Chapter 3 #2
“It’s nice to meet you.” Clancy shook Adam’s hand. “Mind if I join you?”
“Sure,” Adam said.
Clancy motioned Bianca over, and she scooted, not loving this situation.
Despite having been in Montana for nearly three weeks, scouting different areas before settling on Mineral Lake as the right city, Clancy still wore a three-piece suit with a green power tie.
His brown hair was brushed neatly back, his posture relaxed but deliberate.
In his early thirties, the lawyer was good looking and smart. Very.
“You own the bar?” Clancy asked.
“I do,” Adam said, his tone giving nothing away. “And you?”
“I’m the attorney for Canyon Productions,” Clancy said. “I get them to sign the contracts while we find the place.” He stretched his arm along the back of the booth, brushing Bianca’s hair to the side. “Good job at the council meeting earlier. It’s nice everyone agreed.”
“Thank you,” Bianca held still. This felt awkward. Why? Because of Adam and that intense look in his eyes. “The council seemed very receptive. You can negotiate contracts with them tomorrow.”
Clancy nodded. “Good. I scored a couple today, so that should round up what we need.”
Adam’s gaze sharpened. “Who signed contracts with you today?”
Clancy exhaled, his body visibly relaxing. “That’s confidential. Sorry.”
“Not for long,” Adam said mildly. “There aren’t many secrets here, so you might as well tell me.”
Clancy eyed Adam and then glanced at Bianca. “I didn’t even ask if I was interrupting anything. Is this a date, B?”
Like he’d care if he interrupted her date. “We were just discussing what it might be,” Bianca said dryly.
“I see.”
Adam didn’t move, but the easy looseness he’d had a moment ago vanished. His attention fixed on Clancy, sharp and unblinking. The space at the table felt tighter.
Clancy drew his arm back from the top of the booth and smiled, a quick, polished expression that didn’t linger. “Well then, I’ll let you get back to it.” He stood and straightened, already stepping away. “You can catch me up when you’re done liaising with the locals.”
The way he said that made her back teeth clench. She had the oddest urge to explain to Adam that she didn’t liaise by flirting, but that was unnecessary.
“You sound jealous, sport,” Adam drawled.
Bianca stilled. Woah. That was a direct strike.
Clancy straightened his tie. “Not in the slightest. Bianca and I know where we stand, and she’ll be leaving town with me, sport.” He turned and walked off, his stride unhurried, shoes tapping against the worn diner floor before disappearing into the crowd near the door.
Bianca lifted her head and stared at the ceiling, counting one slow breath. The hum of the lights steadied her. She let her gaze wander—past the waitress refilling coffee, past a familiar face pretending not to watch—before finally looking back at Adam.
“So,” he said, resting his forearms on the table, “are you dating that asshat?”
She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “No.”
“Did you at one time?”
Now she sighed. “We went on three dates while working for a different production company than this new one. They were okay, not tons of fun, and no, we didn’t get intimate. Although, none of that is your business. At all.”
Adam’s expression revealed nothing. “Fine. This is my business. How long have you been in town?”
“In town?” She adjusted on the bench. “A couple of days.”
“In the state?”
Yeah, she didn’t just show up. “About three weeks scouting,” she said. “Two weeks in the county. We settled on Mineral Lake as a town.”
“Where all have you stayed, and who have you spoken to already?” he asked.
She looked at him. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“Considering I just propositioned you,” he replied evenly, “I think it is.”
She frowned. “That’s faulty logic.”
He shifted, forearms pressing more firmly into the table. “Do you know who signed contracts with Clancy?”
Ah, the old switch the conversation to catch her off guard. Right. Like she didn’t see that coming. But, what the heck.
“I don’t,” she said honestly. “He usually works from the outside in. Land first—places for trailers and equipment. I find ideal filming locations and try to open doors. He negotiates.” She paused, organizing the process in her head.
“Once I settled on Mineral Lake, I started working inward. He’s been on the outskirts.
I’m sure we’ll have a business meeting tomorrow, but I don’t know yet. ”
Adam didn’t look away. “Where’s he staying?”
“At the Hidden Cove Inn.” It was the one motel in Mineral Lake, just down by the water.
Adam’s mouth flattened. “I’m not aware of anyone looking to rent their properties right now, so I’d like to know who he thinks he contracted with today.”
She shrugged. “Again, you’re asking the wrong person. But he’s good at negotiating, so I’m sure it was fair.” Although, Clancy had been known to turn the screws on people.
“How much research do you conduct when you settle on a town?”
“A lot,” she admitted. “The production company has a couple of investigative detectives on retainer. Clancy knows who needs money in the area.”
Adam took a drink of his water. “If he coerced anybody, he’s going to have a problem. Fast. Keep that in mind and stay out of the way if necessary.”
She studied him for a moment, taking in the stillness beneath his words. “What are you, the town’s guardian?” she drawled. “As the lone bartender?”
He didn’t move. “Yeah. I am.”
Now why did that sound like a threat?