As cute as Apple’s act was, he didn’t have the antlers to pull off this role.
Faith approached their crew wearing one of those heavy work coats, thick leather gloves, and a stocking hat. She carried Ryder on her hip. The baby looked like a starfish with all the outdoor gear on, his arms straight out to the sides. “How’s it going?” she asked Nat as her intelligent eyes swept over the scene.
Natasha respected Faith. She’d streamed enough country veterinary shows over the years to know they faced some of the toughest, meanest, strangest animal medical situations. Besides, she’d grown up in a small town where they traded stories about their horse’s left ear falling off or their steer getting stuck between two trees at the local coffee shop.
Thinking about Choco-Latte left a gaping hole in her stomach for a gourmet hot chocolate and a warm cookie. If only they had a place like that around here. The best she’d found was the diner. While they made a great cup of cocoa, it wasn’t as good as Presley Westbrooks.
Natasha took a second to brush a snowflake off Ryder’s coat. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, and his eyes bright. A burst of mommy-envy run through her. One day she’d have a baby of her own to overdress.
“It’s going as well as any reindeer audition,” she replied.
“Oh, so it’s a dismal failure?” Faith teased.
Natasha chuckled, well aware that Jennifer and Miguel were within hearing distance—and they didn’t appreciate teasing like Natasha did. She’d learned that one the hard way on her first day on the job.
“It’s a new process for all of us,” she said diplomatically. “I think we’re leaning toward one of the females, though.”
Faith nodded. “Makes sense,” she leaned closer and whispered, “antlers.”
Natasha felt lighter. Faith treated her like a friend, not some stranger who showed up on the ranch. “Not that I’d tell Apples that.”
Faith’s eyes widened in mock fear. “Never!”
Natasha laughed, her hand covering her mouth. She stopped herself. She hadn’t laughed like that since what’s-his-horribleness dumped her and claimed her hometown. It felt… Christmasy.
Jennifer motioned for Jack to come to her. Jack handed the lead rope off to his younger brother–Drake? She was still learning their names. Unlike other property owners they’d worked with, these guys weren’t trying to get on camera at every turn. Most of the time, they high-stepped away when they saw her coming. She didn’t know why. It wasn’t like she would ask them to shovel out the barn or haul wood—two of her brother’s least favorite chores.
“What’s up?” Jack asked as he used one finger to push his hat up on his forehead. Natasha’s heart skipped a beat—she liked it when he touched his hat.
“We’re looking for something special,” Jennifer informed him.
Jack balked as if she’d kicked a bar stool out from under him and insulted his grandmother. “What, exactly, do you findspecialin a reindeer?”
Faith snorted and buried her face in Ryder’s knit hat to hide her amusement. Natasha would have laughed with her if she didn’t think it could cost her her job.
“What we need,” Jennifer paused for dramatic effect and swirled her hand through the air, “is a sweetheart. A reindeer that the audience will look at and see as vulnerable, beautiful, and inspiring, yet tough enough to pull Santa’s sleigh. Like that!” She pointed towards the indoor arena entrance that had just opened.
Every head swiveled toward the indoor arena. One of the other brothers, Forest? maybe, was leading a reindeer through the door. She was dry but seemed slightly out of breath.
Before the door shut, Natasha caught a glimpse of a track and a couple of platforms. What in the world did they do in there? No one from the film crew was allowed inside that building, either. It was a shame. They looked warm and inviting. With a couple of portable heaters, they might be able to unzip their coats.
Sigh.
Having been singled out and stared at, Forest froze in place.Like a deer in the headlights, Natasha thought.I prefer my puns intended.
The reindeer behind the stage-frightened wrangler perked up, her fawn-colored ears twitched in their direction and her huge black eyes, outlined in black no less, blinked.
Faith sucked in a breath. This was the one.
Jack’s jaw hardened. “No. Absolutely not. Sparkle is not available for filming.”
Jennifer advanced on Forest and the reindeer as if Jack hadn’t spoken. “Nonsense! She looks healthy enough. And those Liz Taylor eyes… My gosh, I think I’m falling in love.”
Sparkle fluttered her lashes, playing them up like a pro.
Forest held up a leather-clad hand. “Trust me, lady, you do not want this reindeer.” He stepped between Sparkle and Jennifer.
Sparkle leaned around him, curious and gorgeous. Shoot. Natasha loved her too. Viewers? They’d be lost over her at the opening credits.
