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 wanted to throw the phone out the window. “Oh no.”
“Several people are flying into Billings tonight,” Randi continued. “The RVs, trucks, and equipment are already on the road. Do you have the contracts in place?”
Bianca pressed the phone closer to her ear. She had to help her cousin. This would work out. “No,” she said, “but we will.” Her mind already raced ahead to the morning. “Clancy negotiated with all the town leaders,” she continued. “They’ve reached an agreement on everything.”
Clancy glanced at her from the driver’s seat but kept his attention on the road winding through the hills.
“I have the main homestead secured and a couple of other properties,” Bianca said. “And we’ve got places lined up for everyone to stay.” She watched the fading light stretch across the fields outside the window. “So we’re close. We just need signatures.”
On the other end of the line, Randi released a long breath. “Oh, thank goodness,” she said. “You’re saving my life, Bianca. You know that.”
Bianca laughed quietly. “Let’s not get dramatic.”
“It’s worse than you think.” Randi’s voice dropped into a serious tone that made Bianca sit straighter. “If this project falls apart, I’m done. I wasn’t exaggerating before.”
Bianca stared out the windshield as the SUV crested a low hill. The valley stretched out in front of them, the last of the sunset spilling across open pastureland. Ranch fences ran along the road like thin pencil lines drawn across the landscape. “It’ll be a go,” Bianca said firmly. “This place is perfect for location shooting.” She tapped the phone lightly against her chin while she spoke. “We’ll be done in three weeks. That’s nothing compared to a normal schedule. The cost will be minimal, and then we’ll move everything back to the studio.”
“When are you heading to Texas for the follow-up film?” Randi asked.
“Not for a few weeks.” Bianca watched a hawk glide over a distant pasture. “I want to stay here long enough to make sure we get the right shots, and I still have serious planting to do around the ranch house.” Plus, she didn’t want to leave Adam. Not yet.
Randi laughed. Through the phone came the faint clink of ice shifting inside a glass. “You always prefer planting over filming.”
“Oh, absolutely.” Bianca didn’t even try to hide it. “I’d rather dig holes in the dirt than sit on a soundstage all day.”
“Yeah, that tracks. You’re the best cousin ever.” Randi replied. They were each other’s only living relatives, actually. “Please get those contracts signed tomorrow. Everyone arrives the day after, and you know how the director gets.”
Bianca grimaced. “Yeah. I know.” She glanced out the side window as the road curved past a row of tall cottonwoods. “There’s an inn here, but I don’t know if Lyle McCombree will like it.” The director was known to be a bit picky.
“No worries,” Randi said. “I secured a luxury RV for him, and it’s on the way.”
“Good,” Bianca replied.
Randi took a sip of her drink over the line. “I owe you, big time. Please call tomorrow with everything signed and secure.” She ended the call.
“Timeline moved up?” Ewan guessed. “Like usual?”
Bianca tried to keep her brain from screaming. “Yeah. We need to get those contracts signed and now.” She glanced at her phone. “We have just enough time to hit this place. Punch the gas, Clancy.”
Clancy sped up. “I’ll handle the town leaders tomorrow. We’ve already agreed on everything, and they’ll sign.”
“Good.” Bianca turned toward him.
“You need to get the Willoughbys to sign,” Clancy added. “That homestead is the key location, and we still don’t have their contract.”
“I know.” She turned toward the passenger window and scanned the roadside.
A wooden sign appeared ahead.
BOYD’S NURSERY
The sign stood between two thick cedar posts. Weathered wood framed the lettering, and climbing ivy wrapped around the edges. Beyond it stretched a surprisingly large property with greenhouses overflowing with flowers.
Shade trees filled one section of the lot. Young maples, aspens, and spruce trees stood in neat rows with burlap wrapped around their root balls. Gravel paths wound between beds of shrubs and ornamental grasses.
Bianca stared. “This place is bigger than I thought.” Excitement surged through her.
Clancy pulled into the dirt parking lot and shut off the engine. “This could take all night.”
“Yay.” Bianca pushed open the SUV door and stepped out before the engine had fully cooled. “This is wonderful.” The smell hit her the moment she opened the front doors to go inside. Warm earth. Fresh greenery. The faint sweetness of blossoms drifting through the air. It smelled like spring.
A door opened in the back room, and Boyd Kessler stepped out. “Bianca?” Surprise lit his face. “What are you doing here?”
“I need shrubs and ornamental flowers for the ranch house scenes.” Happiness bubbled inside her.
Clancy and Ewan entered behind her. The bell above the door gave a cheerful jingle.