The image of Quint in my bed last night flashes through my head, and it takes a moment to shake it off. It was fantastic sex, but that’s all it was. Maybe he can be something of a friend. But nothing more than that. I don’t have the time or headspace for a relationship right now, and even if I did, the two of us are an impossibility. Hollywood and a rural ranch in Canada were never meant to meet like this. And no matter how sweet he is, or how obedient, or how different from every guy I’ve ever dated before, it would never work. The knowledge doesn’t prevent the slight ache of regret in my chest, but it does help keep my feelings in check.
“Yeah.”
“Have you checked in at Chicory Crossing? Eden mentioned you hadn’t been staying there.”
“Uh, no. Not yet.” The way she’s looking at me, I can tell she’s waiting for me to expand. But I don’t really need to complicate things any further. “I’ll get to it.”
She nods, waiting a beat before she offers her hand. “Well, I’m meeting up with Savannah soon, so I’ll let you get on your way. You should have already received your shooting schedule for the next few days, but tomorrow make sure you’re ready at eight sharp for our trail ride. I thought it might be more fun than a full day of table reads.”
“Sure.”
My stomach is back to churning. I’m sure I can handle a little walk around a trail, but I haven’t been out of the ring yet. Maybe I should ask Quint to take me on a ride tonight? No, better to just suck it up. I’m sure I’m going to have to film lots of scenes out of the safety of the rings.
Plus, I’ve got a busy afternoon ahead of me.
Chapter 21
Quint
Blinkbumpsmythighas I reach up to swipe the trickle of sweat off my brow, but a drop creeps by, stinging my eye as I’m walking through the front door. But it doesn’t chase the smile off my face, and I want to do something for her to celebrate the start of filming. Cook her a nice meal, set the place up with candles and music. I look down at the bunch of wildflowers I picked on my way in.Will she think they’re lame?I’m sure she’s used to the most exotic flowers money can buy. But I shake it off. She’s not like that.
This is the last night we have together before filming is going to steal Aura away from me. It’s been nice having her to myself. And more than nice. Yesterday was the hottest sex I’ve ever had. The way she made me wait…painful, but also worth it a thousand times over. I’ve never come so hard in my life. It was a bit of a blow to wake up alone, but Shayla said Aura borrowed her truck to meet the show’s director, so I didn’t take it personally.
“Hollywood!” I call out, but there’s no answer.
The little front room is empty, Grandma’s colorful patchwork quilt draped neatly over the back of the couch. No shoes by the front door. Maybe she went to the barn or up to the big house. I do my best not to peek into her room as I walk by, but the urge is strong.
In the kitchen, I fill two glasses at the sink. The first one goes down real smooth after a morning throwing bales into the bank barn. We’ve spent the last week rearranging things and moving horses to accommodate the film crew that’s already started parking trailers and unloading equipment. I place the colorful bouquet in the second glass, giving the mix of flowers a critical look. I think she’ll like it. If nothing else, it’s distinctly Alberta. Fluffing them one more time, I head for my room to get my hay-covered clothes off. A hot shower is definitely in order. Then I can think about what to make us for dinner.
It’s wild how quickly we’ve slipped into a routine. And after yesterday, I’m feeling even more confident I can win her over for real. The things she did to me? And the way she told me about her needs like that. You don’t do that with someone you don’t trust, right? And if you trust someone, and you both like each other, and you’re attracted to each other, what’s standing in the way?
The time it takes to clean up and towel myself off is more than enough to convince me it’s time to broach that question again. I’ll cook up some steaks, baked potatoes. A nice dinner goes a long way.
Still no sign of her when I walk into the kitchen, and that’s when something catches my eye. A lonely scrap of paper sits in the middle of my tiny kitchen table. My smile remains intact until I pick it up.
Quint,
Thanks for letting me stay with you. I really appreciate it, but since filming is starting, I’ve got a room at Chicory Crossing with the rest of the cast. So, I’m moving my stuff over there this afternoon. You and your family have been so kind, but I don’t want to inconvenience you anymore. I’ll still be around so much, you’ll be sick of me.
Best,
Aura
I blink away the tears, but the burn in my chest is not just sadness. I’m a little angry too. Maybe I was way off base, but I really thought she was starting to let me in. Apparently, I was delusional. But something tells me it’s not about her interest as much as it’s about her fear of getting close. And that is even more frustrating. If she’d just let me in, I think we could be amazing together.
I heave out a sigh, collapsing onto the chair and dropping my head into my hands.
Maybe I should just head over to the main house for dinner. But then I think of Shayla. She wouldn’t gloat, but she would know. That I fell hard and fast again, and the out-of-reach star left me behind. Just like she warned.
I’m not sure Caleb really knew what we were in for when he agreed to this. There are now trailers, trucks, and equipment scattered all over the north field. The lush grass is getting trampled by the chaotic mess of the impending film production. They’re hustling equipment in and out of the small barn, and a handful of unfamiliar horses have taken over the small field out behind it. They’re contracted to use some of ours for filming too, but the animal wranglers brought some of their own specially trained equines.
Thunder is snorting, ogling the activity in the field through the barn door as I’m leading him out to the round pen, all saddled up and ready for a trail ride. At least I’ve got this. “Shay-Shay, you want to lead the ride today?” It’s only a formality. I know she likes to be the one in front.
She looks up over Goldie’s withers, one eyebrow raised. “Are you all right, little brother? What’s the catch?”
I shake my head, tugging on the rope to make sure the big guy is securely tied. He will wander away if given the chance.
“No catch. Just didn’t feel like fighting this morning.”
