Jennifer smiled easily. “I know a star when I see one, and that reindeer was meant to be a star.”
Sparkle ducked her chin slightly, and then batted her lashes. Her fawn-colored pelt seemed to grow shinier as she stepped around Forest and preened with awho-me? look on her face.
Holy Christmas fudge, she was perfect.
Jennifer clutched her chest. “Miguel, find Raelynn immediately. I need to see them together.”
Miguel took off for Tinsel Town at a fast trot. He was well aware of the tension rising from the wranglers. They had a small window before Jennifer’s hopes and dreams were shut down—if she could prove that Sparkle was the one, she might get them to back down.
Obviously, the reindeer wanted to be in the movie, though how Natasha knew that, she wasn’t sure. It was like Sparkle knew what they were talking about and understood their every word. That wasn’t possible, and yet…
“That’s unnecessary,” Jack insisted. “Sparkle will not be in the film.”
Well, there went their window. Natasha’s heart fell. “Sparkle is everything we wanted in a reindeer,” she said to Fatih.
Faith narrowed her eyes at the animal. “Don’t you even start, Missy.”
Sparkle lifted her nose as if saying,I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m an angel.
“Is there a health concern for her?” Jennifer spun on Faith. “Is Sparkle sick or infirm?”
Taken off guard, Faith opened and closed her mouth. She’d read the script—everyone on the ranch was supposed to read through it before filming started.
“Well?” Jennifer asked. “Is she physically incapable of being in the movie?”
“No, but—” Faith didn’t have time to finish her sentence.
“I got her!” Miguel called as he approached. Sweat dripped from his hat to his scarf.
Raelynn ran next to him, her coat open. Her nanny was several feet behind her with her gloves and a hat, which she wrestled onto Raelynn as soon as she reached her.
Raelynn put up with the rushed dressing as she stared at Sparkled. It was adoration at first sight on the part of the little girl.
The sense that something magical was about to happen overtook them all. Like when you’re about to walk into a Christmas village or the first big snowflake drifts down in front of you.
Not even the wranglers could fight against the magic swirling between reindeer and child. Sparkle ambled forward, her black hooves barely making a sound on the compacted snow. Natasha held her breath as she approached Raelynn.
Raelynn held still, her hands clasped in front of her as if trying to contain herself. She let Sparkle approach and sniff her scarf; her face a mask of wonder and joy. So much joy.
Sparkle lowered her head, so they were at eye level. She slowly leaned in and booped her dark nose against Raelynn’s.
Raelynn touched her nose. “Iloveyou,” she whispered forcefully.
Forest dropped his face into his hand. “Sparkle,” he admonished the reindeer.
She lifted her head, all innocence, and Nat could swear she was asking Forest:What did I do?
Jack strode forward and ushered Forest and Sparkle toward the barn. The reindeer went with a tail flick; her antlers held high. Liz Taylor, indeed.
“That was adorable,” Jack admitted. “However, Sparkle is not available for filming. Just forget you even saw that.”
Jennifer spun on her heel. Her eyes found Natasha, and she crooked her finger. Natasha hurried over, feeling like the ice queen was summoning her to do her evil bidding.
“I don’t care what you have to do. I want that reindeer. Make it happen.” Jennifer clapped her hands above her head. “Okay, we’re done here, people. Meet back for filming at 4:45.”
The crowd dispersed. Faith and Ryder headed for the family’s side-by-side. No doubt they would warm up with cocoa and snuggles at home. What a beautiful life.
Natasha slowly approached Jack, standing like a Nutcracker in front of the barn door. “Hey… So….?”
