Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Daniel cleared his throat. “It probably would help. We could use the money, and your friend was more than a little convincing, believe me.” His lips pressed together at the last.
Warning ticked through Bianca. “Clancy can get a little, ah, focused. I hope he wasn’t an ass.”
Daniel barked out a laugh. “Actually, he was. We’re a bit behind on taxes, and he somehow knew that. Said he had a friend in the IRS.”
Bianca’s jaw dropped. “Did he threaten you?”
“Not overtly,” Daniel drawled.
Bianca’s mind spun. “I’m so sorry about that. It definitely is not how we like to operate.” She was going to kill Clancy. Sure she knew he could be persuasive, but extortion was illegal. Not to mention a nightmare from a public relations standpoint.
“No worries.” Maggie smiled at her husband. “We were able to obtain the funds to get caught up with taxes, so all is good now.”
A horse pounded in the distance, and a man rode into view, his hat pulled low. It took Bianca a moment, but she recognized him as the third man who’d objected last night at the hearing. “Hi.”
“Hi.” His smile was charming. “We didn’t meet last night. I’m Boyd Kessler.”
“Hi. Bianca,” she said.
His horse, a pretty brown one, shifted sideways and he easily compensated. “Dan? I’ve been trying to get the funds to help with the taxes and have a line on an option, so you don’t have to allow strangers to walk all over your property.”
Dan shook his head. “We’re good, buddy. I took out a quick loan for the taxes and will work on the one for improvements, but no hurry there.”
Boyd held the reins loosely in his hands. “Geez. Not from a loan shark or anything like that?” Concern drew down his brows. With his brown eyes and longer hair, he looked like a handsome cowboy. They seemed to be everywhere in Maverick, Montana.
“No,” Maggie snorted. “Of course not.”
“Good.” Boyd ducked his chin. “I’m sorry, Bianca.”
She rubbed her hands down her chilled arms. Spring in Montana required a heavier jacket than the light windbreaker she’d donned over a T-shirt and jeans. “It’s okay. We’ll find another place.”
Maggie kicked a pebble. “Now I feel bad. I was happy to say no with Clancy being a jerk, but you’re so nice. We could use a little extra money.” She looked over at the kids. “How about you come inside and have a cup of coffee, Bianca?”
Both Boyd and Daniel gave audible groans.
Daniel sighed. “I’ll take the kids into the barn to practice on saddles since rain is coming. Don’t sign any contracts without me.”
Bianca smiled, happy with the way in. Maybe Maggie would be willing to have just a smaller crew and a shorter filming time on the ranch. “That would be nice.” They climbed the porch steps together and stepped into the house.
Horse hoofs sounded as Boyd no doubt took off.
The living room felt warm and lived-in. Toys sat in a basket near the couch, and a quilt draped over the armrest. The kitchen beyond smelled faintly of cinnamon. Bianca’s attention drifted to the mantle above the fireplace. A vase of deep red roses stood there. The flowers looked a bit lighter in color to the ones sitting in Mrs. Shiller’s parlor back at the B&B.
Bianca stepped a little closer. “They’re beautiful,” she said.
Maggie followed her gaze. “Daniel brought those home last night from Ellen’s. We’re, ah, expecting again.” She looked down at her flat stomach.
Bianca smiled. “Congratulations.” The woman seemed busy but happy, and her husband had looked at her with adoration, clear as day. What would it be like to have that kind of security and love in life? “I’m thinking extra cash might be good?”
Maggie chuckled. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that. Have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the wide Montana sky as Bianca sat on a blue and green floral sofa, moving a doll out of her way.
Maggie returned with coffee on a tray, setting it on the coffee table before taking a seat in a matching blue chair. “Welcome to the spring storm season.” She handed Bianca a mug.
Bianca took it, inhaling the scent of coffee and berries. “Thanks. The weather here is one of the reasons we chose this location. The movie has some storm-driven scenes with hard driving rain.”
Maggie took a sip of her drink, steam rising from the mug. “You picked the right place, then.”
Bianca took a drink. “This is delicious,” she murmured. “If you don’t mind my asking, how many acres do you have?” Sure, Clancy probably had that answer, but it was a decent icebreaker to getting to business.
“We have about eight hundred acres, but some of it climbs around the mountains,” Maggie said easily. “At some point we’ll use it all, but one thing at a time, right?” Her blue eyes lit. “Hey. Could you use some of the land toward the west and away from the house?”