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)
This might be the best coffee Bianca had ever tasted. “We could certainly film some of the ranching scenes in such a location, but we need the ranch house itself for some days. The barn, too.”
Maggie’s face fell. “Huh. I’m not sure. We have two kids, and the place is, well, lived in.”
“That’s what we need.” Bianca tried to explain better as rain started to pound the outdoors. “We’d pay to put you up anyplace you want during the filming days, which would take a week, tops.” If she could get the ranch for an entire week, she could make it work. “I’m staying at a lovely B&B in town.”
Maggie’s grin made her look years younger. “I know. You’re staying with Mrs. Shiller, and she’s wonderful, but I doubt she’d want my two kids running all around her antiques. There are more breakables in that place than you’d think.”
Eesh. That was true. “We could have an RV moved in by the barn that’s very high end for you to stay in, and that way, you’d still be here to run the ranch.” Bianca ran through the costs. “It’d also be an adventure for the kids.”
Maggie grimaced. “I’m not sure I want to stay in a camper.”
“No, not a camper. They’re closer to small apartments than RVs,” Bianca continued. “Forty-five feet long, black paint, tinted windows. Inside there’s a full kitchen with a marble counter, a real refrigerator, and an induction cooktop. The living area has leather couches, a wall-mounted television, and a dining table that folds out if people need it. The bedroom is separate in the back with a king bed and blackout shades.”
Maggie tilted her head. “What about the kids?”
“Second bedroom with bunk beds,” Bianca said quickly. “We get these for famous actors who refuse to stay in hotels. I can get one with heated floors and satellite internet. Everything stays inside the trailer—water tanks, waste tanks, the whole thing. Nothing touches your land.”
Maggie balanced her mug in her hand and crossed one leg over her jeans. “You’re much more fun to dream with than that guy Clancy.”
Yeah, Bianca was going to have a little chat with that man. “I do apologize for him.”
Maggie waved that way. “It’s not your fault.”
Bianca still felt bad. “Just think about it, okay? This is a decently budgeted movie, and for a week of filming, the location fee alone would probably run around fifty thousand dollars. That’s separate from any damage deposits or restoration costs. Production covers all of that.”
Maggie coughed rapidly and wiped her mouth with her hand. “Fifty thousand dollars?”
Bianca nodded. Yeah, she should’ve tried to negotiate the number down, but she had to make up for Clancy being a dick. “Maybe a little bit more if we use the cattle or horses in shots, but I can’t guarantee that.”
Maggie looked shell-shocked. “Um, that’s exactly what we need to plant the pastures we want to next year. We’ve been trying to get a second loan but haven’t had any luck. I’ll talk to Daniel.”
Yeah, Bianca had her. “That’s great.” She finished her coffee, seeing the night starting to get dark outside. She was supposed to meet Adam in half an hour for a date she shouldn’t be taking. “I should go. Could you call me by noon tomorrow with an answer?” She placed the mug on the tray and stood.
“Sure.” Maggie did the same and stood, escorting her to the door. “This is nice, Bianca. Come by any time.”
Warmth flushed through Bianca as she stepped into the driving rain and looked around. The homestead appeared even more perfect in the storm. Her gaze caught on the marigolds planted by the porch. “Those need to be separated a little,” she said, crouching briefly to touch one of the small plants. “They’re planted too close together. Marigolds spread once they get going.”
Maggie stayed in the doorway, dry and watching. “I wondered about that.”
Bianca smiled faintly and stood. “They’ll still do fine. Just move every other one down the row. You could mix in some zinnias or even a few cosmos and the whole bed would fill out nicely.”
Maggie glanced at the flowers again. “You really know your plants.”
“Yeah, it’s a hobby that I miss,” Bianca said lightly. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She jogged through the rain toward her truck, the scent of wet earth rising from the flower beds behind her.
She ducked into the rental car and slammed the door against the rain. For a moment she just sat there, water dripping from her hair onto the steering wheel while the wipers beat back and forth across the windshield. The storm was magnificent.
Starting the engine, she backed out and then turned, heading down the long drive to a main road. She drove for about twenty minutes toward town, trying to see better. Rain blurred the edges of the pasture, the fences flashing past in quicksilver lines whenever lightning cracked across the sky.