“Excuse me,” said a portly middle-aged man as he brushed rudely past Jack. His eyes dropped disdainfully to Sparkle. “Shouldn’t you keep the animals outside?”
Shocked, Jack replied, “It’s a barn,” as if the guy was an idiot.
The man smirked and moved on as if Jack wasn’t worth his time. He wore a dark suit, white shirt, and red scarf. His shoes were shiny and not what Jack would wear around the ranch. The guy stood right next to the director. When Miguel noticed the guy was there, he patted him on the back in greeting.
The scene unfolded in front of them.
Raelynn’s movie mom scolded her for bringing carrots out to the barn because the mice would eat them. She didn’t know about the reindeer in the rafters, and Raelynn did her best not to look in that direction.
After a few minutes, Jack realized he didn’t enjoy being on set without Nat nearby. She made everything more fun.
“Cut to camera two,” said Miguel.
Camera two pointed to the rafters, where they had a blue cutout of a reindeer lounging. They would superimpose an image of Sparkle over the cutout in post-op. No one had even asked if they could get the real Sparkle up there—which was ironic and funny.
Jack pointed. “Looks just like you.”
Sparkle turned to look at her backside, measuring it against the one on screen and frowning.
Jack glanced away, so she didn’t catch him snickering at her.
“Cut!” yelled Miguel.
Conversation broke out as people jumped in to do their jobs. “Mom” was surrounded by two makeup artists who began dabbing and waving brushes on her face. The props department collected the carrots.
Raelynn caught sight of the man next to the director and broke into a run. “Daddy!” She launched herself into his open arms.
“Look at you!” He swung her around and then put her on her feet, tugging at her shirt and patting down her hair. “We mustn’t mess up these fine people’s hard work.”
Raelynn’s face fell. “How long are you staying?”
“I have the rest of production free. Until then, I’m all yours.” He patted her head again. “What should we do, pumpkin?”
Drake sidled up to Jack, holding out three doughnuts. “I got you one of each.” He grinned mischievously and lifted his other hand to show the same selection. “Mrs. McMichaels said I could take all of them if I wanted. She has more dough rising in the kitchen.”
Jack laughed. “You’re such a cheapskate.”
“Am not. I’m being smart. You don’t turn down free food, bro.” He ripped off a large bite with his teeth. “Whose the stiff?” He pointed his doughnut at Raelynn.
“Her dad.” Jack barely held back the massive amounts of judgment that wanted to spill forth.
“What’d he ever do to you?” Drake asked.
“Nothing. I should be a better man.” He gave Sparkle’s lead rope a gentle tug. “Let’s introduce ourselves to your co-star’s dad, Sparkle.”
She hovered close, her eyes unsure:If you say so.
They approached slowly, stepping carefully over the wires that crisscrossed the floor.This walking is tedious.Sparkle huffed:I’d much rather fly over there.
“I know.” Jack pulled up as a wheelbarrow cut him off.
Behind it was a harried stagehand who couldn’t see over the straw stacked inside. “Sorry!”
“I want to sit on Santa’s lap and give him my letter.” Raelynn positively bounced as she explained her plans to her father.
Her dad looked around like he was trying to make sure no one had overheard her. “Pumpkin, we talked about this.”
Raelynn’s feet stilled. “But, Santa’s real, Dad. A reindeer told me so.”
