Page 39 of A Simple Love

Lunch was a resounding success. The cast and crew devoured everything Quinn and her staff put out. Meat lovers and vegans alike ate like kings and queens. For a brief spell, it was the quietest the set had ever been. Everyone was too busy eating to talk.

But once they were done, the din was loud. Davis looked pleased, nodding in satisfaction. I sat at one of the last picnic tables that was set up, eating with some of the grips and production assistants. I liked getting to know everyone, and I enjoyed hearing their stories. And it was the perfect spot to Kassie-watch. Our eyes met often across the crowd, sometimes lingering, other times her looking away quickly. But I saw her reaction every time they did. The soft blush. The widening of her eyes. The way she bit her lip. The smile she tried to hide, failing most of the time.

I liked her reactions.

Once lunch was done, people drifted around, visiting and talking. Some cast members went to their trailers. I tried not to grin as Wayne swooped Shawna into his arms and headed to her trailer. I knew how they were going to fill the time before the run-through.

Everyone did.

Then her husband tripped. They both went down, her gasp of pain and shock loud. I was on my feet, as was Davis, reaching them at the same time as a few other people. Wayne was apologizing profusely; she was holding her head. A gash on her left temple was bleeding, and Davis yelled for the medical staff kept on standby.

Moments later, her forehead was bandaged, and she was helped up. She swayed on her feet, and Davis shook his head. “That’s it. You’re done for the day. Take her back to the motel, Wayne. Watch over her, and if she’s sleepy, wake her every two hours. Call me with an update.”

“The run-through—” she protested.

Davis stopped her by holding up his hand. “We’ll figure it out. You’re not working if you’re concussed. Go.”

Wayne wrapped his arm around her waist, and they headed off. Davis pulled off his ball cap with a sigh. “Okay. I need a stand-in, and they need to be five foot four. We must have someone here who is that height.”

I looked over to the catering area, and I grinned. “I can help with that.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Absolutely. See you in the barn in thirty.”

“Great.”

Kassie frowned at my request, staring at the papers in my hand. Beside her, Quinn grinned like a loon, pretending not to be listening.

“You want what?”

“I have to do a run-through for a scene. To check lighting, et cetera. But Shawna is hurt and can’t. I need you to fill in.”

She was still confused. “Don’t you have other actresses or stand-ins?”

“Not here. And the other actresses are too tall. Davis is very particular. You’re the same height as Shawna.”

Her gaze swept the people behind me. “And there isn’t another person here that height?”

Quinn nudged her. “You are shorter than the average woman.”

Kassie glared at her. “I wouldn’t talk.”

“I’m not the one being asked to fill in,” Quinn snipped back, hip checking her. “Go on. Live a little and have some fun.”

“I’m not an actress.”

“All you have to do is stand on your mark and read the lines highlighted. I’m not expecting an Oscar-worthy performance. Just turn whatever direction you’re told to. I move around a lot because my character is anxious.”

She sighed.

“Please,” I added. “I need you to do this.” I grinned as I tilted my head. “I cut your grass again this morning. That must count for something.”

She huffed. Actually huffed like a little dragon. I almost expected fire to flare from her mouth, but she rolled her eyes and undid her apron. “Fine.”

“Awesome. Look over your lines and meet me, I mean us, in the barn in ten.” I hurried away before she could change her mind. Why I wanted her to do this with me, I had no idea, but I did. Maybe I wanted her to see me work. Maybe I wanted her to understand the process a little more. Or maybe I just wanted the chance to get close to her again. At the end of the scene, the two characters stood close, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.

I doubted that was it, but maybe.