Page 22 of A Cameo for a Cowgirl

“Amen.”

He shrugged. “It’s what you say when you agree with someone.”

“I know. But I just wondered if it meant you were a…”

“A what?”

Her voice lowered. “A believer.”

“A believer?”

Her face shadowed. “I guess that’s my answer.”

“You mean a Christian?”

She nodded, her look hopeful once again.

He was about to answer, and probably dial that look of hers back to nothing, when Jerry, one of the lead writers, interrupted with an apology and stole Ainsley’s attention.

He looked back over his lines, committing them to memory, imagining the scene as it would play out.

Ainsley’s smile and patience with the crew continued as that conversation was immediately followed by one with Glenda, the chief costume fitter, who wanted to check with her about something else. Man, Ainsley sure was patient. He’d noticed it on display each day she’d been on set.

“Sorry about that,” Ainsley said, when Glenda had gone.

He studied her. “Why are you so nice all the time?”

“Nice?” Ainsley’s brows knit, like she wasn’t sure whether he’d meant that as a compliment or a sneer.

“It’s a compliment, Ainsley. You’re so patient. Like, all the time. How do you do it?”

Her mouth pulled to one side. “Well, I certainly don’t feel patient all the time. There are some things I’ve been waiting on for what feels like forever.” She tucked her long dark hair behind her ear. “But I’ve learned that people don’t need my impatience or my attitude when things don’t go my way. We need more kindness in this world, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.”

“I think patience is a byproduct of kindness, which stems from love, and realizing that we all can do with more love.”

Was that an invitation to find out if she meant she wanted a relationship? “Am I hearing you say you want someone to love you?”

“No.” Her cheeks pinked, as she looked directly at him. “I know I’m loved. And I’m not talking about needing a man to love, but knowing we are all loved by God. That’s what ultimately motivates me in how I treat others.”

Huh. So Ainsley Beckett was a Christian, and one of those rare ones who actually tried to live out what they believed.

But he didn’t need that. He needed distraction, but not by believing in invisible people. Maybe once upon a time he’d thought the whole God thing was true, but he’d soon learned it wasn’t.

And he was relieved when a production assistant called out that it was time to resume.

Saturday’s filming schedule saw him released at lunch. Ainsley had new scenes to shoot, but he’d gotten the afternoon off. And while part of him was tempted to drive into the city and steal a few hours of sanity in the real world, the fact that he didn’t really have friends around here made him hesitate. Truth be told, Ainsley and Dustin were about the only cast members he’d consider friends. Dana was more like one to avoid, and he’d already turned down her invitation to dinner at Steak and Majors, Calgary’s premium steakhouse, fearing it would only fuel gossip about him he really didn’t need.

But staying on-site made him itchy. And given today’s heat, he didn’t want to stay inside. Perhaps he could practice his riding by using one of the horses.

Thirty minutes later, he was astride a horse named Buddy, one of the horses owned by a nearby ranch. The horse wrangler, Ted, was mounted on his own horse, Nancy, and was giving him tips as he rode around the corral.

“You’re doing nicely,” Ted called. “Try not to move up and down too much, even it out a little.”

Harrison tried to follow the instructions, but his legs were getting sore. Not that he’d admit that. No way did he want a reputation for complaining any more than he already did. He grasped the horse’s sides with his knees, and Buddy slowed.

“Man.”

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