Page 11 of Home to Me

“At any rate, the crew and the talent need someplace to stay. It's not feasible to commute in from Lake Tahoe every day. The director's got a lock on an apartment that's apparently above this café, but that only covers him. So, basically, what we need is a furnished property that could comfortably sleep a dozen people. Doubling or even tripling up rooms, of course. And then another property, but this one wouldn't need to be as large. It would only house Ben.

“Obviously, if we needed to contract them for the whole month, that would be fine. Do you have anything like that? You'd really be helping us out of a bind.”

Lauren was already nodding, pulling out her smartphone, completely comfortable now that she was back in Super Agent Mode. “Absolutely. I need to contact a couple of owners, but I don't think it will be a problem. I have a couple of different properties in mind that should fit the bill. What's your email? I'll send you the information and the lease agreement once I have a deal on lock.”

The woman smiled. “One more little wrinkle. Think we could get into the properties tonight?”

Lauren smiled back. She loved nothing more than a real-estate-related challenge.

“I might be able to make that happen,” she said airily, in a tone that implied she sure as hell would make that happen. “Let me just jet back to the office. Here. Put your number into my phone and I'll call you the minute I know anything.”

As Lauren walked down Main Street towards her office with the familiar buzz of a deal about to take shape electrifying her blood, it suddenly hit her that Ben wasn't going to be around for two more days…

Ben was going to be around for two more weeks.

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After stepping out back of the Café to check in with his mom, her doctor’s and make sure that his sister was okay Ben was exhausted. Physically and mentally. He’d meant for the calls to take fifteen minutes tops, but over an hour later Ben wanted nothing more than to get back to his hotel room and shake off the day—take a long hot shower, get a good night's sleep, and come back to Hope Falls again the next day focused and prepared to do good work. It sounded like heaven.

Now he just needed to find a production assistant and figure out where his town car was. Just as he was starting to make his way over to the group of techs striking the set to see if he could scare up a PA—any PA at all—his cell phone rang. Glancing at the face, he saw that it was his agent. That was weird. His agent never called when he was out on location. Maybe he heard about this morning.

Ben answered the call and heard his agent's rushed but cheery voice. “Benny boy! Clear your schedule, my friend. They've extended this shoot to two weeks.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. They love the ambiance up there. And listen, I’m not sure if it has something to do with the delay today or the fact that the shoot has been extended but either way production has arranged a place for you there in town.”

“Starting tonight?” Ben was startled.

“Yeah. I guess there's some real estate woman who was able to find a couple of rentals. The hotel is packing up your things and a PA's already on his way to get them. All you have to do is go collect the key and relax in your new home away from home.”

“That sounds great,” Ben said.

“Hey, when you roll with me, kid, you get luxury.”

“Thanks,” Ben said, although he suspected his agent was trying to take credit for 'wrangling' an accommodation that was actually pretty standard. Still. Never hurt to let the guy feel appreciated.

“That's about it,” his agent wrapped up. “There should be a car waiting for you. Call me back if they give you any problems, kid.”

“Sure,” Ben agreed readily and said goodbye.

He walked out onto the sidewalk, and sure enough, the town car was idling in a parking space immediately in front of the café. Ben climbed into the back and sank down gratefully into the overstuffed leather seats, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Do you know where we're headed?” he asked the driver.

“Certainly, sir,” the man replied deferentially, pulling the town car out into the street.

Ben watched the streets of the quaint little town pass by outside the window, and he definitely saw the charm that the production team saw. This town had everything that viewers liked to relate to—friendly people, close-knit friends and family, and a strong sense of community. Yet it also had the magic ingredients that made people watch real estate reality shows inspirationally—stunning natural beauty and—his bread and butter—gorgeous mansions set high in the hills.

As the town car finished its climb into the hills surrounding Hope Falls and pulled up in front of a beautiful cabin, Ben’s pulse sped up with happy anticipation when he saw that Lauren was standing in front of the house. Illumination from the porch light revealed that she definitely did not look equally pleased to see him.

Ben climbed out of the town car and tipped the driver, waving as he sped away. He turned and walked towards Lauren but stopped mid stride and froze. She was completely bundled up, in a jacket, gloves, hat, and scarf. Only her brilliant green eyes and full red lips were visible. She looked soft. Approachable. Adorable. It took Ben by complete surprise.

“What?” she asked defensively as she wrapped her arms tighter around herself.

“Nothing,” he managed to answer, still unable to move as he stared at her trying to regain his mental balance.

“It’s obviously something,” Lauren insisted, her tone filled with irritation. Reaching up she brought her hand to her mouth then her cheek. “What? Do I have something on my face or…”

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