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)
“Yeah,” Adam said evenly. “I do.”
Boyd reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded stack of papers. He flattened them across the bar with a broad palm. “Here’s the contract for the loan for the Willoughbys.”
Adam’s eyebrows rose as he took the pages. He’d spoken to Daniel just last night after Bianca had fallen asleep. Daniel had called him and not the other way around, although that wasn’t making him feel any better about it. The guy needed another loan, and Adam had the money. “That was quick.”
Boyd propped himself on his elbows. “I’ve been doing a bunch of construction contracts lately and just had my lawyer draw it up really quick.” He tapped the paper with one thick finger. “Look it over and see if you need any changes.”
Pike nodded toward the document. “I went in a third so you guys wouldn’t have to cover it completely.”
Adam glanced up from the page. “You did?”
“Sure.” Pike took a slow drink of coffee before setting the mug down again. “I like the Willoughbys, and we all have parcels of land that butt up against theirs, so it just makes sense. Dan really doesn’t want movie people messing with his property, and I totally agree. He’ll pay back the loan.” He rolled his neck. “Are you still running your cattle with Hawk’s on the other side?”
“I am,” Adam said. “It’s just easier.”
Pike nodded. “Yeah, some of our land abuts theirs, but for now the three of us are the Willoughbys’ neighbors, so I’m glad to help out.”
Boyd kicked back on the stool and stretched his legs. “We put the interest rate at four percent. That’s low, but it works for me.”
“Me too,” Pike added, glancing toward Adam. “Is that all right with you?”
“Sure.” Adam would rather not charge his friends interest at all, but he understood the need to keep things above board. Daniel Willoughby was a proud man, and he would insist on paying them back anyway. Adam scanned the contract while the other two men drank their coffee. Finally, he reached beneath the bar for a pen and signed his name across the bottom of the contract.
“How fast can you get your third?” Pike finished his coffee and pushed the mug away.
“I could get it today if we need it,” Adam said. “I just need to go down to the bank.”
Boyd tilted his head. “Are you that flush, really? Daniel said you lent them money last week to keep the movie people away.”
Adam wiped the bar with a towel, working the cloth across the smooth wood. “Yeah. I mean, I can’t keep loaning more money than this, but I’m covered. The bar does a pretty good business.”
“I would think so,” Boyd said dryly, glancing around the room. By evening the place would fill with ranchers, laughter, and music.
“Is Dawn singing this weekend?” Pike asked.
Adam shrugged. “I don’t know. Pop in and find out.”
“Fair enough.” Pike slid off the stool and grabbed his hat, settling the Stetson back on his head. “All right. I’ve got to go meet Thatcher. He’s going to kill me if I don’t get out there. I still wanted to get this taken care of.” He paused near the door and glanced back toward Adam. “Plus I wanted to check if you were dating the city gal.”
Adam didn’t need to answer that again.
“Do you know what movie stars are coming to town?” Pike asked.
“No,” Adam said dryly. “I haven’t asked.”
Pike shrugged. “If it’s anyone interesting, let me know, will you? Maybe I’ll be an extra.”
“You want to be an extra in a movie?” Adam asked with a grin.
Boyd pushed off the stool and reached for his coat. “It could be fun. We could meet some movie stars. Maybe some pretty ones.”
“Yeah,” Pike agreed. “Nice to get some new blood around here.”
Adam snorted softly and gathered the empty mugs. “All of the movie people will just be here temporarily.” He reminded himself as much as them.
“I heard your new romance liked planting flowers.” Boyd shrugged into his coat.
Adam looked up from the papers still lying on the bar. “Where did you hear that?”
Boyd lifted one shoulder. “You know how it goes. Word gets around.”
Pike tugged his hat lower. “Ellen’s looking for a partner at Ellen’s shop.”
A quick flash of intrigue and hope rippled through Adam. “No kidding?”
“Yeah. She’s struggling.” Boyd nodded toward the street outside, where another truck rolled past, its tires splashing through the puddles left from last night’s storm. “We don’t send enough flowers around here.”
“It’d be easier if we had someone to send flowers to,” Pike grumbled.
Boyd nodded at the contract. “We both signed the papers, and I told Daniel or Maggie to swing by the bar since I figured you’d be here.”
“That works,” Adam said, knowing Bianca was going to blow a gasket. But his friends needed help, and he couldn’t say no.