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.”