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“You live in California,” she said. “I’m not leaving Corbin. This is my home.”
He shrugged. “It’s early. We’re still getting to know each other. But I’m not going to say that I’m against leaving California. After Mom moved away and I sold the ranch, I never really found my place there. I’m currently living in an apartment that I rarely even see. This job will keep me on the road, but my plan is to get back to ranching, maybe in a town where it’s more sustainable.”
Audrie wasn’t sure what that meant. A sustainable town? Or a town where it was easier to run a ranch? Whatever it meant, she wasn’t sure Corbin would be that town for him, but at least there was hope.
The distance wasn’t the obstacle she’d thought it would be, but there was another obstacle. “We can’t start anything with Jessica around,” she said.
“I guess it’ll have to be our secret,” he said. “Having you on the set will make it a lot easier to date on the down-low, though.”
She took a deep breath and let it out. She had to admit, she already missed being part of what was going on at Snowy Canyon Ranch. She knew every client who walked into the salon would have questions, and all they’d want to talk about was what was going on at her best friend’s property. She’d be reminded every single day what she was missing.
He pushed himself up from the chair to a standing position and walked over, reaching out a hand to help her up.
Audrie hesitated only a few seconds before taking his hand and letting him pull her to her feet. And then they were looking into each other’s eyes. She knew, without a doubt, he was going to kiss her.
When his lips brushed hers, it felt like the air around them electrified. His hands warmed the small of her back as she stepped toward him, rising up to give into the kiss fully. Nothing else mattered but the two of them, connecting in a kiss that took her breath.
In that moment, all that mattered was that he had feelings for her. They could work the rest out later.
14
“Alittle more snow in this area, please,” Rourke instructed the crew member who was spreading white blankets on the ground.
Landon stood in the back, watching it all, his mind a million miles away. Okay, so maybe his mind was only a few feet away. That was where Audrie stood with Christian and Poppy, watching as Sugar Cookie Productions turned Snowy Canyon Ranch into a winter wonderland. They did that using big white felt blankets, which looked like snow when the camera focused on the actors and kept things in the background blurry.
Jessica stood off to herself, holding the coat she’d have to put on just seconds before they started shooting. Luckily, the temperature had dropped to a much more manageable seventy-four, but it was still far from coat weather.
“Okay, we’re ready.”
At Michael’s words, the camera guy took his place as Jessica threw her coat on and jumped into character. It was funny, but Landon could almost see the second she went from being Jessica to being her character. The harshness disappeared from her expression and her shoulders slumped just a little. Just enough to make her seem almost human.
Landon took the opportunity to shift his gaze to Audrie, who seemed to have the same thought as she met his stare. If Jessica was busy acting, she wouldn’t have time to pay attention to what Audrie and Landon were doing. They could let down their guard for just a few minutes.
He’d kissed her, and in that brief amount of time, everything seemed to click into place. It was as though his entire life had led up to that moment. To the two of them together, him holding her in his arms. He didn’t want to let her go, but eventually, she’d stepped back and smiled up at him.
And then, she told him he’d talked her into it. She was coming back to the set.
But when she finally did show up at the ranch, things got tough. They had to pretend they weren’t speaking. She even said so Jessica could overhear that she was mad at him, and that she’d left the ranch because of him.
And now everyone was curious what he’d done. Everyone included Jessica, who seemed to be taking the opportunity to follow him around. She’d claimed the seat next to him at dinner every night without invitation. That morning, she’d even shown up in his trailer with his favorite kind of doughnut and a cup of coffee.
“Cut!” Michael called out.
It seemed like it was all too soon that they were finished and ready to set up for the second shot. This one would include Peter, who’d shown up to tell her he was leaving town. It was what the script supervisor had explained as “the dark moment,” and these movies always had one.
The dark moment was where it looked like all was lost. How would the couple ever get back together? He’d had a dark moment of his own when Audrie had left the ranch. But did that mean they were now ready for their happy ending?
Audrie rushed over to adjust Jessica’s hair while she gave Michael directions about lighting. Landon stepped back. Maybe he should just head into the house or go back to his trailer. They didn’t seem to need him here today. His brother and Michael had everything under control, and they weren’t doing anything that required the consulting services of a cowboy, anyway.
When Audrie stepped back to take a look at Jessica’s hair, Landon knew her next step would be to return to her previous location. He decided to sneak off while everyone was still distracted. He’d go chill in the kitchen of the house behind them or maybe just take a walk.
Being around Audrie had complicated things. It made him aware that he’d been running. While he’d thought he was just between life phases, really, he was avoiding making a decision. He was hanging out on his brother’s set, hoping his investment would pay off so he could start the next part of his life.
But now he realized it wasn’t that easy. He had to come to terms with the fact that he’d failed everyone when he sold the ranch before he could ever get to the place where he could buy a new one.
He stepped into Christian’s kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. As he took the first sips, he looked around. He could settle in at the table. Something didn’t feel right about that, though. Maybe because it wasn’t his kitchen.
He eyed the doorway into the living room and gave an affirming nod. They’d created a movie set in there. Even though some of Christian’s furniture was still in place, so much of it was set decoration, he didn’t feel bad about hanging out in there.
