Chapter 15
Bianca sat in the front passenger seat of Clancy’s rental SUV as they drove away from a gently curved bay along Mineral Lake.
The water behind them shimmered under the late afternoon light, its surface broken by faint ripples where a breeze brushed across it.
The quiet beauty of the place lingered in her mind as she scrolled through the photos she had taken.
She studied one image in particular. The water deepened from pale blue near the edge to a darker sapphire farther out. “I think that’ll be perfect for the lake scene,” she said, swiping to the next photo.
“The skinny-dipping one?” Ewan asked from the backseat. His laptop rested open across his knees, the glow of the screen lighting his face. His fingers moved constantly across the keyboard, pausing only long enough for him to glance up now and then.
“Yeah. That one.” Bianca nodded. “Look at the depth in that water. It’s gorgeous.”
Clancy guided the SUV onto a narrow road that curved away from the lake. “So where to next?” His gaze flicked toward the side mirror and then to Bianca. “So far, nobody’s shot at us today,” he added.
Bianca eyed the trees on either side as if they hid assassins. “I still can’t believe that happened.”
“Same here,” Clancy said, light dancing across his handsome face. The sky had begun its evening transformation, fading from blue into bands of gold, peach, and pale lavender.
Bianca continued scrolling through photos, but her thoughts wandered. She had stayed in contact with Adam throughout the day. He had spoken with the concerned citizens group and didn’t believe they had anything to do with the bullet that shredded her tire.
Unfortunately, that didn’t help much. Then there were the flowers. Who in the world was sending them?
Clancy slowed the SUV at an intersection and let out a low whistle. “Now that sunset is impressive.”
Bianca twisted in her seat to see. The sky looked as though someone had brushed it with liquid gold. Streaks of pink stretched across the clouds while a band of soft blue hovered above the mountains in the distance. “We need that on film.”
Ewan typed for another few seconds before speaking again. “I have the schematic ready for the Willoughby farm.”
“Good.” Bianca checked the time on her phone.
“I’ll take the contract to them tomorrow.
” The Willoughby ranch would serve as the primary homestead location in the film.
The old house, with its broad porch and weathered wood siding, looked exactly like the director had envisioned.
“Hey,” she said, glancing toward Clancy.
“Would you mind driving about fifteen miles outside town?”
“Sure.”
She thought about the needed landscaping. “There’s a nursery out there. I want to see what kinds of flowers and shrubs they have. We might need landscaping pieces for the homestead scenes.”
“Works for me,” Clancy said. “But after that we’re getting food.”
Bianca blinked. “Food?”
“You forgot lunch again.”
“Oh.” She groaned softly. “Right.”
“You always do,” Ewan said from the backseat. He pushed his glasses up his nose while studying the laptop screen. “So… are you dating that rancher guy?”
Bianca turned around. “Excuse me?”
Ewan grinned. “The tall one. Adam.”
Clancy snorted.
Bianca folded her arms. Considering she’d moved her belongings from Mrs. Shiller’s B&B to Adam’s house earlier that day, it wasn’t going to be a secret for long. “Maybe.”
Ewan groaned. “That’s a yes.”
Clancy rolled his eyes.
Bianca smiled despite herself. He always acted dramatic, but scouting locations clearly put him in a good mood. She should remember that in the future. Her phone buzzed in her hand, so she lifted it to answer. “Bianca Estrada.”
“Hey, Bianca, it’s Randi.” Her cousin’s voice came through the speaker, loud and energetic as usual. “How’s it going?”
“Great,” Bianca said. “You wouldn’t believe the sunset here. I’m sending you pictures. We definitely need shots of that while we’re in town.”
A pause followed. “I’ve got the studio in Georgia lined up and ready to go once you wrap up in Montana,” Randi said, her voice holding tension.
Bianca waited. Something was about to hit.
“But…” Randi started.
Bianca closed her eyes. “But what?”
Randi sucked in a breath. “The timing shifted a little.”
Bianca straightened in the seat as Clancy glanced at her, still driving away from the lake. “What does that mean?”
“I’m sending the crew tomorrow.”
Bianca’s heart stopped. “Tomorrow? Are you kidding? That puts them here in about forty-eight hours.”
“I know.” Randi rushed ahead. “I’m sorry, but that’s the only way it’ll work with the studio. To be honest, I already sent the crew and the equipment.”
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.
Ewan glanced around. “Looks like a bunch of plants and flowers to me.”
Bianca spread her arms wide, taking in the entire shop. “This is wonderful.”
Boyd grinned. “Do you want to wander around, or would you like me to show you the inventory?”