stopped in, saw Annie, got a coffee, but didn’t linger beyond exchanging pleasantries with a couple of people.
Ainsley was one, her “great to see you” holding a sincerity Cassie now recognized as genuine.
“Did you enjoy your long weekend?” Cassie asked.
“It’s always great to see my family.”
“Where are they?”
“Just outside Vancouver. But enough about me. Tell me about your brother’s wedding. I saw a couple of pictures on social media and it looked amazing.”
Cassie smiled. “It was awesome. Everything went as planned, and I’m so grateful that God gave us good weather.”
“Good weather sure helps with outside events.”
“Just like with filming, hey?”
“Absolutely. So, tell me what you wore. I bet you looked beautiful.”
“I have to admit it was one of my finer moments.”
“Okay, I need to see a photo. Have you got one?”
“Of me?”
“Of course of you. I saw one of the bride and groom that Hannah posted—we follow each other on Instagram—but I want to see one of you.”
Okay, then. Cassie pulled out her phone, showed Ainsley the photo that Bree had taken when Cassie had been standing at the front of the church, her face in profile as she smiled at Franklin while he’d pretended not to tear up. The light from the stained glass added a softness to her features, her upswept hair and makeup and fancy dress making her look like she was ready to feature in her own starring role.
“Oh, Cassie. You look gorgeous.”
The thought that someone as beautiful as Ainsley Beckett describing Cassie as gorgeous drew gladness around her heart. “Thanks. I don’t wear dresses too often,” she confessed. “I was just relieved I was able to walk in high heels.”
“I love your dress, too.” Ainsley zoomed in on the picture. “So pretty.”
“Pink isn’t my usual speed, but it worked.”
“As did that style of dress. Ooh la la.”
She smiled. Yes, the cut of the dress had done her figure plenty of favors.
“Is that a photo of you?”
Cassie stilled, and went to retrieve her phone, but she couldn’t very well snatch it from Ainsley’s hand. Not when Ainsley was showing it to Harrison, who whistled.
“Oh, sorry, Cassie.” Ainsley winced. “I should’ve asked. I get so used to showing others my own pictures.”
“It’s okay,” she murmured, peeking at Harrison. Why hadn’t he said anything?
“Doesn’t she look gorgeous?” Ainsley prodded him.
His gaze lifted from the screen and met Cassie’s. She swallowed at the intensity in his eyes.
“Really beautiful.”
“Th-thanks.”
“I mean it.”
Ainsley softly chuckled as she handed back the phone. “I think he does. I don’t think he’s once said that about me,” she confided, adding a wink for good measure.
“Maybe he just needs someone to prompt him the way you did for me.”
“I didn’t need prompting,” Harrison said to Cassie, a slight frown in his eyes now. “I do think you’re beautiful. And not just when you’re all dressed up.”
Her throat cinched, her chest growing tight.
“And that sounds like my cue to leave,” Ainsley murmured, slipping away.
Cassie couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
Harrison angled himself closer, blocking out the increased bustle in the dining tent. “I missed you this weekend.”
Her mouth was still dry from his first compliment. Her brain could barely cope with any more. Did he truly mean these things he kept saying?
“Did the wedding go well?”
She nodded. Swallowed. Found enough moisture to say, “I don’t know if it makes me a bad sister or friend to say I’m glad it’s over, but I was really relieved when it was all done.”
“And everything went smoothly?”
Another nod.
“But of course it did. You worked so hard, I’m not surprised.”
Huh. No criticism of her work ethic? Her defensiveness dropped a little more. “And you? Did you enjoy your weekend?”
“It was okay.”
Only okay? “Where did you stay?”
“Fairmont Lake Louise.”
“Fancy.”
“It was nice, but not the same as here.”
“I bet.” Deserts could form by her tone. “Once you stay at the barber’s, well, it’s all downhill from there, right?”
His lips curved. “I missed you, Cassie.”
Her breath hitched. He couldn’t mean that to sound quite like that. “Well, lucky for you, here I am again.”
“Lucky for me.” His voice held a rasp.
She stepped back. If she didn’t know better, she’d be almost inclined to think the man liked her or something. Which was ridiculous. Why would he like her when he could have his pick of Hollywood?
Besides, just because a man might say smooth things didn’t mean a girl needed to believe them. And this girl couldn’t afford to believe them, or allow her heart to get involved. She’d gone that way before, and it hadn’t ended well. Besides, he wasn’t a Christian. Was he?
“Why are you looking like that?” he asked.
She needed to go. But also felt a weird prompting to introduce some element of God into the conversation. Because Poppy was right. How could any non-believer ever know about God if Christians always kept their mouths shut? But what do I say Lord?
“Cassie?”
“I, um, I don’t know. Uh, what do I look like?”
His smile twisted. “Like you’re trying to figure me out. Which I’m cool with by the way. And I could help you out with that if you let me take you to dinner sometime.”
Her breath suspended. “You said you wanted to be friends.”
“And don’t friends do dinner together sometimes?”
“Not male and female friends who are both single. At least, I’ve never done that.”
“Maybe you should.”
Part of her yearned to take him up on his offer, to know what it would be like to live in this man’s world for a moment, to be the pretty thing on a handsome man’s arm. But another part urged caution, and because she was trying to listen to the Holy Spirit more these days, she knew she had to obey that prompting more than anything that tugged at her heart. And she had to make something very clear.
“I don’t think I could have dinner alone with a man unless he was a Christian.”
His face shadowed for a moment. Then he tilted his head. “Who said anything about being alone?”
Ouch. Had she just misread that and embarrassed herself some more?
Either way, this conversation felt like she was playing with fire, and she had no desire to get burned. “Have a good day, Harrison.”
“You too, Ms. James.”
She nodded, then hurried out of there, itchy with awkwardness.
That night,she returned to the ranch house early to find her youngest sister frantically packing. “What’s going on?”
Her mom looked up from where she was stirring green beans, ready for a casserole. “Poppy got a call from her friend Bailey, you know, the one she worked with at the dance school in Winnipeg? Apparently she got some amazing opportunity that means Poppy is catching a flight at 7:30pm.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of opportunity requires that?”
Her mother shrugged. “I don’t think Poppy even really knows. But it’s happening and it’s now or never, which is how that world seems to be.”
Like the world Harrison lived in. His world wasn’t like hers, bound by the age-old rhythms of the seasons. His was frantic, fast-paced, snatching at his big break when it came, not tied to anything, not grounded, not like her at all.
Her heart panged. See? Too different. It could never work. “I’ll check if she needs a hand.”
She went upstairs and asked Poppy what she knew.
Poppy shrugged. “Bails asked me, and she sounded panicky, which made me feel panicky, because she’s usually so perky and cool. But I had some summer classes cancel so I could make it. And in this industry, opportunities pass, they don’t pause, so when they come by you have to do all you can for your chance to get noticed. So I’m helping Bails out while she gets her big chance.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Poppy straightened, her suitcase crammed full with clothes. “Help me shut this monster?”
Cassie chuckled, and struggled to zip it while Poppy sat her petite backside on the top cover. “I don’t know anyone who has as many clothes as you.”
“That’s because you and Jess”— Poppy gritted out as she helped tug the fastener—“are tomboys.”
“Although according to Ainsley Beckett, I scrub up alright.”
“Scrub up?” Poppy’s nose wrinkled. “Who on earth says that? I bet Ainsley didn’t.”
“Well, no. She said I looked gorgeous,” Cassie said as meekly as she could.
Poppy grinned. “And you did.” She finished zipping with a flourish and a “Victory!”
Temptation filled her to share what a certain somebody else had described her as. But that would only fuel speculation, and after the last encounter between Cassie and Harrison that Poppy had witnessed, she had no wish to invite more.
Especially when she’d clearly misunderstood things. Embarrassment writhed. Had he thought she was angling for a date? She blinked the memory away. Refocused on her sister. “You’re a good friend to Bailey.”
Poppy grinned. “That I am.”
Friend. The word propelled her thinking straight back to the someone she really didn’t want to be thinking about. How had she misjudged his invitation to dinner? Had it been so long she’d forgotten the cues and secret clues of dating?
Poppy paused. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Clearly not nothing. Come on, spill.”
She shook her head.
Poppy’s gaze narrowed. Then she went to the top of the stairs. “Mom? You don’t need to miss your Bible study now. Cassie just said she’s taking me to the airport.”
“What?”
Poppy smirked. “You’re taking me to the airport, and you’re gonna spill the tea.”
She exhaled. Poppy might be the youngest, but there was a reason she’d earned the name Bossy Poppy from a young age. “Fine.” Besides, her sister might be able to offer some perspective.
Thirty minutes later they were on the highway heading to the airport, and Cassie had finally found the courage to admit what had been said. But she’d never admit who had said it.
“Do you think if a man asks a woman out to dinner that it means he’s interested in her?”
“Yes.” Poppy turned in her seat to face her. “Why? Did someone ask you out?”
“I don’t know.”
“Clearly you do or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Well, I thought that’s what he meant, but then he’d said he only wanted to be friends, and now I don’t know what he means.”
“Cassie!”
Cassie braked. “What?”
“No, keep driving. I don’t want to miss my flight. But I honestly don’t know why you didn’t share this earlier. How come all the good stuff has to happen when I don’t have a chance to get all the juicy details?”
“There are no juicy details.”
“I beg to differ. You need to tell me who, what, where and when.”
“I’m not telling you who.”
Poppy nodded. “Which can only mean it’s Harrison. Am I right? Or are my Poppy vibes off?”
“Your Poppy vibes aren’t off,” she mumbled.
“I knew it!” She clapped her hands. “I could tell he was really into you at the creek. We all could.”
Oh dear. “Then I don’t understand. Why did he say what he did?”
“Well, you better now tell me everything he did say.”
Cassie reported the conversation as best as she could remember.
Poppy winced. “Poor guy. But you know he was just trying to save face, right?”
“Um, no. Was he?”
“You said that bit about only going out with a guy who was a Christian, so then his next comment was all flippant, like he didn’t care. But he cares.”
A shiver rippled through her. She flicked the turn indicator as she steered into the exit lane for the airport. “But he’s not a Christian.”
“So don’t go out with him.” Poppy shrugged. “But you can always pray for him.”
But praying for someone knit them closer to a person’s heart. “I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Don’t you want him to become a Christian?” Poppy demanded.
Put like that, well, “Yes.”
“Hey God,” Poppy prayed aloud, as Cassie drove into the departures lane for domestic flights. “We ask You to touch Harrison right now, wherever he is, and make him aware that You are real, and that You love him, and want to have a relationship with him. Whatever is holding him back, please deal with it right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
“Amen,” Cassie echoed, surprised at the force in Poppy’s tone. It’d been a long while since she’d heard her sister pray with such conviction.
“Look out!”
Cassie jerked the car to a halt, as an elderly man jay-walked in front of them, bag trundling behind him.
“And that is why God created pedestrian crossings,” Poppy yelled out the window.
“He’ll hear you,” Cassie murmured.
“I doubt it. He’s old.”
But from the way the man looked at them, then made a rude gesture, his hearing worked just fine.
Poppy snickered, as Cassie moved to the drop off zone. “I hope he’s not on the same flight as me.”
“I bet he’s thinking the same.” Cassie parked, popped the trunk, then opened the door. She only had a minute before the parking patrol officers would tell her to move on.
Poppy grabbed her bags. Then caught Cassie in a hug. “Thanks so much.”
“Have fun. Let Mom know when you arrive. I’ll be praying for you.”
“And I’ll be praying for you, sis.” Poppy grinned. “And for him.”
Cassie nodded. And now, so would she.
* * *
Cassie’s wordschased Harrison through the day, causing him to flub some lines.
“Come on, Harrison,” Mal snapped. “Get your focus. Where’s your head at?”
“Sorry.”
But seriously. She didn’t want to go out with him? Would only go out with a Christian man? Wow. He’d only had a handful of rejections in his time, but never something that felt so cold.
It was dusk by the time Mal called cut, and he was released to his meal. He was entering the dining room just as Brenda, the stuntwoman who often doubled for Ainsley, exited. “Whoa!”
Brenda flinched, and a soul tremor recognized that action. His mom used to do the same.
“Sorry, Brenda. I didn’t see you there.”
She tugged down her sleeves. “It was my mistake.”
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
She bit her lip, and his gaze fell to her wrists. Wrists ringed with big dark bruises.
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing. I fell.”
He nodded slowly. Those bruises didn’t look like any that might be expected from the rough and tumble of a stuntwoman’s role. “My mom often ‘fell’ like that too. Usually when my dad hurt her.”
Her gaze veered sharply to him. “It’s not like that.”
“I hope not. Because I know how terrible it was in my family, and I wished my mom had found the courage to leave him. Nobody deserves to be beaten. That’s not how a man should treat anyone.”
“It’s not like that,” she repeated stiffly.
“Okay. But if it was, then I hope you’d know that I’d be happy to do whatever I could to help.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “He only does it when he’s drunk.”
“That’s no excuse.” He softened his tone. “If you need help, I’m here.”
She jerked a nod, then rushed away, the episode leaving him unsettled. He hoped she’d stand up for herself, that she’d find a way to be stronger than his mom had ever been. He couldn’t see Cassie ever letting a man control her like that.
Cassie. His thoughts shifted as he thanked Annie for his food, as he twirled his fork through his spaghetti. He hoped she’d had a good day. Even if she’d made it clear they’d tap out as only friends.
“This seat taken?” Ainsley smiled at him.
“Is now.”
She got her meal then joined him at his table, their late finishing scene meaning most of the others had left, and they could eat alone. His lips twisted. Ainsley had no problem with eating with him. And she was a Christian. So what was Cassie’s problem?
“Hey, are you doing okay?”
He looked up.
Ainsley’s brow had puckered. “You looked happy this morning, then something happened and you’ve been off your game.”
He shrugged. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. What’s wrong?”
The concern in her voice made him swallow a lump along with his pasta. “You’re a Christian, right?”
She nodded.
“So why is it okay for you to eat with me, while…others don’t want to?”
Her head angled. “Others? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
He really didn’t want to have to explain things. Already this conversation felt like he was in quicksand. “Would you go out with a non-Christian?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Are you asking me out?”
“No.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Good.”
Good?
“Not because I don’t think you’re nice, but because it’s my policy not to date coworkers. And yeah…” She winced. “I’ve dated non-Christians in the past, but I’m starting to believe that God only wants me to date Christian men.”
“But why?”
“Because the Bible says not to be yoked with unbelievers.”
He exhaled. The Bible. His old nemesis. He thought of the big book next to his bed. “You don’t seriously believe everything you read in that do you?”
She nodded.
“What, even the eye for an eye business?”
“You know the Bible?”
“My grandma used to take me to church.”
“Oh, God bless her,” she said softly.
Well, yeah, Amen. “But that’s not answering the question.”
“About not dating non-Christians?”
He nodded.
She sipped her apple juice, eyed him carefully. “I think God wants us to be careful who we give our hearts to. He wants His people to be blessed and enjoy satisfying, life-giving relationships, and if two people want different things, then there will always be tension.”
“But not if they love each other.”
“Love?” Ainsley’s eyebrow ascended. “I thought we were only talking about going out for dinner.”
“I did too, but it looks like it’s about a lot more than just food,” he grumbled.
“Is it Cassie?” she asked softly.
He glanced away, jerked his chin.
“Oh, she’s gold.”
“Gold who won’t go out with me,” he complained.
“And she said it’s because you’re not a Christian?”
He nodded.
“Well, good for her. She’s trying to do what God says. Do you really want her to go against her conscience and convictions?”
“Of course not. But I’m not a bad guy. I don’t understand what the problem is.”
“I think you should probably talk to her.”
“Yeah, like she’d admit the truth,” he scoffed.
“Okay, well, here’s my two cents. I think for a lot of Christian women it’s because they see dating as more than just a meal out but having a relationship with someone who has the potential to be part of their future.”
“You mean marriage?”
She nodded. “I know a lot of people may think that’s old-fashioned, but there’s something to be said for waiting until you can see if someone else’s values align with yours before embarking on a relationship. Jumping in too quickly can lead to a lot of frustration and a lot of broken hearts.” She smiled without cheer. “Ask me how I know.”
He didn’t need to ask. He’d seen the gossip magazines and speculation on TV about Ainsley’s love life. And while he knew not to pay gossip rags much mind, she had been involved in a few high-profile relationships over the years that had not ended well.
“And to be honest,” Ainsley continued softly, “I think God wants to protect us from more brokenness. So when it comes to something as important as who we give our hearts to, who we might potentially share a future with, then it makes sense to give it to someone who shares our values and interests and the things most important in our lives. And if you’re a Christian, then God and doing things His way is supposed to be the most important part of your life. So it doesn’t make sense to give your heart to someone who doesn’t think that way. That person would always be wanting your attention when sometimes God needs it more.” She smiled wryly. “I don’t think I’m explaining this very well, and like I said, I’m still figuring a lot of this out myself. But I can now see the value in waiting for a Christian man who loves God and wants to do things God’s way more than his own.”
Harrison stared at the remnants of the tomato-based sauce congealing on his plate. Well, that ruled him out.
“Can I ask a personal question?” Ainsley asked.
“Sure.”
“If your grandmother took you to church, did you ever make a commitment?”
“A commitment?”
She nodded. “Did you ever ask Jesus into your heart?”
His lips rolled in as he thought back. “I don’t know. Maybe? But I used to believe in Santa Claus too, so I don’t think that would matter.”
“Shh! Some of us still believe in Santa.” Ainsley’s teasing smile reminded him that she’d played Mrs. Claus in some Christmas movie not too long ago.
“You know, I’ve said this before,” her head tilted as she studied him seriously, “but Harrison, I believe God loves you, and wants you to know Him. He’s your heavenly Father.”
He tensed. “Don’t say that. I hate my father.”
The words hissed through space and time, as a kaleidoscope of images and words and remembered bruises begged for attention. Maybe people around here never admitted such things, but he couldn’t play pretend right now. He wasn’t that good an actor.
“Oh, Harrison.” Ainsley’s face was soft, and—was that a tear? “God isn’t like your dad. He’s perfect. He loves you. He wants your best.”
He shook his head. “I can’t believe that.”
She was silent, her posture slumped, then she straightened. “Well, I’m going to pray that one day you can.”
He rose to leave. She could pray all she liked. It didn’t mean prayer worked.