Chapter 16
The city lights of early evening flashed in the rear view mirror as Harrison drove her home from the hospital. He held her hand, as he’d tried to ever since the incident at the creek earlier in the day. Like he wanted to touch her, to make sure she was still alive. She laughed it off, but his protectiveness was kind of lovely.
“You know I’m a big girl.”
“I know. But you scared me before. I don’t want to lose someone else I lo—” He coughed. “Care about.”
Cassie’s pulse spiked. Had he been about to say the “L” word? Oh my. He cared that much?
She peeked across. His features held a serious cast, like he would fight a thousand battles for her. “Hey.” She waited until he glanced at her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He nodded, but she could tell he was still worried. Which meant they probably needed to have a few more conversations about trusting God.
She returned her gaze to look out the window. The skies were pinking to a rosy blush, streaks of gold like God had dabbled a paintbrush in gilt and was underscoring his promise with a flourish. “Isn’t that sky beautiful?”
“Yeah.”
Her lips lifted. “Don’t you just love the big skies out here? There’s so much to love about the country.”
“Some things, sure.” He shot her another look, mouth half curving. “I definitely love some things about the country.” He winked.
Giddiness filled her, and not just because of the medication she’d taken earlier. Yep, Harrison really had that swoony thing going on.
“But not everything, I have to admit.” He glanced at her. “I don’t think I want to visit your creek again.”
“Oh, come on. That’s two snakes in twenty plus years. You can’t let a little reptile stop you from having a lot of fun.”
“Fun?”
She smiled, waited for him to look her way again. “Wouldn’t you like to go swimming with me again?”
He exhaled heavily.
She’d take that as a “he’d think about it.” And considering she didn’t really want him thinking about her in a swimsuit, she should probably change the subject.
“Thanks for understanding about dinner.”
“We’ll save it for some day when you’re feeling better.”
Her hand was swollen, which meant she’d be out of action for several days. And nausea and a skin rash meant that an allergic reaction might have hit her harder than it had him. Way to go, feeling like a prize. At least it meant she wouldn’t have to do any more of that acting stuff again. Once was enough, thank you.
She must’ve looked a sight, rocking up to the hospital with bedraggled hair and ill-fitting clothes. Mal had agreed to release Harrison to drive her, and he’d taken her to her folks first. She’d been relieved they weren’t at home so they wouldn’t fuss, and so she could get changed into jeans and a plaid shirt, and not go traipsing to emergency in period costume. Harrison had been thankful to exchange his sodden clothes for old ones Franklin used to wear. They might be a tad big on him, but he didn’t seem to care, and his lack of vanity just reinforced how much this man had changed. Maxine had met them with Harrison’s car, then they’d swapped vehicles while he drove Cassie to the hospital.
He’d been so supportive, just so wonderful, a snuggly bear whose arms she could rest in, secure, at ease. How strange that an independent woman could find joy in a strong man like this, but there it was. She did. She sighed.
“Are you feeling okay? Do I need to pull over?”
She laughed. “I’m not about to be sick in your beautiful car if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“You can be, if you have to,” he said bravely. “But I’d really rather some advance notice, all the same.”
She laughed again, and his features eased. She poked his side. “What are you thinking about so seriously?”
He glanced at her, then at the road. “Do you mind if we park for a moment?”
“Um, okay.”
He wasn’t about to try to kiss her again, was he? Her nose wrinkled. Probably not with her awesome comment about being sick. She probably needed to work on how to do cute banter.
He pulled off the highway and down the road to the ranch, but before they got there, he steered down a little lane that led to the old Rankin place. Their place was run by a multinational corporation, and the Rankins didn’t live there anymore. But she remembered the view of the stream that fed into one of the creeks of her family’s ranch. She wouldn’t tell Harrison which one, in case he got worried that pesky snake might find them again.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked.
“Nothing you need to worry about. But you, you wanted to tell me something, didn’t you?”
He blew out a breath. Nodded. Took her hand again. “Have I ever told you much about my grandmother?”
His grandmother? “Only that she was a godly woman, and someone you miss.”
He nodded, his thumb caressing the thin skin on the back of her hand. “I do miss her. I never thought I’d meet someone as good as her.” He faced her. “But then I met you.”
Oh. She barely dared breathe. This sounded like one of “those” conversations.
“I know I haven’t been the kind of grandson who made her proud. But I also know that I’m a new creation because of what Jesus has done, and I think she’d be glad that I now know that.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m sure she would be proud.”
“And I want to make you proud. I know that my world must look so foreign to you, but I want you to know that I believe we can make this work.”
“How?” she dared ask.
“I take jobs nearer here. Maybe do a Christmas movie in Vancouver with Ainsley. See you as much as I can when I’m not filming.”
Maybe they could make this work, especially if he stayed nearby. Like at the western town.
“You can trust me, Cassie,” he said hoarsely. “I’m not the same as who I was when I first arrived on your ranch. And I’m trusting God to lead me on.”
“And He will.”
He nodded. “He’ll lead us both, in whatever He wants, if we listen.”
“Amen,” she said softly.
Silence filled the car, the sky’s pink hues deepening to magenta, in one of those glorious sunsets that saw social media inundated with millions of sunset shots. But she didn’t get her phone out, and neither did he. Contentment was here, the chance to breathe, and the car filled with heavenly promise. God was with them. God would guide them. And while she might have zero desire to act again, that was okay. God knew what was in her future, and knowing that, was enough for each day.
* * *
Harrison gripped Cassie’shand as her two sisters stared at her from across the living room. They’d just finished watching the Netflix adaptationof Persuasion, and like he’d predicted, they needed a moment to recover from the “travesty” as Poppy described it. Jess and Poppy had appeared surprised at first to see Harrison with Cassie, and he’d played it low key until the kiss at the movie’s end made him forget himself and hold Cassie’s hand.
Thank God her parents were understanding, as was Cassie’s brother, even if Franklin had looked like he wanted to play the big brother card when they’d had dinner together a few days ago. At least they’d been supportive. Cassie’s two sisters on the other hand, despite his interactions with both before, he wasn’t sure of yet.
Poppy’s gaze swung from Cassie to Harrison then back again. “Oh my goodness, are you serious?”
Cassie lifted up her hand that Harrison held. “Apparently so.”
Jess said. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” Harrison said. “Except maybe congratulations.”
At Cassie’s quick swivel to look at him he realized his error. Congratulations? That sounded like a word reserved for big announcements. Like an engagement. Not to announce a man had found a girlfriend at last. But considering this family liked to tease, he didn’t mind seeing how far he could take this.
Jess and Poppy’s eyes had both rounded, like they recognized the significance of that word too. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Jess asked.
Harrison glanced at Cassie then kissed her hand. “That I’m the luckiest guy in the world because she said yes?”
“Cassie!” Poppy’s eyes might fall from their sockets. “You’ve barely known the guy five minutes, and you’re getting married?”
“No! Of course not.”
“Maybe one day,” Harrison added.
Cassie laughed and his heart jolted. That sound. He wanted to hear that sound again. Every day. So every day he’d do what he could to bring joy to her world.
She poked him in the side. “You need to stop saying things like that and scaring my sisters.”
“But it’s fun to scare them.”
“And you’re such a good actor it’s easy to believe what you say,” Jess said.
“Well, this isn’t acting.” He turned to Cassie. “It’s not acting when I say that I think you’re the best woman I’ve ever met, and I’m so grateful that God has brought you into my life.”
Sweetness creased his chest as she smiled that smile that lit up his heart. “You know, I’m almost inclined to believe you,” she teased.
Uncertainty crossed his heart for a second, then he recognized her jest. “You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?”
“I’ll do my best,” she promised.
And she needed to, especially considering the industry he was in. They would have to keep submitting this relationship to God. Harrison might be a Christian, but he was a new one, and from the conversations they’d had with Ainsley and he’d had with Lincoln, he’d gathered that even Christians struggled in with all of the temptations of Hollywood. But God was faithful and Harrison would trust Him with her heart and with their future.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out his grandmother’s brooch, keeping it covered.
Poppy’s eyes widened again, like she actually thought he’d pulled out a ring. Well, one day he hoped to, but it sure wouldn’t be in front of her sisters while the bad aroma of a dumb movie lingered like day-old popcorn in the air.
He bit back laughter as he turned to Cassie. “Remember when I was last here, and I told you I saw a photograph that reminded me of something that belonged to my grandmother?”
“I remember a lot about that day.” Her voice held wryness. Then her eyes widened as if she too was wondering what he was hiding in his hand.
He didn’t want her misinterpreting, so he quickly unveiled it. “It was this.” He gave it to her.
“A cameo.” Cassie traced the profile.
He traced her profile with his eyes. “Do you know who it reminds me of?”
“Who?”
Her breath hitched as he dared trickle a finger down her forehead, down her nose, past her lips, then ducked under her chin. She smiled.
“Oh my gosh, he’s so romantic,” Poppy whispered.
He smiled, his fingers cradling one of Cassie’s curls that had escaped her ponytail. “You reminded me of her when I saw that picture of you all dressed up for your brother’s wedding. Then again last week when you were dressed up for the show.” He touched the whorl of her ear, felt her breath catch again. “So beautiful.”
Cassie stared at him, her blue-green eyes wide with surprise, and what he hoped was maybe a bit of delight as well.
He arched a brow. She smiled and leaned in, and then, in front of her sisters, kissed him.
He wanted to take his fill of her, but with an audience—and with godly boundaries—knew he couldn’t, so he drew back way too soon.
“Oh my gosh. Is it me or is the heat on in here?” Poppy flapped a hand in front of her face.
“It’s definitely you.” Jess winked at him.
He chuckled. It looked like he’d passed the sister test as well. Phew.
“Why does it seem like everyone I know is suddenly involved with all kinds of celebrities?” Poppy complained. “Franklin and Hannah, Bailey on her dance show, and now Cass and him.” She pointed at Harrison.
“I’m not,” Jess announced, hand in the air.
“Sure you’re not. The only reason you’re not is because you’re too busy to open your eyes and see who’s staring at you.”
Jess scoffed but the pink tint to her cheeks suggested she knew exactly who Poppy was talking about.
“What is going on with Tom?” Cassie asked.
Jess shook her head. “Nothing. Just like I’ve said the last thousand times you’ve asked.”
“Well, you keep us posted if that should change,” Poppy said.
“You’ll be the first to know, I promise.”
Promise? Harrison liked the sound of that. He kissed the back of Cassie’s hand again. He’d let his cowgirl keep his grandmother’s cameo, and together they’d trust God’s promises for their future.
The End
Want to be the first to read about Jess and her romantic adventures? Then order A Valentine for the Vettoday.
Want to learn who steals Ainsley Beckett’s heart? Then make sure you read Faking the Shot.
Want to discover how Franklin and Hannah got together? Then read Fire and Ice, book 1 in the Northwest Ice romance series.