Shorts and a tank top? A friendly smile? Willow liked her already. “Yes.”
The smiling woman thrust a hand out and shook Willow’s hand. “I’m Payton. It’s so great to finally meet you in person. Those Loverboys you sent were amazing.” She looked over the others. “Wow, you have quite a large staff.”
“They’re not my staff. They’re my really helpful family members,” Willow said with a proud smile. She introduced everyone, and of course Ben cornered Payton in conversation about God only knew what.
“What’s up with Ben today?” Talia whispered.
“I think he’s wearing that new cologne I made him,” their mother answered. “It’s got a love potion in it. I think it’s working.”
Willow laughed. “Right, Mom. It couldn’t be that he’s a good-looking single guy on the prowl.”
Her mother waved her hand. “Frosting on the cake, princess. Every bit helps, and Benny’s getting up there in age.”
They all laughed. He was almost thirty.
Payton’s cell phone rang, and she stepped away from Ben, who joined the girls by the van again.
After Payton’s call, she came to Willow’s side. “I have to run some coffee over to the set, but Zane asked me to show you around this morning, so I’ll be back. I’ve never seen him so happy. Congratulations on your engagement.” She handed her an ID badge on a long lanyard. “This will keep security off your back.”
Willow slipped the lanyard over her head and smiled at her family as Payton drove away in a golf cart. “I feel very official. Let’s get moving before people get hungry.”
Willow wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but as she took in the people hustling around the grounds dressed like they belonged in Sweetwater, it wasn’t that. Jeans and shorts appeared to be today’s fashion statement, which meant she was overdressed in her favorite light-blue summer dress. That helped bring down her anxiety a notch while she and her family carried their supplies into the craft services tent, which was another reassuring surprise. Even though Zane had told her that there was nothing glamorous about a film set, she’d thought he was just downplaying it to ease her mind. But the craft services area was nothing more than a big white tent with long tables set up in a U shape, and a few card tables with chairs scattered about. It was all very casual.
They paired up and spread the pink Sweetie Pie tablecloths she’d brought over each of the tables. Ben and Talia took care of setting up the beverages, while Piper and her mother set out silverware and her special catering china. Bridgette and Willow laid out the food and placed the centerpieces on the tables. They made a great team, the six of them, and just having her family around, listening to them tease one another and work so hard on her behalf eased Willow’s tension.
She stood back after everything was set up and took it all in.
“I’ve never seen so many gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, nut-free, white-flour-free treats in one place.” Her mother put her arm around her. “You did a wonderful job, as always, baby girl.”
“Thanks, Mom. How come when I cater weddings you guys don’t show up like this unless I ask for help?”
Her mother took Willow’s left hand in hers, lifting her ring into view. “When you cater weddings, Zane doesn’t call and ask us to help ease your stress. That man loves you something fierce, Willow.”
“He did that?” How had he known she’d need their support when she hadn’t known it herself?
“He did indeed. We all know how you like to handle things on your own.” She dropped Willow’s hand. “But I have to admit, I like knowing he’s watching out for your emotional well-being.”
“Yeah. I do, too.” Zane’s showing me how much he loves me every day, just like Dad did for you. “You know what? I feel good about this. You guys don’t have to stick around all morning. I’ve got this.”
“Maybe I should stick around,” Ben offered. “Just in case—”
“Remi Divine shows up?” Piper interjected. “Nope. Come on, big brother. Drive me back so I can get to my job site and get some work done.”
After her family left, various crew members popped into the tent. Some introduced themselves with casual politeness, filled their plates, and took off, obviously on a dead run, while others stuck around to chat.
“How’s it going?” Payton asked when she returned.
“Great. No complaints so far. Everyone is really nice, too.”
Payton grabbed a muffin and a napkin. “You won’t get the attitudes that everyone else does. You’re feeding the animals. They need you.”
Willow felt her eyes widen.
“I’m kidding.” Payton waved a dark-haired girl into the tent. “Keisha, this is Willow. Can you man the food while I show her around?”
“Absolutely.” Keisha smiled at Willow and headed into the tent as they walked out.
“The actors aren’t that bad. I mean, some have their diva moments, but in general if they’re cranky, it’s because they’re stressed,” Payton said as they walked over to a golf cart. “Have you ever been on a movie set before?”
“No. Where are they actually filming? It looks like it’s just tents and trailers.”
“They’ll be all over town, but right now they’re filming by the water tower. I’ll drive you by Zane’s trailer so you know where to find him when he’s not filming.” She drove parallel to the water, passing a group of work trucks and a number of tents. A line of trailers came into view.
“How many movies have you worked on with Zane?” Willow asked.
“Three. Lots of people were surprised when he took this movie, but I wasn’t.”
“Why weren’t you?”
Payton flashed a Cheshire-cat grin. “Oh, please! I was working on the set in Toronto when you got appendicitis and Zane took off claiming a ‘family emergency.’ Suddenly the guy who never even showed up late on set agreed to pay the entire crew’s salary for the weekend just so he could see with his own eyes that you were okay. I have no idea how you guys kept your relationship under wraps for so long, but when he did that, I knew you had to be someone special. It makes sense that he took the role to be near you.” She stopped the cart in front of a big black trailer. “This is his trailer.”
Trailer? She was still stuck on Toronto. “I think you’re confused. He said he was in the next town over.” She remembered being groggy from pain medication after her surgery. She’d thought she was dreaming when he walked through the door of her hospital room. Hey, Wills. I was in the area and thought I’d swing by. Looks like perfect timing. How’re you feeling, beautiful?
Payton laughed. “Guys say crazy things when they’re in love. He probably didn’t want you to know he’d gone to such trouble. Do you want to go inside the trailer?”
She shook her head, a little dizzy and feeling an overwhelming need to see Zane. She’d had appendicitis four years ago. I really was the one you wanted all that time. “Do you think we could go watch them film for a few minutes?”