They walked together to a sandwich shop about three blocks down Main Street. It was in a long row of old buildings that looked like they might have fit right in on an Old West movie set. Inside, there was a row of booths on either side of the narrow shop with a bar and barstools toward the back. The place was decorated in a cottage-core style and was even cozier than it looked from the outside.
When they sat down—Sam and Paris on one side of the booth and Anna on the other—Sam leaned over to say, “They’re the best lunch spot in town. You’ll see.”
“Oh, I believe you,” Anna assured him. She picked up her menu and read it over until the server arrived to take their orders.
After they all ordered their lunch, Paris sat back and asked, “So,Texas Sunriseis finally getting a movie? Is this a sure bet or just one of those things they’re teasing us with?”
“Oh, I’d say it’s a sure bet.” Anna smiled. “They’ve already got a built-in audience. The book’s fans are loyal and excited. At least, all the ones I’ve met are. It can’t possibly fail.” She sipped the orange juice she’d ordered and appreciated the fact that it was obviously fresh-squeezed.
“Unless they mess it up,” Paris said.
“Well, I aim to do my part as well as I can, and that’s why I’ve come to talk to you.”
Simultaneously, both town council members leaned in to hear what she had to say.
Anna grinned. They were eager, and that was a great sign. “If you’ve read this book, then you know.” She reached into her purse to pull out the trade paperback version ofTexas Sunriseshe’d purchased at the airport. “Denson Oaks is the spitting image of the town featured in this book. Don’t you agree?”
Paris nodded aggressively. “I’ve been saying so for months, haven’t I, Sam? I even thought maybe the author was inspired by our town, but I couldn’t find any evidence that she ever visited. It’s just so similar.”
All while Paris was talking, Sam nodded. “You did say that, yes,” he said quietly.
“I agree,” Anna said. “This town was recommended to me by another fan of the book. I’m in the middle of reading it right now, and she was totally right. It’s a perfect copy if ever there was one. I justknowfans of the book will appreciate this location. Anyway, I may not be able to control the screenplay or casting, but I can at least make sure the scenery is right.”
“Listen to you,” Paris said with an almost matronly tone. “You’re persuasive, I’ll give you that. Well, you have me on your side, and Sam, too, I’ll wager.”
Again, Sam nodded.
“He’s my best yes-man.” Paris chuckled before going on. “It’ll just be a matter of convincing the rest of the council, but that shouldn’t be too difficult. In addition to the initial filming fees, the amount of tourist money this movie could bring in will be a huge incentive. Businesses will love it.”
“I thought so.” Anna couldn’t help the note of triumph in her voice. This was going about as smoothly as it could. The only bumps in the road so far had been her stupid rental car and that grumpy cowboy who wouldn’t evenconsiderletting her film on his property.
Well, never mind about him. She had the town, and she could find another ranch that would work for the film. Maybe it wouldn’t be as picture-perfect as Charlie Greene’s place, but setbacks rarely discouraged Anna. She saw every challenge as a thing to be met and overcome. This movie was going to be brilliant, if she had anything to say about it. And she had no doubt this location was going to be so perfect that people would be searching through the original novel to see whether Denson Oaks was actually named in it. She’d put money on that if she could.
CHAPTER 7
CHARLIE
Charlie brought the axe down on another log, splitting it in one smooth gesture. Chopping wood had always been a great way to sweat out his frustrations. He had single-handedly kept the woodpile high as a teenager. Now, he was returning to his old ways, which wasn’t a bad thing, just a bit frustrating. There was something so lonely about taking care of the ranch without his father around. But Charlie wasn’t about to let it go. He was unreasonably protective of the place, he supposed. Still, a movie location?
He swung the axe down again as that last thought crossed his mind. Why did that woman get to him as much as she did? She had so much self-assurance—unearned, he was all but certain. Charlie, meanwhile, was starting to doubt his own ability to handle this ranch alone. The struggle was a hit to his pride, if nothing else. He’d been raised on this same ranch. He should know how to run it. So, why was it all so overwhelming?
One more log met a violent end before he brought an old bandana up to wipe the sweat from his face. In that quietmoment, his phone rang. He grumbled but pulled it from his pocket and answered the call.
“Charlie Greene?” the caller asked.
“Speaking,” Charlie answered in a cold, even tone.
“Hello, Mr. Greene,” the voice said. “This is Cal Weston from First Choice Bank. We’re calling to hopefully settle some past-due payments related to your property.”
Charlie’s heart immediately sank. Deep down, he’d known this day was coming, but part of him had hoped that if he just didn’t think about it, it would go away. Maybe his father’s account would quietly slip from the memories of everyone who had dealt with it before the man’s death. But, of course, it hadn’t, and he knew it was useless to even dream of such a thing. Banks were all about money. If they didn’t keep track of what they had and what they were owed, they’d go under. Just like Charlie Greene’s new ranch was going under.
“Excuse me,” Charlie said to the man on the other end of the line. “My father only died six months ago. Can I have a little grace here? I’m only just finding out about the debt.”
“The six monthswasyour grace period.” The irritation in Cal Weston’s voice was clear. He was not in the mood to deal with a reluctant debtor.
Charlie took a moment to unclench his jaw so he didn’t sound like he was in some kind of murderous rage, even though he was. “Six months was hardly enough time to deal with the death itself. I’ve barely begun to dig into the ranch, what it owes and what it brings in. Please, I had no idea it was in this bad shape financially. I can get you the money. I just need some more time to find it.”
Cal Weston sighed. “You have ninety days. This is your second grace period, so don’t go thinking you’ll get a third.”
