His horse, a pretty brown one, shifted sideways and he easily compensated. “Dan? I’ve been trying to get the funds to help with the taxes and have a line on an option, so you don’t have to allow strangers to walk all over your property.”
Dan shook his head. “We’re good, buddy. I took out a quick loan for the taxes and will work on the one for improvements, but no hurry there.”
Boyd held the reins loosely in his hands. “Geez. Not from a loan shark or anything like that?” Concern drew down his brows.With his brown eyes and longer hair, he looked like a handsome cowboy. They seemed to be everywhere in Maverick, Montana.
“No,” Maggie snorted. “Of course not.”
“Good.” Boyd ducked his chin. “I’m sorry, Bianca.”
She rubbed her hands down her chilled arms. Spring in Montana required a heavier jacket than the light windbreaker she’d donned over a T-shirt and jeans. “It’s okay. We’ll find another place.”
Maggie kicked a pebble. “Now I feel bad. I was happy to say no with Clancy being a jerk, but you’re so nice. We could use a little extra money.” She looked over at the kids. “How about you come inside and have a cup of coffee, Bianca?”
Both Boyd and Daniel gave audible groans.
Daniel sighed. “I’ll take the kids into the barn to practice on saddles since rain is coming. Don’t sign any contracts without me.”
Bianca smiled, happy with the way in. Maybe Maggie would be willing to have just a smaller crew and a shorter filming time on the ranch. “That would be nice.” They climbed the porch steps together and stepped into the house.
Horse hoofs sounded as Boyd no doubt took off.
The living room felt warm and lived-in. Toys sat in a basket near the couch, and a quilt draped over the armrest. The kitchen beyond smelled faintly of cinnamon. Bianca’s attention drifted to the mantle above the fireplace. A vase of deep red roses stood there. The flowers looked a bit lighter in color to the ones sitting in Mrs. Shiller’s parlor back at the B&B.
Bianca stepped a little closer. “They’re beautiful,” she said.
Maggie followed her gaze. “Daniel brought those home last night from Ellen’s. We’re, ah, expecting again.” She looked down at her flat stomach.
Bianca smiled. “Congratulations.” The woman seemed busy but happy, and her husband had looked at her with adoration,clear as day. What would it be like to have that kind of security and love in life? “I’m thinking extra cash might be good?”
Maggie chuckled. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that. Have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the wide Montana sky as Bianca sat on a blue and green floral sofa, moving a doll out of her way.
Maggie returned with coffee on a tray, setting it on the coffee table before taking a seat in a matching blue chair. “Welcome to the spring storm season.” She handed Bianca a mug.
Bianca took it, inhaling the scent of coffee and berries. “Thanks. The weather here is one of the reasons we chose this location. The movie has some storm-driven scenes with hard driving rain.”
Maggie took a sip of her drink, steam rising from the mug. “You picked the right place, then.”
Bianca took a drink. “This is delicious,” she murmured. “If you don’t mind my asking, how many acres do you have?” Sure, Clancy probably had that answer, but it was a decent icebreaker to getting to business.
“We have about eight hundred acres, but some of it climbs around the mountains,” Maggie said easily. “At some point we’ll use it all, but one thing at a time, right?” Her blue eyes lit. “Hey. Could you use some of the land toward the west and away from the house?”
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 anyplaceyou 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?”