Chapter 10
10
After a few days in North Carolina, Keith felt like he had a grasp on the angle he wanted for his character. His only regret was not seeing the woman from the coffee shop again.
The ranch in Montana was Keith’s refuge. The morning after arriving home, he rode his horse beside the river that served as a border along the rear of his property. As he grew closer to the valley, he watched a herd of elk make their way toward the water. He enjoyed watching the wildlife. Out here, he felt one with nature. It was September, and a faint chill was in the breeze. He loved it when the weather started to change. The sky was blue with white clouds scattered around. The Aspen trees were beginning to change color. Their yellowing leaves looked like gold in the sunlight. He couldn’t have asked for a better day. What he didn’t love was someone bothering him when he wanted to be alone, but he saw a horse and rider approaching. The sound of hooves hitting the ground startled the elk. They turned toward the sound as Keith motioned for the rider to slow down. The elk must have decided the noise was of no consequence as they went about their business of drinking water.
Keith turned to see Chip slow his mount to a walk as they came up beside him. When Chip reined in his horse, they both stared at the scene before them. “Beautiful, aren’t they?” Keith asked without looking at Chip.
“Yeah, I didn’t mean to scare ‘em.”
“Just startled ‘em.” Keith took a deep breath. “My life here is so different than in California. I love this life. Why do I keep the property out there?”
Chip cleared his throat. “Good question, and one the soon-to-be-ex is asking too. She’s fighting the prenup.”
Keith chuckled. “Of course she is.”
Chip shrugged. “That’s what I came to tell you. Simon wants you to call him as soon as possible. He received documents from Samantha’s attorney. She’s claiming that you spend more time here than in California, and I quote, ‘So why not give her that house.’”
Fighting a fit of laughter, he said, “She can’t afford that house, not to mention it’s mortgaged to the hilt. I used it to finance my last film. Since it hasn’t been released, I haven’t paid it off.”
“Is that why you’re doing the movie in North Carolina?”
“You know I always do something between my projects. Plus, it’ll give me some time away. I enjoyed our short visit to the Smoky Mountains.”
Chip grinned. “You’ll be back out there soon.”
Keith turned back toward the herd of elk. “I’ll miss this, though.”
“What do you want me to tell Simon?”
Keith took one more sweeping view of the valley. “Nothing. I’ll go back with you and call him.”
As soon as they arrived at the house, a ranch hand met them. “I’ll take care of the horses, Mr. Mason.”
“Thanks, Randy.”
The two men walked inside. “Would you get Simon on the phone while I wash up?”
“I’ll see you in your office.”
Keith headed toward the master bedroom while Chip went in the opposite direction. When Keith walked into his office, he heard Chip say, “Hey, Simon. I got him here quicker than I thought. Hang on, here he is now.”
Keith took the phone. “That didn’t take long.”
“You called it. When I walked in this morning, a courier was dropping off a package of documents, letting me know she plans to fight the prenup.”
“You drew it up, Simon. Does she have a leg to stand on?”
“No. Having said that, she wants the house, but do you know something I don’t?”
“It’s mortgaged to the tune of sixty-five million. Her name isn’t on the deed or mortgage, and I can’t pay it off until the film releases next year.”
“What’s it worth?”
“Last I checked, around a hundred million. And there is no way in hell I’m giving her anything worth that much.”
“Can you move the mortgage to the property in Montana? Her lawyer has already asked.”
“No, this property is owned free and clear. I don’t want a lien against it. Again, her name isn’t on the deed here either. She cheated, then tried to frame me for the same transgression. She gets nothing more than what the judge already agreed to. She’s young enough to rekindle her career, like you said. Maybe she should have been doing that instead of screwing around.”
“I’m on your side, Keith. I’m just gathering the ammunition I need.”
“I want this finalized before I go back to North Carolina. You need to make that happen.”
“I’ll be in touch.”