The Road Home

Chapter 9

Harper was shocked by the busyness going on around the lot. She brushed her hand through her hair as she walked to her language session. Even this early, the grounds buzzed with activity as people scurried everywhere, some in full costume and most headed toward the fort or in the surrounding fields.

She entered the main building and walked down the hallway. The food service workers shuffled a large tray of breakfast food down the hallway barely missing her as she stepped in the room. Harper quickly noticed Ben talking to one of the male actors. They briefly glanced her way as she sat her script on the table, took a seat, and then checked her email on her phone.

"I'm Joseph Red Deer." The man who had been talking with Ben smiled charmingly. He continued. "I'm playing your husband."

"I'm thrilled." Could she be any less thrilled? She seriously doubted it. She went back to her phone until he chuckled. She looked up again. He was cute especially with the long black hair and t-shirt that hugged his rippled chest.

"I'll be seeing you around," he winked then turned to Ben. "See ya, Professor."

Ben nodded as Joseph walked away.

"Ready?" he asked, sitting in the chair next to her. He opened the script and they spent the session in serious study.

"Try that line again," he encouraged.

Harper repeated it, but mispronounced one word.

"Look at me." He slowly repeated the word. Harper peered into his dark eyes as he spoke. She had never seen eyes so dark. They were intense yet warm. She lost herself there and forgot her lines.

"Look here." Ben pointed to his lips then repeated the line where she must have stopped.

Harper smiled innocently. He wasn't one for flirting. She tried to repeat the line.

A few moments later, she set the script on the table. "Your family's sweet.

"Thank you." He glanced from the script to her and seemed intent on studying and not making small talk. Harper decided to indulge him and stayed focused. The next hour passed quickly and soon Marion White Eagle entered the room. Her script tucked under one arm.

"Is it nine already?" Harper asked, disbelieving that the time could have passed so quickly.

Ben nodded and with a wry grin, he replied. "See what we can accomplish when you stay on task."

Wednesday's session progressed the same way as Ben refused to allow her to get off topic. He kept the script in front of both of them. Harper felt a sense of achievement as the words slowly started to make sense to her.

~

Harper threw her bag on her bed and sat down. She had taken a quick trip to Nashville Wednesday after her session to tie up loose ends for next week's album release. She planned on being back Thursday night. However, due to a meeting with her record producer being rescheduled, she didn't get in until late Friday afternoon. She wondered where Mel was, probably with Eric. She kicked off her shoes and laid down in the warm and comfortable bed.

"Harp."

"What time is it?" Harper asked, opening her eyes. She trembled as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.

"It's eight-thirty. Why don't you come with us?" Mel asked, sitting on the side of Harper's bed.

"With who?"

"Tiki, Rys, and Brian are in for a couple days. We're going out with some guys from here."

"I don't know." Mel's friends were known for their crazy antics and she definitely wasn't in the mood yet she didn't want to spend the entire weekend in her trailer alone either. "Where are you going?"