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?”