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.