Bianca let her head fall back against the headrest with a dull thump. Of course it did. “They opposed the project.”
“Yeah,” Clancy said. “But we’re filming anyway, and we’re housing the crew and equipment on the opposite side of Mineral Lake from his place. Fifty grand might convince him.”
Bianca stared out the windshield at the darkening road. Her shoulders sagged under the weight of the situation. “Well,” she said finally, “let’s go make the offer in person.”
“Sure thing.” Clancy took the next barely-there road. “This is our last chance, right?”
Bianca watched the headlights stretch across the empty backcountry road. “Yeah,” she murmured, her heart actually hurting from Adam’s lie by omission. “It definitely is.”
CHAPTER 16
The bar buzzed with energy even though it was the middle of the week. The usual weekday calm had vanished under the hum of voices, laughter, and the clatter of glassware. Country music drifted from the speakers overhead while the scent of fried food and spilled beer hung in the warm air.
Adam moved a row of empty bottles off the bar and dropped them into the industrial dishwasher behind him. The machine hissed and roared to life. He grabbed three glasses, filled them with ice, and poured vodka sodas before sliding them across the polished wood.
“Here you go, Tara,” he said as the waitress swooped past with her tray. She flashed him a grateful grin and disappeared into the crowd of tables. He wiped his hands on a towel and glanced down the bar at two familiar faces. “You ladies okay?”
Ellen and Joan sat side by side on the stools closest to the register.
Joan rested her elbows on the counter with the comfortable confidence of someone who had been coming here for years. “I’d love another champagne.”
“I’ll take Fireball,” Ellen announced. Her words dragged together as she spoke, and her body swayed on the stool.
“All righty.” He grabbed a champagne flute and a shot glass, poured both drinks, and set them in front of the women.
Joan reached out and caught his wrist before he stepped away. “You seem pretty single these days, Adam.”
He raised one eyebrow.
“I know you’re goofing off with that movie woman,” Joan continued. “What’s her name again?”
“Bianca,” he said. Joan knew the woman’s name.
Joan nodded. “Yeah, of course. But she’s leaving town soon. You know that, right?”
“I know,” Adam said. “She loves outside set design and decorating with flowers.” Bianca hadn’t hidden how much she loved her job, and it definitely wasn’t about money. She talked about filming locations, scenery, and landscaping projects with the kind of excitement most people saved for vacations or weddings.
Ellen’s blue eyes swam as she stared at him. “Really? I knew she liked flowers, but how much does she like flowers?”
Adam grabbed a rag and wiped down the section of bar in front of them.
“I could really use a partner,” Ellen continued. Her voice carried a hopeful note that tugged at him.
“I don’t think she’s interested in running a flower shop,” Adam said. “She’s more into planting trees, shrubs, that sort of thing.” He hadn’t heard from Bianca all day after dropping her off with her coworkers. He figured they’d be safe if they stuck together. She’d promised to call if she needed anything, and he’d expected a call by now.
It was already dark outside.
Ellen’s shoulders sank. “That’s what I figured.”
Adam studied her for a moment. Ellen had worked hard to build her little flower business in town. The shop sat on the corner across from the feed store, and most days she kept the windows filled with bright arrangements that caught the attention of anyone walking by. Still, a small town didn’t always provide steady income.
“You know,” Adam said, “I could make more of an effort to keep fresh flowers on the tables.” He glanced at the small arrangements scattered along the bar and the dining area that the Lady Elks had brought by. “They really do add personality.”
Ellen lifted her head. “Yeah?” Her eyes sharpened with interest. “What do you mean?”
Adam released a slow breath and did a quick calculation in his head. His bank account had taken a few hits lately, but the bar had been doing well enough to carry a small extra expense. “How about I order fresh flowers for the tables every week?”
Ellen’s eyes widened. She turned her head and scanned the bar, clearly counting the tables. “Seriously?”