Chapter 11
Bianca wriggled her butt into the heated seat in Adam’s truck as he drove her into town.
He drove easily, his hands sure on the steering wheel. “I’m having Elbert grab your rental car and see what he can figure out. There are tons of ranch trucks in town you could rent, and I’ll find you a good one. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance for me to make you breakfast.”
Heat bloomed in her face. They hadn’t had time for breakfast because they’d been busy in bed.
Very busy. She tried not to yawn, since she hadn’t gotten much sleep.
Not that she was complaining. At all. “It’s okay.
I have a breakfast meeting, anyway.” She kept her voice casual, when she was feeling anything but.
He took her hand. “Bianca?”
“Yeah?” His warm palm surrounded hers, and he rubbed a thumb over her knuckles, sending desire right to her core. How did he do that?
“What time should I pick you up?”
She jolted and turned to face him. “Huh?”
He frowned, looking way too good after no sleep.
Wearing a blue shirt and faded jeans, he looked fit and sexy driving his truck.
He’d left the cowboy hat at home but wore boots and hadn’t had time to shave.
The shadow along his jaw was a dark stubble now.
Definitely masculine. “If you don’t want me to pick you up, you can walk down to my bar.
It’s only a block, but I’m happy to come get you. ”
She frowned. “I, ah, wasn’t assuming anything.”
He parked at the curb in front of Kurt’s Koffees, twisted the key, and shut off the engine. Then he turned to fully look at her. “I’m in for these three weeks, darlin’. All the way. You?”
She wasn’t sure she’d survive it. But yeah, she had felt a little insecure and was trying to shore up her defenses in case last night was a one-off. “Yeah. I mean, I am.” She released her seatbelt. “Although we need to sleep.”
“Speak for yourself.” He bent over and kissed her. Right there on the main street of the town, obviously not caring who saw. Of course, she wasn’t staying for long.
Tingles wound through her entire body. “I’ll finish my meeting and head down to your bar afterward, okay? Maybe I could take you to lunch.”
He released her. “I’d love to get lunch, and it’s on me.”
“Aren’t we old-fashioned?” she murmured.
“Yeah. Stay where you are.” He jumped out of the truck and walked around the front to open her door. “Good girl.”
She slapped his chest. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not?” His eyes twinkled.
Because it made her insides go all squishy, and that wasn’t cool. “I’m an independent woman,” she said, smiling.
“Huh. We’ll see about that.” He grasped her at the waist and drew her out, lifting her over the puddle by the curb. “Do you want me to stop by Mrs. Shiller’s and get your things, or do you want to pack them?”
Her knees wobbled and she set her stance to keep from falling over. “Huh?”
“You’re staying with me, right?” His dark brows drew down. “I thought we just decided that.”
She swallowed over a lump in her throat. Would she be able to leave him after staying there for three weeks? It’d be tough. But missing out on three weeks with him? That’d suck. “I’ll pack up later, if you’re sure you want a houseguest.”
“I truly do.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“Hello there, young ones,” Mrs. Hudson said, walking out of the coffee shop. “Aren’t you the cutest couple?”
Bianca wanted to sink into the sidewalk and simply disappear.
Adam smiled. “I think so. It’s nice of you to notice, Mrs. H.”
Mrs. Hudson was all wrapped up in a thick purple coat with matching mittens. “This is lovely. I’ll change your RSVP to my wedding from one person to you having a guest. That’s wonderful. Is the chicken okay for you, Bianca? Or would you rather have the steak?”
Bianca’s mouth opened but no words came out.
“She’d like the steak,” Adam said.
“Perfect.” Mrs. Hudson patted her gray hair and turned, heading down the street.
Bianca watched her go. “When’s the wedding?” She didn’t want to mess up the town’s vibe during a wedding.
“September,” Adam said dryly.
Bianca turned to better face him. “I won’t be here then.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay. Believe me, not arguing with her is the better way to go.”
An odd and very unwelcome jealousy rippled through Bianca. Maybe he’d just have another date by the fall. She wasn’t even going to be here during the summer. “I’ll see you at the bar in a couple of hours.” She turned and headed into Kurt’s Koffees, not looking back.
The warm scent of espresso and toasted pastries instantly surrounded her.
The place buzzed with the low murmur of morning conversations and the soft grind of beans behind the counter.
Sunlight streamed through the wide front windows, turning the wooden tables a warm honey color and lighting up the chalkboard menu hanging above the register.
Her body still carried the memory of the night before—heat, strength, the way Adam had looked at her like he knew everything about her.
He’d touched every inch of her, that was for sure.
The thought warmed her and unsettled her at the same time.
She could still feel his strong hand banded around her wrists.
She glanced down, and her skin was unmarked.
Well, the skin on her wrists. Her thighs had a couple of intriguing bruises.
She shook the thought away as she spotted Clancy and Ewan sitting at a table near the back.
Clancy sat back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee and a tablet open in front of him.
His expensive blazer looked wildly out of place among the flannel shirts and denim jackets of the locals.
Ewan, by contrast, looked relaxed in a dark sweater and jeans, nursing a mug of coffee while flipping through a printed location list.
She waved and headed their way. Clancy noticed her first. “Look who finally decided to join us,” he said, his voice dripping with faint disapproval. “Nice of you to show up.”
Bianca slid into the empty chair across from them. “Good morning to you, too.”
Ewan glanced between them and lifted one eyebrow.
Clancy tapped his tablet with a manicured finger. “Mrs. Shiller mentioned you didn’t come back to the B&B last night.”
Bianca stared at him. “And?”
Clancy smiled thinly. “I thought we were maintaining professional standards here.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Well, I am. However, rumor has it you pretty much tried to blackmail the Willoughbys into giving up their house. That’s not how we work, Clancy.” She was definitely going to tell Randi about it.
Clancy rolled his eyes. “You’re criticizing me? Disappearing overnight in a town where we’re trying to build relationships doesn’t exactly scream responsible location manager.”
Ewan cleared his throat quietly. “Clancy.”
But Clancy kept going. “You know how fragile these small-town negotiations can be. People talk. Appearances matter.”
Bianca controlled her temper. “Clancy, if you’re worried I ran off and burned down the town’s reputation overnight, relax. I had an unexpected situation after scouting locations. It’s handled.”
His eyes narrowed. “Handled how?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Ewan choked softly on his coffee.
Clancy eased back again, studying her. “You look tired.”
Bianca took a slow breath. “Your concern is touching.”
Before he could respond, the door of the café opened behind them with a cheerful jingle.
Bianca glanced over automatically.
Maggie Willoughby stepped inside, brushing windblown hair away from her face as she looked around the café. She spotted Bianca immediately and walked toward their table.
Bianca smiled. “Maggie. It’s good to see you.”
Maggie reached them and offered a tentative smile. “Hi,” she said. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all,” Bianca replied, standing. “You’ve met Clancy, and this is Ewan. Ewan, please meet Maggie.”
Ewan rose politely and shook Maggie’s hand.
Clancy remained seated, offering a curt nod.
“The ranch owner,” Bianca added.
Maggie clasped her hands together. “I wanted to let you know that I’m still working on my husband about the ranch, and I’m close to convincing him. We really need that additional fifty grand.”
Bianca chuckled. “Good, just let me know.” She could already tell that Maggie was in. Her mind calculated scenarios. “Also, how about the land near the mountain that you told me about? We could use some nature shots, especially if there are horses.”
Maggie tapped her bottom lip. “That would probably be fine. Are you sweetening the pot?”
Bianca laughed. “Absolutely. We could add five thousand to the total for that. Maybe ten, but I’d have to check.”
“That would be so awesome.” Maggie patted her arm. “Thank you. I’ll get back to you today with hopefully good news.” She held out her phone, and Bianca tipped hers with it, both of them accepting the new contacts.
“We’ll have some fun.” Bianca couldn’t wait to plan new flowers around the woman’s house.
Maggie grinned. “I’ll see you later.” She turned and walked to the counter.
Clancy’s mouth tightened. “That wasn’t a guarantee, and the crew is arriving soon.”
Ewan’s eyebrows lifted. “Give her a break. That was a yes, if I’ve ever heard one.
Start drawing up the contracts.” He read over his laptop.
“I already have the one for what everyone is calling the old Samuelson place. It’s perfect for the crew trailers and equipment, and it’s outside of town, so nobody will get in the way. A guy named Boyd has already signed.”
“Good job.” Bianca paused as the waitress bopped up. She ordered a latte and avocado toast before returning to the subject. “We are almost in place.”
Clancy blew out air. “All right. Email me the information about the Willoughbys and I’ll draft a contract. I think they’re gonna sign.”
“I’ll do that today,” Bianca said. She needed to start planning Maggie’s garden but wanted more time at the place to really look around.
Ewan sighed. “The crew gets here in less than a week. We need those contracts in place.”
“They will be,” Clancy said, finishing his bagel. He glanced at his watch. “Bianca, are you still heading down to the Texas site next week?”
Bianca shook her head. “No.”
Clancy looked up sharply. “Why not? As soon as those contracts are signed, we’re good to go. You’re needed on the next scout if this new company is going to make any money.”
“I want to stay here and stage a few places better.” She could probably leave after that, although she didn’t want to. But she needed to be a grown-up. “I also want to scout a few more outside areas like the river and mountain backdrops.” Were those just excuses to stay? Yep.
Clancy looked annoyed again. “So you’re staying.”
“Yes.” Bianca looked up gratefully as the waitress brought over her latte. Thank goodness. She reached for it and took a deep drink.
Outside the window, a truck rolled past the café.
For a second her chest tightened. Adam’s truck looked exactly like that one.
She stared into her coffee instead. She really liked him, and that complicated everything.
Adam belonged in the town and obviously wanted to set down roots.
She liked to travel. Sure, she wanted to plant gardens, but she wanted to create them all over, especially on movie shoots.
She’d inherited her mother’s travel gene, and there wasn’t any way to change that.
This had to be temporary.
She ate her breakfast while Clancy and Ewan both took calls, and they hammered out the details for the crew’s movements and order of which they’d use locations. She put her napkin on her plate and turned to her water, finally.
The bell jangled above the door, and Bianca looked up to see Mrs. Shiller standing there dressed in a long light blue raincoat with rubber boots. She waved and Mrs. Shiller motioned for her.
“I’ll be right back.” Bianca stood and walked toward the older woman while trying really hard not to blush. Was she about to get a lecture? “Hi, Mrs. Shiller.”
“Hi.” Mrs. Shiller looked up through thick glasses. “I called Adam and he said you were here.”
There went that heat into her face. Bianca was an adult, and she wasn’t going to be lectured by anybody. “Yes, ma’am. In fact, I’m probably going to stay with him for the rest of my visit.”
Mrs. Shiller’s gray eyebrows rose. “That’s just wonderful.” She patted Bianca’s hand. “I’m happy to hear that.”
Oh. All right. “Is that why you were looking for me? Do you need me to clear out the room?” That made sense. Why hadn’t she thought of that?
“No.” Mrs. Shiller drew a white envelope out of her pocket.
“You received more roses with this card just a few minutes ago, and I haven’t opened it.
” She handed it over. “I’ve been calling all of the florists in the city, and so far, none of them admit to sending either of the bouquets.
” She sighed heavily. “I’m not a very good detective so far. ”
“That’s okay.” Bianca turned the envelope over. A chill tracked down her spine, and that didn’t make sense. She opened it and could feel the blood drain from her face as she read.
Mrs. Shiller grasped her arm. “What does it say?”
“Um, nothing. Thank you for bringing this.” Bianca waited until the elderly lady had left before reading the note again.
Last night was a one-time thing, and you were a decent fuck but that’s all I want from you.
I was just playing this morning and hate conflict. Don’t make me say it in person. Adam.