On a warm,
spring afternoon in Reno, Nevada, I’m visiting with pop music star and CEO of
Bella Cosmetics, Barbie Bennett. Exiting the elevator into Bella’s newly
renovated offices of charcoal grey and raspberry, Barbie’s niece and assistant,
Tina, strides toward me, a red skirt swishing around her knees and the hum of typewriters
and hushed voices wafting behind her. After
a warm greeting, Tina leads the way to Barbie’s office; a large room with the same
grey and raspberry colors, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of
the mountains outside of town, and an over-stuffed sofa and chairs grouped
around a coffee table. Seated in one of the chairs is Barbie Bennett. Long dark
hair, flawless makeup, and a blue pin-striped suit tailored to fit her slim
figure, Barbie’s smile puts to ease any jitters I may have regarding the famed singer.
Tina is quick to make introductions and point me to a chair, then she leaves
and Barbie turns her attention my way.
‘Please, call me Barbie.’
‘All right,’ I swallow nervously. Afterall, she is famous world-wide. ‘Barbie, can you tell my readers a little about yourself? Please?’
A small crease in her brow, she lifts a silver coffee carafe off a tray on the table before us and pours coffee into two cups. ‘I’m not sure what I can tell your readers that hasn’t already been printed about me.’ She sets the pot down, pushes the creamer and sugar my direction, and a platter of pastries, which I decline, even though they look sinfully delicious. ‘Everyone knows I have a twin sister—Bailey. She’s a big star in country music.’ She fixes her coffee then, with cup in hand, sinks back into the chair’s cushions. ‘We grew up on a ranch outside of Reno with our six older brothers. They’re all married now, with children of their own. Mom and Dad still live on the ranch, along with our several head of cattle and numerous horses. Almost everyone in the family rides, and alongside our ranch hands, we have three barns to house most of the horses. The others are housed at my brothers’ private barns. A smile spreads across her heart-shaped face. Zach works the ranch. He and I have been together ever since the afternoon he rescued me at the Cheyenne Frontier Days.’
‘When was that? And how did he rescue you?’
‘Four years ago. At the time I didn’t know, but Zach was a bull rider. He was at Frontier Days to compete in the rodeo. I was there to sing. My tour bus and trucks had just pulled in to the back lot when my crew decided to go in search of turkey legs, including my bodyguard, Seth. I wasn’t hungry, so I decided to walk behind the chutes and pens housing small animals. Two days on the tour bus and I really needed to stretch my legs.’ She pauses for a sip of coffee. ‘Anyway, my ex was there, which I didn’t know. He and I didn’t part on good terms.’ She grips the cup, and hard. ‘He came up behind me, accused me of sabotaging his career—he’s a musician. I tried to get away, but he grabbed my arm and yanked me to him. That’s when Zach pulled him off me and shoved him to the ground. Before I could react, Seth appeared and squired be back to the bus. Later, I sent Seth in search of Zach, to ask him to join me for supper.’
‘How did that go?’
Her eyes twinkling, a blush creeps into her cheeks. ‘He was… I was…’ She swallows hard. ‘I don’t remember what we ate, but I can tell you, I wanted him to kiss me. So much, I actually ached for his touch, which surprised and scared me. As I said, my ex and I didn’t part on good terms. He broke my trust and my heart, so much that another relationship was the last thing I wanted. But Zach was different. He was every bit the cowboy; polite, quiet, and so gosh-darn handsome. And those muscles…’ She sighs dreamily. ‘He’s still all of those things. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thankful I met him the following afternoon behind the chutes.’
‘How would you describe Zach?’
‘Honest, hard-working, loyal; someone you’d want for a friend. Lucky me, I’m the one who has his heart.’
‘How would Zach describe you?’
‘What is your biggest fear?’
‘Losing Zach. He’s everything to me, the one person except for Bailey who knows me better than I know myself. He keeps me grounded, and warms my heart every time he smiles my way. The fame and fortune; I’d give it all up in a heartbeat. But not him. There’s no living without him.’
‘How do you relax?’
‘Friday nights, I snuggle against Zach on the couch in my suite at Ringo’s, the family casino. The lights are low, soft music plays on the radio, and with his arms around me, that’s the best way to forget the tension and stress of the week.’
‘With Zach. Hopefully, in our own home either on Bennett Ranch or in town. I see him promoted to one of the three foreman we have and me continuing to find ways for Bella to remain successful while singing at the casino.
‘Thank you
for taking time out of your day to talk with me. And for those of you who haven’t
read Barbie and Zach’s story, pop on over to Amazon and grab a copy of, The Pop Star Loves Her Cowboy. You’ll be
glad you did!’
