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)
Bianca stood at least six inches taller than the older woman, and a rush of homecoming swept through her, sudden and unexpected. “I’m well. It’s so nice to see you, Mrs. Hudson.”
Mrs. Hudson’s expression softened. “How’s your mama?”
Bianca’s heart sank. “She and my stepfather died in a boating accident about five years ago.”
“Oh, dear,” Mrs. Hudson said. “I am so sorry. That’s just sad. I always loved your mama.” She glanced over at her friend. “Wilder than a March hare, but she was just so much fun. Er. No offense meant.”
“No offense taken,” Bianca said with a short laugh. “My mom was a wild one.”
Mrs. Hudson nodded. “Don’t you worry. It’s hard growing up poor, and lots of us chased money and security.”
Adam’s expression lost all warmth.
Mrs. Hudson turned, gesturing broadly. “This is my friend Bernie Poppins. She’s a Lady Elk with me.”
“Hello, Mrs. Poppins,” Bianca said.
Still arranging baskets, Mrs. Poppins smiled. “Hello, dear. It’s so good to see you.” She wore a pink suit with a small eagle embroidered in pink sparkles above her chest. “I knew your mom a little. She was a sweetheart. I was sad when she married that stockbroker dude and left town.”
Bianca nodded. “That one didn’t work out. She married a few more times and ended up with my stepfather, who was a Hollywood producer.”
Adam frowned, the lines harsh in his handsome face.
Crap. Bianca fought a grimace. Now he thought she was some Hollywood rich kid. One who belonged on Rodeo Drive. She shouldn’t have worn these designer clothes, darn it.
“Oh, that had to be fun,” Mrs. Hudson said, still holding Bianca’s hands. She squeezed them. “Are you back in town? You should move home. This is a good place for you.” She turned toward Adam. “Oh my goodness. I didn’t know you knew Adam. Well, this is just lovely.”
“We just met,” Adam said quickly, his voice firm.
Bianca tilted her head. Yeah, he definitely didn’t like her vibe.
Mrs. Hudson only grinned. “Bianca dear, I’ll have to take you out to your old homestead. A nice couple from California bought it. The Millers.” She nodded decisively. “They’re pretty new in town. Only been here twenty years. Had some financial problems a few years back but somehow figured it out. You’ll like them. They’ve done amazing things with the property.”
“I’d love to see it,” Bianca said. The idea tugged unexpectedly at her chest. “In fact, it would make a great location for one of the family homes in the movie.”
Mrs. Hudson studied her face. “Movie? What movie?”
“Well, ma’am, I’m a scout for a movie production company, and we’d like to shoot a small part of it here in Mineral City.”
Mrs. Poppins stopped short, one basket still in her hands. “Really?”
“Yes,” Bianca said, warming as she spoke. “It’s the perfect location, and it would only take about nineteen days to shoot. Three weeks, tops. We’d film the rest in a studio, and of course we’d be happy to pay the town.”
Mrs. Hudson’s eyes lit. “Would anybody be able to be extras?”
“Absolutely,” Bianca said. “I can’t guarantee extras will make the final cut, but we’d want anyone interested, and we would pay them.”
Releasing Bianca’s hands at last, Mrs. Hudson glanced around the bar. “You know, the town could use the money. And isn’t this bar perfect for a Western scene?”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Bianca said.
“No.” Adam’s voice cut in. One word. Unyielding.
Mrs. Hudson rolled her eyes. “We’ll talk to him. Don’t you worry.”
Bianca smiled faintly. “Thank you.” She had found an ally and this could actually work. Without Clancy being a jerk, and hopefully without fighting too hard with the way too sexy Adam.
Mrs. Hudson hooked her arm through Bianca’s and tugged her toward the door. “Where are you staying while you’re in town?”
Bianca adjusted her bag on her shoulder. “I just arrived and haven’t found a place yet.” She usually liked to stay right in town and not at the locations found for the actors and crew.
“Oh, you must stay with Mrs. Schiller,” Mrs. Poppins said, setting down the last basket. “She has the best B&B in all of Montana. There was a slight fire at her place a bit back, but the home is all repaired now. In tip-top shape, really.”
“Absolutely,” Mrs. Hudson agreed. “We’ll take you right now.”
Bianca hesitated, then asked, “I don’t suppose either of you are on the city council?”
Mrs. Hudson laughed. “No, of course not.”
“I have a meeting with them shortly to obtain permits and approval,” Bianca said. “I think it’s a public meeting with the town?”
Mrs. Hudson waved a hand dismissively. “I heard we have a town meeting later tonight but didn’t investigate why. We all just go. Well then, we’ll just see what we can do to help.” She pulled Bianca through the door, pausing to look back at Adam. “Young man, we’ll talk later about how we welcome innovation to our sweet town.”